SUZANNE DE PASSE
TIME WARNER ENDOWED CHAIR, 2002-2005

Ms. Suzanne de Passe, Chairman and CEO of De Passe Entertainment, served as the Time Warner Endowed Chair in Media from 2002-2005.

Ms. de Passe is a renowned television, film and music producer and media entrepreneur, and as the Department's Endowed Chair, she conducted master classes for students regarding industry trends and innovations. In addition, Ms. de Passe hired Department of Radio, TV & Film students to work as interns on her broadcast productions of Showtime at the Apollo, the NAACP Image Awards and the Essence Awards.

Suzanne de Passe began her illustrious career at Motown Records as the Creative Assistant to Motown founder Berry Gordy. She went on to become the President of Motown Productions. Ms. de Passe has served as Executive Producer of the half-hour sitcoms Sister, Sister and Smart Guy, the award winning mini-series Lonesome Dove and The Jacksons: An American Dream.

She has received numerous honors for her accomplishments, including the American Women in Radio and Television Silver Satellite Award (1999), Women in Film Crystal Award (1988), and she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1990.