Spring Break
New HBS Alumnae Co-President Stresses Value of HBS Network
Rebecca Walden, OJ, Special Contributor
Issue date: 1/27/03 Section: Viewpoints
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Jean McCormick, HBS '88, defies many of the traditional female stereotypes. Most notably, she has a deep and enduring passion for sports despite never having excelled on the playing field. Research on how 'talking sports' affects women in business at Wellesley, her undergrad alma mater, culminated in a book entitled, "Talk Sports Like a Pro - 99 Secrets to Becoming a Sports Goddess." While whimsical in title, the research harkens to McCormick's deep commitment to women's issues in the workplace.
"I came to Boston six years ago and got involved with the Network of Women Alumnae and met so many interesting, compelling women that I became committed to thinking through how we can all live the best possible lives." In addition to its purpose to promote women's networking and continuing education, McCormick believes that the organization can play a role in ongoing mentoring and education in work/life balance.
McCormick's own story begins at home. Her father was the President of RKO General New England and then President of his own chain of radio stations and encouraged McCormick to get into TV. After graduating from Wellesley, she began at ABC News where she became the chief researcher for Nightline and matriculated at HBS five years later.
"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't use my HBS skills," a strong statement considering a significant portion of her first decade after HBS was mainly on the production side.
Like many HBS grads, McCormick had a brief stint in public finance but was not satisfied and within a year and a half was back at ABC. A senior executive at Capital Cities suggested that McCormick join the sports cable channel, ESPN, then a rising force in Television. She joined in 1990 and launched two series and won 7 Emmys for her work.
As the first female producer and the first female coordinating producer, McCormick is quick to point out that much of her success she owes to great mentors and friendships, nearly all men. She was also the beneficiary of an executive rotational program started by Tom Murphy, then CEO of CapCities, intended to help women get on the fast track. McCormick notes that this was "an extremely positive experience."
"I came to Boston six years ago and got involved with the Network of Women Alumnae and met so many interesting, compelling women that I became committed to thinking through how we can all live the best possible lives." In addition to its purpose to promote women's networking and continuing education, McCormick believes that the organization can play a role in ongoing mentoring and education in work/life balance.
McCormick's own story begins at home. Her father was the President of RKO General New England and then President of his own chain of radio stations and encouraged McCormick to get into TV. After graduating from Wellesley, she began at ABC News where she became the chief researcher for Nightline and matriculated at HBS five years later.
"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't use my HBS skills," a strong statement considering a significant portion of her first decade after HBS was mainly on the production side.
Like many HBS grads, McCormick had a brief stint in public finance but was not satisfied and within a year and a half was back at ABC. A senior executive at Capital Cities suggested that McCormick join the sports cable channel, ESPN, then a rising force in Television. She joined in 1990 and launched two series and won 7 Emmys for her work.
As the first female producer and the first female coordinating producer, McCormick is quick to point out that much of her success she owes to great mentors and friendships, nearly all men. She was also the beneficiary of an executive rotational program started by Tom Murphy, then CEO of CapCities, intended to help women get on the fast track. McCormick notes that this was "an extremely positive experience."
