Former NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol and Golf Channel Exec Producer Molly Solomon today spoke about leadership and mentorship at the KPMG Women's Leadership Summit this morning at Westchester Country Club ahead of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. The two shared moments and reflections on their own careers, as well as on Solomon's rise to her current position, which made her the first woman to serve as executive producer for a national sports network. The two worked together for a number of years, starting when Solomon became the first female Olympic researcher for NBC for the '92 Barcelona Games.
"I got the impression very early on that her personality was going to carry her a long way," Ebersol said. Chronicling the work they did together on the Olympics, including the push of the coverage to cable networks that Solomon oversaw, the two spoke of the importance of strong relationships with those you work with and partners, especially in the sports television industry. "Mentors can help push you out of your comfort zone. Dick knew I was ready for a new challenge before I was," Solomon said.
Both commented on the growing diversity of voices in the industry, something Ebersol said was much needed. Solomon said when she first joined NBC, there was a lack of female role models to look up to, but it was people such as Ebersol, who embraced opposing opinions and took the time to listen, who helped empower her.
