Cindy McConkey combines a strong background in journalism and public relations consulting in directing the Corporate Communications Group for Scripps Networks, the company behind the popular lifestyle networks HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Travel Channel, Cooking Channel and music network Great American Country (GAC).
McConkey joined Scripps Networks after a distinguished, 15-year tenure as a public relations and marketing consultant. A journalist by training, McConkey was a reporter at USA TODAY in Washington, D.C., establishing herself as one of the first female journalists to cover the national sports scene.
Since joining Scripps Networks, her work has earned numerous awards including first-place honors for the company’s employee newsletter. The community outreach initiatives she directs have also been honored by the Urban League, Goodwill Industries and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
A native of Knoxville, Tenn., McConkey served for three years on the Scripps-Howard Foundation Board of Trustees and currently is a board member of Knoxville’s YWCA and University of Tennessee’s College of Communications’ Board of Visitors. Honored as a member of the 2008-2009 Princeton Premier Business Leaders and Professionals, McConkey also serves on the planning committees for the Women in Cable Television Leadership Conference and the NCTA National Cable Show.
McConkey is a graduate of the University of Tennessee’s College of Communications and also has completed CTAM University, an executive business program at Harvard Business School.
