Migdalia Figueroa: Leading Telemundo Puerto Rico with Passion, Heritage, and a Commitment to Community

Migdalia Figueroa serves as President and General Manager of NBCUniversal Telemundo Puerto Rico / WKAQ. In this role, she oversees all aspects of the Telemundo-owned station, including news, digital, sales, marketing/promotions, human resources, community affairs, and technology/operations. 

A Puerto Rico native who was named to her current position in January 2024, Figueroa has nearly 35 years of experience in media. For nearly two decades, she has held news and leadership roles for Telemundo and NBC stations and previously spent nearly 15 years with Univision.   

Can you tell us why your Hispanic heritage is important to you personally and within your role at NBCUniversal?   

It is interesting to reflect on this topic at this moment, as I have just returned to my native Puerto Rico after spending 34 years in the United States. During my time in media, primarily in Florida, embracing my Hispanic identity meant being more aware and intentional in working for the well-being of the millions of people who come to the U.S. – as I did – not only to survive, but also to grow and succeed. As media professionals, understanding the needs of our community is very important, and every group and demographic is unique. It has been critical for me to advocate for and represent our communicates whenever possible, and collaborate with those across the landscape so that they can better understand our cultures, our needs, and the great ability Hispanics have to contribute in so many ways.

You’ve been with the company for 19 years and recently became the leader of Telemundo Puerto Rico (WKAQ-TV). Can you tell us about how your experiences at NBCUniversal, and how they’ve impacted you as a Hispanic woman? 

Returning home to work at WKAQ, the station where Telemundo began, is a great honor that I take on with gratitude and commitment. But in the nearly two decades I've been with NBCU, I’ve had incredible opportunities of working at both Telemundo and NBC owned stations serving very different markets and audiences in the U.S. I became a part of the communities both professionally and personally. The diverse experiences I’ve had with this company have allowed me to observe and experience the richness of being bicultural, and the spectrum of identities and characteristics found within Spanish-speaking and bilingual communities in the U.S. I am a true Puerto Rican, and also a Hispanic woman who now truly understands how to contribute, collaborate and relate to those from different backgrounds and experiences.

What are your passions outside of work?

For many years, when I was asked this question, I wanted to have an interesting and smart answer. But now, at 57 years old, I understand clearly and proudly that what I enjoy most outside of work is the same thing I enjoy the most at the office: people. I love a good conversation, a day full of laughter with loved ones, or a great party where we can enjoy Latin music and food.

What are you looking forward to the remainder of the year and early next year? 

This has already been such an exciting year, particularly with the Paris 2024 Olympics – which is hard to top. However, the 2024 elections, both in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, is a massive news event for us at WKAQ, and of course across NBCUniversal Local. Like most of the world, I’m waiting to see how the process unfolds both in terms of our coverage, but also from a personal perspective as a Puerto Rican and American. I have two young-adult sons for whom I dream of a vibrant society where they can develop to their full potential and live happy, safe lives.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten? 

Learn to live with, and even enjoy, discomfort. Thanks to this advice, I’ve dared several times to accept positions for which I didn’t feel 100 percent ready. Of course, once in the role, discipline has been vital in meeting the challenge. During those times, something that has worked for me is transparency—being honest about what I know and what I don’t know, allowing myself to ask for and receive help.