I will forever be grateful to Jim Dolan who tapped me to make the biggest career shift of my life, and saw more potential in me than I saw in myself.
Gemma Toner
Gemma Toner, Founder and CEO of Tone Networks, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, August 9, 2020.
Gemma is a media and telecommunications leader known for driving innovation at the intersection of big data and digital media. As a senior executive in the cable industry for more than 20 years, Gemma experienced firsthand the transformative power of executive coaching and mentoring. With an eye toward helping other women achieve their potential, in 2017 Gemma created TONE Networks, a learning and development platform to develop female talent through expert video content, virtual coaching and a vibrant online community. With 1,000+ videos, the platform enables users to discover career coaches and expertise that otherwise may be hard to find or afford.
Prior to founding TONE Networks, Toner was SVP, Business Insights and Strategy at Cablevision Systems Corporation. During her tenure, she held roles in Marketing, Business Development, and Product Management. Most notably, she created an award-winning suite of products and first-to-market industry initiatives including Optimum Online, Optimum Wifi, Optimum Rewards, Optimum Voice, and Optimum Select (interactive advertising).
Before Cablevision, Toner rose through the ranks at AMC Networks to become SVP, New Media Development. At AMC, she led the development of new media and interactive opportunities for AMC Networks, positioning the company to capitalize on emerging entertainment platforms.
Toner has also been a past Chairperson for the Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing and a past board member at WICT (Women in Cable Television), as well as a Wonder Woman and Tami recipient. She was recently awarded a patent for The System and Method for Set Top Box Viewing Data, which enables the use of set top box data to measure audience viewing patterns.
She served on the Board of Directors for several companies including Sandvine, (TSX:SVC) a leading provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, which was recently acquired by Francisco Partners, and Engagement Labs Inc. (TSXV: EL), which provides full-service next-generation social technology solutions for marketers. A graduate of Villanova University, Gemma currently is on the Board of Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian organization partnering with local communities to transform the lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
SUE SAYS
I asked Gemma how she was managing fear as a business owner during a pandemic. She said, “I always keep my eye on my north star, and think about why we are doing what we’re doing to help women. That mission keeps me focused and moving forward even when things get challenging. I love the idea of each one of us having our own north star.