Abbe Raven

Abbe Raven is the Chairman Emeritus of A+E Networks. Raven previously retired from her role as chairman on February 2, 2015.^[1] She was asked to return in March 2018 upon the departure of the CEO, Nancy Dubuc.^[2] Raven is also the former President and CEO of A+E Networks. Raven is one of the original founders of the HISTORY brand and was one of the longest running employees at A+E Networks.^[3] She began her career in 1982 as a production assistant and rose through the ranks to become the second CEO and first Chairman in A+E Networks' history.^[4]

Abbe Raven
Born	New York, US
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Chairman Emeritus, A+E Networks
Spouse	Martin S. Tackel (lawyer)

Background and education

Raven was born and raised in Queens, New York. In 1974, she received her B.A. in Theatre from the State University of New York at Buffalo.^[5] Raven received her M.A. in Theatre & Film from Hunter College. She was awarded Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Hunter College, Florida Southern College and State University of New York at Buffalo.

Raven met her husband, Martin Tackel, while at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Tackel is an attorney and a commercial arbitrator.^[6]

Career

After graduating from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Raven was a stage manager for off-Broadway and regional theater. She took an opportunity to work for a company called DAYTIME that was just starting out. It later became the Arts & Entertainment Network. She was promoted to Senior Vice President and put in charge of all production, post-production and studio facilities.^[7] Raven then transferred to the HISTORY brand as the Executive Vice President and General Manager^[8] and was in charge of all programming. She was then promoted to President of A&E Network and The Biography Channel. In March 2005, Raven became the President & CEO of A+E Networks.^[9] In June 2013, she became Chairman of A+E Networks.^[10] Raven retired and became Chairman Emeritus of A+E Networks in February 2015.^[11] Upon the departure of CEO Nancy Dubuc in March 2018, Raven returned to A+E as Acting Chairman.^[12]

In October 2009, she was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.^[13]

In 2010, she was named in The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 list and named one of the top 5 most powerful women in entertainment.^[14]

She was Chairman of the board and now alumni Board Member of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.^[15]

Raven was elected as Vice Chair of the inaugural Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Advisory Council

Raven is on the board of directors of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.^[16]

She previously served on the board of directors of Pencil, a non-profit group that brings corporate know how to New York City public schools.^[17]

She is a director of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and is on their executive committee.^[18]

In 2018, Raven was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the State University of New York at Buffalo.^[19] Hunter College, and Florida Southern College.

Raven was a co-producer of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical The Prom, which opened on November 15, 2018.^[20] As a co-producer, she received a Tony Award for best musical revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company in 2021. She is also co-producer of the current Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman, which opened Oct 9,2022.

Notes

1. Littleton, Cynthia (November 3, 2014). "Cable Pioneer Abbe Raven to Retire as A+E Networks Chairman Post". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
2. Andreeva, Nellie (March 12, 2018). "Nancy Dubuc Exits A+E Networks; Abbe Raven Named Interim Chairman". Deadline. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
3. . June 26, 2014. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
4. "The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Announces New Board Members". Breast Cancer Research Foundation. December 16, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
5. . www.buffalo.edu. UB Today. Archived from the original on May 27, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
6. . www.tackelvarachi.com. Tackel & Varachi. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
7. "THIS SLAVE FILM SHOULDN'T MAKE HISTORY". www.nydailynews.com. NY Daily News. December 3, 1997.
8. "The Past Is Its Present and Future". www.latimes.com. LA Times Today. September 30, 2001. Retrieved September 30, 2001.
9. "Nickolas Davatzes Steps Down as President & CEO of A&E Television Networks; Abbe Raven Succeeds Him". Retrieved April 19, 2018.
10. "Abbe Raven Elevated To New Role as Chairman of A+E Networks; Nancy Dubuc Named President & Chief Executive Officer". www.hearst.com. Hearst. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
11. Andreeva, Nellie (November 3, 2014). "Abbe Raven To Retire As A+E Networks Chairman". Deadline. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
12. Littleton, Cynthia (March 12, 2018). "A+E Networks Chief Nancy Dubuc in Talks to Become CEO of Vice Media (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
13. "Abbe Raven". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
14. "Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
15. "Abbe Raven". National Museum of American History. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
16. "Breast Cancer Research Foundation". July 11, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
17. "A+E's Raven Joins Pencil Board of Directors". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
18. "A+E Networks Chairman Abbe Raven Joins International TV Academy Executive Committee". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
19. "Signature Series to feature A&E's Abbe Raven - UB Now: News and views for UB faculty and staff - University at Buffalo". www.buffalo.edu. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
20. League, The Broadway. "Abbe Raven – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.

References

• Goldsmith, Jill (September 9, 2012), "Raven rises after modest start; Showman of the Year 2012: A+E Networks", Variety
• Board, National Museum of American History
• Muhr, Jeffrey, ed. (2014), Abbe Raven (1953-), Detroit: Biography and Genealogy Master Index  – via Gale (subscription required)
• "Abbe Raven", Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television (Biography in Context), vol. 101, Detroit:  – via Gale (subscription required) , 2010

• Raven, Abbe, Producer, "The Prom", Company{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

• Raven, Abbe, Producer (October 9, 2022), Death of a Salesman{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• "Wonder Women: Smithsonian appoints advisory council for budding women's history museum in Washington, DC", Smithsonian American Women's History, August 8, 2021