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Susan Lyne
Susan Lyne in 2016
Born
Susan M. Lyne

(1951-04-30) April 30, 1951 (age 74)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley
(dropped out)
Occupations
Years active1970s–present
Known forFounder of BBG Ventures
Founding editor of Premiere Magazine (US edition)
TelevisionLost
The Bachelor
Desperate Housewives
Grey's Anatomy
The Apprentice: Martha Stewart
Title
See list
Board member ofGopro
Blade Air Mobility
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1984; died 2006)​
Children2
AwardsAdvertising Age Award
Matrix Award

Susan Lyne (born April 30, 1951) is an American media executive and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and Managing Partner of BBG Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies. Over the course of her career, she has held several senior leadership positions in various companies. She has served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, the fashion e-commerce platform Gilt Groupe, and the AOL Brand Group. In addition, she has held the position of President at ABC Entertainment, where she oversaw the development of prime-time programming. She also served as Executive Vice President at both The Walt Disney Company and AOL.[1][2][3]

She has served as a director on the boards of several public and private companies. Currently she serves as an independent director at GoPro, a role she has held since 2017,[4][5] and is also a board member of Blade Air Mobility, a technology-powered air mobility platform. Previously she held director board positions with Gilt Groupe, AOL, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Starz, and CIT Group.[6]

Early life and education

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Susan Lyne was born on April 30, 1951, and raised near Boston, Massachusetts. She was the eldest of five children, and raised in a conservative Irish Catholic family. Lyne attended an all-girls school for her early education.[7][8]

She went on to study at the University of California, Berkeley, but left before graduating.[9][10]

Career

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Susan Lyne began her career in publishing with editorial roles at The Village Voice and New Times. In 1987, she founded Premiere, a magazine focused on the movie industry, where she served as editor in chief for many years.[11] In January 1996, Lyne joined The Walt Disney Company as Executive Vice President of Acquisitions, Development, and New Business for Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a position in which she established the studio’s East Coast office.[12][13] Two years later, in March 1998, she transitioned to ABC Entertainment as Executive Vice President of Movies and Miniseries.[14] She was later appointed President of ABC Entertainment in January 2002, where she oversaw the development of popular series like Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.[15][16]

In 2004, Lyne became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO), a role she took on during a period of uncertainty for the company, due to the conviction of its founder Martha Stewart, for an insider trading incident.[17] She focused on stabilizing operations and diversifying its business model.[18][19] After leaving MSLO in 2008, Lyne took on the role of Chairperson and CEO at Gilt Groupe, an online retailer of fashion and lifestyle products. During her time at Gilt Groupe, the company expanded its membership base and navigated economic challenges.[20][21]

In 2013, Lyne was appointed CEO of AOL's Brand Group, where she managed various content brands, including TechCrunch and Engadget.[22][23] The following year, she shifted her focus to venture capital by founding BBG Ventures, which primarily invests in early-stage companies led by women.[24][25] In 2024, BBG Ventures announced a $60 million fund, expanding its focus to include a broader range of underrepresented entrepreneurs.[26] Lyne has also served on the boards of several companies, including GoPro and Blade Air Mobility.[27][28]

Personal life

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Susan Lyne was married to George Crile, a former producer for 60 Minutes. The couple has two daughters, Susan and Jane. Lyne has also been involved in philanthropic work, particularly in areas related to women’s empowerment and education.[29][30][31]

Board and affiliations

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Susan Lyne has served on the boards of multiple companies. Her board memberships include:

Additionally, she served as a trustee for Rockefeller University and The New School, and previously held trustee positions with The Posse Foundation and The Public Theater.[43]

Honours and Recognition

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She has been recognized for her contributions to the tech and communications industries over the course of her career. She was named Ad Age's Publishing Executive of the Year and received the Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications.[44] In 2019, she was listed among Crain's Notable Women in Tech and recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Influential Women in Tech.[45][46] In 2021, she was included in Forbes inaugural 50 Over 50.[47]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Spangler, Todd (September 2, 2014). "Susan Lyne Steps Down as AOL Brand Chief to Head Company's New Venture Fund". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  2. ^ "Susan Lyne". Forbes. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  3. ^ "Susan Lyne | Producer". IMDb. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "GoPro Names Susan Lyne to Board (EXCLUSIVE)". Yahoo Entertainment. April 25, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  5. ^ Spangler, Todd (April 25, 2017). "GoPro Names Susan Lyne to Board (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  6. ^ "Bloomberg Profile". Bloomberg. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  7. ^ "Susan LYNE personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  8. ^ pulse (January 5, 2018). "How former Gilt Groupe CEO Susan Lyne took down Patty Hearst, took over Martha Stewart's empire while she was in prison, and now empowers female entrepreneurs". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  9. ^ "Q&A with Susan Lyne". The Washington Post. December 21, 2012. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  10. ^ "How former Gilt Groupe CEO Susan Lyne took down Patty Hearst". Yahoo. January 5, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  11. ^ Learmonth, Pamela McClintock,Michael (November 11, 2004). "Ex-ABC exec Lyne lines up Martha gig". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Susan Lyne: Adjusting the Picture at ABC". Bloomberg. January 21, 2002. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  13. ^ Carmody, Deirdre (January 3, 1996). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS;Film Magazine Editor to Lead Disney's Development Efforts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  14. ^ Street Journal, Bruce OrwallStaff Reporter of The Wall (January 8, 2002). "Disney Shake-Up Leaves Lyne in Charge Of Lifting ABC Out of Ratings Doldrums". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  15. ^ "Martha Stewart names Susan Lyne new CEO - Nov. 11, 2004". money.cnn.com. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  16. ^ "Susan Lyne". The Washington Post. November 20, 2012. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  17. ^ Task, Aaron. "From The Bachelor to #BuiltbyGirls: The Many Lives of Susan Lyne". Fortune. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  18. ^ "Martha Stewart CEO Lyne steps down". NBC News. June 11, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  19. ^ "Martha Stewart Living CEO Lyne steps down". Reuters. June 12, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  20. ^ Lunden, Ingrid (February 28, 2013). "Aol Confirms Susan Lyne As CEO Of Brand Group, Artie Minson Out As COO Role Goes (Memo)". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  21. ^ Sellers, Patricia. "How AOL got its new brand chief". Fortune. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  22. ^ "AOL taps Lyne to serve as CEO of its Brand Group". AP News. February 28, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  23. ^ A. O. L. Staff (July 15, 2016). "AOL Appoints Susan Lyne as CEO of Its Brand Group". www.aol.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  24. ^ "The Woman Behind New York's Hottest Female-Led Startups: Q&A With Susan Lyne of BBG Ventures". Observer. October 19, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  25. ^ Swisher, Kara (September 2, 2014). "AOL's Brand CEO Susan Lyne Stepping Down to Run Women-Focused Fund for Company". Vox. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  26. ^ "BBG Ventures Announces $60 Million Fund II and Unveils New Research: Investing in the Polycultural Future of America". Reuters. October 30, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  27. ^ Davis, Dominic-Madori (October 31, 2024). "BBG Ventures raises new $60M fund to support diverse founders". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  28. ^ Rao, Leena. "BBG Ventures raises $60 million for its latest fund and moves beyond just backing female founders". Business Insider. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  29. ^ Feloni, Richard. "The former Gilt Groupe CEO has let the same guiding principle take her from developing 'The Bachelor' to running Martha Stewart's empire to challenging Silicon Valley". Business Insider. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  30. ^ Holley, Joe (May 16, 2006). "George Crile III; Journalist Alleged Vietnam War Lies". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  31. ^ Pace, Gina (May 15, 2006). "CBS Journalist George Crile Dies At 61 - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  32. ^ "GPRO.O - | Stock Price & Latest News". www.reuters.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  33. ^ "Corporate Governance - Board of Directors - Person Details | GoPro Inc". investor.gopro.com. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  34. ^ "Blade Air Mobility Inc". Reuters. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  35. ^ "Board Committees". Blade Air Mobility, Inc. 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  36. ^ "Gilt Chairman Susan Lyne shares upside to failure". Reuters. December 6, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  37. ^ "AOL picks Susan Lyne to head up its brands, including TechCrunch". Reuters. February 28, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  38. ^ "Susan Lyne set to head MSO". www.ft.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  39. ^ "Martha Stewart chief quits". www.ft.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  40. ^ "Bloomberg Profile". Bloomberg. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  41. ^ "Council on Foreign Relations". www.cfr.org. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  42. ^ "Chancellor's Councils". inspire.berkeley.edu. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  43. ^ "Susan Lyne". The Washington Post. November 20, 2012. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  44. ^ "Susan Lyne". The Washington Post. November 20, 2012. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  45. ^ "THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY 2010 – Susan Lyne". Fast Company. March 10, 2010. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  46. ^ "Notable Women in Tech 2019: Susan Lyne". Crain's New York Business. May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  47. ^ "50 Over 50 2021". Forbes. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
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