Women in Technology: Hollywood (WiTH) has announced the nominees for the 7th Annual Leadership Awards, to be presented Nov. 8 at the 2024 SoCal Women’s Leadership Summit in Hollywood.
In the weeks leading up to the event, WiTH will briefly profile each nominee.
Today’s article features Melody Hildebrandt, CTO with FOX, Ina Huang, director, and head of content design and localization for Sony PlayStation, Tammee Layne, manager, product management for The Walt Disney Co., Barbara Marshall, industry strategy and marketing for media and entertainment at HP, Debbie Menin, VP and senior client partner at Globant, Mira Murati, chief architect at Open AI, and Cindy Olivo, global marketing lead for Dell Technologies.
• Melody Hildebrandt, CTO with FOX. Melody’s pioneering work at the intersection of technology, media, and entertainment has made an indelible impact on the industry, particularly through her leadership in developing and launching the innovative “Verify” protocol.
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.
Melody’s work is not just about technology; it’s about fostering a community of trust and collaboration within the entertainment industry. She has successfully rallied media companies, technologists, and AI innovators to come together and engage in a dialogue about the responsible use of AI in content creation and distribution. Her leadership exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and innovation that the WiTH Leadership Award seeks to recognize.
• Ina Huang, director, and head of content design and localization for Sony PlayStation. Ina is an active advocate for women in technology, at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) PlayStation, and in the video gaming and entertainment industries.
She has been a force of nature with her global team, uplifting the women in her organization with coaching, mentoring, and moving them out of their comfort zones to areas of greater impact and influence. She is a thought leader and global steering committee lead at her company for the Women@PlayStation Employee Network and is known worldwide (including in Japan) for being an empowering leader, committed to the growth and development of all who work with her.
• Tammee Layne, manager, product management for The Walt Disney Co. 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.
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.
• Barbara Marshall, industry strategy and marketing for media and entertainment at HP. Barbara is a seasoned leader in the media and entertainment industry with more than 30 years of experience driving strategy, marketing, and partnerships. As the global media and 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, VP and senior client partner at 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. Debbie’s dedication to championing women in the industry is matched by her impressive track record of volunteerism and service.
• Mira Murati, chief architect at 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.
• Cindy Olivo, global marketing lead for 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 and 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.