Mary Elizabeth Fay
Summary
Seasoned newsroom leader with over 25 years of experience in national newsgathering, talent development, and cross-platform editorial coordination at NBC Network News. Proven track record of coaching early-career journalists, strengthening operational systems, and building bridges across departments to support breaking news, live events, and long-term planning. Adept at integrating on and off air talent into fast-paced, high-stakes environments while reinforcing solid journalism, organizational culture and newsroom standards. Known for authentic influence, strong editorial judgment, and a commitment to journalism as a public service.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Newsgathering, Talent Development
NBC Network News
New York, NY
03.2021 - 03.2025
- Led top talent, story first correspondent/producer teams. Managed editorial pitches, coordination and logistics, planning of shoots and slated air dates. Responsible for creative oversight, strategy, management and editorial direction across the various teams.
- Ensured the 'story first' units reporting was centralized. Responsible for providing editorial insights for all platform leads and shows. Collaborated with Newsgathering, Content, Legal and News Practices & Standards' leaders to ensure coverage plans and reporting efforts fit the needs of the Newsgroup. Demonstrated broad knowledge of journalism ethics and excellence.
- Served as a liaison between News and Talent Management Offices, helping onboard and integrate a number of high-profile anchors, correspondents, producers and new hires across the division.
- Collaborated daily with the Talent Management office to align anchor staffing and scheduling with broader NBC News commitments.
- Provided informal, day-to-day guidance on News division operations while partnering with pipeline program leadership to reinforce key organizational values and expectations.
- Ran highly competitive worldwide rotational AP Newsgathering program. Trained APs to become full time Newsgathering producers.
- Ran NBC News' Arabic translation unit.
- Proposed and championed cost-saving and strategic innovations, including centralized Talent Management, a show-based AP Program, and shared social media staffing across networks.
- Advocated for and supported cultural shifts that elevate story-first producers, internal talent pipelines, and coaching/mentorship as core newsroom values.
- Lead Editorial Stakeholder for NBC News' internal information database, with nearly 3,000 active users in vastly different roles across the News Group organization. Partnered with Product and Strategy to align newsroom priorities, resolve competing interests, and define initiative scope, timelines, and success metrics.
- Maintained and optimized Newsconnect and NCX platforms, led onboarding, access management, training, and held user feedback sessions to ensure tools evolved with newsroom needs and enhanced cross-platform collaboration.
- Designed and led cross-divisional training initiatives and curriculum through NBCU Academy, reaching 600+ participants annually via mandatory, monthly, and 1:1 sessions.
Deputy Director, Domestic Newsgathering
NBC Network News
New York, NY
06.2010 - 03.2021
- Managed and directed breaking news, daily and long-term editorial planning across NBC platforms including Nightly News, TODAY, MSNBC, digital and social channels.
- Managed large teams of assignment editors, researchers, APs and interns; collaborated with Executive Producers and field crews to deliver high-impact coverage.
- Oversaw breaking news logistics, live remotes, and satellite coordination; led morning editorial calls and managed the Network Futures Planning Unit.
- Recruited, vetted, trained, and supervised 200+ temporary staff for 2016 Conventions coverage.
Assignment Manager & Producer
NBC News Washington Bureau
09.2004 - 06.2010
- Assigned editorial and crew coverage for major political and national events; served as Field Producer for Today, Nightly News, and MSNBC.
- Produced exclusive interviews and coverage of landmark events including the Obama inauguration, Deep Throat reveal, and the Iraq Medal of Honor ceremony.
- Co-managed Desk Assistant program and served as general assignment producer and WH pool producer for 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
- Fully trained as a Digital Journalist; pitched, shot, and cut stories independently which aired across legacy programming.
Assignment Editor & Field Producer
WBZ CBS 4 News
Boston, MA
11.2002 - 06.2004
- Managed late news coverage, responding to breaking news with coordinated field assignments. Built newsroom-source relationships and produced major event coverage including the Boston Marathon and NH Primaries.
Assignment Editor & Field Producer
WFXT FOX 25 News
Boston, MA
09.2000 - 11.2002
- Assigned crews and collaborated with affiliates on breaking news; field produced 9/11 coverage and other major events.
- Wrote and updated stories for the station's website.
- Ran live remotes for special coverage events. Conducted interviews ranging from MOS to top MA Government officials. Covered breaking news on the ground.
- Weekend planner. Set up 'evergreen' stories and interviews ahead of slated air date and time.
Assignment Editor & Field Producer
WHDH Channel 7 News
Boston, MA
08.1999 - 09.2000
- Coordinated live coverage across MA, RI, and NH; managed feeds, field crews, and logistics for breaking news stories.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Villanova University
01-1999
Skills
- Collaborative leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team building and motivation
- Pipeline development
- Talent development
- Editorial management, in conjunction with logistics coordination
- Cross-platform collaboration
- Staff management
Accomplishments
Emmy Award Winner "January 6 Attack on the Capitol" (2021); "Parkland School Shooting" (2019), "Boston Marathon Bombing"(2014)
Edward R. Murrow Award Winner: "Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Disappearance" (2015); "Boston Marathon Bombing" (2014)
Timeline
Senior Director, Newsgathering, Talent Development
NBC Network News
03.2021 - 03.2025
Deputy Director, Domestic Newsgathering
NBC Network News
06.2010 - 03.2021
Assignment Manager & Producer
NBC News Washington Bureau
09.2004 - 06.2010
Assignment Editor & Field Producer
WBZ CBS 4 News
11.2002 - 06.2004
Assignment Editor & Field Producer
WFXT FOX 25 News
09.2000 - 11.2002
Assignment Editor & Field Producer
WHDH Channel 7 News
08.1999 - 09.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Villanova University
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