As WE tv’s executive vice president of development & original programming, Lauren Gellert is responsible for developing and producing brand-defining original series’ that drive viewership, build buzz and support the network’s overall business and revenue goals. She leads the network’s efforts in finding fresh new unscripted originals and oversees the development and production of shows that explore personalities and relationships fueled by purpose and passion.

Gellert joined WE tv in 2012 and serves as the network’s executive in charge of production for all unscripted original series, working closely with outside production companies, creators and producers.

Driven by unscripted originals, WE tv is viewed and talked about by more people than ever before and continues to grow its target audience, driven by a strong programming lineup, particularly on Thursday and Friday nights, including the popular franchises Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars and Growing Up Hip Hop, the long-running signature series Braxton Family Values, and the breakout hit series Love After Lockup, spinoff Life After Lockup and the cult favorite phenomenon Bridezillas. The network has also recently expanded into the documentary space with Power, Influence and Hip-Hop, which traces the rise of Jermaine Dupri and his record label So So Def and Untold Stories of Hip Hop, hosted by radio personality Angie Martinez and featuring never-before-told stories from Cardi B, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, Nelly, A$AP Rocky, DJ Khaled, Wyclef Jean, Ja Rule, Fat Joe and more.

Gellert’s vision and creative savvy are the fuel behind WE tv’s popular original programming slate. Gellert successfully launched the network’s Marriage Boot Camp and Growing Up Hip Hop franchises, which continues to grow each season and bring bigger names to the network.

Before joining WE tv, Gellert served as vice president, production and development at ION Media Networks where she was responsible for identifying, creating, and overseeing the production of unscripted series for ION Television.  Previously, she was the senior vice president at RDF/Zodiak USA where she oversaw the development and production of shows coming out of the company’s New York office, including the hit shows she executive produced, Lizard Lick Towing and All Worked Up. Prior to that, Gellert was the vice president of program development at tru tv where she developed the series Black Gold, Speeders, Most Daring and Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock, which helped grow the network’s ratings, making it a top 10 destination.  She has also held development and production positions at Court TV and VH1.

Gellert graduated with honors from Northwestern University.  She is a member of New York Women in Film & Television, and a founding member of the New York board of directors of Step Up Women’s Network, a non-profit dedicated to advancing philanthropy and volunteerism among women in entertainment and media.

Speaking on: Managing through Uncertainty: Dollars and Sense