Beth Comstock ’82

Former Vice-Chair of General Electric, Co-Founder of Hulu, Author

Major: {{https://www.wm.edu/academics/programs/biology/,Biology}}

Beth Comstock’s experience at William & Mary helped her shape her own story. Arriving from a small town in Virginia, Beth was drawn to biology early on as the classes fed her natural curiosity and appetite for discovery. After graduating, she went on to become a science journalist, which led her to a career in media and business where she was eventually named by both Fortune and Forbes as one of the world’s most powerful women.

Throughout her career, Beth has held a number of marketing and communications jobs at General Electric, NBC, CBS and Turner Broadcasting/CNN. She spent almost 30 years at GE, where she became the company’s first chief marketing officer and, later, the company’s first female vice chair of innovation. As President of Integrated Media at NBC Universal, Beth oversaw the early development of hulu.com. She currently serves as a director at Nike and trustee of The National Geographic Society.

Learn more about Beth

Watch her 2019 Convocation Speech.

How to Master Change in the Face of Uncertainty

For Women’s Weekend in 2019, Beth Comstock ’82 draws on decades of experience at GE to show how William & Mary instills the courage, creativity, and adaptability needed to navigate change and lead with confidence. In her new book, Imagine It Forward: Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change, she shares lessons learned from 25 years at GE, first as chief marketing officer and later as vice chair.

Where could W&M take you?

Explore Programs Visit Campus Apply to W&M