Gena McCarthy

Founder & President

fyi

Emmy-nominated programming executive, Gena McCarthy, was appointed Senior Vice President, Programming and Development of FYI in September 2013. In her role, McCarthy oversees all programming and development of the recently rebranded network, including the hit docuseries “Married at First Sight,” “Tiny House Nation,” “B.O.R.N. to Style,” “Epic Meal Empire” and more.

Previously, McCarthy was Senior Vice President, Reality and Alternative Programming for Lifetime Networks. In this position, she led all development and production of the network’s unscripted programming. McCarthy oversaw the development and creation of the popular hit series “Dance Moms” and its spin-off “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition,” as well as “Preachers’ Daughters,” “Project Runway All-Stars,” “Pretty Wicked Moms” and “Kim of Queens.” She also developed the hit series “Bring It!” and led production of the Emmy-nominated smash hit “Project Runway” and the award-winning “Coming Home,” among others.

Prior to joining Lifetime, McCarthy was Senior Vice President Development and Production for Discovery Channel, where she managed the creation and execution of more than 500 primetime series and specials, including the innovative hits “Pitchmen,” “Dual Survivor” and “The Colony.”  She also oversaw the development and production teams across all content, including blockbusters “Deadliest Catch,” “Life,” “Stormchasers” and “Man vs. Wild.” In an earlier tenure at Discovery, McCarthy was Executive Producer of brand-definitional hit series and stunts including “Dirty Jobs,” “Mythbusters” and Shark Week.

From 2006 to 2008, McCarthy was Vice President, Development and Production at WE-tv, where she launched successful series and specials for the network. She created the hit series “My Fair Wedding,” oversaw “Bridezillas” to record growth, and co-created and ran the network’s signature prime-time wedding block. McCarthy also developed key hit series including “The Locator,” “High School Confidential” and “Women Behind Bars.”

A six-year veteran of TLC’s programming and production units from 1998-2004, McCarthy co-developed and executive produced multiple successful series and specials for the network. She co-developed the groundbreaking genre-buster “Junkyard Wars” and executive produced series including “Mostly True Stories: Urban Legends Revealed,” “In a Fix,” “For Better or For Worse” and “Faking It.”

McCarthy began her career at WQED Pittsburgh, where in 1993 she started as a Copywriter and Publicist, and was eventually named Manager of Development and Production on the children’s series “Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego” and the “Wonderworks” family movie franchise.

McCarthy graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in English Writing and History. She currently resides in Montclair, NJ.

Speaking at: 30 Minutes With: Gena McCarthy, FYI (12:00-12:30)