With more than 30 years of experience in the television industry, Paula M. Shugart has been a driving force in entertainment television production for domestic and international audiences. As President of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), and producer of the Miss UNIVERSE ® pageant, Paula oversees all business transactions and is responsible for the production of the live, worldwide telecast each year. Shugart joined MUO in 1998 as the Vice President of Production and in 2001 was appointed President.

Since she’s started at the organization, she has transformed the competition into a powerful, year-round, international organization that advances and supports opportunities for women, as well as philanthropic initiatives around the world.

Previously Shugart had a long and illustrious career in television production, working on some of the world’s biggest live events including the “Academy Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Golden Globes,” “International Rock Awards,” and “President Clinton’s 50th Birthday Celebration,” among many others.

She is currently an active member of the Director’s Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America and has served as the Commissioner to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Latin Media and Entertainment Commission. Most recently, she was named a member of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, elected for her professional accomplishments, and demonstrated commitment to women and girls. Shugart sits on the Dean Advisory Council to Ohio University Scripps College of Communication, her alma mater where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Communications, focusing on journalism and production, and is a recipient of the University’s prestigious Medal of Merit for Achievement in Entertainment and Television Production.