News Corp announced last week that Susan Panuccio will step down from her role as chief financial officer on January 1, 2025.
She will be succeeded in the role by Lavanya Chandrashekar. Panuccio will continue in an advisory capacity for six months to help ensure a smooth transition and to support Chandrashekar.
Panuccio has been a key leader during a period of rapid expansion and transformation for News Corp since becoming chief financial officer in March 2017.
The company reported during her tenure, News Corp has achieved record results, and transitioned into a diversified digital and subscription-first business. The company has generated healthy free cash flows, successfully completed two debt offerings at attractive rates and boosted capital returns through its $1 billion repurchase program.
Under Panuccio’s leadership, News Corp made several strategic investments within the company’s key growth pillars, including expansion of B2B at Dow Jones, while streamlining costs and adding high margin, content licensing revenues from tech platforms. During her time at News Corp, the company’s share price has risen over 140% since March 1, 2017, materially outpacing sector performance during that period.
Prior to moving to New York as CFO, Panuccio was CFO for News Corp Australia for three years. Before that she held the same position for News International UK.
Panuccio hails from regional Victoria and was a graduate of Ballarat University.
Robert Thomson: ‘We will mis Susan deeply’
“Susan’s steadfast leadership, sharp instincts and strategic mindset have helped guide News Corp through a remarkable period of growth. We will miss Susan deeply, and I am personally grateful for her partnership over the years,” said News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson. “Susan’s work not just here in New York, but in leadership roles in Australia and the United Kingdom, has been transformational for News Corp, and her impact cannot be understated. Her thoughtfulness and care for the company have continued through the succession process, and I am pleased to have her continued support for the remainder of this fiscal year.”
Spending time with family
“After nearly eight years in this role and over two decades at News Corp, I am going to take some much-desired time off to spend with my family,” said Panuccio. “It has been a privilege to help Robert lead News Corp’s transformation into the global news and information powerhouse it is today, and I truly believe that the company has an incredibly bright future ahead. I have been so fortunate over the years to have had the support of both Rupert and Lachlan, together with our board of directors, and I would like to sincerely thank them all.”
Lavanya Chandrashekar
Lavanya Chandrashekar has nearly 30 years of experience in international finance and investor relations, and has held senior positions at blue chip consumer facing companies, including Procter & Gamble, Mondelēz and Diageo, where she was chief financial officer from 2021 to September of 2024. During her tenure at Diageo, Chandrashekar led the company through a period of profitable and accelerated growth, with the company growing at a 10.5% CAGR. Chandrashekar spearheaded and launched a multi-faceted global digital transformation program for Diageo.
“I am thrilled to welcome Lavanya to News Corp, and look forward to her joining our leadership team,” said Thomson. “Lavanya’s mix of financial acumen, global experience and proven integrity were compelling characteristics of her professional personality. Lavanya has meaningful experience leading transformation initiatives, and her support will be welcome as News Corp continues its ambitious journey.”
“I have tremendous respect for News Corp and its leadership team, and am honored to join them,” said Chandrashekar. “I am fortunate to be joining this company during an exciting period of growth and transformation, and look forward to taking on the challenge of helping to shepherd News Corp into the future.”