Lisa Sharkey

Lisa Sharkey (born 1969) is an American media executive, publisher, and author known for her contributions to book publishing and television production. Since 2014, Sharkey is the Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins Publishers, and currently serves as the publisher of Harper Influence, a new imprint at HarperCollins.
Prior to joining HarperCollins, Sharkey had a 27-year career in television production and media. Since 1987, she worked for WPIX-TV, CBS, Fox, and Inside Edition. Between 2000 and 2005, Sharkey served as a senior producer at Good Morning America. She has received numerous accolades, including Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a DuPont Award.
Education
Sharkey attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Comparative Arts.
Career
Career in television
Sharkey's career in television began at KETC-TV in St. Louis during her time at Washington University. She subsequently rose through various positions at major networks, including WPIX-TV, CBS, Fox, and Inside Edition. As Senior Producer at Good Morning America (GMA) from 2000 to 2005, she managed news segments, broke significant stories such as the Laci Peterson case, and worked closely with journalists like Diane Sawyer, Charles Gibson, and Robin Roberts. Sharkey was recognized for her work and earned Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a DuPont Award during this period. Sharkey also leads HarperCollins’ video initiatives, including social media engagement through platforms like Book Studio 16. Her professional endeavors have included working with influential figures such as King Charles III, whose book Harmony: A New Way of Looking at the World she published in 2009. Sharkey has published more than 75 books including the 40 New York Times bestsellers acquired as of 2023. Sharkey's acquisitions have included works such as Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall, Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill, Out of Captivity by Keith Stansell, Mark Gonsalves, and Thomas Howes, and Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra. In 2024, she was appointed publisher of Harper Influence, a nonfiction imprint dedicated to publishing a diverse range of titles on popular culture, lifestyle, survival stories, and more. She serves on the advisory board of Washington University in St. Louis. Additionally, she collaborates with Library for All organization to support global literacy initiatives.
Social impact
In 2023, Sharkey co-acquired the rights to Amy Winehouse: In Her Words, a book featuring never-before-seen writings and personal reflections by the late musician, Amy Winehouse. Demonstrating her commitment to social justice, she also campaigned for the discontinuation of production for navy-and-white striped pajamas at Nordstrom, a clothing resembling The Holocaust-era clothing, highlighting her dedication to historical awareness.
Authorship
Sharkey co-authored Dreaming Green: Eco-Fabulous Homes Designed to Inspire with her husband, Paul Gleicher. She frequently lectures at writers' conferences, including the Kauai Writers Conference and Aspen Words' Summer Words Program. In 2016-2017, Sharkey was named the David J. Pecker Distinguished Professor at Pace University, lecturing and mentoring within its M.S. in Publishing Program.
* 2024: Distinguished Alumni Award by Washington University in St. Louis.

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