AWM Office Hours with Jaclyn Levin: A Conversation on Reinvention, Resilience, and the Future of Media
During the March AWM Office Hours, members had the opportunity to hear from Jaclyn Levin, President of Shriver Media, who brought refreshing candor and decades of experience from ABC News, NBC News, and now the digital media world. Designed as an exclusive member benefit, this series offers intimate, ask-me-anything–style discussions with top media executives and provides members true accessibility – real conversations, open dialogue, and a space where people can engage rather than just be talked at.
Ms. Levin opened by reflecting on her unexpected departure from network news during the early days of COVID-19 and the soul-searching that followed. “I wasn’t done,” she recalled. “I didn’t feel old. I didn’t look old. I wasn’t old… but other people were congratulating me on my retirement.” Her honesty set the tone for a powerful conversation about navigating reinvention in an evolving industry.
Ms. Levin also highlighted the rapid transformation of media ecosystems, especially the shift from traditional broadcast to more personal, audience-driven platforms. After joining her former NBC colleague, Maria Shriver, in 2021 to help grow Shriver Media, she realized that what they were building with their newsletter, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, “was still the same content we were creating, we were just delivering it differently.” She emphasized how audiences now “expect a more personal relationship, sort of this one-on-one touch point,” describing the success of the Sunday Paper newsletters and the need to meet audiences where they are, through newsletters, podcasts, virtual conversations, live events and beyond.
The discussion also touched on the realities of innovation inside legacy newsrooms. Ms. Levin noted that while new tools like AI offer opportunity, adoption requires empathy and good leadership. “People are scared,” she said. “You need to have leaders who don’t just shove it down their throats, but who try to bring people into the tent. I think people are probably most afraid of being laid off and replaced with AI.”
She underscored that technology would continue to evolve, but “good storytelling will always be there,” reminding attendees that core journalistic skills remain essential even as formats shift.
Perhaps most inspiring was her encouragement for media professionals navigating change. Ms. Levin spoke openly about career pivots, risks that shaped her trajectory, and learning to embrace imperfection in the digital age. She urged members to stay curious and adaptable: “You have to be everywhere in this atmosphere…but you also have to know what makes your work special.” Her message served as a reminder of the value of connection, community, and continuous learning – the very purpose of AWM Office Hours.
For more information about the AWM Office Hours program, please email amy.burton@allwomeninmedia.org.