Kathleen Finch was named president of the Scripps Networks Interactive Home Category businesses in 2013. As president, Finch oversees lifestyle cable networks HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country, their associated websites and related digital properties such as FrontDoor.com, as well as the HGTV HOME™ brand of consumer products and HGTV Magazine, a joint venture with Hearst Publishing. Prior to being named president, Finch was SVP/GM of HGTV and DIY Network, and, under her leadership, the two networks achieved record breaking ratings and revenue. Finch launched such notable talent-driven series as The Property Brothers, Love it or List it, Yard Crashers, The Vanilla Ice Project and Blog Cabin, the first ever interactive home renovation series produced on-air and online.
Before joining HGTV and DIY Network, Finch spent seven years at the Food Network as SVP of primetime programming. At Food Network, Finch created numerous long-running hit series including Unwrapped, Food Network Challenge and Semi-Homemade -- launching the careers of many top Food Network stars. Finch's programming influence has been evident across all six SNI networks, each one having aired series she created.
Prior to joining Scripps Networks in 1999, Finch was a journalist working in both broadcast and print. She spent 12 years as a CBS Network News producer, traveling the world to cover breaking news and events in diverse locations such as Cuba and the U.K. In addition, she worked as a freelance writer and columnist for national magazines including SmartMoney and Cosmopolitan.
Finch was named "Woman to Watch" by both WICT and Multichannel News; one of the most influential women in cable by CableFAX; featured in Broadcasting & Cable's "Salute to Women Who Make a Difference;" and named one of "100 Industry Innovators to Watch" by Time magazine. She completed the CTAM Executive Management Program and WICT's Betsy Magness Leadership Institute; was a member of the inaugural class of WICT's Senior Executive Summit at Stanford; and attended the Scripps Leadership Institute. Finch serves on the boards of the Webb School and the Knoxville Metropolitan Airport Authority. She is a graduate of Stanford University.