cnn Executives | Leadership Team & Company Leadership

Date August 18, 2025
C

cnn

COMPANY INFO

The actual company name is Cable News Network (CNN). It was founded in 1980 by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld. CNN operates in the news and broadcast media industry and is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The company has approximately 3,500 employees worldwide. Its official website is cnn.com. CNN is a multinational news organization that operates a 24-hour cable news channel and a leading digital news platform. It provides live coverage and analysis of breaking news, as well as comprehensive international, political, business, and entertainment news.

5 Key Cable News Network (CNN) Executives

Cable News Network (CNN) is a global news organization founded in 1980 by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld. Renowned for its 24-hour cable news channel and industry-leading digital news platform, CNN is a central force in the broadcast media industry, providing comprehensive coverage of international, political, business, and entertainment news.

The CNN leadership team comprises seasoned executives with extensive backgrounds in media, finance, technology, operations, and brand strategy. This diverse mix of expertise allows Cable News Network (CNN) to maintain its position at the forefront of global news, continually innovate in digital and broadcast media, and drive growth under the stewardship of Warner Bros. Discovery. The company’s executive team has overseen significant periods of transformation, international expansion, and brand evolution, guiding CNN’s mission to deliver credible news worldwide.

Key Executives

Tom Johnson - CEO (Retired)

Tom Johnson served as CEO of CNN for 11 years, leading the organization through a transformative era from 1990 to 2001. Under his leadership, CNN expanded its global reach and established itself as a preeminent name in news broadcasting, guiding the network through critical news events and spearheading strategic initiatives that solidified its industry standing.

Johnson's career in media leadership began well before his tenure at CNN, and he is based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. He is recognized for managing large media operations and instituting changes that increased CNN’s visibility and impact worldwide, exemplifying the values of the Cable News Network (CNN) management team.

Jennifer Wood Wells - Senior Vice President of Finance, News & Operations

Jennifer Wood Wells oversees finance, news operations, and business growth for CNN under Warner Bros. Discovery. She played a pivotal role in integrating financial operations after the WarnerMedia merger and drives long-term financial planning, ensuring operational excellence and fiscal strength within the CNN leadership.

Bringing deep experience from multiple finance positions at Warner Bros. Discovery and CNN, Jennifer holds a BBA in Finance from The University of Georgia. Her expertise in financial analysis and corporate structure has been fundamental to the effectiveness of the Cable News Network (CNN) management team.

Adam Cohn - EVP & CFO, CNN Worldwide

Adam Cohn leads all financial functions for CNN Worldwide, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. His strategic stewardship has contributed to optimizing the network’s financial performance and aligning investments with CNN’s vision for content and technology innovation.

Adam has a strong background in corporate finance and strategic planning, honed through senior roles at Warner Bros. Discovery and its predecessor organizations. He holds a B.S. from the University of Virginia, and his tenure underscores the financial leadership central to Cable News Network (CNN)’s ongoing success.

Twyla Huang-DiSimone - SVP, Brand Strategy & Solutions

Twyla Huang-DiSimone leads brand strategy and solutions across the Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio, including CNN. She is credited with driving award-winning marketing campaigns, brand development, and innovative multi-platform sponsorships, which have helped reinforce Cable News Network (CNN) as an iconic media brand.

With more than 20 years of expertise in media and digital marketing, Twyla is recognized for her leadership at WarnerMedia and other major media firms. Her strategic and creative direction further elevates the reputation of CNN executives as industry frontrunners.

Jeffrey Zeitz - EVP, Monetization, Workplace, Infrastructure, and Operations

Jeffrey Zeitz is responsible for monetization, workplace infrastructure, and operations across Warner Bros. Discovery, including CNN. He leads wide-ranging efforts to streamline workflows, enhance technology infrastructure, and drive revenue innovation — core elements of the Cable News Network (CNN) management team’s success.

With over two decades at Warner Bros. Discovery and related companies, Jeffrey’s experience encompasses IT operations, business systems planning, and monetization strategies, complemented by executive education from UCLA Anderson.

Company Leadership

The Cable News Network (CNN) executives represent a multifaceted leadership group that spans news management, finance, operations, technology, and brand strategy. The company’s leadership structure is designed to foster collaboration and innovation across its global operations, ensuring CNN remains a standard-bearer for integrity, agility, and journalistic excellence. With the founders, Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld, having set the original vision, today’s CNN founders’ legacy is evident in the network’s ongoing commitment to informing audiences worldwide.

Research any executive team with Websets!

Websets is a powerful natural language search and data enrichment tool that helps you research executive teams for any company. Whether you're analyzing the Cable News Network (CNN) leadership team or exploring management structures at other organizations, Websets provides comprehensive insights into executive backgrounds, roles, and team dynamics.

With Websets, you can access detailed executive team profiles, management structures, and leadership insights through intuitive natural language queries. Sign up now to enhance your executive team research capabilities.