# Susan Lyne

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Susan_Lyne
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Susan_Lyne.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Lyne
> Source revision: 1354225958
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|American business executive and Entrepreneur (born 1951)}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Susan Lyne
| image              = TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2016 - Day 3 (26352135984).jpg
| caption            = Susan Lyne in 2016
| birth_name         = Susan M. Lyne
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1951|04|30}}
| birth_place        = [Boston](/source/Boston), [Massachusetts](/source/Massachusetts), U.S.
| education          = [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley)<br/>(dropped out)
| occupation         = {{hlist|Businessperson|[Media executive](/source/Media_executive)|Journalist|Entrepreneur}}
| years_active       = 1970s–present
| known_for          = Founder of BBG Ventures<br/>Founding editor of [Premiere Magazine](/source/Premi%C3%A8re_(magazine)) (US edition)
| television         = [Lost](/source/Lost_(TV_series))<br/>[The Bachelor](/source/The_Bachelor_(American_TV_series))<br/>[Desperate Housewives](/source/Desperate_Housewives)<br/>[Grey's Anatomy](/source/Grey's_Anatomy)<br/>[The Apprentice: Martha Stewart](/source/The_Apprentice%3A_Martha_Stewart)
| title              = {{collapsible list
| titlestyle = font-style:italic; font-weight:normal;
| title      = {{If mobile||See {{tooltip|list|List of companies co-founded and the list of executive positions served as president or CEO}}}}
| bullets    = on
| Executive Vice President of [The Walt Disney Company](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company) (1996–2002)
| President of [ABC Entertainment](/source/ABC_Entertainment) (2002–2004)
| President and CEO of [Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia](/source/Martha_Stewart_Living_Omnimedia) (2004–2008)
| Chairperson and CEO of [Gilt Groupe](/source/Gilt_Groupe) (2008–2013)
| Executive Vice President and CEO of the [AOL Brand Group](/source/AOL) (2013–2014)
| Managing Partner and Founder of BBG Ventures (2014–present)
}}
| boards             = [Gopro](/source/Gopro)<br/>[Blade Air Mobility](/source/Blade_Air_Mobility)
| spouse             = {{marriage|[George Crile](/source/George_Crile_III)|1984|2006|end=died}}
| children           = 2
| awards             = [Advertising Age Award](/source/Ad_Age)<br/>[Matrix Award](/source/The_Matrix_Awards)
}}

'''Susan Lyne''' (born April 30, 1951) is an American media executive and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and Managing Partner of [BBG Ventures](/source/Built_by_Girls), 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](/source/Martha_Stewart_Living_Omnimedia), the fashion e-commerce platform [Gilt Groupe](/source/Gilt_Groupe), and the [AOL Brand Group](/source/AOL). In addition, she has held the position of President at [ABC Entertainment](/source/ABC_Entertainment), where she oversaw the development of prime-time programming. She also served as Executive Vice President at both [The Walt Disney Company](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company) and [AOL](/source/AOL).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2014-09-02 |title=Susan Lyne Steps Down as AOL Brand Chief to Head Company's New Venture Fund |url=https://variety.com/2014/digital/exec-shuffle-people-news/susan-lyne-steps-down-as-aol-brand-chief-to-head-companys-new-venture-fund-1201296279/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Susan Lyne |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/susan-lyne/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Susan Lyne {{!}} Producer |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1968660/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>

She has served as a director on the boards of several public and private companies. Currently she serves as an independent director at [GoPro](/source/GoPro), a role she has held since 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-25 |title=GoPro Names Susan Lyne to Board (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/gopro-names-susan-lyne-board-exclusive-200003766.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2017-04-25 |title=GoPro Names Susan Lyne to Board (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/gopro-susan-lyne-board-1202395042/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and is also a board member of [Blade Air Mobility](/source/Blade_Air_Mobility), a technology-powered air mobility platform. Previously she held director board positions with Gilt Groupe, AOL, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, [Starz](/source/Starz_Entertainment), and [CIT Group](/source/CIT_Group).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bloomberg Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/2276889 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Susan Lyne was born on April 30, 1951, and raised near [Boston](/source/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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Susan LYNE personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/raQHxxVtnslbrCcqwsCd5EAkScg/appointments |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=pulse |date=2018-01-05 |title=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 |url=https://africa.businessinsider.com/strategy/strategy-how-former-gilt-groupe-ceo-susan-lyne-took-down-patty-hearst-took-over/4pqfcxf |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Business Insider Africa |language=en}}</ref>

She went on to study at the [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley), but left before graduating.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-12-21 |title=Q&A with Susan Lyne |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/postlive/qanda-with-susan-lyne/2012/12/21/135e785c-4bb2-11e2-b709-667035ff9029_story.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-05 |title=How former Gilt Groupe CEO Susan Lyne took down Patty Hearst |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-gilt-groupe-ceo-susan-172411154.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Yahoo}}</ref>

==Career==
Susan Lyne began her career in publishing with editorial roles at [The Village Voice](/source/The_Village_Voice) and [New Times](/source/New_Times_(magazine)). In 1987, she founded [Premiere](/source/Premi%C3%A8re_(magazine)), a magazine focused on the movie industry, where she served as editor in chief for many years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Learmonth |first=Pamela McClintock,Michael |date=2004-11-11 |title=Ex-ABC exec Lyne lines up Martha gig |url=https://variety.com/2004/scene/markets-festivals/ex-abc-exec-lyne-lines-up-martha-gig-1117913408/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 1996, Lyne joined [The Walt Disney Company](/source/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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-01-21 |title=Susan Lyne: Adjusting the Picture at ABC |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2002-01-21/susan-lyne-adjusting-the-picture-at-abc |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carmody |first=Deirdre |date=1996-01-03 |title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS;Film Magazine Editor to Lead Disney's Development Efforts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/03/business/the-media-business-film-magazine-editor-to-lead-disney-s-development-efforts.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Two years later, in March 1998, she transitioned to [ABC Entertainment](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) as Executive Vice President of Movies and Miniseries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Street Journal |first=Bruce OrwallStaff Reporter of The Wall |date=2002-01-08 |title=Disney Shake-Up Leaves Lyne in Charge Of Lifting ABC Out of Ratings Doldrums |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1010458202482894280 |access-date=2025-05-01 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> She was later appointed President of ABC Entertainment in January 2002, where she oversaw the development of popular series like [Grey's Anatomy](/source/Grey's_Anatomy) and [Desperate Housewives](/source/Desperate_Housewives).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Martha Stewart names Susan Lyne new CEO - Nov. 11, 2004 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2004/11/11/news/newsmakers/mso_ceo/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113064714/http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/11/news/newsmakers/mso_ceo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2004 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=money.cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-11-20 |title=Susan Lyne |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/postlive/susan-lyne/2012/11/20/e289257a-332d-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_story.html |access-date=2025-04-30 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

In 2004, Lyne became the President and Chief Executive Officer of [Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia](/source/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](/source/Martha_Stewart), for an insider trading incident.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Task |first=Aaron |title=From The Bachelor to #BuiltbyGirls: The Many Lives of Susan Lyne |url=https://fortune.com/2016/09/12/susan-lyne-fortune-unfiltered-builtbygirls/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref> She focused on stabilizing operations and diversifying its business model.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-06-11 |title=Martha Stewart CEO Lyne steps down |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna25095577 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-06-12 |title=Martha Stewart Living CEO Lyne steps down |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/martha-stewart-living-ceo-lyne-steps-down-idUSN11443883/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Reuters}}</ref> After leaving MSLO in 2008, Lyne took on the role of Chairperson and CEO at [Gilt Groupe](/source/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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=2013-02-28 |title=Aol Confirms Susan Lyne As CEO Of Brand Group, Artie Minson Out As COO Role Goes (Memo) |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/02/28/aol-confirms-susan-lyne-as-ceo-of-brand-group-artie-minson-out-as-coo-role-restructured-memo/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sellers |first=Patricia |title=How AOL got its new brand chief |url=https://fortune.com/2013/03/04/how-aol-got-its-new-brand-chief/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

In 2013, Lyne was appointed CEO of [AOL](/source/AOL)'s Brand Group, where she managed various content brands, including TechCrunch and Engadget.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-28 |title=AOL taps Lyne to serve as CEO of its Brand Group |url=https://apnews.com/aol-taps-lyne-to-serve-as-ceo-of-its-brand-group-73245db35159499f908a50498a5755bb |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |date=2016-07-15 |title=AOL Appoints Susan Lyne as CEO of Its Brand Group |url=https://www.aol.com/2013/02/28/aol-appoints-susan-lyne-as-ceo-of-its-brand-group/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The following year, she shifted her focus to venture capital by founding BBG Ventures, which primarily invests in early-stage companies led by women.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-19 |title=The Woman Behind New York's Hottest Female-Led Startups: Q&A With Susan Lyne of BBG Ventures |url=https://observer.com/2019/10/bbg-ventures-susan-lyne-female-led-startups-interview/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swisher |first=Kara |date=2014-09-02 |title=AOL's Brand CEO Susan Lyne Stepping Down to Run Women-Focused Fund for Company |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/9/2/11630438/aols-brand-ceo-susan-lyne-stepping-down-to-run-women-focused-fund-for |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, BBG Ventures announced a $60 million fund, expanding its focus to include a broader range of underrepresented entrepreneurs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-30 |title=BBG Ventures Announces $60 Million Fund II and Unveils New Research: Investing in the Polycultural Future of America |url=https://www.reuters.com/press-releases/bbg-ventures-announces-60-million-fund-ii-and-unveils-new-research-investing-in-the-polycultural-future-of-america-2024-10-30/#:~:text=About%20BBG%20Ventures,and%20connect%20on%20BBG%20Ventures. |access-date=2025-05-01 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> Lyne has also served on the boards of several companies, including GoPro and Blade Air Mobility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Dominic-Madori |date=2024-10-31 |title=BBG Ventures raises new $60M fund to support diverse founders |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/31/bbg-ventures-raises-new-60-million-fund-to-support-diverse-founders/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Leena |title=BBG Ventures raises $60 million for its latest fund and moves beyond just backing female founders |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bbg-ventures-new-fund-female-founders-and-diverse-entrepreneurs-2024-10 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Susan Lyne was married to [George Crile](/source/George_Crile_III), a former producer for ''[60 Minutes](/source/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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feloni |first=Richard |title=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 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/susan-lyne-guiding-career-principle-2018-1 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Holley |first=Joe |date=2006-05-16 |title=George Crile III; Journalist Alleged Vietnam War Lies |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/05/16/george-crile-iii/144e92fd-fafa-4091-a0ab-bd7cfa55f9be/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pace |first=Gina |date=2006-05-15 |title=CBS Journalist George Crile Dies At 61 - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-journalist-george-crile-dies-at-61/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Board and affiliations==
Susan Lyne has served on the boards of multiple companies. Her board memberships include:
* [GoPro](/source/GoPro) – Board Director since 2017 to present.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GPRO.O - {{!}} Stock Price & Latest News |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/GPRO.O |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405051746/https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/GPRO.O/ |archive-date=2023-04-05 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.reuters.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Corporate Governance - Board of Directors - Person Details {{!}} GoPro Inc. |url=https://investor.gopro.com/corporate-governance/board-of-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=15dcb7c4-ae92-4cd1-82e9-6f5115e272c3 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=investor.gopro.com}}</ref>
* [Blade Air Mobility](/source/Blade_Air_Mobility) – Joined the board in 2021 and serves as Director and Chair of the Compensation to present.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blade Air Mobility Inc |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/BLDE.DG/profile |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Board Committees |url=https://ir.blade.com/corporate-governance/board-committees |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Blade Air Mobility, Inc. |language=en}}</ref>
* [Gilt Groupe](/source/Gilt_Groupe) – Board director from 2008-2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-12-06 |title=Gilt Chairman Susan Lyne shares upside to failure |website=[Reuters](/source/Reuters) |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/gilt-chairman-susan-lyne-shares-upside-to-failure-idUSTRE7B504W/ |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>
* [AOL](/source/AOL) – Board director from 2009-2013 .<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-28 |title=AOL picks Susan Lyne to head up its brands, including TechCrunch |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/aol-picks-susan-lyne-to-head-up-its-brands-including-techcrunch-idUSBRE91R0SP/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
* [Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia](/source/Martha_Stewart_Living_Omnimedia) – Board director from 2004 to 2008, concurrent with her role as President and CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Susan Lyne set to head MSO |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bcf4b2aa-342d-11d9-a728-00000e2511c8 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.ft.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Martha Stewart chief quits |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2d23e02a-3801-11dd-aabb-0000779fd2ac |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.ft.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [Starz](/source/Starz_Entertainment) – Board director from 2013-2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bloomberg Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/2276889 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref>
* Member of [The Council on Foreign Relations](/source/Council_on_Foreign_Relations).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Council on Foreign Relations |url=https://www.cfr.org/membership/roster |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.cfr.org |language=en}}</ref>
* Member of Chancellor’s Council, [UC Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chancellor's Councils |url=https://inspire.berkeley.edu/get-to-know-us/leadership/chancellors-councils/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=inspire.berkeley.edu |language=en}}</ref>
Additionally, she served as a trustee for [Rockefeller University](/source/Rockefeller_University) and [The New School](/source/The_New_School), and previously held trustee positions with The [Posse Foundation](/source/Posse_Foundation) and [The Public Theater](/source/The_Public_Theater).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-11-20 |title=Susan Lyne |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/postlive/susan-lyne/2012/11/20/e289257a-332d-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_story.html |access-date=2025-04-30 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

==Honours and Recognition==
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](/source/Ad_Age) Publishing Executive of the Year and received the [Matrix Award](/source/The_Matrix_Awards) from New York Women in Communications.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-11-20 |title=Susan Lyne |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/postlive/susan-lyne/2012/11/20/e289257a-332d-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_story.html |access-date=2025-04-30 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In 2019, she was listed among [Crain's](/source/Crain_Communications) Notable Women in Tech and recognized by [Fast Company](/source/Fast_Company) as one of the Most Influential Women in Tech.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-03-10 |title=THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY 2010 – Susan Lyne |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3017112/the-most-influential-women-in-technology-2010-susan-lyne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529074225/https://www.fastcompany.com/3017112/the-most-influential-women-in-technology-2010-susan-lyne |archive-date=2022-05-29 |access-date=2025-04-30 |work=Fast Company |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-01 |title=Notable Women in Tech 2019: Susan Lyne |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/awards/notable-women-tech-2019-susan-lyne |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Crain's New York Business |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, she was included in Forbes inaugural 50 Over 50.<ref>{{Cite web |title=50 Over 50 2021 |url=https://www.forbes.com/50over50/2021/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Forbes |language=English}}</ref>

==See also==
* [Martha Stewart](/source/Martha_Stewart)
* [George Crile](/source/George_Crile_III)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Presidents of American Broadcasting Company Entertainment|status=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lyne, Susan}}
Category:1951 births
Category:Living people
Category:20th-century American businesspeople
Category:20th-century American journalists
Category:20th-century American women journalists
Category:21st-century American businesspeople
Category:21st-century American journalists
Category:21st-century American women journalists
Category:American chairpersons of corporations
Category:American chief executives in technology
Category:American venture capitalists
Category:American chief executives in the mass media industry
Category:American magazine editors
Category:American magazine founders
Category:American magazine publishers (people)
Category:American media executives
Category:American chief executives in retailing
Category:American women chief executives
Category:American women corporate directors
Category:Women in publishing
Category:American women magazine editors
Category:20th-century American businesswomen
Category:21st-century American businesswomen
Category:Presidents of American Broadcasting Company Entertainment

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Susan Lyne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Lyne) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Lyne?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.