Susette Hsiung is responsible for overseeing the production companies that create live-action series, animated series and movies for Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney, as well as Disney Channels and Disney TV Animation-produced content for Disney+. Hsiung’s team oversees the physical production of more than 1000 hours of programming in single-camera and multi-camera formats, including reality/talk shows, specials, on-air promotional messages, short-form content and micro-content, including micro-movies. She reports to Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels.
Titles under Hsiung’s remit over the past two decades include “Hannah Montana,” “Phineas and Ferb,” “Kim Possible,” and more than 100 Disney Channel Original Movies including the Emmy® Award-winning “High School Musical” and its record-breaking sequel “High School Musical 2,” Disney’s “Descendants” franchise, “Camp Rock” and its sequel, “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” and “Adventures in Babysitting.”
Hsiung and her team shepherd production companies for current live-action series, including “Raven’s Home” and “BUNK’D,” as well as Disney Television Animation’s “DuckTales” and “Big City Greens,” and third party animation production companies for series including “Muppet Babies” and “Mira, Royal Detective,” among others. She is also responsible for guiding production on “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” and the upcoming “Monsters At Work” and “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” all for Disney+. Additionally, Hsiung supervises the production of several large scale Radio Disney events, including the annual “ARDYs.”
A champion for women and minorities in the entertainment industry throughout her 30+ year career, Hsiung has been instrumental in developing and producing shows with strong characters that young viewers and their families can relate to and storylines that promote tolerance, respect and self-acceptance. As an executive leader of Walt Disney Television’s Global Workplace & Women’s Initiative, Hsiung advocates for the career advancement of female employees and an enhanced workplace for all employees. She is part of Walt Disney Television’s leadership mentoring program, has spearheaded numerous employee enrichment programs, including a book club, yoga and drawing classes, and serves as executive sponsor of Disney’s Asian-Pacific Islander employee resource group. In addition to her work at Disney, Hsiung also serves as secretary on the board of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of Girls, Inc.
Cablefax has recognized Hsiung multiple years in a row as both one of the “100 Most Influential Minorities” and “Most Powerful Women in the Cable.” A proud wife and mother, she serves as a role model and mentor to many up-and-coming young executives striving to achieve a successful career and family.
Hsiung joined Disney Channel in May 1997 as vice president of Production. A veteran of HBO, MTV and Comedy Central, Hsiung was vice president of Production for MTV Asia and spearheaded international ventures, including the launch of two 24-hour cable television channels servicing Far East territories. Her diverse experience includes tenures as a production executive for HBO Downtown Productions and as a line producer for The Comedy Channel (now known as Comedy Central). She began her career at MTV Networks in 1984, rising through the ranks to the role of production manager.
Hsiung graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She received a Master of Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Hsiung lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.
