Owning the Room: Samantha Skey on AI, Imposter Syndrome, and Leading with Intention

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Samantha Skey, CEO of SHE Media, shares her bold, human-centered take on leadership, AI disruption, and the future of digital publishing. From reframing imposter syndrome as a systemic issue to building a diversified media model grounded in authenticity, Samantha offers a masterclass in leading with courage, clarity, and purpose in a time of massive change.

Key Topics Discussed:

-How Samantha approaches leadership with a focus on ethics, empathy, and long-term impact—not just short-term performance.
-The tension between AI as an operational asset vs. existential threat to publishers.
-Her prediction of a new industry for authenticity verification in content.
-Samantha redefined imposter syndrome as a systemic issue, not a personal flaw.
-A call to redesign environments to be more inclusive of non-traditional leaders.
-SHE Media’s three-pronged business model: owned brands, creator monetization, and immersive brand partnerships.
-The importance of leveraging both quantitative and qualitative inputs to drive business decisions.

About Samantha Skey

About Samantha Skey
Samantha Skey is CEO of SHE Media, a top 10 media company reaching 80 million monthly unique visitors through brands like SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, Soaps, and TVLine. Acquired by Penske Media Corporation in 2018, SHE Media also operates one of the largest networks of independent lifestyle publishers and creators in the U.S. via the SHE Media Collective, which Skey launched in 2016 to support underrepresented voices.

In 2021, she introduced Meaningful Marketplaces (MMP), helping advertisers scale media buys while supporting premium independent media. That equity-driven mission continued with the 2023 launch of Flow Space, a women’s health platform that won Anthem and Viddy Gold Awards. She also led the debut of SHE Media’s Co-Lab Whole Life Health at SXSW, earning honors from Fierce Pharma and the Anthem Awards.

With over 25 years in digital media and tech, Skey has held leadership roles at CNET, Disney, RecycleBank, and SheKnows. She’s been honored by Ad Age, Folio, and DM News, and serves on the boards of The Ad Council, World Surf League, and Acast. She lives in Princeton with her husband and two children and coaches girls’ lacrosse on weekends.

About RevvedUP 2026
RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.

About Heather Holst-Knudsen
Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.

About Revenue Room™ CXO
Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.

Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.