Geraldine Laybourne

Geraldine Laybourne Chairman and CEO, Oxygen Media.

"Having figured out how to change the television landscape for kids in the 80s and 90s as the creative and business force behind Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite, Geraldine has shifted her focus to women. Smart women need a place to have fun that respects their intelligence and doesn't take itself too seriously. Laybourne founded Oxygen Media and has served as its chairman and chief executive officer since its inception in 1998. Geraldine has been honored for her many contributions to the industry including being named as one of the 25 most influential people in America by Time magazine in 1996. She has received numerous awards including: the Annenberg Public Policy Center's award for Distinguished Lifetime Contribution to Children and Television, the New York Women in Communications Matrix Award for Broadcasting, and the Creative Coalition's Spotlight Award. In 1995, she was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. Laybourne sits on a number of boards and advisory committees, including The National Cable Television Association, The YES Network, The National Council for Families and Television, New York Women in Film & Television (Advisory Board), and Cable Positive (Honorary Chair)."

Geraldine B. Laybourne "joined Symantec’s board of directors in January 2008. Laybourne founded Oxygen Media and served as its chairman and chief executive officer until November 2007 when the network was acquired by NBC Universal. Oxygen was launched in 2000 to fill a void in the television landscape – creating a network targeted to younger women. Laybourne led the company to be a strong advocate for women, through programs like The Mentor's Walk, Oxygen's national program for bringing along the next generation, and "Who Cares About Girls," Oxygen's documentary series.

"Prior to starting Oxygen, Laybourne spent 16 years at Nickelodeon. Under her leadership, Nickelodeon became the top-rated 24-hour cable service and won several notable honors, including Emmy®, Peabody®, CableACE® and Parent’s Choice® awards. From 1996-1998, Laybourne was president of Disney/ABC Cable Networks where she was responsible for overseeing cable programming for the Walt Disney Company and ABC.

"Laybourne is a member of the Board of Directors of Electronic Arts, J.C. Penney and Move.com and also serves on the Board of Trustees of Vassar College. Laybourne also sat on a number of industry boards and advisory committees, including The National Cable Television Association, The National Council for Families and Television, New York Women in Film & Television (Advisory Board), Cable Positive (Honorary Chair) and the Council of National Advisors of Springboard Enterprises.

"She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from Vassar College and a Master of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania. A native of Martinsville, New Jersey, she and her husband Kit have two children and three grandchildren."

• Advisory Board, White House Project
• Advisory Council (2007), Acumen Fund
• Project Member, Horizon Project