EXCLUSIVE: Mary Connelly will be departing as executive producer and co-showrunner of The Jennifer Hudson Show at the end of daytime syndicated talk show’s current second season. The daytime veteran is leaving The Jennifer Hudson Show‘s producer Warner Bros. Unscripted Television/Telepictures, her studio home of more than two decades, to pursue new projects. She made the announcement to the show’s staff and crew earlier today.

In her emotional remarks, Connelly, who received a standing ovation from her team, reportedly said that she felt it was the right time to leave as the show has found its footing and has been renewed for a third season.

Connelly has served as executive producer/co-showrunner on The Jennifer Hudson Show since its launch alongside Andy Lassner and Corey Palent who will continue as EP/co-showrunners for Season 3. All three segued to the new talker following the end of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, on which Connelly was an executive producer for its entire run, joining it at its 2003 inception.

In the morning production meeting today, Connelly reportedly shared that she had consulted with The Jennifer Hudson Show host and executive producer Hudson and the program’s other executive producers before making her decision to leave, thanking them for their friendship and support.

Connelly, who started her career as a page at NBC 40 years ago, worked on Late Night with David Letterman, The Late Show with David Letterman, Mad About You, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and Whose Line Is It Anyway? before joining The Ellen DeGeneres Show at Warner Bros. where she recently had an overall deal.

During her tenure, Connelly also helped oversee Ellen Digital, which encompasses ventures such as ellentube, DeGeneres’ social media reach of over 300 million fans and the mobile app “Heads Up!.” Additionally, she served as executive producer for a number of unscripted series, including Family Game Fight, Ellen’s Game of Games, Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways, and Little Big Shots, all at NBC.