Leveraging Diversity through Adversity: NBCUniversal Black Employee Network

Panel Discussion

Leveraging Diversity through Adversity: NBCUniversal Black Employee Network (BEN)

TaNisha Burnett

TaNisha is a Senior Director of Accounting at Fandango. She oversees the financial operations of Fandango's international entities, and leads the Company's acquisition efforts.

Prior to working on the operational side of the Company, TaNisha was the Director, of Financial Reporting for NBCUniversal. This role consolidated, analyzed and issued the Company's public financial statements.

Born and raised a Jersey girl, TaNisha relocated to Los Angeles in 2011 for the opportunity to work at NBCUniversal after spending time in public accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Tiffany Hawthorne

Tiffany is a VP of Scripted Content in the NBCUniversal Cable Group and is based in Los Angeles. Her job responsibilities include developing one hour drama projects and limited series for Bravo, E!, Syfy, and USA Network, as well as overseeing the production of QUEEN OF THE SOUTH and FALLING WATER on USA Network, and GIRLFIRENDS’ GUIDE TO DIVORCE  on Bravo. Tiffany is also is currently overseeing production of the recently greenlit series, UNSOVLED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. written by Kyle Long (Suits) and directed by Anthony Hemingway (People vs OJ Simpson).

Since initially being hired at USA Network in the spring of 2010 as an assistant, Tiffany has overseen the intern program and been involved in various diversity initiatives for the network. Before USA, Tiffany in worked Corporate Diversity at NBCUniversal, participated in the NBC Page Program, and worked in Guest Relations at the Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park.

  Connie O'Neal-Bates

Connie O'Neal-Bates is currently the Director of Information Technology for Studio Operations Financial Applications. She is responsible for the development and execution, of IT business solutions needed to support the direction of the Studio Operation’s business.

Connie joined NBCUniversal in 1983 and has held various technical and managerial roles within the organization. In addition to her position, Connie O’Neal-Bates has been a leader within NBCUniversal’s Employee Resource Groups. Since 2005, she joined the Black Professional Alliance Los Angles Hub Steering Committee and was a former co-chair of Black Professional Alliance Community Outreach. In 2011, she attended the first planning meeting for what is now MyAbilities Network and become SoCal Co-Chapter leader in 2013.

Chuck Sanders

Chuck Sanders joined NBCUniversal in 2007 to be part of the first class of two people to take part in the Universal Pictures Leadership Program (UPLP). The UPLP program is a 2 year intensive rotational management program that is tailored towards your interest and Sanders chose rotations in In-Theatre Marketing, Production Finance, Media buying, and Creative Operations. 

After finishing the program in 2009, he was brought onto the Distribution team as an Asst. Sales Mgr. Chuck has spent the last 8 1/2 years in Theatrical Distribution handling parts of the west coast and am currently responsible for the sales and revenue for the entire Southern California area as Branch Manager.

Note: Communication services (sign language interpreters, note takers) are available for this event. Requests for services must be submitted at least five (5) working days in advance. Please contact Dr. Cedric Hackett, Program Coordinator at or (818) 677-3311.