SPOTLIGHT: DEBBIE PRESSER
Vice President of Sales, Nexstar, New York
New York Women in Communications proudly welcomed Debbie Presser to its board as the Chief Partnerships Officer. We are delighted to have her on the team as one of the first women in sales. Debbie joined NYWICI fresh out of undergrad. After taking a pause from her initial involvement and making a name for herself in the world of sales, she has now returned, offering connections and perspectives that will advance NYWICI. Just as it is important for us to know about NYWICI members, we believe sharing the board members’ professional and personal journeys is just as crucial to help you navigate your own career path. NYWICI member and volunteer, Kayla Cunanan, met with Debbie Presser to share her invaluable insights with our community! Before we delve into the milestones of Debbie’s life, it is important to note that she is deeply committed to paying it forward. She believes her own success and knowledge holds greater value when shared with a community, as the real reward lies in that collective enrichment. That is why she continues to carve out time from her demanding work and family schedule to fulfill a role within NYWICI.
CAREER: Debbie is a seasoned broadcast sales executive with over 30 years of experience at top media organizations including Tribune, Fox, and Nexstar. Her career progression saw her serve as a Local Sales Manager at PIX11-NY and Fox 5 in NY, before being promoted to General Sales Manager at PIX11. She began her journey as a Sales Assistant and advanced to Account Executive, all of which prepared her for the Vice President of Sales position at Nexstar. In this executive role, she, alongside six others, built and now manages a powerhouse team to advance the new era of Nexstar.
Her ability to step into such an executive position stems from a history of ambitious moves. Reflecting on her college years at Adelphi University, Debbie served as the Vice President of Sigma Delta Tau, an organization she and a close group of friends founded. In hindsight, this experience fostered valuable skills such as multitasking, collaboration, leadership, and listening to the needs of others, all of which supported her career goals and beyond.
Without a doubt, Debbie achieved her goals, but she recognized that, like anything in life, sacrifices would eventually be necessary. Debbie believes that while one can pursue everything, it’s not possible to be great at everything simultaneously. She understood her limits and knew that as life unfolded, career sacrifices would be essential. This insight highlights a crucial topic for a driven career woman: the importance of not spreading oneself too thin. As motherhood approached, she had to reconsider her priorities, placing family at the top of her list, ahead of her career.
Therefore, Debbie decided to step down from her role as General Sales Manager back to Local Sales Manager at PIX11. This adjustment still kept her schedule full, but cleared up enough time to be present for her daughters and husband in all the moments that mattered. This strategic decision paid off in more ways than one. Yes, she raised two beautiful, hardworking daughters both pursuing careers and education, but this move was also a stepping stone to her next career advancement. She made the hard but necessary decision, which eventually led to her biggest career success to date as the Vice President of Sales at Nexstar. Her journey, from co-founding an organization at her college and serving as Vice President, to then building and managing a new team within Nexstar as the Vice President of Sales, has been truly a full-circle moment for Debbie.
FORWARD THINKING/ ADVICE/TAKEAWAYS: Being a natural mentor, Debbie shared several notable pieces of advice for those entering a career in sales. When applying for companies, she recommends researching those who focus on digital and streaming. Nexstar serves as a prime example, having built an impressive portfolio by acquiring platforms such as The CW and NewsNation. Working for companies with goals advancing in this direction will provide a growth-oriented and secure career.
In addition to this, Debbie strongly believes in face-to-face connections. She advises making yourself memorable by putting in the effort to show up and connect in person, emphasizing that it is “simple, yet impactful”. Connections are vital in sales and every industry; her counsel is to build relationships so that not only do you know them, but they also know you. Her advice further extended to the importance of well-being outside of work.
WELLNESS & GRIT: Wellness has played a huge role in Debbie’s lifestyle. She has reached a point where she can invest in herself, making lifestyle adjustments that benefit her health so she feels motivated to work from Monday through Friday. Through activities like dance, reading, and biking, she makes time for her simple pleasures. However, she emphasizes that wellness is not “one size fits all” and encourages everyone to explore what habits and routines work best for them.
Kayla Cunanan’s biggest takeaway from their conversation is that finding reward and advancement within your career takes “grit”. Debbie demonstrates that grit isn’t something one can simply acquire or ask for; it’s an attribute earned through years of hard work. Debbie has consistently set goals, made bold career choices that often led to long hours, and at times, “taken on more than she could chew” and “cried many tears in the office.” Yet, her stories of success are intrinsically linked to these humbling moments. It was through these trials and tribulations that she earned her grit, which continues to make her the stand-out woman she is.
Debbie’s experience suggests that whether one is applying for a job or facing an overwhelming career change, having grit will be a significant asset. Cultivating grit involves deliberately putting oneself in uncomfortable situations, allowing room for failure, but then actively choosing to move “onward and upward”. This resilience is an attribute that NYWICI members are known to possess, and having board members like Debbie serves as daily motivation.
So we welcome Debbie onto the board of New York Women in Communications. We are grateful for the new perspective and opportunities she will provide for the organization!
Written by Kayla Cunanan
