About the 2024 Leadership Award Nominees

The nominees for the 7th Annual WiTH Leadership Awards represent a diverse group of women who have not only achieved remarkable success in their respective fields but have also made profound contributions to their communities. These outstanding individuals have been nominated for their exceptional leadership, dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and their unwavering commitment to advancing women in technology. All of the nominees embody the spirit of WiTH and the values it stands for. Their stories of leadership, advocacy, and innovation inspire us all. We eagerly await the announcement of the winners at the SoCal Women’s Leadership Summit 2024, on November 8th at the Avalon Hollywood Theater where we will celebrate their outstanding contributions to the entertainment technology industry and the broader community.

Let’s take a closer look at some of this year’s remarkable nominees:
 

Diane Arnold
Interim Executive Vice President, Enterprise Technology & Chief Information Officer
The Walt Disney Company

Diane runs enterprise technology for a global complex Fortune 50 company spanning multiple continents. She has to steer the org to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of cast members and the business
 

Sherri Brown
Vice President, Global Network Strategy
The Walt Disney Company

Sherri runs Global Network Strategy for Disney. The one Fortune 50 company in California. With a complex diverse business running from parks, to streaming, traditional television, movies and more across multiple continents. An extremely difficult task that incorporate connectivity, availability and even human safety
 

Hollie Choi
Managing Director
Entertainment ID Registry (EIDR)

As the Managing Director of the Entertainment Identifier Registry (EIDR), Hollie has significantly expanded the registry’s role in the Media & Entertainment industry while fostering a culture of collaboration and mentorship.

Under her leadership, EIDR has strengthened its role in streaming workflows, positioning itself as the industry’s ID of choice for universal search across all video services. Her strategic vision has expanded EIDR’s footprint globally, making it a critical component in the automation of digital fulfillment and metadata governance.

Her strategic vision has driven EIDR’s international expansion, making it a critical tool for content automation and metadata management across the globe. The notable presence in regions such as the UK, South America, South Korea, and India, is a testament to her leadership and the trust the industry places in her guidance. Moreover,

Hollie has been a pivotal figure in integrating AI into the content supply chain in a respectful and responsible manner. She has addressed the complexities that AI introduces, particularly in relation to intellectual property rights and content provenance. By positioning EIDR as a key player in ensuring the authenticity and traceability of content, Hollie has not only enhanced the registry’s relevance but also provided a framework for others in the industry to navigate the challenges posed by AI.

Hollie’s commitment to mentoring is evident in her engagement with industry professionals, guiding them on best practices for content identification and workflow optimization. She has also been a leading voice in integrating AI responsibly into the content supply chain, addressing the challenges of intellectual property rights and content authenticity.

 

Karen Chupka
Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Global Connections & Events
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

Karen Chupka is a distinguished leader in the exhibition industry with extensive expertise in organizing large-scale technology events. Currently serving as EVP and Managing Director of Global Connections and Events at the National Association of Broadcasters, Karen has a remarkable track record, including over 20 years leading CES®, where she played a pivotal role in transforming it into the world’s foremost platform for showcasing innovative technologies. Her experience spans both live and digital events, and she has successfully managed a $120 million business with responsibilities across sales, marketing, operations, and content development. Karen’s contributions to the exhibition and technology industries have earned her numerous accolades, including an “Icon” award from Trade Show Network News in 2022. Her passion for discovering groundbreaking technologies and her commitment to advancing the events industry make her an exceptional nominee for the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation Leadership Award.

 

Carol Danoff
Executive Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer
Warner Bros. Discovery

Carol Danoff is an influential leader and valued business partner with a record of delivering superior results across multiple industries. Accomplishments are achieved by closely aligning with her business partners to design and implement best-in-class sourcing and supplier strategies, process improvements, and compliance methodologies that meet the company needs. She has demonstrated success in leading, engaging, and developing high performing global teams to consistently deliver sourcing solutions that positively impact business growth and cultivate customer and supplier relationships. Key accomplishments include delivering high single/low double-digit improvement in year over year cost savings, cash flow, and efficiencies while maintaining superior service and quality.

One of the ways Danoff demonstrates leadership is by consistently supporting her employees. Shortly after the WarnerMedia and Discovery merger, she made a point to visit each office location in person, introduce herself, and let staff know that she was there for them. Her message and demeanor put others at ease immediately and her communication style has always been open, and welcomes questions and feedback.

Danoff also creates opportunities for her employees within Procurement so that they can expand their skillset. She is a motivational leader who has the ability to empower her employees to stretch themselves and grow in a positive environment. Even in the midst of merger changes and uncertainty, she has been able to see where her employees can add value, and tap into that to boost morale, cultivate trust and create future leaders.

Prior to the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery, Danoff was the CPO for Discovery. Prior to joining Discovery, Danoff held Procurement roles of increasing responsibility at Novartis, Mattel, Colgate-Palmolive, Pitney Bowes, and Motorola.

Danoff holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration and an MBA from Florida Atlantic University. She also has received her CPM certification from the institute of Supply Mangement and her CIPM from APICS. Danoff is an advocate of Diversity and champions the WBD Supplier Diversity Program. She is an active member of Procurement Leaders and Procurement 50, serves on SAP’s Customer Advisory Board and is a member of the Advisory Board for Procurement Leaders, Spend Matters, and ProcureCon. Danoff is also an active mentor for the Horizon Mentoring Program.

During her time away from the office she loves to cook, go to theater, and to travel with her husband. A favorite quote “Success is loving life and daring to live it.” — Maya Angelou

 

Terri Davies
President
Trusted Partner Network

Terri has demonstrated exceptional leadership since the early days of Women in Technology Hollywood (WiTH), serving as a key advisor to its co-founders and participating in the inaugural panel in July 2014. Her involvement from the beginning exemplifies her commitment to fostering opportunities for women in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry. As a leader, she has consistently advocated for diversity and inclusion, helping to shape the direction and growth of WiTH and its mission.

As President of the Motion Picture Association’s Trusted Partner Network (TPN), Terri’s leadership has been particularly impactful in the critical area of content security. She has played a pivotal role in elevating industry standards while advocating for the advancement of women in this highly specialized field. Throughout her career, Terri has demonstrated an impressive ability to drive meaningful change while navigating the complexities of post-production, studio operations, content acquisition and distribution, and content security. Her steady leadership continues to leave a lasting impact across multiple sectors of the M&E industry.

 

Joe Devon
Co-Founder
Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Joe is the Co-founder of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) The GAAD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development to include accessibility as a core requirement.

The vision is for accessibility to be built into the product development lifecycle for technology and digital products. You can see that his board is 50% women! https://gaad.foundation/who-we-are

Joe’s impact on people with disabilities, whether they are hearing or vision impaired or have a different disability, is limitless because now they have access to banking, to participating in conversations, to consuming movie and TV shows, to play video games, the list goes on and on. Joe is also a kind, funny, and generous human, who is always willing to help people out.

 

Nicole Dove
Head of Security
Riot Games

Nicole is a thought leader within cybersecurity across M&E (gaming) and a champion for DEI across this vertical. She brings an incredible passion to everything that she does and she doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. In fact, she leverages her platform to elevate those around her and to create more opportunities for women in technology across the gaming industry and beyond.

 

Gail Evans
Chief Digital & Technology Officer
Disney Parks, Experiences & Products

As Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer (CDTO) for Disney Experiences, Gail leads a global multi-disciplinary team of digital, technology, product, data, and operations professionals focused on the development, and implementation of digital and technology strategies for Disney Experiences businesses around the world.

In addition to delivering innovative technology solutions, the team produces a growing portfolio of products and experiences like MagicBand+ and Hey Disney!, bringing the digital and physical together and extending Disney’s legendary storytelling into a boundless future. The evolution of these new products comes from Gail’s focus on innovation that enhances the guest experience — from advancements in research techniques and a lab environment where explorations are continually tested by Disney consumers and cast members. Gail brings decades of experience transforming leading organizations by leveraging the power of technology to drive growth, effect digital transformation, and build new business models. She most recently served as Mercer’s first Chief Digital Officer and prior to Mercer, Gail held senior leadership positions spanning various industries, including Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Bank of America, and several positions at Eastman Kodak Company, including CIO of Eastman Kodak’s Consumer Digital business.

In recognition of these achievements and others, in May 2019, Gail was selected as a finalist for the MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award. In November 2018, Gail received the Phenom Award from the Digital Diversity Network, which honors trailblazers in the digital media and technology sectors. She was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Chief Digital Officers by her peers at hottopics.ht and Hewlett Packard and as one of the Top 100 Women in Tech Leaders to watch in 2023. Gail’s career journey was featured in the Netflix documentary series Working: What We Do All Day and in 2024, she was recognized as an InspiringFifty UK recipient, celebrating the top 50 women who are driving results in tech careers across the UK.
In addition to her formal responsibilities, Gail is passionate about using her time mentoring the next generation of women leaders in technology and leading programs that build a more inclusive workplace for all. She also is passionate about connecting academic research with real-world practice and is actively involved with MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research (CISR).

 

Johanna Faries
President
Blizzard Entertainment

Johanna Faries was named President of Blizzard Entertainment in early 2024. In her role, Johanna oversees Blizzard’s global portfolio of iconic game universes and IP, including development, publishing, business strategy, technology, and story and franchise development.

Known for effectively building high-impact teams and driving scalable growth across a broad range of iconic franchises, Johanna brings deep commercial and brand leadership experience to some of the biggest franchises in entertainment. Prior to her current role, Johanna served as General Manager of Call of Duty, one of the biggest gaming and entertainment brands in the world and the number-one-selling console gaming franchise in the United States for more than a decade. Before joining Activision Blizzard, she began her career in the sports industry, having served 12 years at the National Football League (NFL), holding various positions across marketing, league initiative strategy, fan and business development, and more. As Vice President of Club Business Development at the National Football League, Faries interfaced closely with NFL team owners and presidents to bolster their local businesses year-round.

A graduate of Harvard University, Faries was named one of Variety500 Business Leaders in 2023 and 2022, Executive of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal
for 2022, one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports by both Sports Illustrated and Adweek, and one of FORTUNE’s 40 Under 40 most influential business leaders. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Call of Duty Endowment and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board.

Throughout her career, Johanna has also held executive positions in a broad range of diversity and inclusion programs, as well as those focusing on career development and mentorship, and she continues to do so as Executive Champion of Activision Blizzard’s Black Employee Network.

In her free time, Johanna participates in playing video games across multiple genres, daily yoga, supporting pro sports of all kinds, and spending time with loved ones.
 

Adaire Fox-Martin
Chief Executive Officer & President
Equinix

Adaire is a highly accomplished executive with a remarkable track record of leadership in the technology industry. Currently serving as the CEO and President of Equinix, Adaire brings over 25 years of experience leading global teams and driving transformative business growth. Before joining Equinix, she held key roles at Google, including Head of Google Ireland and President of Google Cloud Go to Market, where she led global sales, services, and customer success teams. Adaire’s extensive background also includes senior positions at SAP, where she was a member of the Executive Board responsible for Customer Success, and Oracle, where she managed complex, large-scale operations across Asia-Pacific. Her strategic vision and commitment to operational excellence have made her a driving force in the tech industry.

Throughout her career, Adaire has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering innovation, supporting diverse teams, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. As an influential figure in the tech community, she has consistently prioritized creating inclusive work environments and leveraging technology to solve complex challenges. Her leadership extends beyond her executive roles, as evidenced by her active participation on the Equinix Board of Directors since 2020. Adaire’s impact on the industry and her dedication to community engagement, mentorship, and driving business transformation make her a standout nominee for the 2024 Leadership Award from the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation.

 

Heather Fuller
Partner Manager, Unreal Engine Partnerships
Epic Games

In just three short years at Epic Games, Heather has not only proven herself as an invaluable team member but also as a true advocate for diversity, inclusion, and women empowerment within the video games, and M&E industries. Heather joined Epic Games as a Sales Coordinator for the Unreal Engine team without prior experience in the Video Games or M&E industries. Yet, her ability to quickly learn, adapt, and excel has been nothing short of remarkable. In a brief period, Heather has earned multiple promotions, demonstrating her commitment to mastering new challenges with a relentless work ethic and unshakable determination.

As a Producer, Heather was assigned to produce complex projects. With her clear vision and problem-solving skills, she successfully delivered one project after another. Her leadership played a key role in helping Epic Games progress effectively, demonstrating her capability to achieve results. When Epic Games changed its business model to a subscription-based licensing for Unreal Engine, Heather was chosen to assist in this transition – supporting the development of this new business model that now supports Epic’s licensing structure.

Recently, Heather was asked to lead and improve the Unreal Engine Service Partner program, a priority for Epic Games. Her work on this project shows the leadership team’s strong trust in her abilities. Heather has repeatedly shown that she not only meets but surpasses expectations, establishing herself as a leader who drives innovation and positive change.

What makes Heather’s achievements even more extraordinary is the way she has championed the inclusion of underrepresented voices. Over the past three years, Heather has built an incredible community of creatives, developers, and technology leaders who look to her as a guiding force. She is a passionate advocate for empowering minority talent and creating pathways for individuals who often lack access to opportunities in the gaming and M&E industries. Heather’s efforts have uplifted numerous voices that might have otherwise gone unheard, and her dedication to building a more inclusive industry is truly inspiring. Heather Fuller is not only shaping the future of technology but is also empowering others to rise alongside her. Her contributions extend far beyond her professional accomplishments—she is a leader committed to creating lasting, positive change. It is inspiring to witness a young woman impact an entire industry, drive innovation, and, most importantly, champion diversity and inclusion at every step of the way.

For these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly recommend Heather Fuller for the WiTH Leadership Awards. Her leadership, vision, and commitment to inclusivity make her a shining example of what this award represents.
 

Tracy Geist
Global Head of Media & Entertainment, Games, & Sports Marketing
Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Tracy Geist is a leader in the technology and media industries, known for her commitment to innovation, mentoring, and supporting inclusivity. She has made significant contributions by developing new technologies and guiding key changes in the media landscape. Tracy actively mentors young professionals and works to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry. Her focus on helping others succeed aligns with the mission of the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation. Tracy’s leadership, community involvement, and impact on the industry make her a strong candidate for the 2024 Leadership Award.

 

Carolyn Giardina
Senior Entertainment Technology & Crafts Editor
Variety

Carolyn Giardina is a respected journalist and editor with a distinguished career covering the intersection of entertainment, technology, and the creative arts. As the senior entertainment technology and crafts editor at Variety Intelligence Platform (VIP+) and Variety, Carolyn brings deep industry knowledge and a passion for storytelling to her work. She has been at the forefront of major industry transitions, including the shifts to digital television and cinema, and has extensively covered entertainment technology, crafts, and labor issues. Her dedication to highlighting the artistry behind film and media has earned her numerous accolades, including the American Cinema Editors’ Robert Wise Award and the International Cinematographers Guild’s Technicolor William A. Fraker Award. Carolyn’s commitment to the field extends beyond her editorial work; she is an active lecturer at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts and a frequent speaker and moderator at industry conferences.

Throughout her career, Carolyn has not only reported on the latest technological advancements but has also been a dedicated advocate for the creative community. She co-founded the HPA Awards and served on the HPA Board of Directors, actively contributing to the recognition of excellence in postproduction. Her previous roles at The Hollywood Reporter and other influential publications further solidified her reputation as a trusted voice in entertainment journalism. Carolyn’s contributions to the field, combined with her passion for educating and mentoring the next generation of filmmakers, make her an outstanding candidate for the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation Leadership Award. Her impact on the industry is a testament to her expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to celebrating the art and craft of entertainment.

 

Melody Hildebrandt
Chief Technology Officer
FOX

Melody’s pioneering work at the intersection of technology and media has made an important impact on the industry, particularly through her leadership in aggressive adoption of and enforcement implementation of guardrails around emerging technology.

In an era where the M&E industry grapples with the rapid evolution of AI and its profound implications, Melody stands out as a visionary leader who bridges the divide between technological advancement and ethical responsibility. Her work on “Verify,” an open-source protocol, empowers media companies to register content, manage usage rights for AI platforms, and provide end consumers with a reliable means to verify the origin of content. By enabling cryptographic signing and verification of media upon publication, this tool addresses the critical need for transparency and trust in the digital content landscape.

Her advocacy for an “AI optimistic” approach—one that embraces new capabilities while ensuring that publishers retain control over their intellectual property—has opened new commercial opportunities and strengthened consumer confidence in the media they consume. Melody’s dedication to community engagement is evident in her efforts to make “Verify” an open-source, publicly verifiable solution that invites contributions and feedback from the broader technology and media communities. Her leadership exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and innovation that the WiTH Leadership Award seeks to recognize.

 

Ina Huang
Director, Content Creation for Global Design Center at Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony PlayStation

As the Director of Content Creation at Sony Interactive Entertainment, Ina Huang leads global content design teams charged with crafting world-class user experiences (UX) for PlayStation products and services. Specializing in UX writing, localization, and localization quality assurance, her tech-focused teams are stewards of what Ina calls “the words on the screen” in 31 system software languages on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5.

Since joining the team in 2018, Ina has been a steadfast advocate for players around the globe, championing the importance of building inclusive and accessible UX experiences. Her teams have played a critical role in defining the PlayStation tone and voice across ever-evolving console, mobile, web, and PC products and services enjoyed by 110M+ monthly active users worldwide.

Within the company and in the game industry, Ina is a strong voice for women in technology. In August 2020, she founded Women of Global Design Center, which has 75+ members in the US, Japan, and UK, with the aim of uplifting women in her design organization through coaching, mentorship, and inspiration—an effort that has led to a rise in the percentage of women promoted each year. A respected thought leader, Ina also serves as global steering committee communications program lead for the Women@PlayStation employee network, helping to unite various women’s groups across Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Drawing on 25+ years of professional experience in writing, branding, creative, and UX, Ina is dedicated to building and empowering design, program management, and engineering teams to do inspiring work they’re passionate about—in a supportive and dynamic environment where they can thrive and be their authentic selves.

Outside of work, Ina enjoys attending live music events, playing piano, and traveling with her family. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Communication Studies (Journalism) and minoring in Musicology.

 

Tammee Layne
Manager, Product Management
The Walt Disney Company

Tammee is a shining example of what a leader should be. She plays many roles: Mentor, Coach, Friend, and Bodyguard.

She truly cares about every member of her team and effortlessly customizes her leadership style to best fit each individual she leads. Tammee takes the time to understand what drives each person to be and do their best, areas that they have concerns about, where and how they want to grow personally and professionally, and caters each conversation to the individuals’ style–whether that is “compliment sandwiches”, recognition through highlighting examples, a hands-on teaching approach, etc.

Tammee is not only a great mentor and coach, but her ability to make connections with each member of her team ensures that we all feel comfortable coming to her with any issues, frustrations, or concerns we may have. Tammee is her team’s safe space and always has a chipper disposition. She is dedicated to the growth and development of her team.

When it comes to being a bodyguard, that typically isn’t something you associate with a leader; however, Tammee strives to be the middleman when it comes to stressful and political conversations. She shields her team, ensuring that we are able to focus on the most-value adding work and that are time and experience is fully respected. A handful of times Tammee has jumped in to have her team’s back if someone makes a less-than-ideal comment. She works to understand outside concerns and professionally and confidentially handles situations.

Finally, it is important to understand that Tammee makes it a point to recognize accomplishments and highlight the individual skills of the members of her team. She places a lot of trust in the expertise that her team brings to the table, driving confidence and respect.

 

Barbara Marshall
Industry Strategy & Marketing, Media & Entertainment
HP

Barbara is a seasoned leader in the media and entertainment industry with over 30 years of experience driving strategy, marketing, and partnerships. As the Global Media & Entertainment Industry Lead at HP, Barbara plays a pivotal role in advancing the adoption of Z by HP technology solutions within the content creation community. Her career spans prominent organizations like the BBC, Autodesk, and Epic Games, where she has led marketing and PR efforts, consulted for start-ups, and served as a technology editor. Barbara’s blend of strategic insight, industry expertise, and passion for fostering collaboration makes her an exemplary candidate for the 2024 Leadership Award, reflecting the values of leadership, mentorship, and community impact that the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation celebrates.

 

Debbie Menin
Vice President, Sr. Client Partner
Globant

Debbie is a leader whose commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and giving back to the community sets her apart. With a career that spans leading roles in publishing, television, digital media, and technology, Debbie has continuously adapted to industry shifts, demonstrating her resilience and forward-thinking approach. Her experience with top companies such as Variety, MTV Networks, AOL, Yahoo!, and Warner Media has equipped her with a unique perspective that blends strategic business acumen with a passion for innovation. At Tech Mahindra, Debbie not only supported entertainment giants like Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney in their digital transformation journeys but also dedicated herself to empowering women in technology through her impactful Women In Tech & Women In Leadership webinar series. This series provided a platform for vital discussions on leadership, mentorship, and career advancement, reflecting Debbie’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive tech community.

Debbie’s dedication to championing women in the industry is matched by her impressive track record of volunteerism and service. For over 30 years, she has held volunteer positions, organized industry events, and contributed to numerous boards, all driven by a genuine desire to give back and make a difference. Her work at the Advanced Imaging Society, where she helped launch the first-ever Women in Technology event and honored 13 distinguished women in entertainment, was a significant milestone in her career, highlighting her ability to bring visibility to women’s contributions in a male-dominated field. Debbie’s leadership and advocacy extend beyond her professional achievements; she is actively involved in planning the Women In Technology: Hollywood summit, further solidifying her role as a dedicated mentor and leader in the community.

As a VP at Globant, Debbie continues to excel in her mission to drive business transformation while maintaining her commitment to community service. She manages key partnerships with major entertainment companies and leverages her expertise to stay relevant in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Her ability to blend strategic insight with a personal commitment to empowering others makes her an exemplary leader and a deserving recipient of the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation Leadership Award. Debbie’s passion for technology, her dedication to supporting other women, and her relentless pursuit of excellence embody the spirit of this award, making her a standout nominee.

 

Mira Murati
Chief Architect
Open AI

As Chief Architect at OpenAI, Mira has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to advancing AI technology while prioritizing early community engagement, feedback and ethical considerations. Her groundbreaking work in developing ChatGPT and SORA has not only revolutionized the field of generative AI but also helping set new standards for responsible and inclusive innovation. Mira’s approach to AI safety, her dedication to addressing biases and hallucinations, and her efforts to support diverse perspectives have profoundly impacted and continue to impact both the technology industry and the broader community and humanity at large.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mira, an Albanian descent engineer, stands as a fearless role model for all women in technology and especially an inspiration for young girls aspiring to enter the field. Her leadership exemplifies the courage and vision needed to shape the future of technology, and she continually demonstrates that innovative and ethical advancements can go hand-in-hand. Mira’s impact extends beyond her technical contributions; she actively encourages the next generation of female technologists to pursue their passions and contribute to the evolving landscape of technology. For these reasons, Mira Murati is an outstanding candidate for this award, embodying the spirit of leadership, community engagement, and empowerment in technology.

 

Cindy Olivo
Global Marketing Lead
Dell Technologies

Cindy is a dynamic marketing leader at Dell Technologies with over five years of experience driving impactful go-to-market strategies and product launches in the media and entertainment sector. As a Global Media & Entertainment Strategist and Industry Marketing Manager, Cindy excels in creating innovative marketing campaigns that engage audiences, generate leads, and enhance brand loyalty. Her ability to align marketing objectives with business needs and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams makes her an invaluable asset to her organization. Cindy’s passion for driving results and her commitment to elevating the role of technology in the media industry make her a strong candidate for the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation Leadership Award.

 

Karen Raz
Founder
Raz Public Relations

Karen is a seasoned communications leader with over two decades of experience building impactful PR programs for technology and creative companies. As the founder of RazPR, Karen has guided the public messaging for high-profile companies like Amazon Studios, Autodesk, NVIDIA, and Epic Games, playing a pivotal role in shaping industry narratives around significant M&A announcements and technological advancements. Her deep understanding of the evolving media landscape—from the shift to digital filmmaking and content streaming to the rise of cloud computing and AI—enables her to provide strategic insights to clients navigating news, events, and crises. A member of the Visual Effects Society and a juror for prestigious awards, Karen’s expertise and commitment to excellence have made her a trusted advisor in the entertainment technology sector, showcasing her as an exceptional candidate for recognition at the Women in Technology: Hollywood Foundation Leadership Awards.

 

April Schneider
Vice President, Corporate IT, Intellectual Property Management & General Counsel
Sony Pictures Entertainment

April has been TIRELESS as Chair of our WiTH Community Engagement committee. This committee is probably the top reason that WiTH exists: to develop the pipeline of girls and women in tech in Hollywood. From wrangling introverted speakers to mentoring individual girls and women, to organizing events (in person and virtual) such as resume reviews, LinkedIn profiles reviews, interviewing skills, to shepherding an apprenticeship program to get girls and women into companies like Sony Pictures to being the inaugural co-chair of Women in Tech at Sony Pictures to being in the leadership of the Girl Scouts of America – April deeply and profoundly cares about uplifting women. I’ve probably forgotten a few things but let it ring loudly, April is impactful on the strategic and tactical level. She is also a person of high integrity, does what she says she’s going to do, and is courageous, kind, loving, and FUN!

 

Lori Schwartz
Chief Executive Officer & Principal
Storytech

Lori H. Schwartz, known as the “Tech Cat,” is a dynamic leader at the intersection of technology, marketing, and storytelling. As the Founder and CEO of StoryTech, Lori has been pivotal in merging technology with content creation, fostering strategic partnerships that drive innovation and audience engagement. With a background in film production, advertising, and digital media, she has an unmatched understanding of the content ecosystem, making her a sought-after advisor and industry expert. Lori’s influence extends beyond her company; she actively champions diversity and mentors women in technology, inspiring future female leaders. Her dedication to advancing storytelling through technology and her commitment to empowering women make her a standout nominee for the Women in Tech Leadership Award.

 

Debbie Taylor
Chief Information Officer
DirecTV

As proud sponsors of Women in Technology Hollywood (WiTH) and their vision to “inspire, empower and educate to create an equitable and inclusive Media & Entertainment technology community.” This is also something that we see reflected in the vision of DirecTV.

Reading the Built in LA article that featured Debbie, Marcela and Kamilah confirmed that Debbie is the type of leader who should be celebrated for the culture that she has fostered at DirecTV and the leadership example that she is setting for the M&E Community and beyond.

 

Rachel Joy Victor
Co-Founder
FBRC.ai

Rachel Joy Victor is an exceptional candidate for a women’s leadership award in the entertainment technology field, embodying the pillars of professional development, mentoring, networking, and community engagement. As a co-founder of FBRC.ai, she is pioneering AI-driven entertainment and architecting next-generation studio frameworks, bridging the gap between creativity and technology in the media and entertainment industry. Victor’s expertise spans a wide range of emerging technologies, including XR, AI, and web3, which she leverages to create innovative narrative, brand, and product experiences. Her ability to blend computational neuroscience and spatial economics in her work demonstrates a unique approach to designing data-informed emergent experiences.

 

ErinRose Widner
Global Head of Business Strategy, Emerging & Creative Technologies, Media & Entertainment
Verizon

ErinRose Widner is a seasoned leader in strategy and business development with over two decades of experience in the media, entertainment, and technology industries. Currently serving as the Global Head of Business Strategy for Emerging & Creative Technologies, M&E at Verizon, ErinRose has been instrumental in creating transformational partnerships for major players like Warner Bros., Fox, Paramount Global, Microsoft, Google, and Apple. Known for her passion for connecting people and innovative solutions, she has a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of media and technology. Beyond her professional accomplishments, ErinRose is a dedicated advocate for gender diversity, actively participating in industry groups and serving on the board of RISE, where she oversees the mentoring program for North America. She also sits on the IBC Council, and has been very active in the IBC Accelerator Program, championing new ideas and global teams. commitment to leveraging technology for growth and her drive to support the next generation of women in media tech make her an outstanding candidate for the Women in Tech Leadership Award.

 

Toshino Yuhaku
Global Media & Entertainment Practice Leader
Amazon Web Services

Toshino Yuhaku is a visionary leader who has dedicated her 25-year career to propelling the entertainment industry forward through the strategic application of emerging technologies. As the Global Media and Entertainment Practice Lead for Amazon Web Services (AWS) Professional Services, Toshino leverages her deep cross-functional expertise to help the world’s leading studios, networks, and streaming platforms harness the power of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other transformative solutions to drive innovation.

Prior to joining AWS, Toshino spent two decades at Sony Corporation, where she held several impactful roles. As SVP of Corporate Alliances at Sony Pictures, she spearheaded innovative technology strategies and business incubation initiatives that expanded the studio’s commercial horizons. Toshino also served as SVP and Global Head of the Sony 3D Technology Center (now Sony Innovation Studios), overseeing a team that worked with producers and directors in addition to all major industry guilds to provide education for their members across emerging technology formats impacting production. In this role, she also oversaw a team of production resources across major Sony tentpole features.

Most recently, Toshino served as SVP of Global Client Strategy at Deluxe Entertainment Services, leading global client-facing teams across major studios and streaming platforms and delivering transformative technology solutions, including post-production and localization services.

Throughout her career, Toshino has distinguished herself as a champion of professional development, mentoring, and community engagement – core values that continue through her work as an Inclusion Ambassador at AWS and as a mentor to many both internal and external to the organization. She is a graduate of the Harvard Business School and holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Political Science (Pre-law) and Economics from UCLA.

Toshino’s unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and people-centric leadership makes her an ideal candidate for the WiTH Leadership Awards. Her remarkable contributions to the entertainment technology field and her unwavering commitment to advancing the careers of women in this industry make her a true trailblazer deserving of recognition.Here is her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toshinoyuhaku/

 

Shelley Zalis
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
The Female Quotient

Shelley has been a friend of WiTHollywood for a while, being a keynote speaker in 2017 and being an inspiration to not only women and girls in tech in Los Angeles but worldwide.

https://www.thefemalequotient.com/

Shelley Zalis is the CEO of The Female Quotient, a woman-owned business working with companies and conscious leaders to curate experiences, thought leadership, and solutions designed to achieve gender equality in the workplace and beyond. The FQ’s end-to-end equality platform includes co-branded research, content campaigns, and partnership opportunities at its signature Equality Lounges®. Visibility is further driven through The FQ’s robust social, media, and editorial channels. The FQ approach is intersectional, inspirational, and inclusive, working with leaders and rising stars in every industry and around the world.

Zalis is a pioneer for online research, becoming the first female chief executive ranked in the research industry’s top 25. Today, Zalis works with Fortune 500 companies, impact organizations, and conscious leaders to advance equality in the workplace. A firm believer in giving back with generosity, Zalis is a proud mentor to women around the world.

 

 

The WiTH Board of Directors is responsible for selecting the Leadership Awards winners and comprises representatives from some of the most prominent organizations in the entertainment technology sector, including Microsoft, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company. Their expertise and commitment to recognizing excellence ensure that the awards reflect the highest standards of achievement in our industry.

 

To learn more about the SoCal Women’s Leadership Summit and Register to attend, CLICK HERE