Westin joined the Workshop from ABC where she served as Executive Vice President, Network Communications from 1994 to 1998. In this capacity, Westin oversaw all communications activities for the ABC Television Network including ABC News, Entertainment, Sports, Daytime and Children's programming, and related businesses, such as affiliate relations, network sales, marketing, and research.

Westin's career includes public policy and communications positions in the public and private sectors. In 1992, Westin was one of the highest-ranking women in the Bush White House, serving as Assistant to the President for Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs. In 1989 she was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the first Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She also served as Senior Vice President, for U.S. News and World Report and The Atlantic Monthly and Executive Producer of the U.S. News Debate Series on CNBC. She has also held a variety of senior positions with ABC News, The Oliver Carr Company, and the Business Professional Association of Georgetown in Washington, DC.