Wendy McMahon Tells All: Leaving CBS Was 'Exhilarating and Painful'

In Exit Interview, Marie Claire has a candid conversation with someone who’s left their job. We learn all about their experience—both the good and the bad—plus why they decided to leave and what life looks like on the other side.

Here, we talk to Wendy McMahon, who stunned the media world last year when she resigned as CEO and President of CBS News and Stations. After four years leading the network news division through a period of profound transformation, she is now advising Beehiiv, a platform that connects independent reporters with major institutions and newsrooms. In this conversation, McMahon reflects on her decision to walk away, what leadership truly demands in moments of crisis, and what keeps her hopeful about the future of journalism.

What guided your decision to resign from CBS?

The company and I didn’t agree on the path forward. That is the reality. As a leader, as a CEO within an organization, when you sense misalignment, when you believe your vision and your values are at odds with how the business is moving—that’s your cue, right? Then you have a decision to make. And that’s a deeply personal decision; I know it was for me. But once I recognized that we weren’t aligned, then ultimately it became clear that I would end up resigning, which is what happened.

I think it always starts with your gut, that sense of unease. When you have that, I do think you have to challenge your gut and surround yourself with people who are going to be real truth-tellers versus your cheerleaders. And I think it’s important to really identify and know for yourself: Am I running from something, or am I running toward something? That’s how I ultimately arrived at that decision.