2025 Winner
Janelle Rodriguez
Executive Vice President of Programming, NBC News
How This NBC News Vet Is Changing the Way We Watch News
As the Executive Vice President of Programming at NBC News, Janelle Rodriguez manages the NBC Nightly News and the network’s breaking news specials, which would already make her one of the most influential women in the industry. But the Puerto Rican executive is also changing how we consume news. In 2019, her team launched NBC News NOW, a free streaming service that is currently producing 12+ hours of live daily content and distributed across more than 20 platforms. The network has invested heavily in the service, using the same studios and control rooms as NBC News’ linear broadcast. NBC News NOW delivered its best year ever in 2024, with double-digit YOY growth, continuing its streak as the fastest-growing streaming news network. As a sign of its influence at the network, NBC News NOW anchor Tom Llamas will replace Lester Holt at NBC Nightly News this summer. Rodriguez also earned a spot on Fast Company’s Queer 50 list last year.
By Audrey Goodson Kingo
