Michelle Ray Email & Phone Number

After successfully serving as interim director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation since April 2018, Michelle Ray was permanently named Executive Director, NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell announced in October 2018. Ray was named interim director this past spring when former executive director, Dr. David Porter, Jr., announced his departure. As Executive Director, Ray will oversee the day-to-day management of the Foundation, which is a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion in the media and entertainment industries. She will also manage the fundraising and distribution of Foundation funds in support of organizations and programs which champion industry-wide diversity initiatives. “During her tenure as interim executive director, Michelle proved that she was capable of leading the Walter Kaitz Foundation and fulfilling its mission of serving as a catalyst for increasing diversity and inclusion throughout our industry,” Powell said. “Michelle is a shining example of how our industry can benefit from nurturing and advancing the careers of women and multi-ethnic professionals. Under Michelle’s leadership, the Foundation will continue to be a valued voice and important contributor to this industry.” Ray has worked with the Walter Kaitz Foundation since 2006, previously serving as the Deputy Executive Director where she had oversight of developing and implementing the Foundation’s strategic direction, initiatives and programmatic activities. She also worked collaboratively with other national organizations that advocate for the social and economic interests of women and ethnic minorities.

As the Acting Executive Director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation, Michelle Ray is charged with developing and implementing the Foundation’s strategic direction, initiatives and programmatic activities. In her new role, Michelle collaborates with other national organizations that advocate for the social and economic interests of women and ethnic minorities and connects them with the industry’s member companies.Michelle is responsible fundraising efforts and has oversight and distribution of grants to the industry’s diversity organizations and collaborates with these organizations to refine and improve cable industry diversity programs and initiatives. Ms. Ray is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Canada with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science. Ms. Ray is also a 2015 graduate of WICT’s prestigious Betsy Magness Leadership Institute – Class 31; a 2010 graduate of NAMIC’s highly respected Executive Leadership Development Program at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management and a 2002 graduate of CTAM’s Executive Management Program at Harvard University School of Business.

Washington, Dc, Us

As Deputy Executive Director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation, Michelle Ray is charged with developing and implementing the Foundation’s strategic direction, initiatives and programmatic activities. In her role, Ray, acts as an emissary for diversity issues in the cable industry by identifying and collaborating with other national organizations that advocate for the social and economic interests of women and ethnic minorities by connecting them with the industry’s member companies so that mutual benefits can be served.Ray is also responsible for providing member companies with expertise, insight and education that enhance the discussion around diversity. The strategies and programs that are developed inform and advance the platform of diversity within the telecommunications and media industry.Ray is part of the senior team which develops and manages the process for the distribution of grants to the industry’s diversity organizations and collaborates with these organizations and other groups to refine and improve the industry's diversity programs and initiatives. In addition, She has oversight of the industry's supplier diversity initiative by assisting member companies with establishing formal supplier diversity programs that seek to increase the number of ethnic minorities and women who do business with the telecommunications industry.

Washington, Dc, Us

Michelle Ray oversaw the development and implementation the Walter Kaitz Foundation’s strategic direction through its various initiatives and programmatic activities.Ray was principally responsible for the Foundation’s annual fundraising dinner which, in 2013, raised over $1.7 million to fund diversity programs and initiatives for the industry’s three leading diversity groups: NAMIC, WICT and the Emma L. Bowen Foundation. As Senior Director of Programs & Strategic Initiatives at the Foundation, Ray had oversight of the cable industry’s national supplier diversity initiative which brings together women- and minority-owned business enterprises with procurement officers from cable member companies. She strategically worked to identify new opportunities for the Foundation in collaboration with cable member companies, affiliated organizations and other stakeholders. Many of these opportunities have helped top establish and produce programmatic activities and initiatives which highlight the cable industry’s commitment to diversity. Ray was also been instrumental in launching and producing content for the Foundation’s first electronic newsletter which is produced on a quarterly basis and distributed largely to the cable industry and affinity groups.

Washington, Dc, Us

Oversaw the day-to-day management of the cable industry’s diversity advocacy foundation for seven months while a national search for a new Executive Director was undertaken. Ray was responsible for the daily management of the Foundation’s $5.5 million budget which focused on the advancement of diversity within the industry by executing on the strategic direction set forth by the Board of Directors.In less than a year, Ray oversaw the roll out of the Foundation’s newly launched website, managed the foundation’s industry-wide supplier diversity initiative, and organized all aspects of its annual fundraising dinner which raised over $1.5 million to fund diversity programs and initiatives of three primary funding partners. Ray also worked closely with funding partners to assess programs and review grant proposals. In addition, Ray worked collaboratively with external organizations such as the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, National Minority Supplier Development Council among others to establish relationships in an effort to benchmark diversity competencies industry-wide.

Washington, Dc, Us

Michelle Ray directed all marketing efforts for the association’s annual trade show both domestically and internationally. She also developed and coordinated all marketing strategies and programs for delegates and exhibitors, launching all advertising and promotion and overseeing the direction, production and content development of all collateral materials including printed materials, direct mail and the website. Ray worked in collaboration with the Association’s convention committee to develop message and execute on marketing initiatives. In addition, Ray was responsible for attendee outreach, retention marketing and income development as it related to sponsorship sales. She supervised a cadre of staff onsite to curate VIP special events, including the NCTA’s Chairman’s Reception, all Public Policy events and Board and Congressional Dinners. Ray also developed and managed sponsorship activities, advertising and print production of collateral materials. She further oversaw and directed the production of live events and worked closely with event producers and other vendors. Ray oversaw all aspects of NCTA’s monthly C-SPAN telecast – The Washington Metropolitan Cable Club Luncheon which featured public policy speakers and covered timely telecom issues.

Washington, Dc, Us

Together with NCTA’s core management team, Michelle Ray developed strategic and tactical marketing plans for the association’s annual convention. Ray lead efforts to successfully grow the convention by creating new sponsorship opportunities and targeted marketing initiatives. She further developed and managed convention advertising through barter agreements with industry publications and cable-related organizations. With a background in live events and telecast, Ray successfully managed the logistics, production, invitations, event staging, and selection process for the NCTA Vanguard Awards, the cable industry’s leadership awards.

Washington, Dc, Us

As Assistant Director of Industry Affairs, Michelle Ray was responsible for growing international attendance at the association’s annual trade show through targeted partnership programs with both international trade associations and the US Department of Commerce’s Commercial Services. Coordinated all direct mail and marketing efforts. Ms. Ray worked closely with committee comprised of senior level executives to outline goals and implement direction of The Community Spirit Awards for local cable programming. Responsible for content and production of all printed materials including “Call for Entries” and programs distributed at ceremony. Recruited more than 100 judges for panels in three cities and managed all onsite logistics for screenings. Planned awards ceremony including booking venue, hiring producer and working on production logistics. Ms. Ray successfully designed and implemented web concept for NCTA “Retail Store” featuring logo wear, apparel, and publications. Selected models for photo shoots, scouted locations and staged production and supervised location shots. Wrote all marketing materials on inventory and designed layout of website.

Michelle Ray oversaw and implemented all aspects of pre-production for televised and non-televised ceremonies of the National CableACE Awards, the industry’s awards initiative to honor original, nationally-distributed cable programming. Ray worked closely with cable network executives and production team executives on conceptual design and execution of telecast. She further worked closely with talent executives to identify and select presenters, hosts and musical acts for the telecast. Ray served as the liaison between the competition committee and the Board of Directors for the CableACE Awards. Ray also managed quarterly Cable Academy events including network screenings, live performances, and speaker events. She was instrumental in establishing the formal relationship with the Museum of Television and Radio for archiving all CableACE Award-winning programs over the course of 18 years.

Ctam, Executive Management Program

Betsy Magness Leadership Institute

Namic, Executive Leadership Development Program

Bachelor’S Degree, Economics & Political Science