Experience: Maria E. Brennan, CAE, is the President and CEO of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), a national non-profit organization that has been serving women in the cable industry for 30 years. Prior to joining WICT, Brennan served as the President of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT). She has more than 22 years of executive management experience with non-profits ranging in size from 2,000-33,000 members. Brennan has particular expertise in the areas of strategic planning, communications, advocacy and resource development. As the public voice of WICT, Brennan is an experienced spokesperson and advocate for both media industry and workplace equity issues. She has represented numerous diversity-based nonprofits including AWRT, National Association of Women Business Owners and American Society of Women Accountants. She is a frequently quoted expert on issues of pay equity and work/life balance and has been published or featured in such magazines as Broadcasting & Cable, Working Mother, Association TRENDS, Selecta and CableFAX. Brennan is an award-winning writer, having recently received an EXCEL Award for her byline, “Hear Me Roar.” She was named by Association TRENDS as one of 20 “Inspiring Association Executives of the Year.” In 2007, Brennan was elected to serve on the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University, and is a member of its strategic planning and communications board subcommittees. She is also serving her third term on the Diversity Board of the Federal Communications Commission. Brennan earned her CAE (Certified Association Executive) distinction from the American Society of Association Executives; a certification earned by only 5% of non-profit executives in the U.S. She is a native Washingtonian and attended the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. She and her husband, Michael, reside in the Washington, DC area with their two daughters.