With more than 25 years of experience as a CEO, board director, and media business leader, James Ackerman applies his broad experience and strategic perspective to support and challenge MyNextSeason clients. As an Advisor, he takes a service-based approach grounded in active listening as he helps individuals navigate important career choices.

Over the course of his career, James has been integral to the evolution, growth, and turnaround of several global broadcast media companies. As CEO, he led the strategic sales of Broadway Systems as well as the Documentary Channel. He also grew OpenTV into a global provider of interactive TV technology and services and led the launch of British Interactive Broadcasting. Previously, James held leadership roles in media organizations, including British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSkyB), A&E Television Networks, Hearst Entertainment, The Family Channel, and Grey Advertising.

An accomplished board director, James leveraged his deep industry expertise as the Chairman of the Board for Accedo.tv—a global video solutions provider based in Stockholm, Sweden. He is a former Board Member of the International Documentary Association and former Board Chairman of Saving Innocence—a non-profit human rights organization.

Now, in his own next season, James is a Strategic Advisor to the CEO of Brevet Capital Management, a government-focused investment advisory firm. He moved into his role after serving as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Prison Fellowship, leading the largest NGO serving the needs of incarcerated men and women, returning citizens, and their families.

A United States Coast Guard veteran, James and his wife Martha split their time between South Carolina and New York and have two adult children, Holden and Lily.