business affairs executive who helped guide the Eye network through a transitional era of television, died Saturday after battling cancer. She was 65.
“Debby was a mentor and dear friend to so many of us at CBS,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Studios. “She was the person everyone turned for counsel and guidance, both professionally and personally. You always left her office feeling a little bit smarter and emotionally stronger. There was no one who was more universally loved, admired, and respected at CBS and across our business.”
Amy Reisenbach, another long-serving CBS executive who was recently promoted to entertainment president, credited Barak with helping guide her to the top programming post. Another longtime colleague recalled Barak as someone who was “wise, tough, and fair minded to all.” Nina Tassler, longtime CBS Entertainment president, worked with Barak for more than two decades.