Susette Hsiung

A highly experienced and well-regarded television executive, Susette Hsiung is currently responsible for overseeing the television production companies that create live-action series, animated series and movies for Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior. Over the course of her 30+ year career, Hsiung has been an outspoken champion for women and minorities in the entertainment business—on both sides of the camera. She’s been instrumental in developing and producing shows with strong characters that viewers, particularly children and young adults, can relate to, including “Andi Mack,” the current hit series featuring a storyline that promotes tolerance, respect and self-acceptance. Also a proud wife and mother, Hsiung serves as a role model and mentor to many up-and-coming young executives striving to achieve a successful career and family. She reports to Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Hsiung’s team at Disney Channels Worldwide oversees the physical production of more than 1000 hours of programming in single-camera and multicamera formats, including reality/talk shows, specials, on-air promotional messages, short-form content and micro-content, including micro-movies.

Among the titles under Hsiung’s remit over the past two decades are Disney Channel’s hit series “Hannah Montana,” “Phineas and Ferb” and “Kim Possible,” along with more than 100 Disney Channel Original Movies. This list includes the Emmy® Award-winning “High School Musical” and its record-breaking sequel “High School Musical 2”; Disney’s “Descendants” and its sequel, “Descendants 2”; “Teen Beach Movie” and its sequel, “Teen Beach 2”; “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam”; “How To Build a Better Boy”; and “Adventures in Babysitting.”

Hsiung and her team shepherd production companies for current live-action series, including “Raven’s Home,” “Just Roll With It,” “Andi Mack,” “Coop & Cami Ask the World,” “BUNK’D” and upcoming series “Gabby Duran & The Unsittables”; as well as Disney Television Animation properties, including “DuckTales,” “Fancy Nancy” and the Emmy Award-winning ” Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts; and the third party production companies for “Muppet Babies” and “Vampirina.”

Additionally, Hsiung supervises the production of several large scale Radio Disney events, including the Radio Disney Music Awards and ARDYs, a Radio Disney Music Celebration, presented live. Both programs include red carpets, onstage performances, and talent across music, television and film, as well as several interactive components via social media and other digital platforms.

Hsiung leads several workplace initiatives, including helping to establish the Autism Parents Group for Disney employees connected by autism. The group provides a way for employees, mainly parents of individuals on the spectrum, to support one another while also influencing how The Walt Disney Company and its consumers think about employing individuals with neurodiversity.

As an executive leader of Walt Disney Television’s Global Workplace & Women’s Initiative, Hsiung advocates for the career advancement of female employees and an enhanced workplace for all employees. She also developed the 360 Girl Task Force and, through a women’s affinity group, works to encourage collaboration and camaraderie among female employees. Hsiung is a mentor to and sponsor of up-and-coming executives throughout Walt Disney Television as part of a leadership mentoring program. She has spearheaded numerous employee enrichment programs, including a book club, yoga and drawing classes.

In 2014, 2016 and 2017, Hsiung was named as one of the top “100 Most Influential Minorities” by Cablefax. The magazine also recognized her as one of “The Most Powerful Women in the Cable Industry” in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2015, she was named to the Multichannel News “Wonder Women” group, which recognizes dynamic decision-making women and their extraordinary accomplishments.

Hsiung joined Disney Channel in May 1997 as vice president of Production. A veteran of HBO, MTV and Comedy Central, Hsiung was vice president of Production for MTV Asia and spearheaded international ventures, including the launch of two 24-hour cable television channels servicing Far East territories.

Her diverse experience includes tenures as a production executive for HBO Downtown Productions and as a line producer for The Comedy Channel (now known as Comedy Central). She began her career at MTV Networks in 1984, rising through the ranks to the role of production manager.

Hsiung graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She received a Master of Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Hsiung lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.