2015 Honoree

Kristin Dolan

Chief Operating Officer, Cablevision

“The best way for women to regain and maintain control over our bodies is to demand it, and to do so by voting in politicians who affirm our rights and liberties, and vigorously voting out those who do not. Full stop.”

Who inspires you the most?

The people around me – my family, friends and co-workers. It is invaluable having amazing people around me to keep me grounded, focused and energetic – in both my professional and personal life.

What do you now know about yourself that you wish you knew ten/fifteen/twenty [depending on age] years ago?

It is always helpful to be open minded and try things outside my comfort zone. I have worked in numerous positions throughout my career at Cablevision and its businesses, and I have been able to succeed because I have embraced challenging and new opportunities. The goal is to use each day as a new opportunity to learn.

Fill in the blank: You can never have enough _______.

Positivity

What City best describes your personality?

London. It’s old-school, slightly formal but always upbeat.

What gets you through even the toughest days and what are you most grateful for?

Toughest days: Being able to spend quality time with my two young boys, their four older brothers and my husband.
Most grateful for: My family.

What socio-political women’s issue do you care about the most? Do you feel that women are typically presented fairly in the media? Why or why not?

Making education available and affordable to everyone regardless of gender, age or socio-economic background. Knowledge is power and the ability to learn is what sets everyone apart.

What is your best read? Favorite character you would most like to be?

Anything by John Irving. Favorite character I’d like to be is Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series)

What was your best decision to date? Worst decision?

Best business decision – Accepting the challenge to turn Cablevision into a connectivity company and focus everything around customer experience and delivering excellent service. This has become a key differentiator for our company.
Worst decision: I make dozens of decisions every day and they can’t all be right. My goal is to view each as a learning experience.

Within the past few years, social media has exploded. How can women use it to market themselves without seeming narcissistic?

There’s no denying that the media and technology landscape is changing by the minute. As this continues and more social media platforms are introduced, it’s important to use good judgment, set a good example and be authentic. You can be daring but discreet.

Write a fortune you’d like for all women to receive in a fortune cookie.

Don’t worry if anyone underestimates you –it presents a bigger opportunity to exceed their expectations.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

The ability to keep people calm during times of stress.