Christina (Chris) Spade

Christina Spade (Chris) is a business advisor and executive coach supporting start-up, consumer-facing, and tech companies in achieving value creation goals. Chris believes the strongest value creation comes from integrating three key elements – clear business strategy, talent fit, and financial effectiveness.

Chris is a Fortune 500 and start-up business leader with 25+ years of strategic, financial, M&A, and operational leadership experience in consumer-facing, global businesses within digital, media, entertainment, and consumer sectors. She has extensive investor relations and governance experience. She served as Chief Executive Officer of AMC Networks until November 2022, leading the global entertainment company known for content including The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul, and brands such as AMC+, AcornTV, AllBlk, Sundance, and BBC America. She joined AMC Networks as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in January 2021 and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in November 2021, leading business and financial operations, investor relations, and global technology before becoming CEO.

What Chris' clients say about working with her:

• Leadership Through Support, Challenge, and Development: "I had the privilege of working for Chris during her tenure as ViacomCBS CFO, and I can say without hesitation that she would be a valuable coach for any new CFO. She leads with empathy, appreciation, and a deep commitment to developing others. Her thoughtful encouragement and strategic insight created an environment where I felt both supported and challenged to grow. She brings years of technical and industry experience, but also the kind of emotional intelligence that would make her a truly transformative mentor." – Kathy Gill-Charest, Chief Accounting Officer, Paramount Global

• Unparalleled Investment: “As an entrepreneur focused on commercialization of bleeding edge AI software, it has been no easy feat to align with experienced leaders that can inform and advise across all facets of the organization. Chris stepped up every time I asked, and then went above and beyond. There was a sense of urgency as if she was the co-founder right beside me. There was high level strategic guidance when necessary but also low level financial analysis when the time called for it. Every moment drove increased enterprise value which I am incredibly thankful for.” – Sean Austin, Chief AI Officer, Humach

• Building Trust and Accountability: "What sets Chris apart, and what makes her an outstanding coach, is her unique combination of intellectual rigor and emotional intelligence. She motivates through positivity, respect, and a steady presence. Even when taking a tough stance or delivering critical feedback, she communicates with clarity, professionalism, and most importantly, respect. She creates an environment of trust and accountability, which is exactly what a developing CFO, or any executive needs in a coach. I would strongly recommend Chris to any executive seeking thoughtful, experienced guidance in navigating complex leadership challenges." – David Byrnes, Public Company CFO - MSG and Sphere, Lead FP&A Finance Executive - Paramount Global

Chris previously served as EVP and CFO of ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global), overseeing all financial operations until August 2020. Prior to the CBS and Viacom merger, she held the same role at CBS Corporation and spent over 20 years at Showtime Networks, including six years as EVP, CFO and Strategy. She was instrumental in launching the Showtime streaming platform and shaping key financial strategies across both companies.

She earned a B.S. in Accounting from St. Joseph's University and is a CPA. Chris currently serves on the Board of the Paley Center for Media and is the founder and President of the ATR Children's Foundation. She has also been recognized for her leadership and commitment to diversity, including honors from WICT and the T. Howard Foundation.