Experience: Maria E. Brennan, CAE, is the president and CEO of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), a national non-profit organization that has served women in the cable industry for over 30 years. She was named to her current position in October 2009 and serves on WICT's Board of Directors. She is responsible for all aspects of the organization's management and strategic direction. Prior to joining WICT, Brennan served as the president of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT). 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 numerous publications. Brennan is an award-winning writer, having recently received an EXCEL Award for her byline, "Hear Me Roar." Brennan has served three terms on the Diversity Board of the Federal Communications Commission. She has served on the Harvard Kennedy School's Women's Leadership Board since 2007. Brennan also serves as a coalition partner of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). Brennan earned her CAE (Certified Association Executive) distinction from the American Society of Association Executives; a certification earned by only 5 percent of non-profit executives in the US. She is a native Washingtonian and attended the University of Maryland in College Park, MD.