Our Feature Story

Paula Madison
President and General Manager of NBC4 (KNBC) and Regional General Manager for NBC/Telemundo television stations in Los Angeles.

             I recently had the opportunity to interview Paula Madison, President and General Manager of NBC4 (KNBC) and Regional General Manager for NBC/Telemundo television stations in Los Angeles.  I asked her questions about her life and career.  She was amazingly frank, and straight up
             Who would have predicted that growing up in Harlem, where most families were similar culturally and economically, that Paula Madison would end up leading a television network in a community of extreme cultural and economic diversity?  Strong, smart and bold are qualities she has exemplified since she was a young girl.  Having a happy childhood, Paula, like many people in her neighborhood was not aware of how much in the way of money and things her family did not have, I wasn't aware because everyone was pretty much in the same boat.
             Her parents, although separated, pulled together to raise and instill the value of education in their children.  As a result, she grew up understanding that education was going to be the key to bettering herself.  Her mother raised her to believe that the right tools for adulthood are truthfulness and integrity, "Always tell the truth so that you don't have to try and remember what lies you told."
            As a young girl Paula's mother worked cleaning apartment buildings and gave Paula what she felt was the most insightful advice.  She repeatedly told Paula not to limit herself when choosing what she wanted to be when she grew up.  She encouraged her to study hard so that she could focus on having a career and not just a job.
            As a 1974 graduate of Vassar College, Mrs. Madison feels that college may not be for everyone.  She believes college is hard enough when you really want to be there and cannot imagine going through all the difficulties college can bring without the want.  However, she stresses you must still focus on having a career and not just a job.  She shares that it never crossed her mind that she would not attended college.  The career Paula would eventually choose would require a college degree.
WWWWhen discussing the benefits of college, Paula reflected on how moving away and attending college helped her become more independent.  It exposed her to a new and
unfamiliar world.  She said that college is a huge transition to greater independence and adulthood, and that she realized early on that staying in college would have less challenges than those she would face if she had quit and returned home.  Paula admits that at age seventeen she did not know what career she would pursue, but she knew she wanted to be in a people arena;.
            She knew she wanted to work with people and community.  Paula confesses that she did not have enough exposure or knowledge to the different types of careers that were out there.  While growing up, she was not aware that there was a world of choices.  Not knowing exactly what career you intend to pursue as a young girl going into college is okay, but you must know what type of work you like and do not like, so that you can select a career that suits your personality and character strengths.  Mrs. Madison continued to explain that extracurricular activities help develop skills you may otherwise not have the opportunity to explore and develop.  This, she advises, helps you to know yourself better.
            As President and General Manager of KNBC and Telemundo, she remains mindful of a time when she was younger, just starting her career, and there were few women in the newsroom.  Today Paula Madison is "The Boss" at the television station.  Everyone from the news department, the news vans, the people that control the commercials aired, the helicopter pilots that give us aerial view of breaking news events, and human resources all report to her just to name a few.  It is her responsibility to make sure the station makes money while holding fast to the goals and principles the network is setting forth.  People she works with may have more experience in a particular area or function, but as management, it means knowing where the leadership of the company wants to go.  It is her job to make sure that everyone is consistent with the goal set out.  She believes in reasonable risk, which she defines as a kind of risk that is innovative and visionary.  This type of risk, Paula believes, will make people say "Hey, I think that's pretty good, I agree with that;"  Paula continued by stating, "Making decisions that may be controversial is leadership.  Provide the kind of leadership that may frankly separate you from the pack."  In addition, when I asked Mrs. Madison about mistakes in her life, she explained that what some people look upon as mistakes she looks upon as an opportunity to do better the next time, "Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make a real good omelet."
WWWPaula Madison and her husband have one daughter, Imani, a physician who is a resident in psychiatry.  Paula enjoys running and has participated in two Los Angeles Marathons.  When asked, “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?,” she responded that she would like to be able to fly. Paula would love to float above the treetops, and not just because of the price of gas these days.
            One additional statement she made and I will leave you with is "The only limit is yourself.  With family, friends, and resources, so many opportunities are available.

Live the life you've imagined. -- Henry David Thoreau