AceShowbiz - Laurie Orlando, the seasoned executive who has served as senior vice president of talent strategy and development for CBS News and Stations, is stepping down from her role. Her departure, announced to employees via an internal memo on Monday, marks another significant exit within the network's news division during a period of extensive change and restructuring.

Orlando joined CBS News in January 2016, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous tenure at ESPN. There, she held a top executive position, overseeing talent recruitment and development since 2008. Her eight years at CBS saw her play a pivotal role in shaping the on-air presence and strategic talent initiatives for the prominent news organization.

This latest high-profile exit unfolds against a backdrop of significant shifts under the new ownership of Skydance-Paramount. The news division recently welcomed a new boss, Bari Weiss, who was named editor in chief last month. Weiss's appointment, coupled with the ongoing strategic realignments, signals a clear intent by the new leadership to implement a comprehensive overhaul of the network’s news operations.

The past week alone has seen substantial impacts, with Paramount conducting a round of layoffs that affected nearly 100 individuals within the news division. Orlando’s departure follows other notable exits, including Claudia Milne, who previously headed standards and practices, and John Dickerson, a respected co-anchor of the CBS Evening News, who has also announced his intent to leave the network by year-end.

The departure of CBS News's top talent executive strongly underscores the new owners' ambitious plans to reshape the division. Expectations are high for a significant revamp, particularly for the flagship CBS Evening News. Reports suggest that Weiss has expressed interest in high-profile names, such as Bret Baier, although it has been noted that his contract with Fox News extends through 2028. This period of transition indicates a clear strategic pivot as Skydance-Paramount seeks to redefine the future direction and talent landscape of its news programming.