Leadership

 
 
 

Dr. David Andersen is the CEO of New York Media Initiative. He formerly was the President of MMI,East Coast, and for 14 years served as an advisor and consultant to decision-makers in the New York media business. During those years he instituted a new vision and strategy for mentoring future leaders of media.

Prior to that, Dr. Andersen spent over 25 years pastoring Presbyterian and Congregational churches. Before entering the ministry he co-founded a successful design and engineering company in Chicago, Illinois. He was also responsible for designing and bringing new products to market for John Oster Manufacturing Company, division of Sunbeam Corporation, and holds U.S. design patents. He also was part of a team that designed a manufacturing plant in South Africa for Ozite Corporation.

Dr. Andersen is a graduate of Milwaukee School of Engineering with a degree in mechanical engineering. He holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Trinity Seminary.

 
 
 

Sonya McNair is the President of New York Media Initiative. She is an executive corporate and media strategist, who counsels Fortune 500 companies and executives on the implementation and sustaining of strategic initiatives and media affairs. She is also the author of Every Reason to Praise (BroadStreet Publishing 2017).

Previously, Sonya was Senior Vice President of Communications at CBS News, Vice President at FOX Broadcasting Company, and she has held executive positions at ABC News, The New Yorker, and Time Inc/Essence Communications. She also has worked for industry luminaries, including Roone Arledge, David Brinkley, Cokie Roberts, Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer, David Remnick, Katie Couric, and Gayle King, along with top executives in television, digital, film, sports, radio and publishing.

Sonya has designed promotional strategies for signature events, such as the DNC and RNC Conventions; The New Yorker Festival, the debut of ABC’s Times Square Studio; the Super Bowl, and the first Spanish Art and Cultural Exhibit in Dubai.

 
 
 

Kelly Wright. With over 30 years of award winning news and entertainment experience, Kelly is a journalist, musician, author and speaker, known for his love of people; with a message of faith, hope and love. Formerly he was the coanchor of America’s Nws Headquarters on Saturday, based in the Networks Washington, D.C. bureau. He was cohost of Fox and Friends Weekend from 2006–2008, and was an anchor and reporter for the Black News Network. Kelly is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, an ordained minister, husband and father.

 

Advisory Board

 

  • Patricia Mauceri, Accomplished Film, Television and Broadway Artist/Director, Former Actress, ABC’s “One Life to Live”;“Manifest”
     

  • Joseph Busch, Consultant, Media Executive, Former Group Director, Media Support, Disney ABC Television Group
     

  • Dr. Bob Petterson, Former President, East Coast, Mastermedia, Sr. Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida; Author and radio personality       

  •                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

  • Joseph Battaglia, President and founder Renaissance Communications       
                                                                                 

  • Gregg Burton, Former Sr. Vice-President AMC television; cofounder/launch of Sundance network;Bravo network; IFC network; SportsChannel Network; Filmmaker
     

  • David Perozzi, Executive producer, ABC News, Executive producer for Barbara Walters; 20/20; Investigation Discovery; Sr. Producer CNN        

  •                                                                                                                                                                                               

  • Erin Miller, TV and Film Producer;  PBS; Ignite Studios; Big Fish Entertainment

 
 
 
 

Clients and Friends

 
 

  •  Executive Vice President, HBO

  • Fox News anchor

  • Correspondent, nationally syndicated TV show

  • Managing Director, major NY radio station

  • Chief of Operations, television network

  • Five time Emmy award winning TV producer

  • Director, national Christian television network

  • Executive producer, ABC

  • Executive producer, CNN

  • Senior Vice President, Producer, CBS television

  • Art director, nationally syndicated television show

  • Chief Correspondent, Author, ABC television

  • Author and contributor, Today Show on NBC

  • Correspondent, Fox News

  • President and founder, television production company, multiple Emmys

  • Executive Vice President, AMC

  • Former News anchor, CBS television

  • Vice President, Time Warner

  • Radio host, former news anchor, Fox News

  • Fox Business news contributor

  • Executive Vice President, NESN

  • Executive Vice President, BBD

  • Senior Producer, Showtime

  • Award winning filmmaker, director, writer

  • #1 Billboard Singer, R&B album

  • Partner, major movie studio

  • Correspondent, Journalist, Washington Post