Heather Cochran

Heather Cochran is Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer at the Television Academy.

A senior management professional with more than 15 years' experience in strategic planning and project management, Cochran previously oversaw planning and operations for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' $400MM film museum, including the project's master planning, economic feasibility, public approvals and strategic communications, as well as most operational functions.

Cochran first came to California in 2000 as the Director of Business Development for the trade publisher Cahners (now Reed Business Information) in the Entertainment, Media, and Communications division. In that role, she evaluated new markets and potential acquisitions and alliances, and performed valuations and analysis of competitors, partners, and future growth. Later, as Director of Development for Variety.com, she analyzed market trends to produce Variety and Variety.com's wireless strategy.

Cochran received her MBA from the Wharton School of Business, with a focus on operations and information management. She has a BA in literature and economics from Wellesley College. She is also the author of two published novels, Mean Season, and The Return of Jonah Gray.