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Discovery Communications: Andrew Slabin joins & Jackie Burka promoted
MUMBAI: Discovery Communications Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels has announced a strategic expansion of its global investor relations leadership team. Andrew Slabin will join the company in a newly created role as Executive Vice President, Global Investor Strategy and Jackie Burka has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, effective immediately.
“As Discovery focuses increasingly on growing its direct-to-consumer and digital businesses and investing in new growth areas and revenue streams, the role of our investor relations team is more important than ever,” said Wiedenfels. “Andrew’s deep understanding of media and technology and strong relationships in the investor community will enhance our position among global investors and help us articulate our ambition to reach viewers on every screen and service around the world.”
Slabin brings to Discovery more than 20 years of experience as a buy-side and sell-side analyst and portfolio manager specializing in media, entertainment and Internet investments. In his new role, Slabin will focus on developing Discovery’s strategic position and building relationships with the international investor community.
Slabin joins Discovery from Toms Capital, where he was co-portfolio manager of a public equity portfolio and was responsible for investments in the telecom, media and technology sectors. Prior to Toms Capital, Slabin was an analyst and portfolio manager for Man GLG, covering the media, entertainment and Internet industries, and a director of equity research at Merrill Lynch, covering the media industry. Slabin started his career at John Hancock Mutual Funds and received a BS in finance and business administration from the University of Vermont. Slabin will be based at Discovery’s office in New York.
Most recently Vice President of Investor Relations, Burka has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President, Investor Relations reporting to Slabin. Burka will continue to play a key role in driving Discovery’s day-to-day engagement and communication with the investor and analyst community as well as quarterly earnings and other financial communications.
Burka joined Discovery in 2012, after more than a decade at Sanford Bernstein and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she was a sector specialist covering the media, cable, Internet and telecom industries. Prior to that, Burka worked in high yield investment banking at Merrill Lynch and in corporate private equity at Harvard Private Capital. Jackie has a BA in economics from Princeton University and an MBA, with Beta Gamma Sigma honors, from Columbia Business School.
“Jackie has done a fantastic job leading Discovery’s investor relations activities and communicating our global growth story to investors. Under the leadership of Andrew and Jackie, our enhanced investor relations team will be optimally positioned for the future,” added Wiedenfels.
Discovery Communications was assisted in the search process for Slabin by Howard Fischer Associates, International.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
