Carole Tomko
Member
Carole Tomko is a global media executive and producer who has spent more than three decades helping organizations turn initiatives into lasting impact. She believes powerful storytelling can help tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
Working at the intersection of media, philanthropy, and technology, Carole has launched and led media networks, studios, and philanthropic initiatives while advising organizations on strategy, partnerships, and public engagement. She has collaborated with boards, nonprofits, funders, policymakers, and creative leaders to deliver measurable public impact.
As an executive producer, Carole has overseen award-winning documentaries on conservation, natural history, global health, and social justice. Most recently, she executive produced and led the impact campaign for Netflix’s The Plastic Detox, uniting hundreds of organizations in a global effort to raise awareness about plastics and human health.
Previously, Carole served as General Manager and Creative Director of Vulcan Productions, where she oversaw an award-winning portfolio of documentaries and content recognized with more than 200 industry awards at prestigious film festivals including Tribeca and Sundance, and received an Oscar nomination and an Emmy Award for Body Team 12.
Carole has also been recognized by CableFAX as one of the Most Influential Women in Cable and has been featured in publications including Seattle Met, TVWeek, and the Skoll Foundation’s State of Social Impact Entertainment for her leadership in mission-driven media and impact storytelling.
Earlier in her career, Carole held executive leadership positions at Discovery Communications, where she led several television networks, including Discovery Health, FitTV, Discovery Kids, and Discovery Studios.
Carole currently serves as Co-Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee for Cascade PBS. She previously served on the boards of Jackson Wild and the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC). Her governance experience includes strategic planning, board development, and governance best practices. She contributed a personal essay in bestselling author Jennifer Skiff’s Rescuing Ladybugs: Inspirational Encounters with Animals That Changed the World, where she shared how her professional work shaped her lifelong commitment to protecting the natural world.
Carole’s connection to the Appalachian Trail began in childhood while hiking Mount Greylock in Massachusetts. Since then, she has completed significant sections of the A.T. in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Connecticut. An active member of several hiking organizations, she is deeply committed to protecting the Appalachian Trail and ensuring future generations can experience its extraordinary landscapes, communities, and sense of connection.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Hispanic Studies from Connecticut College.
