Patricia FiliKrushel's Kevo

Patricia Fili-Krushel proved that a woman can make it to the top tier in the male-dominated media industry. After working her way up the ladder in a male-dominated segment of the industry, Krushel has proven that she has what it takes to be a success. Shortly after reaching the top, however, she left it all behind to forge a pathway into new media.

Born, raised and educated in Queens, New York, Fili-Krushel graduated with a degree in communications and went to work for ABC. Her humble beginnings as a secretary with ABC belied the potential she possessed. In the next four years, Fili-Krushel worked in several different capacities, including a period as comptroller for ABC Sports. In 1979, she moved to Home Box Office, where she was made the director of sports administration. By 1984, Fili-Krushel was promoted to vice president, business affairs and production. Under her tutelage, HBO began to expand into producing original series and movies.

Nine years after joining HBO, Fili-Krushel made another move, to Lifetime Television as senior vice president, programming and production. Once again proving herself a leader, Fili-Krushel expanded Lifetime's programming to include new series and movies that reached out to women. Fili-Krushel made Lifetime renowned as the cable network that catered to women. From there it was only a small step to the position of a vice president for Hearst/ABC-Viacom Entertainment.

By 1993, ABC had recognized Fili-Krushel's potential and appointed her president of ABC Daytime. Proving once again that she knows what women like, Fili-Krushel made ABC the top-watched station of the women-under-50 age group and lead the successful launch of the talk show, The View.

Arriving at the pinnacle of success in 1998, Fili-Krushel was appointed the first woman president of one of the "big three" television networks. In early 2000, while preparing to move with her family (her husband of 10 years and two children) to southern California, Fili-Krushel was wooed away from ABC by Healtheon/WebMD, an internet-based healthcare company that is becoming a major force in the world of virtual business. Fili-Krushel accepted the position of President and CEO of WebMD Health, the consumer arm of Healtheon/WebMD.
Climb to Fame
First female appointed president of a major television network, now president of a healthcare website.
Work History
(04/2000-present) Is named president and CEO of WebMD Health.

(08/1998-03/2000) Holds title of president for the ABC Television Network.

(1993-1998) Holds title of president for ABC Daytime.

(1990-1993) Works as group vice president, Hearst/ABC-Viacom Entertainment Services.

(1988-1990) Works as senior vice president, programming and production, Lifetime Television.

(12/1984-1988) Works as vice president, business affairs and production, HBO.

(07/1981-12/1984) Works as director of production, HBO.

(06/1979-07/1981) Works as director, sports adminstration for Home Box Office (HBO).

(1975-1979) Works for ABC in several different jobs, including secretary and comptroller for ABC Sports. (pre-1975) Works as a salesclerk and records administrator.
Affiliations
Past president, New York Women in Film; Member, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; Member, National Task Force on Teen Pregnancy Prevention