Celebrating 15 Years

Tanya

Giles

C-Level

Paramount Global (Former)

New York,

New York

2024 Cohort

Industry

Media/Entertainment

Area of Expertise

Consumer Insights and Data Analytics

Immediately Qualified to Serve

Nominating and Governance

Previous Board Experience

Nonprofit

Tanya Giles is an accomplished C-suite executive with a multifaceted career spanning over two decades, marked by transformative leadership in media and entertainment. With an extensive background in data analytics, brand strategy, and executive management, Giles has consistently delivered exceptional results while shaping the strategic direction of prominent brands in the industry.

As the Chief Programming Officer for Paramount Global’s Direct-to-Consumer and Streaming division, Giles spearheaded comprehensive strategies that propelled Paramount+ and PlutoTV to unprecedented success. Under her leadership, Paramount+ achieved remarkable milestones, including a 200% global footprint growth within two years and the launch of a $1 billion content slate. Giles’s innovative approach to content offerings, coupled with her keen understanding of audience preferences, fueled Paramount+ to over 60 million subscribers, making it the fastest-growing streaming brand in 2022.

Prior to her role at Paramount Global, Giles held key executive positions at Viacom, where she played a pivotal role in driving programming, research, and brand strategy across multiple platforms. As General Manager of Viacom Media Networks, she led a diverse portfolio of cable brands to success, and fostered a collaborative company culture that significantly boosted employee engagement and retention.

Throughout her career, Giles has been recognized as a trailblazer and industry leader, receiving accolades such as Variety’s Women’s Impact Report, the Imagen Foundation’s Powerful and Influential Latinos, and inclusion in CableFax’s Top 100 list. She is also actively involved in the community as the Board Chair of the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, where she champions initiatives to support diversity and inclusion in the media landscape.

Giles is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leveraging her position as an executive leader on the Global Inclusion Action Committee at Viacom to champion initiatives that foster a more inclusive workplace. As a Latina executive, Giles brings a unique perspective to her leadership roles and actively advocates for greater representation and opportunities for underrepresented communities in the media and entertainment industry. Additionally, her experience in P&L management adds a strategic financial acumen to her executive toolkit, ensuring that business decisions are grounded in fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.

Giles holds a Master of Science in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in TV, Radio, and Film from Syracuse University. Giles lives in New York City with her husband, David and sons, Oscar and Malcolm, who was born in the backseat of a taxicab in Manhattan.

Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.