Depelsha McGruder is Senior Vice President of Content Strategy & Operations for BET Networks Original Programming. In this role, Depelsha partners with the President of Programming to determine the best processes for development and production of original content across BET and CENTRIC. Depelsha also leads development and production of short-form, multi-platform content on CENTRIC.
Depelsha was previously Senior Vice President of Business Operations for CENTRIC, a cable television network that she helped launch in 2009. In her role at CENTRIC, McGruder spearheaded the operating plan that supported the network’s strategic and financial goals. McGruder oversaw Finance & Operations, Music Programming & Talent, Digital/Social Media and Strategic Partnerships. She also served as the primary point person on all day-to-day CENTRIC operational issues, including Programming Scheduling & Acquisitions, Marketing, Legal, Human Resources and Technology. In addition, McGruder was responsible for developing, negotiating and structuring new strategic business partnerships that grew CENTRIC’s brand and business. Depelsha recently led the transition for CENTRIC to become the first network designed for Black women.
Prior to joining BET Networks, McGruder was Acting General Manager of MTV Tr3s, a television network targeting bilingual, bicultural U.S. Latino youth, which she helped to launch in 2006. She also served as Senior Vice President of Business Operations & Strategy for MTV. In that role, she supported the President of MTV in the day-to-day business management of all properties under the MTV brand in the United States, including MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Tr3s, MTV.com, MTV Hits and MTV Jams. McGruder was responsible for creating short- and long-term strategies for these businesses as well as implementing growth plans and operational improvements.
In her previous role as Senior Director of Business Development for MTV, McGruder was responsible for initiating, analyzing, negotiating and implementing new business opportunities, brand extensions and strategic partnerships and was instrumental in the business plan development and launch of MTV Overdrive, MTV Networks’ first broadband network, as well as MTV’s wireless and Video-on-Demand businesses. She was a charter member of MTV’s first Diversity Team and in 2002, was awarded the "Diversity Award" by the CEO for outstanding service in this area. She also served as a mentor to high school students through an MTV partnership with Talent Unlimited High School.
Before joining MTV in 2000, McGruder was a Senior Consultant in Accenture’s Media & Entertainment Strategy practice. There, she advised top tier media & entertainment, telecommunications and high-tech companies on their strategies and business processes. Prior to her consulting work, McGruder was a local TV news anchor, reporter and producer at WMAZ-TV in Macon, GA and WFXL-TV in Albany, GA.
McGruder graduated first in her class with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. In 2011, she was selected for The Network Journal’s "40 Under Forty Achievers Award." She serves on the Board of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and is a member of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, Council of Urban Professionals, Howard University Alumni Association, Harvard Business School Alumni Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and The Links, Inc. McGruder resides in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons, ages 6 and 3. She enjoys singing karaoke, traveling, reading, gardening, working with youth and cooking.
