Bob Wright has had a diversified career in general management, marketing, and broadcasting. He served as vice chairman of General Electric and president, CEO, and chairman of NBC and NBC Universal from 1986 to 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Wright served as president of General Electric Financial Services and before that as president of Cox Cable Communications. He is a senior advisor of THL Capital, CEO and Chairman of the Palm Beach Civic Association, and a trustee of New York Presbyterian Hospital. He is a former member of the executive committee of Rand Corporation, Ralph Lauren Corporation, AMC Networks Inc. and a former director of Autism Speaks and EMI Group Global Ltd. Mr. Wright is an advisor to Ralph Lauren at Ralph Lauren Corporation and to Josh Sapan at AMC Networks Inc.
In 2005, Bob Wright and his late wife, Suzanne, co-founded Autism Speaks, a national foundation dedicated to raising public awareness and research funds for autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $600 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research, and has grown into the world’s leading autism advocacy organization. Mr. Wright has played a leadership role in national autism legislation and continues to advocate for federal funding for programs related to treatments and services for individuals with autism. In 2008, Bob Wright was named in the Heroes and Pioneers category of the TIME 100, the magazine’s annual list of the most influential people. He also received the first Double Helix Award for Corporate Leadership from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; the NYU Child Advocacy Award; the Castle Connolly National Health Leadership Award; the American Ireland Fund Humanitarian Award; the Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy 2011 Leadership Award; the Moffly Media’s Light a Fire Lifetime Achievement Award; and the Eugene M. Lang Lifetime Achievement Award from the I Have A Dream Foundation. In 2013, he received the Dean’s Medal from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for Global Leadership in Autism Research and Advocacy. In addition, Bob Wright received honorary degrees from St. John’s University, St. Joseph’s University, Fairfield University and UMass Medical School. Bob Wright graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Mass., and the Law School of the University of Virginia.
In his 2016 Bob wrote his successful memoir, “The Wright Stuff” sharing his struggles and achievements as Chief Executive Officer of NBC and building a national awareness for autism.
Bob and his wife, Susan Keenan Wright live in Palm Beach and actively work together advocating for individuals with autism and supporting charitable organizations nationally and in their community. Between them, the Wrights have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. They live in Palm Beach, where they enjoy spending time with their families, friends, boating and golfing.
