Elizabeth Hillman
Senior Vice President, Communications
Elizabeth Hillman is Senior Vice President of Communications for Discovery Education, overseeing a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates and grows the company's leadership position as the nation's top provider of curriculum-based digital content and professional development in U.S. schools. Hillman leads global communications to promote and expand the company's mission of improving teaching and learning by transforming traditional classrooms into engaging digital learning environments. She is based in Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Previously, Hillman served as Senior Vice President of International Communications for Discovery Networks International (DNI), overseeing all aspects of Discovery's strategic communications for the division's 185 international networks, and business operations in 224 countries and territories. In this role, Hillman led the communications strategy for DNI and its president and CEO Mark Hollinger, with responsibilities covering corporate and executive reputation management; business and trade messaging and media relations; business expansion through acquisitions-most recently SBS, Switchover Media, Fatafeat and the company's investment in TF1's Eurosport. Her role in expanding DNI's networks included the rollout of TLC, the company's female flagship; talent management; and consumer publicity campaigns for DNI, such as the re-launch of Bear Grylls in Bear Grylls: Escape From Hell, as well as MANHUNT, Car vs. Wild, Breaking Magic, Shopaholic Showdown(Ultimate Shopper),and Last Chance Salon.
From 2004 to 2011, Hillman served as Vice President and then as Senior Vice President of communications for Discovery Channel. In this role, Hillman successfully elevated the network's profile through innovative communications strategies for the network's most popular programs and stunts, including Deadliest Catch, Gold Rush Alaska, Dirty Jobs, Man vs. Wild, MythBusters, Out of the Wild, Shark Week,and Discovery Channel's 20th anniversary.
Hillman also spearheaded the campaign forLIFE, resulting in 85 million viewers, worldwide acclaim and contributing to several industry awards including an Emmy®. In addition, her leadership of the campaign strategy for Planet Earth resulted in every television award, and the series became the most watched cable event of the century-until LIFE, which surpassed it. The Planet Earth communications strategy won a 2008 Golden Beacon Award from The Association of Cable Communicators.
Hillman joined Discovery from Crown Media Holdings, Inc.'s Hallmark Channel, where she oversaw corporate communication for the company including the execution of all public affairs campaigns and led the creation of the network's first education program for schools across the country. Hillman was also liaison to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and advocated network priorities to key officials on Capitol Hill.
Prior to that post, Hillman worked for six years at National Geographic in Washington, D.C. in various capacities across National Geographic Society, television channels and vendors.
Hillman is a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, on the Television Publicity Executive Committee, a board member at large for the DC/Baltimore chapter of Women in Cable and Telecommunications, a board member for Kids Peace Board of Associates, and a member of the Entertainment Program Publicity Society.
Hillman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University, and a Masters of Arts degree from George Washington University.