Rebecca Toth Diefenbach

Sharing the role of Sirens Media co-president with Valerie Haselton, Toth Diefenbach is behind the production of Bravo’s mega success “Real Housewives of New Jersey” as Sirens expands its cable reality footprint to Discovery ID with six additional new series. And she believes in the power of working moms: “A lot of moms need the ability to time shift, i.e. leave work early enough to be home for dinner and bedtime, and then finish up with some work after the kids are asleep. Recognizing that this is possible and the work can still be outstanding is important for keeping many talented women working and happy.”

How can cable do better job at supporting the industry’s women?

[Co-president] Valerie Haselton and I have always believed in the power of working women/moms (between us, we have 5 kids and 3 step-kids). We are very flexible with hours in the office – as long as the work is excellent, on time, and on budget, of course.  A lot of moms need the ability to time shift, i.e. leave work early enough to be home for dinner and bedtime, and then finish up with some work after the kids are asleep.  Recognizing that this is possible and the work can still be outstanding is important for keeping many talented women working and happy.

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

Embrace the technology that keeps you connected to work all the time – it’s also what allows you the freedom to not be in the office day and night.  Hire and nurture great staff, and empower them to do their jobs.  Have an amazing husband and a fabulous nanny – and tell them so often.

When not in the office, where are we most likely to find you?

Playing/yelling/cajoling/singing/feeding/reading/dancing/snuggling with my three kids.