Jennifer Hyde

Jennifer Hyde is a Professor of Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta since 2018. She previously led CNN's award-winning Documentary Unit (2008–2017), overseeing 25+ staff across three cities and managing multimillion-dollar budgets. Her career spans roles including Executive Producer (2012–2015) and Director of Development (1998–2008) at CNN, plus early development management roles at Blue Andre' Productions (1993–1994) and NBC.

Educated at the University of Richmond with a B.A. in Speech Communications, Hyde has become a leader in documentary storytelling. Her research and creative work emphasize adapting to evolving media landscapes, mentoring future filmmakers, and maintaining journalistic integrity in long-form content.

Recipient of over 20 major awards including multiple Peabody Awards (1998–2016), Emmy Awards (2001–2017), and an International Emmy, Hyde's work has been recognized globally. Her presentations span prestigious forums like Hot Docs, Sundance, and the Banff Festival.

Hyde's leadership extended to managing high-performing teams and developing journalists through her roles at CNN. She delivered keynote speeches at University of Richmond (2006) and contributed to industry discourse through frequent festival talks and association involvement.