Deborah Stewart

As vice president of Programming for Discovery Digital Networks, Stewart oversees the development, acquisition and scheduling of programming for Discovery Science Channel, Discovery Civilization Channel, Discovery Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery HD Theater, Discovery Wings Channel and Discovery en Espaņol. She also provides support to affiliate distribution and advertising sales.

Stewart joined Discovery Networks International in September of 1995 as director for Discovery Channel Australia and New Zealand, where she was responsible for overall programming operations, finance, local production, marketing and promotions and publicity. In this capacity, Stewart successfully launched Discovery Channel on four systems in Australia in 1995. During her tenure, Discovery Channel was consistently rated first in viewer satisfaction and awareness in FOXTEL research (a joint venture between News Corp. and Tesltra, the national, part government-owned telco in Australia).

Stewart returned to the U.S. in 1998 to serve as director, Programming Operations for Discovery Digital Networks, where she assisted with the launch of Discovery Health, Discovery Wings and Discovery en Espaņol.

Prior to joining Discovery Networks, Stewart worked for XYZ Entertainment as channel manager for the creation and launch of Australia's first cable/satellite documentary channel, QUEST. In this capacity, she was responsible for acquiring all programming, and oversight of marketing and on-air promotions. In addition, Stewart initiated the development of additional cable/satellite channels including The Lifestyle Channel.

Stewart began her career as a news assistant in 1986 with Fox Television in New York City, where she worked her way up the ranks to field producer, assignment editor, satellite news producer, and then senior producer for special events in 1989. In 1990, Stewart moved to Sydney, Australia. For the next four years, Stewart produced, researched and reported for a number of news series working with CNN, the Australian Television Network, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, "60 Minutes" on the National Nine Network and Network Ten Limited. She also served as producer for Grundy Television's "Australia's Most Wanted."

She is a member of Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS), the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketers (CTAM), the Writer's Guild of America (East), American National Broadcasting Society, the NAPTE HD Consortium Steering Committee, the 2000 International Electronic Festival US Organizing Committee and Nominating Committee, as well as a judge for the IBC Widescreen Festival 2000. In addition, Stewart was recently named a Betsy Magness Leadership Institute Fellow.

Stewart received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York, and currently resides in Washington, D.C.