#HearstLife thrived in 2021, whether we were at home, on location or in the office. We became Zoom, Teams and Slack experts. Sharing screens and shooting stories, we innovated, helped each other and delivered top-quality products and services, giving new meaning to the phrase Life at Hearst. When we come back together in person, we’re doing it with safety, health and social good in mind.

 

Hearst Ventures investment Otonomo went public on Nasdaq in February. The company is a cloud-based platform enabling car manufacturers, drivers and service providers to be a part of a connected ecosystem.

Years at Hearst: 3

Dream Vacation: Maldives

What is your favorite aspect of working at Hearst?
I love how Hearst takes care of folks. During the first year of the pandemic, the company made a commitment to not lay anyone off. That eased my concerns about myself and coworkers and helped me focus on my job.

Ashqelynn Ayers
Coordinating Producer, Matter of Fact With Soledad O’Brien
Silver Spring, Maryland

Hearst Technology Services’ AI-powered bot Herbie automatically handled over 1,000 support tickets a month.

Years at Hearst: 9

Last show you binged: My family and I just binged The Final Table on Netflix and now my 6-year-old (jokingly?) critiques dinner every night.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Hearst?
My favorite aspects of working here are how Hearst prioritizes its people and — cliché alert! — the people themselves. My brilliant colleagues challenge and inspire me daily and are genuine joys to be around, IRL or on Zoom.

Betsy Fast
Vice President, European Content Operations, Hearst Magazines
New York, New York

Years at Hearst: 1

Dream vacation: I’ve always had a deep fascination with ecology, so I’d love to explore the Galapagos Islands for all the incredibly unique life that resides there. If I go, I’d inevitably go scuba diving to explore what are some of the most amazing scuba diving spots in the world.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Hearst?
Hearst is the land of opportunity, in my opinion. I have found leadership in my division very supportive of ideas that can help us move the organization forward around diversity, equity and inclusion. This has allowed me to work on some amazing employee programs and trainings while supporting our ERGs and D&I Committees. I love seeing strategy turned into action.

Levi Sheppard
Talent Development Manager, Hearst Newspapers
Houston, Texas

Years at A+E: 5 ½

Favorite candy: Airheads — guilty ☺

What is your favorite aspect of working at A+E?
The work culture at A+E is just phenomenal. Working for a company that takes diversity, equity and inclusion so very seriously — matters. The people are wonderful, respectful, transparent and just so kind.

Michelle Baetiong
Senior Director of Production, Marketing & Multiplatform, A+E Networks
New York, New York

 

Numerous San Antonio Express-News colleagues were awarded for their outstanding work, with recognitions including the 2021 Texas Gavel Award in the Print — Non-Metro category and the 2021 Star Opinion Writer of the Year by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors (APME).

 

Years at Hearst: 5

Best book you’ve read recently: Goodnight Bear

What motivates you?
Constantly innovating is something that motivates me. How do I make my next project bigger than the last? Trying to find a solution within the time/budget constraints by innovating, that’s what drives me.

Vineet Sawant
Director, Motion Graphics, Delish
New York, New York

Tower Week welcomed NYC-based Hearst colleagues back to the office in November with a focus on health and wellness, supporting our communities and being together. A special Tower Tag Sale raised $116,000 on Hearst Gives Back and Fitch Community for nearly 200 nonprofit organizations, and colleagues assembled 225 care packages for women and children in need.

  • After waking up at 2 a.m. to report, Cristina Frank and her fellow WMTW-TV, Portland/Auburn, Maine, anchors celebrated National Coffee Day with a vital cup of joe.

  • Fitch Ratings was named "Rating Agency of the Year" for the second consecutive year by InsuranceAsia News, recognizing Fitch's strong credentials and commitment to the Asian insurance market.

  • WLKY-TV, Louisville, Kentucky, colleagues Mo Rose, Marvis Herring and Lauren Adams were energized and ready to report the morning news from the studio.

  • Each year, Fitch Ratings recognizes its analysts with ACE Awards, honoring colleagues contributions and expertise. This year, 91 award winners were recognized in categories ranging from Research to Execution, Credit Call and more.

  • Hearst Texas Newspapers’ Ken Daney and colleagues kept it COVID-safe in the office.

A cowboy takes stock on the Hearst Ranches, located on California’s Central Coast, where nearly 6,000 cattle roam and Hearst Ranch Winery produces its award-winning product.

Years at Hearst: 6

2022 New Year’s resolution: I am hoping to resume more in-person volunteering. Due to COVID-19, most community organizations reduced the amount of in-person volunteer opportunities. 

What events or initiatives did you take part in at Hearst? What motivated you to participate? 
Hearst Level Up Ventures. I was motivated to offer my support and ability to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs who are trying to navigate launching their new business, specifically in the automotive industry where representation is lacking.

Yolanda Biswah
Senior Vice President & General Manager, Canadian Black Book
Toronto, Canada

The San Francisco Chronicle sold the film rights for the story “The Jessica Simulation,” which was read by more than 500,000 people since it was published in July.

Years at Hearst: 5 ½

2022 New Year’s resolution: Find a way to engage with a larger audience through my work.

What motivates you?
I’m motivated by my colleagues, their hard work and by the stories I get to cover in the city. 

Gabrielle Lurie
Photojournalist, San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco, California

Hearst colleagues in Houston, Texas, were welcomed back to the office with a Native American Heritage Month celebration, honoring the traditions, customs and history of Native American communities.

Celebrating Milestones: Alex Nettuno toasted his seven-year anniversary with Fitch Solutions with colleagues.

Moms making it work: An A+E EMEA colleague mastered the art of multitasking.

Working remotely was the norm for much of the year, but Hearst Tower was always open, and colleagues still found time to post a #HearstElevatorSelfie or two along the way.

Columnist Chris Tomlinson shared a selfie as he returned to his desk at the Houston Chronicle.

The show must go on: Our newsrooms remained open year-round, delivering breaking news coverage and need-to-know info while keeping colleagues safe.

Hearst’s 2021 United Way drive, powered by Hearst Gives Back, raised more than $2 million supporting 900+ charities and thousands of individuals.

It was all smiles from the visual team at the San Francisco Chronicle as they were able to collaborate IRL again.

Years at Hearst: 33

2022 New Year’s resolution: Targeted acts of kindness to help the less fortunate.

What projects are you excited to work on in 2022?
The Supplier Diversity Program. This program increases our diverse supplier base across all spend categories, while allowing me to collaborate with Hearst leadership and internal stakeholders. My primary focus is to influence how business opportunities are awarded to suppliers to ensure diverse suppliers are not only considered, but actually given an opportunity to earn our business.

Kirk Budhai
Category Manager, Fleet Management, Contingent Labor & Supplier Diversity, Hearst Service Center
Charlotte, North Carolina