Hundreds of women from across the entertainment industry joined us at The Maybourne Beverly Hills for a day filled with empowerment, thoughtful panels and genuine connection. Trailblazers from film, television, fashion, sports and media shared honest insights about their work, their leadership and the experiences that shaped their paths. The program included standout conversations with Regina Hall, Chase Infiniti, Justine Lupe, Betsy Beers, Uzo Aduba, Jenny Han and Olivia Munn, along with sessions focused on career growth, financial confidence, personal branding and storytelling.
Together, we built a meaningful space for collaboration and inspiration. From the energy of our keynote conversations to the connections made throughout the day, the summit reflected the strength and creativity of the WrapWomen community.
Thank you for being part of this experience with TheWrap. We look forward to continuing this work with you in the months and years ahead.
Ease into the morning with a research-informed session designed to reset your mind and regulate your nervous system – without putting you back to sleep. Explore the connection between sleep, stress, and women’s health through a concise, evidence-based lecture complemented by brief guided practices. Learn how to reduce anxiety-related sleep disturbances, support circadian rhythm alignment and promote hormonal balance through simple, effective techniques. This morning session offers clear insights, practical tools, and a short experiential component to help you feel grounded, focused and ready for the day.
After being denied a medically necessary abortion in 2022, an experience which nearly killed her and cost her her fertility, Amanda Zurawski began speaking out publicly against abortion bans. She has testified in front of US Congress and was the lead plaintiff in Zurawski v. Texas, the first lawsuit brought by patients challenging a state on its abortion bans since the fall of Roe v Wade.
STARZ has a long-running track record of bringing audiences a range of boundary-breaking female stories and characters from the commanding and masterful female characters throughout the "Power" Universe to courageous and deeply passionate women in the "Outlander" franchise. Panelists discuss why STARZ’s commitment to providing a wide spectrum of authentic female representation has been a cornerstone of its strategy, and explore the profound impact it has had on audiences for over a decade.
From the page to the screen, Jenny Han has built worlds that define a generation. In this special Clips & Conversation session, the bestselling author and creator of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” takes the stage for an intimate discussion about her creative journey – from novelist to showrunner to cultural force. Through select clips from the hit Prime Video series, Han reflects on bringing her beloved characters to life, balancing fan expectations with fresh storytelling and building a universe that captures the complexities of girlhood, identity and love.
This panel dives into how research, groundbreaking tools and bold partnerships are flipping the script on how diseases are portrayed in Hollywood. Building on insights from Lilly-sponsored USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative studies driven by its ongoing commitment to authentic representation, the conversation goes beyond awareness - it's about taking action that can shift perceptions and drive social impact around health. Hear from the creatives and changemakers working to bring accurate, nuanced portrayals of health to the screen -- and why these stories are long overdue in the mainstream.
Financial independence begins with knowledge and confidence – yet too often, women feel overwhelmed by the financial world. This panel brings together financial experts, female entrepreneurs, and industry specialists who help women navigate the unique financial landscape of entertainment. They’ll share practical strategies for building wealth, managing investments, understanding contracts and pay structures, and taking ownership of your financial future with confidence.
- Davida Lara, EVP, Payroll Services, Entertainment Partners
- Kristina Royce, Co-Chair, Matrimonial & Family Law Practice Group, Blank Rome
- Rachel Gottlieb, Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, Global Sports and Entertainment Director, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
- Taylor Price, Founder, Priceless Tay; Host, “Adult Money” & Gen Z Financial Expert
- moderated by Nicole Lapin, Founder, Money News Network
In a rapidly evolving landscape, this conversation spotlights the women redefining how stories reach and resonate with audiences. From breakthrough global campaigns to innovative media strategies across film, television, and streaming, these leaders share how they blend creativity, data, and cultural insight to cut through the noise. Hear firsthand how they’re building fan communities, driving relevance, and shaping the next chapter of entertainment marketing.
- Briana McElroy, SVP, Head of Worldwide Digital Marketing, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
- Danielle Misher, Head of Global Theatrical Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Ingke Purrmann, Co-Founder & CRO, JustWatch Media
- Kim Granito, CMO, AMC Networks
- Suzanne Cole, EVP, Domestic Media, NBCUniversal
- moderated by Andi Ortiz, Reporter, TheWrap
Bestseller to Binge-Worthy: Inside the Art of Page-to-Screen Storytelling presented by Peacock and Universal Studio Group
Behind every great adaptation is an author with a world worth entering. Featuring a panel of powerhouse female authors whose books are driving some of today’s most exciting adaptations, this conversation takes you behind the scenes of Peacock and Universal Studio Group’s recent hits and highly anticipated new series to explore the art of bringing bestsellers to the screen - and why women-focused storytelling continues to shape the future of entertainment.
Creators have blazed a new path for modern storytelling and, in doing so, have revolutionized the entertainment industry. When a single Creator can spark global trends and outpace traditional models, it’s clear the power dynamic has shifted. In this conversation, we explore how Creators now hold the spotlight, setting the agenda for what’s next in entertainment.
- Hannah Stocking, Actress, Comedian & Creator
- Michelle Khare, Creator & Host, "Challenge Accepted"
- moderated by Jo Cronk, Co-CEO, Whalar
Women are redefining leadership in Hollywood and beyond. Female executives will share how they’ve built successful careers while staying true to themselves. This panel will explore how women can lead with confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and build a lasting legacy.
- Amy Leasca, EVP, Partner Management & Strategy, AMC Networks
- Olivia Metzger, Partner & Co-Head, New York Office, 3 Arts Entertainment
- Spring Aspers, President, Music, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group
- Tana Nugent Jamieson, EVP & Co-Head, A+E Studios
- moderated by Sharon Waxman
Mastering the Scene: Live Blocking with an AWD Icon in collaboration with Alliance of Women Directors (AWD)
An AWD Icon Member takes the stage to walk participants through the art of blocking, breaking down a 2–3 page scene in real time. (Scripts sourced from submissions and social media). From conceptual choices to actor movement and camera placement, attendees will watch as creative decisions come to life on stage. This hands-on demonstration gives directors a rare look into how seasoned filmmakers shape performance, composition, and pacing – skills they can immediately apply to their own projects
This panel explores how creatives, media platforms, brands, and talent collaborate to capture attention in today’s fast-moving entertainment landscape. From scripted series to reality hits, the discussion will dive into what makes stories shareable, how personalities amplify engagement, and how brands seamlessly connect with audiences. Attendees will hear perspectives from executives, creatives, and influencers who are shaping what we watch – and how we experience it.
- Betsy Beers, Creative Partner, Shondaland
- Justine Lupe, Actress, "Nobody Wants This"
- Lisa Siskind Bilgrei, Global Head, Go-to-Market & Content Programming, Google TV
- Sara Rea, Founder and CEO, Firefly Studios & Former Head of Unscripted, Hello Sunshine
- Yahlin Chang, Co-Showrunner, Executive Producer & Writer, "The Handmaid’s Tale"
- moderated by Raquel Calhoun
Women in sports – both on and off the field – are finally getting the spotlight they deserve. Female athletes, commentators, and executives will share how they’ve fought for visibility and equal treatment. This panel will explore the growing influence of women in sports media and the path to true parity.
- Julie Uhrman, Co-Founder & CEO, Angel City Football Club (ACFC)
- Samantha Tan, Professional Race Car Driver & Team Owner
- Malika Andrews, Emmy-Award Winning Host, ESPN’s "NBA Today", "NBA Countdown" & "WNBA Countdown"
- moderated by Andi Ortiz, Reporter, TheWrap
Branding Your Creative Self Workshop
in collaboration with the International Screenwriters’ Association (ISA)
Knowing how to introduce yourself and talk about what you do is one of the most powerful tools you can have. Join the ISA for an interactive session that helps you uncover, define, and articulate your personal and creative brand — and learn how to present yourself and your projects with authenticity and impact. This hands-on workshop will guide you in crafting your personal story, identifying your unique voice, and applying it across bios, websites, and meetings to strengthen your professional presence.
Fashion doesn’t just follow culture – it shapes it. From on screen to the C-suite, women are redefining what power looks like and how it’s expressed through personal style. This conversation explores how Hollywood’s influence meets real-world impact, examining how what we wear shapes the way we show up in business, in culture, and in everyday life. Featuring creative leaders, stylists, costume designers, and women whose presence commands attention, this discussion celebrates fashion as both self-expression and strategy in the modern era of female empowerment.
- Judith Light, Actress, "All's Fair"
- Kathleen Felix-Hager, Costume Designer, “Hacks”
- Kelsey Brosi, Stylist & Founder, Kelsey Nicole Style LLC
- Yvonne Orji, Actress, Comedian & Author
- moderated by Bronwyn Newport, Fashion Historian & TV Personality
Redefining the Narratives of Midlife and Menopause in Film & TV: We're Not Your Mother’s Midlife Crisis! in collaboration with the Geena Davis Institute (GDI)
Why is menopause so rarely depicted on screen – and when it is, why is it so often the punchline? Too often, portrayals of women in midlife focus on aging, cosmetic fixes, or caregiving, while men over 40 are shown as vibrant and independent. Blending insights from GDI’s latest research, Constance Zimmer will offer a creative reflection on how women’s midlife experiences are portrayed on screen, unveiling the Institute’s 2025 study on menopause in film and TV, sparking a vital conversation about visibility, authenticity, and storytelling.
Producers play a pivotal role in shaping the stories that make it to the screen – and women are making their mark. Top female producers will discuss the challenges and triumphs of getting projects made in today’s industry. They’ll share insights on funding, creative partnerships, and advocating for diverse storytelling.
- Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Producer, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere”
- Lynette Howell Taylor, Producer, "Roofman"
- Mimi Leder, Executive Producer, "The Morning Show"
- Molly Smith, Producer, "Die, My Love"
- Simran Baidwan, Executive Producer, "The Pitt"
- moderated by Susan Sprung, CEO, Producers Guild of America (PGA)
In this intimate conversation, “One Battle After Another” stars Chase Infiniti and Regina Hall reflect on their collaboration, the creative work that shaped their characters, and the craft behind bringing complex women to life. They’ll also share personal lessons from their respective journeys – from Chase’s breakout rise to Regina’s celebrated career – offering a candid, cross-generational look at artistry and storytelling.
Note: All ticket types are non-refundable. Tickets may be transferred to another attendee with prior notice.
TheWrap reserves the right to adjust programming, speakers, or scheduling as needed.
✓ Complimentary gourmet food and drinks throughout the day, including a networking lunch on the Maybourne Terrace
Valet parking is available at the hotel entrance.
Rideshare is highly recommended, and pickup & drop-off is located in front of the hotel entrance. Use code LARIDE2025 for 30% off your first 3 Waymo rides. Download the Waymo App and ride today.
Upon arrival, please check in at the table located in the Main Ballroom on the first floor.
We’re proud to debut CREATIVE L.A., an exhibition celebrating ten of Los Angeles’ most talented emerging female artists - curated by Leslie Fram. Summit attendees are invited to explore the exhibition on the main floor, meet the artists, and discover their original works.
These pieces are also small enough to take home. Perfect as meaningful gifts for the holiday season.
Join TheWrap in celebrating and supporting the vibrant community of local female creatives.
Dirty Fragrance, 2019, 12 x 12 inches, acrylic and oil on panel
vitaeruhimovitz.com
@vita_eruhimovitz
My Girlfriend’s Lash Glue, 2025, 12 x 12 inches, acrylic and fabric paint on woven jacquard, wood
vitakari.com
@vitakari
Bad Weaving (Fuzzy Lime), 2025, Vintage loom, yarns, clothes pins, 7x7 inches
shenglor.com
@sheng_weaves
Grace Eassa: @graceeassafineart
Isabella Yates: @isabellarobynnart | isabellarobynn.com
Sharon Waxman is the founder, CEO and Editor in Chief of TheWrap News, the leading media company covering the business of Hollywood through news and live events. An award-winning journalist and best-selling author, Waxman is a global expert on Hollywood, the business of entertainment, media and popular culture. She is the former Hollywood correspondent for the New York Times and a commentator for the New York Times op-ed page, The Atlantic, CNN, CBS and other major outlets.
She is also the creator of WrapWomen, a power base of influential women in media and entertainment dedicated to promoting women’s leadership, with the annual Power Women Summit now the largest gathering of women in entertainment. A five-time winner of Best Blog at the National Arts & Entertainment Awards, Waxman was named 2021 Online Journalist of the Year by the LA Press Club.
Daredevil Michelle Khare lives life to the extreme by taking on intense physical and mental challenges in her award-winning docuseries, Challenge Accepted. Michelle has attempted everything from Harry Houdini's deadliest magic trick to surviving a week at FBI Academy. Michelle hopes to prove through her content that with enough hard work, perseverance, and failure, anything is possible.
Jo Cronk is the Co-CEO of Whalar, part of Whalar Group—the world’s leading independent Creator agency. Alongside Co-CEO Emma Harman, she leads the global agency business, driving growth across key markets and overseeing a team of 80+ diverse voices. Jo is at the forefront of liberating the creative voice, pioneering a Creator ecosystem that transforms brands into cultural drivers while empowering Creators to reach their fullest potential. Her work has fueled groundbreaking partnerships with brands like Amazon, NFL, Peacock, Spotify, Nestlé Health Science, and Waymo, as well as with platforms including LinkedIn, Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube.
A recognized leader in the Creator Economy, Jo has spoken at VidCon, The Gathering, TheWrap, Campaign, Tribeca X, and Sundance, and has judged major honors including The One Show and Cannes Lions Young Lions. Named to Campaign’s 40 Over 40, PR Net’s Most Influential, and Chief’s Next Era Leadership awards, she continues to push the industry forward through Creator-powered innovation. Jo also co-founded Whalar Group’s venture studio, Moby Ventures, and remains an active member of The One Club for Creativity, AAF, Paley Media Council, and PR Net.
Hannah Stocking is a trailblazing creator, actress, and comedian with over 71 million followers and nearly 2 billion lifetime YouTube views. Known for her sharp humor and innovative storytelling, she combines comedy with education by creating content that captivates global audiences. Realizing the power in humor and the immense connection that could be fostered in these special moments, Hannah began expanding her craft through comedic sketches around everyday relatable scenarios. She’s one of the few creators that does universal comedy while also harnessing her female audience through relationships and female comedy.
As the first digital creator to receive the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Award at the United Nations and a nomination for a Kids Choice Award, Hannah has cemented her place as a leader in entertainment from her viral videos to her roles in major productions. She recently starred in Netflix’s The Wrong Paris which released in September 2025. Hannah’s strong digital footprint has led to walking the Hugo Boss show, and brand partnerships with Paramount, Liquid IV, Maybelline and more. Seamlessly bridging the gap between entertainment and fashion, she continues to break new ground through hosting and acting, further inspiring millions with her creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Desa Larkin-Boutté is a writer, producer, and development executive based in Los Angeles. After receiving her bachelor’s in Film & Television from Boston University, she began her career on The Walking Dead and continued to work on hit shows like Better Call Saul and Westworld. Desa has won multiple awards for her writing, and recently expanded into theater. She currently works as a development executive for Third Rail Productions, under a first look deal with Sony Pictures Television. Under their umbrella, she developed Lamar Giles’ novel The Getaway, in conjunction with Don Cheadle’s company, This Radicle Act.
Felicity Wren is the VP of Development at the ISA and Creative Screenwriter Productions. An award-winning actor originally from London, she holds Honors and Masters degrees in Performance and co-founded Unrestricted View, a production company that operates a comedy and new writing theatre now in its 25th year and curates three BIFA-accredited film festivals annually.
Based in Los Angeles for over a decade, Felicity has continued to act and produce—earning five performance awards and producing eighteen films. She oversees the ISA Development Team, working closely with Development Slate writers and the ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch to forge creative partnerships and industry connections. Most recently, she founded A Wren Bird Company, a collective focused on innovative storytelling, where she’s developing the adaptation of A Thousand Paper Birds. Across all her work, Felicity champions fresh voices and authentic stories in film and theatre.
Shayna Weber is a screenwriter, producer, and director who writes about defiant characters who refuse to be put in a box. Shayna and her writing partner recently sold their first horror feature, Bruha, which is in post-production. She produced the award-winning horror-comedy short, Lunch Ladies which has been in more than 100 festivals around the world with forty-six wins, and she directed its follow-up short, VIF (Very Important Film).
Shayna has over twenty years of experience in production, having worked on unscripted shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, So You Think You Can Dance , and VH1’s Bands Reunited among others. Besides a lot of problem solving, her years on reality shows have given her a plethora of weird knowledge about weird things. She is currently a Creative Executive at The International Screenwriters’ Association and in her free time loves playing tennis, taking self-defense classes, and lightsaber battling with her son.
Rachel Goldberg is an award-winning filmmaker whose directing highlights include the critically-acclaimed Marvel series, AGATHA ALL ALONG, starring Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza, the Amazon hit series, GEN V, MAYANS, MC for FX, RESIDENT EVIL for Netflix, A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY for Peacock, AMERICAN GODS for Starz, THE SINNER for USA and AMERICAN HORROR STORY, guest-starring Lena Dunham for FX. Most recently, Rachel directed on the new series, THE BURBS, starring Keke Palmer.
She helmed the multi-award winning film, MUTED, which sold to HBO, and is attached to direct the feature comedy, THE BM, written by FAMILY GUY scribes, Artie Johann and Shawn Ries. Rachel was honored to be named 1 of 20 female filmmakers primed for a studio feature on the Alice Initiative List, and is grateful to have been supported by Sundance, Film Independent, Sony, Fox, the Ryan Murphy HALF Foundation and more. You can learn more about her at: RachelGoldbergDirector.com
Rachel Goldberg is an award-winning filmmaker whose directing highlights include the critically-acclaimed Marvel series, AGATHA ALL ALONG, starring Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza, the Amazon hit series, GEN V, MAYANS, MC for FX, RESIDENT EVIL for Netflix, A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY for Peacock, AMERICAN GODS for Starz, THE SINNER for USA and AMERICAN HORROR STORY, guest-starring Lena Dunham for FX. Most recently, Rachel directed on the new series, THE BURBS, starring Keke Palmer.
She helmed the multi-award winning film, MUTED, which sold to HBO, and is attached to direct the feature comedy, THE BM, written by FAMILY GUY scribes, Artie Johann and Shawn Ries. Rachel was honored to be named 1 of 20 female filmmakers primed for a studio feature on the Alice Initiative List, and is grateful to have been supported by Sundance, Film Independent, Sony, Fox, the Ryan Murphy HALF Foundation and more. You can learn more about her at: RachelGoldbergDirector.com
Rachel Goldberg is an award-winning filmmaker whose directing highlights include the critically-acclaimed Marvel series, AGATHA ALL ALONG, starring Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza, the Amazon hit series, GEN V, MAYANS, MC for FX, RESIDENT EVIL for Netflix, A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY for Peacock, AMERICAN GODS for Starz, THE SINNER for USA and AMERICAN HORROR STORY, guest-starring Lena Dunham for FX. Most recently, Rachel directed on the new series, THE BURBS, starring Keke Palmer.
She helmed the multi-award winning film, MUTED, which sold to HBO, and is attached to direct the feature comedy, THE BM, written by FAMILY GUY scribes, Artie Johann and Shawn Ries. Rachel was honored to be named 1 of 20 female filmmakers primed for a studio feature on the Alice Initiative List, and is grateful to have been supported by Sundance, Film Independent, Sony, Fox, the Ryan Murphy HALF Foundation and more. You can learn more about her at: RachelGoldbergDirector.com
Multiple Emmy® Award-winning director and producer MIMI LEDER is the visionary storyteller behind a number of the most acclaimed dramas in film and television. Most recently, she returned as the Executive Producer and Director of the fourth season of THE MORNING SHOW. Leder directed four episodes of the new season of the hit series which has become one of the most watched series globally on Apple TV. The first three seasons of the series were widely regarded by fans and critics alike, garnering SAG, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice and Emmy® nominations – including Leder earning her 12th Emmy® nomination for directing the season 3 finale. Season 3 earned a coveted spot on the American Film Institute’s prestigious list of the 10 best films and television programs of the year, as well as two Golden Globe nominations for Best TV Drama and Best Supporting Actor (for Billy Crudup), in addition to leading as the most-nominated series for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards with six nominations.
Leder’s other credits include films ON THE BASIS OF SEX, DEEP IMPACT, THE PEACEMAKER, and PAY IT FORWARD, in addition to television shows such as THE LEFTOVERS, SHAMELESS, THE WEST WING, L.A. LAW, CHINA BEACH, LUCK, and most notably, ER, which earned her two Emmys and four nominations, and three DGA nominations for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series.
Founder and CEO of The Gotham Group, a global entertainment company anchored by its literary management practice, Goldsmith-Vein represents some of the most prolific, award-winning writers and directors in television, motion pictures, publishing, and content creation. Founded 30 years ago, The Gotham Group has expanded into developing and producing films and series based on acclaimed and universally recognized IP and remains the only major management and production company in Hollywood owned solely by a woman. Under her leadership, the company has produced The Maze Runner trilogy, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Disney’s Stargirl franchise, and the Netflix feature Wendell & Wild. Recent projects include Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2 for Warner Bros., By All, The Last Days of John Allen Chau, and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
Goldsmith-Vein and Gotham have a first-look deal at Disney’s 20th Television, where she executive produced Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Hulu’s Washington Black, Paramount Television’s The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Apple TV+’s WondLa. A philanthropist and political fundraiser, she serves on numerous boards and advisory committees and is the creator of Gotham Reads, a YouTube channel launched during the pandemic to connect children with authors and stories.
Co-founder and principal of Black Label Media, Molly Smith has built the company into a leading producer of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Under her leadership, Black Label Media has backed projects such as the highly anticipated Die, My Love, directed by Lynne Ramsay and starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, which premiered at Cannes and was acquired by Mubi in a $24 million bidding war. Smith has overseen collaborations with top-tier talent and directors including Grant Singer (Reptile), Denis Villeneuve (Sicario), and JD Dillard (Devotion), with a slate spanning Oscar-nominated dramas, biopics like I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and action features including Only the Brave and 12 Strong.
Beyond producing, Smith has been instrumental in shaping Black Label Media’s acquisitions and development strategy, securing film rights to high-profile works such as Nathan Ballingrud’s The Strange and Patrick Hoffman’s The White Van. She also played a key role in co-financing and executive producing the Academy Award-winning La La Land. Through her vision and leadership, Smith has positioned Black Label Media as a dynamic and innovative force in contemporary cinema.
As CEO of the Producers Guild of America, Susan Sprung leads a nonprofit trade organization representing more than 8,400 producers working across film, television, and new media. Since joining the PGA in 2012 as Associate National Executive Director and COO, she has been responsible for carrying out the Board’s strategic goals and overseeing the Guild’s daily operations. On behalf of the PGA, she serves on numerous industry and civic committees, including the Hollywood Commission Leadership Council, the Mayor’s Entertainment Council, the NAACP Entertainment Advocacy Council, the FilmLA Foundation, and the LA County Entertainment Partnership Committee.
Before joining the PGA, Sprung was Special Counsel at O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles, focusing on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and major financings. She also served as Corporate Counsel to TrizecHahn Corporation during completion of the Hollywood & Highland project. A dedicated community leader, Sprung chaired the Board of the I Have a Dream Foundation, Los Angeles, and continues to serve on its board. She is a graduate of SUNY Albany, magna cum laude, and Boston University School of Law.
Uzo Aduba is a three-time Emmy Award-winning and Tony-nominated actress whose work spans television, film, and theater. Most recently, she earned an Emmy nomination for her leading role in Shondaland’s Netflix series The Residence and released her debut memoir, The Road Is Good, in 2024. Aduba’s upcoming projects include Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman, opposite Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, and the PBS documentary Caregiving, which she narrates. Her recent credits include Painkiller, Greedy People, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, and Pixar’s Lightyear.
Through her production company, Meynon Media, Aduba has a multi-year producing deal with CBS Studios, where she has set up more than a dozen television projects. She made her Broadway debut in Coram Boy, earned a Tony nomination for Clyde’s, and is best known for her iconic role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Orange Is the New Black, which earned her two Emmys, two SAG Awards, and a Golden Globe nomination. A trailblazer both on and off screen, Aduba continues to champion stories that expand visibility, representation, and the human experience.
Olivia Munn is an actor, activist, and mother recently honored as one of TIME’s 2025 Women of the Year and among TIME’s 2024 100 Most Influential People in Health. She currently stars in Apple TV+’s hit drama Your Friends & Neighbors. In 2024, Munn shared her personal battle with breast cancer, sparking a global movement for early detection. Her openness led to a 4,000 percent surge in women using the National Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool and earned her the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award from the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families Program in 2025.
Munn first captured audiences with standout roles in Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and films including X-Men: Apocalypse, The Predator, and Office Christmas Party. A fearless advocate, she was an early Silence Breaker in the #MeToo movement and a leading voice in the #StopAsianHate campaign, using her platform to fight injustice and drive meaningful change. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, comedian John Mulaney, and their two children.
Natasha Rothwell is the creator, executive producer, and star of the critically acclaimed Hulu series How to Die Alone, which is currently streaming. She recently earned her second Emmy nomination for her standout performance as Belinda Lindsey in Season 3 of HBO’s The White Lotus, reprising the role that first made her a fan favorite in Season 1. Natasha is also known for her critically acclaimed work as a series regular, writer, director, and producer on HBO’s Insecure, for which she received a Peabody Award and the 2022 NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy.
In 2020, she founded her production company Big Hattie Productions to create, produce, and develop genre-bending projects that champion marginalized voices in subversive ways. Under the banner, she is currently developing a TV adaptation of Who TF Did I Marry?, the viral TikTok series by Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson. In addition to starring as Johnson, Rothwell will serve as executive producer.
Emmy-nominated actress, director, and advocate Constance Zimmer has built a dynamic career defined by authenticity, range, and fearlessness. Best known for her award-winning turn as Quinn King on UnREAL—where she also made her directorial debut—Zimmer has become a powerful voice both in front of and behind the camera. Audiences also know her for memorable roles including Dana Gordon in Entourage and journalist Janine Skorsky in House of Cards. She recently wrapped Season 4 of Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer and is currently filming a new project in Brooklyn, both set to premiere in February.
Beyond her on-screen work, Zimmer is leading a cultural conversation about aging and empowerment. In 2024, she launched Talk Fifty to Me, a podcast with pro-aging influencer Heidi Clements, and co-founded The Midlife Collective, a media platform reframing the narrative around women and midlife through storytelling and community. Alongside collaborators Abby Epstein and Julie Flakstad, she’s developing The Midlife Monologues, a theatrical project inspired by The Vagina Monologues, designed to celebrate, educate, and amplify the voices of women navigating this transformative stage of life.
As President and CEO, Di Nonno leads the Institute's strategic direction, research, financial, and program initiatives. GDI’s mission is to reinvent, transform and inspire how global content creators and media tell stories through authentic portrayals of the population in entertainment. This year, Di Nonno was honored with the Lilly Ledbetter Lifetime Achievement award from ADWEEK. In 2022, the Institute was awarded the prestigious Governor’s Award Emmy from the TV Academy for its profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and science of television.
Di Nonno is an Executive Producer on the Emmy nominated, television series Mission Unstoppable on CBS and the award-winning feature film This Changes Everything. Previously, Di Nonno served in Executive leadership positions including: Hallmark Channel, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Starz/Anchor Bay and Nielsen Entertainment. Di Nonno is a sought-after keynote speaker and has been featured in Ad Age, Fast Company, Good Morning America, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair and Variety. Di Nonno is a proud alumni of Boston University. DI Nonno is on the Board of Directors for the Venice Chamber of Commerce and former Chair of the TV Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors and formerly serves as a mentor for the TV Academy’s Television’s TV Executives Peer Circle.
Karen Pittman is an Emmy Award-nominated actress celebrated for her commanding performances across television, film, and theater. She is best known for her portrayal of ‘Mia Jordan’ in Apple TV+’s acclaimed series The Morning Show, earning Emmy, Critics Choice, and SAG Award nominations. Pittman recently starred in Netflix’s hit drama Forever as ‘Dawn,’ a loving and fiercely protective matriarch whose heartfelt portrayal of modern motherhood resonated with audiences around the world. Her credits also include standout roles in And Just Like That, The Americans, Luke Cage, Yellowstone, and the Hallmark Mahogany film Unthinkably Good Things, as well as feature films including Detroit, Custody, Begin Again, and What We Do Next.
On stage, Pittman has originated some of the most defining roles in contemporary American theater, including Disgraced, Pipeline, and The White Card. Beyond her work as an artist, she serves on the Entertainment Council for Feeding America, advocating for families facing food insecurity. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Pittman continues to bring depth, grace, and authenticity to every role she inhabits.
Jenny Han is a writer, showrunner, director, executive producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her beloved book series To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Summer I Turned Pretty have been published in more than thirty languages. Han is the creator and co-showrunner of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the breakout Prime Video hit that premiered in 2022 and became a global cultural phenomenon. In 2025, she made her directorial debut with the series’ highly anticipated third and final season and is now co-writing and directing its upcoming feature film adaptation.
Previously, Han served as executive producer on Netflix’s To All the Boys film trilogy and created its spin-off series XO, Kitty, now in its third season. In 2022, she signed an overall deal with Amazon Studios, where she develops and produces projects through her production banner, Jenny Kissed Me.
Garcelle Beauvais is an award-winning actress, author, executive producer, and advocate who has built a dynamic career spanning three decades in film, television, and media. Named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful,” the Haitian-born multi-hyphenate continues to champion representation-forward storytelling through her successful partnership with Lifetime, starring in and executive producing the Black Girl Missing franchise and Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love. She also stars in the hit Netflix series Survival of the Thickest and made history as the first Black cast member on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Her memoir Love Me As I Am became an instant #1 Amazon bestseller, and she has since expanded her creative empire with her lifestyle brand, “Garcelle at Home.”
Beauvais’ versatile career includes memorable roles in The Jamie Foxx Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NYPD Blue, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Other Black Girl, White House Down, Flight, and the Coming to America films. Beyond the screen, she is the author of the I Am children’s book series and a passionate humanitarian supporting UNICEF, CORE, and Cybersmile. Residing in Los Angeles, Beauvais is the proud mother of three sons and a devoted advocate for women, children, and her Haitian community.
Emmy Award-winning writer/producer, Simran Baidwan, was born to East Indian immigrants in the San Francisco Bay Area and left a successful career as a criminal prosecutor to tackle the mean streets of Hollywood. She holds a law degree from USD School of Law where she was as an editor on the prestigious San Diego Law Review.
She has written for such hit shows as Netflix’s MANIFEST and ABC’s THE GOOD DOCTOR, served as Showrunner on Amazon’s half hour comedy CLEAN SLATE starring Laverne Cox and George Wallace (produced by the late TV legend Norman Lear) and is currently an Executive Producer on MAX’s hot new medical series THE PITT (alongside John Wells, R. Scott Gemmill & star Noah Wyle). She has developed numerous projects for Warner Bros. TV, 20th Television and Roddenberry Entertainment. In addition, Simran serves on the MPTF NextGen Board of Directors, is a mentor at The Salon (an incubator for emerging South Asian talent), and has been a speaker at Dan Lin’s Rideback Rise.
Taylor Rooks is a two-time Emmy-nominated journalist, producer, and one of the most in-demand sports personalities of her generation. Known for her sharp insight, signature style, and authenticity, Rooks has redefined what it means to cover sports and culture. In 2025, she co-launched The NBA on Prime for Amazon alongside Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki, creating a dynamic postgame show that blends highlights, storytelling, and authentic conversation for fans worldwide. That same year, she founded the Taylor Rooks Foundation to empower underserved communities through education, wellness, and opportunity—reflecting her lifelong commitment to equity and access.
Celebrated for her viral interviews with icons like LeBron James, Michael B. Jordan, and Mark Cuban, Rooks continues to set the standard for modern sports journalism through Taylor Rooks X on Bleacher Report and her work with TNT Sports and Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. Beyond the sidelines, she bridges fashion and athletics, earning praise from Sports Illustrated and GQ for her trailblazing presence and standout style. Featured in projects across film and music, including Jack Harlow and Doja Cat’s “Just Us,” Rooks embodies the intersection of sports, culture, and storytelling—and remains, as Esquire put it, “the most in-demand sideline reporter across the NBA and NFL.”
Samantha Tan is a Chinese-Canadian professional race car driver and team owner redefining what it means to be a woman in motorsport. As the only BMW M Motorsport Global Ambassador and a 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, she continues to break barriers on and off the track. Competing in IMSA’s elite VP Racing Challenge, Tan raced solo for the first time and closed her debut season with a GT3 championship title, eight wins, and four podiums—cementing her status as one of racing’s rising stars in a male-dominated field.
Tan began her journey at 16 and went on to found Samantha Tan Racing (ST Racing) in 2017, leading her team to multiple historic wins, including back-to-back championships in Pirelli World Challenge and BMW’s first-ever global victory with the M4 GT3 at the 12H Mugello. Beyond the track, she’s an outspoken advocate for women and minorities in motorsport, using her platform to inspire others to chase their dreams fearlessly. Featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Women’s Health, Tan embodies the power of determination, diversity, and individuality in modern racing.
Lisa Siskind Bilgrei is a senior content and brand go to market expert focused on executing innovative, entertaining and commercially driven opportunities. A seasoned veteran at Google, she currently works on Google TV running commercialization opportunities and content programming. In her 17 years at Google, some of her prior roles include Head of Branded Content and Head of Agency Development for IPG. Her most important job is as a wife and mother to her three children Dylan, Alexis & Maya. And in any free time that’s left over, you can find her on the tennis court, going to a concert or at the beach.
Nicole Lapin is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of Rich Bitch, Boss Bitch, Becoming Super Woman, Miss Independent, and The Money School. She has been an anchor on CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg as well as the host of the business reality competition show, "Hatched" that aired on the CW for the first season and CBS for the second. She is the founder of Money News Network, the #1 business- and finance-focused podcast network, which is the home of her daily Webby award winning show “Money Rehab” that reached #1 on Apple’s business charts as well as “Help Wanted” that she co-hosts with the editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur Magazine Jason Feifer, among other shows on their slate.
Taylor Price, also known as @PricelessTay is a globally recognized financial creator and educator providing financial literacy to Gen Z. Having been featured in a variety of financial publications including Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Good Morning America, Market Watch, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and Fox Business, Taylor’s mission is to inspire and close the financial literacy gap in younger generations.
Desa Larkin-Boutté is a writer, producer, and development executive based in Los Angeles. After receiving her bachelor’s in Film & Television from Boston University, she began her career on The Walking Dead and continued to work on hit shows like Better Call Saul and Westworld. Desa has won multiple awards for her writing, and recently expanded into theater. She currently works as a development executive for Third Rail Productions, under a first look deal with Sony Pictures Television. Under their umbrella, she developed Lamar Giles’ novel The Getaway, in conjunction with Don Cheadle’s company, This Radicle Act.
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor,
Global Sports and Entertainment Director,
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Rachel E. Gottlieb, CFP®, CDFA® is a Managing Director and one of two advisors of the Gottlieb Rose Group at Morgan Stanley, a seven-member wealth management team based in New York City. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Rachel specializes in guiding clients through key financial decisions pre- and post-divorce. She works closely with award-winning artists, entertainers, and professional athletes, providing holistic financial advice through Morgan Stanley’s Global Sports & Entertainment division as an NFLPA Institutional Registered Financial Advisor. Rachel holds multiple professional licenses and earned her bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from Lehigh University.
Recognized among Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and Best-In-State honorees from 2017 through 2025, Rachel has also appeared in Forbes, Fox News, Barron’s, and Vogue. A sought-after speaker on private wealth management, she’s equally dedicated to financial empowerment, volunteering with Savvy Ladies, a nonprofit advice hotline for women. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and spending time with her husband Josh and their children, Zac and Lexi, between their home in Scarsdale and summers in the Hamptons.
With over 25 years of experience, Executive Vice President of Payroll, Davida Lara, is recognized as a national thought leader who excels in payroll process implementation. She is a frequent speaker at key global forums including ADP, KPMG, PWC and Payroll Congress, as well as the C3 Convention, Human Resources Association Forum, AFCI Week, and the Hollywood IT Society Summit. She is also the 2021 Global Payroll Titan Award winner.
Lara combines expertise in business applications, process and organizational management in leading Entertainment Partners’ Payroll Services teams. Prior to joining EP, Lara was SVP and Head of Global Payroll for The Blackstone Group, where she oversaw global payroll operations impacting over half a million employees. Lara was also previously the Head of Global HRIS and Payroll at Harman International Industries, directing system strategy and implementation for more than 23 countries. Throughout her career, Lara has headed numerous diversity and inclusion initiatives and continues to be a voice for empowering women. She has served on the Board of Directors for The Rowan Center: A Sexual Assault Resource Agency, and Board of Directors for Women in Film. Lara received a B.S. cum laude, from the School of Business at Albertus Magnus.
Kristina is a leading family law attorney with nearly two decades of experience representing high-profile individuals in complex financial and custody matters. Known for her discretion and results-driven approach, she has handled high-stakes cases involving valuations, tracings, cash flow analyses, move-aways, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. A skilled strategist and negotiator, Kristina is widely respected for winning difficult cases and finding creative resolutions to challenging disputes.
Her excellence has been recognized across top industry publications, including Variety’s Legal Impact Report, The Hollywood Reporter’s “Hollywood’s Troubleshooters”, Forbes’ America’s Top Lawyers, Lawdragon’s Top 500 Leading Family Lawyers, and Chambers High Net Worth. She has also been honored as a Southern California Super Lawyer (2019–2025) and named one of Doyle’s Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers. Kristina is an active member of the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles Bar Associations and supports several organizations including Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors, Sports Spectacular Women’s Luncheon, and the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law. She holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and a J.D. from Loyola Law School.
Kristina is a leading family law attorney with nearly two decades of experience representing high-profile individuals in complex financial and custody matters. Known for her discretion and results-driven approach, she has handled high-stakes cases involving valuations, tracings, cash flow analyses, move-aways, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. A skilled strategist and negotiator, Kristina is widely respected for winning difficult cases and finding creative resolutions to challenging disputes.
Her excellence has been recognized across top industry publications, including Variety’s Legal Impact Report, The Hollywood Reporter’s “Hollywood’s Troubleshooters”, Forbes’ America’s Top Lawyers, Lawdragon’s Top 500 Leading Family Lawyers, and Chambers High Net Worth. She has also been honored as a Southern California Super Lawyer (2019–2025) and named one of Doyle’s Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers. Kristina is an active member of the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles Bar Associations and supports several organizations including Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors, Sports Spectacular Women’s Luncheon, and the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law. She holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and a J.D. from Loyola Law School.
Amanda Zurawski is a reproductive rights advocate who lives in Austin, TX.
After being denied a medically necessary abortion in 2022, an experience which nearly killed her and cost her her fertility, she began speaking out publicly against abortion bans. She has testified in front of US Congress, has provided interviews for countless media outlets and platforms, and was the lead plaintiff in Zurawski vs. Texas, the first lawsuit brought by patients challenging a state on its abortion bans since the fall of Roe v Wade. The case is featured in a documentary by the same name.
Amanda is a proven public speaker and has extensive experience advocating through political, news and social platforms. She is a 2024 USA Today Woman of the Year and on the BBC’s 2024 list of 100 Women. In 2025 she was named a TIME Woman of the Year and received the Planned Parenthood Champion of Change Award.
Sara Elizabeth Ivanhoe, M.A., Ph.D., is the Interim Director of Events and Operations in the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life at Stanford University, where she also teaches yoga, sleep, and meditation across the university. She earned her doctorate in Yoga Philosophy from the Graduate Theological Union. Her dissertation, In Search of Sleep: A Comprehensive Study of Yoga Philosophy, Therapeutic Practice, and Improving Sleep in Higher Education, explores the integration of contemplative practice within university settings. She is the Founding Director Emeritus of YogaUSC, where she ran a clinical trial on her undergraduate course “Sleep for Peak Performance.”
Dr. Ivanhoe recently marked her 30-year teaching anniversary, during which she has completed three 500-hour teacher training programs and been featured widely in major yoga and wellness publications. She served as the Yoga Spokesperson for Weight Watchers: Yoga, Yoga for Dummies, and Crunch: Yoga, and was the yoga columnist for Health magazine for three years. Her work has appeared in nearly every major yoga and wellness publication. In Season 1 of Celebrity Rehab, Ivanhoe served as the therapeutic yoga instructor. In 2018, she co-created “Just Breathe,” a brand of yoga, breathwork, and meditation in partnership with Oprah Magazine. Dr. Ivanhoe currently serves as the Content Advisor for Glo, advising on teacher development and content strategy.
Kathryn Busby is President, Original Programming, and the driving force behind STARZ’s original programming strategy, curating content that challenges convention and uplifts underrepresented voices. She is leading the network’s pivot to create more STARZ-owned IP while also championing projects that fit the premium programmer's commitment to boundary-breaking female narratives.
Alison Hoffman is President of STARZ Networks overseeing all network operations for the company. She has been instrumental in STARZ’s success as one of the only profitable streamers and the industry’s bundling partner of choice, having helped lead the company through their recent separation to a standalone, publicly traded company.
Toni Graphia is an executive producer and writer known for her work on “Outlander" since its 2014 debut and the new prequel series, “Outlander: Blood of my Blood." She has been nominated for Writer’s Guild and George Foster Peabody Awards in addition to teaching writing at multiple esteemed universities.
Elin Hilderbrand is the author of 31 novels, 27 of which are set on Nantucket Island, where she has lived year-round since 1994. Her novel The Perfect Couple was adapted into a limited series by Netflix starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, and her novel The Five-Star Weekend will be a limited series at Peacock in 2026 starring Jennifer Garner, Chloe Sevigny, Regina Hall, Darcy Carden and Gemma Chan. Hilderbrand is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. She is the mother of four adult children and is an eleven-year breast cancer survivor.
Kate Myers is the bestselling author of Excavations and Salty. Her writing has appeared in Elle, and Self magazines, as well as on BuzzFeed. She studied archaeology at Penn and has worked for CBS and CollegeHumor in New York. Her debut novel, Excavations, is being turned into a Peacock series starring Amy Poehler and produced by Michael Schur. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with her husband, daughters, and dog.
Tana Nugent Jamieson is Executive Vice President and Co-Head of A+E Studios, where she develops original scripted programming for all external platforms and the A+E Networks portfolio of brands. She manages a diversified slate that includes the hit series The Lincoln Lawyer from David E. Kelley, which ranks as the #3 original series across all streaming platforms with over 1.4 billion minutes viewed. Her recent work includes Parish for AMC, Flowers in the Attic: The Origin for Lifetime, The Malevolent Bride for KAN 11, and A+E Studios’ first Korean drama If You Wish Upon Me. She previously oversaw Big Sky, Project Blue Book, Reprisal, The Liberator, Six, Knightfall, and the Emmy-nominated limited event series Roots, and manages overall deals with top-tier talent while supervising development across Amazon, Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and Netflix.
Before joining A+E Studios, Jamieson was Senior Vice President of Drama Programming at A&E Network, overseeing the development and production of Bates Motel, The Returned, The Cleaner, The Beast, The Glades, Breakout Kings, and Longmire, as well as acclaimed event projects including The Andromeda Strain, Bag of Bones, and Coma. She previously held senior roles at The WB Network, TBS, and NBC Studios, supporting drama franchises such as Everwood and Jack & Bobby, and creating The WB’s first original movie division. Jamieson is a graduate of The University of Arizona and studied at The University of Madrid and Queen’s College in London.
Julie Uhrman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Angel City Football Club, Los Angeles' professional women’s soccer team that debuted in the NWSL in 2022. ACFC is one of the world’s only majority female-founded and run professional sports teams and was named the world’s most valuable women’s sports team with a $250 million valuation. Julie has earned major industry recognition, including ADWEEK’s Brand Genius Award, the Inc. Female Founders 250 List, Sports Illustrated’s 50 Most Inspirational Figures in Sport, and honors from Sports Business Journal and WISE. Under her leadership, ACFC has also been celebrated by ESPN as Humanitarian Team of the Year and by Sports Business Journal as Sports Team of the Year.
Julie is a sought-after speaker, appearing at global events including the FIFA Women’s World Cup Global Summit, World Football Summits, Leaders Week, SBJ World Congress, MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, and ESPNw. She serves on the boards of the LA Sports and Entertainment Council, The Rose Bowl Institute, and the LA Sports Council, advises Drive by DraftKings, and earned her FIFA Diploma in Club Management. Before ACFC, she held senior roles at Lionsgate and Jaunt and founded the gaming console OUYA. She lives in Los Angeles with her two children.
Andrea Mara is a No.1 Sunday Times, Irish Times and Kindle bestselling author. Her books have sold more than one million copies worldwide, and five of them have been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. No One Saw a Thing, was a Richard and Judy Bookclub Pick, sold more than 100,000 copies in thirteen weeks, and was No.1 in the UK, Irish and Kindle charts. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband and three children. You can find Andrea on Instagram @andreamaraauthor
Raquel “Rocky” Calhoun is an Audience Writer for TheWrap. She previously served as a senior multiplatform reporter for Forbes. Some of Raquel’s producing credits include former daytime talk show “The Real” and the nationally-syndicated talk show “Dr. Phil.” In addition, her print and on-camera work has been featured on several platforms, including Ebony magazine, NPR, Fox Soul and The Root.
Jo Ling Kent is the senior business and technology correspondent for CBS News, where her reporting appears across all CBS News programs and platforms. She brings more than 15 years of experience covering the intersection of technology and business in the U.S., along with China’s rise as a global economic power. Kent has reported extensively on artificial intelligence, viral disinformation, social media privacy, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the global supply chain, and has led investigations into Amazon warehouse conditions and Facebook’s role in the 2016 elections.
Before joining CBS News in 2023, Kent spent six years as the business and tech correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, earning an Edward R. Murrow Award and three Emmy nominations. She previously reported for Fox Business Network, NBC Connecticut, ABC News in Beijing, and CNN. A Mandarin speaker and former U.S. Fulbright Scholar to China, she holds degrees from the London School of Economics, Peking University, and Rice University.
Fara Taylor is the Head of Brand at Wild State, the multi-platform media company founded by Chris Hemsworth. Wild State produces scripted, unscripted and branded content across film, television and digital platforms, creating immersive narratives that entertain and spotlight global issues. Recent and upcoming projects include Limitless with Chris Hemsworth on Disney+, the Extraction franchise on Netflix, Crime 101 with Amazon and Corsair Code with Apple.
Prior to Wild State, Taylor was Head of Marketing for Archewell, the production company founded by Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, overseeing global marketing across its production, audio and foundation divisions. She previously spent a decade as SVP of Global Marketing Partnerships at Sony Pictures Entertainment, leading brand campaigns for franchises such as Spider-Man, Jumanji, Ghostbusters and Bond. Taylor began her career in London at DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures and is a founding member of I Am A Voter.
Lina Polimeni leads Eli Lilly and Company’s global consumer marketing strategy across its corporate brand and medicine portfolio. Since joining Lilly in 2004, she has held a range of leadership roles across business and marketing, including leading U.S. Direct-to-Consumer advertising, serving as Cialis regional brand leader for Australia, Canada, and Europe, and launching Taltz with consumers while leading marketing for diabetes. She has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have reshaped the company’s approach to media, multicultural marketing, sports partnerships, and celebrity engagement. Polimeni’s campaigns have earned multiple Effie Awards and positioned Lilly at the forefront of purpose-driven, emotionally resonant storytelling that builds trust and drives better patient outcomes.
An influential voice in marketing, she has been recognized as one of Campaign US’s Top 50 CMOs, an Ad Age Woman to Watch, and a 2025 Campaign Inspiring Women honoree. She continues to push boundaries with work that fuses creativity, impact, and purpose—bringing category-breaking campaigns to life that redefine what healthcare marketing can achieve.
Dr. Stacy L. Smith is the foremost disrupter of inequality in the entertainment industry and a recipient of the 2025 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. She is the founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the leading global think tank studying inequality in entertainment. Her groundbreaking research examines gender, race and ethnicity, the LGBTQ+ community, disability and mental health across film, TV, digital media and music, and includes economic analyses linking inclusion to financial performance.
Smith has authored more than 100 articles and reports, and her work is widely covered by outlets such as The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CBS and NPR. She speaks frequently on issues of inequality, including at the United Nations, the White House and major film festivals, and has testified before Congress. Her advocacy includes the inclusion rider, the 4% Challenge and the Proof of Concept Accelerator.
Andi Ortiz is an Audience Writer. Joining TheWrap in 2021, Andi has covered film, television, and all things niche since her arrival. Her heart lies in genre projects, like superheroes and fantasy, but she has also found a groove in covering late night television and, of all things, The View. She also co-hosts WrapWomen’s podcast, “UnWrapped.” She has been interviewing your favorite actors and directors through that, and for various outlets prior to TheWrap, since 2016.
Briana McElroy is an award-winning digital marketing executive with over 14 years of experience leading and developing creative digital marketing campaigns. With a background in entertainment and technology, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. In her current role as Lionsgate’s Senior Vice President, Head of Worldwide Digital Marketing, Briana is responsible for overseeing the digital campaigns for all motion picture group releases, including franchise titles such as “The Hunger Games”, “John Wick”, “Twilight” and “Now You See Me”, as well as upcoming releases “The Housemaid”, “Michael”, and “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”
Prior to joining Lionsgate she was a leader in Twitter's Media & Entertainment team, driving the company's global partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery and The Walt Disney Company. Before Twitter, she served as the Digital Marketing Director for Warner Bros. Pictures, leading successful marketing campaigns for films such as "Wonder Woman," "Kong: Skull Island," "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," "Annabelle: Creation," "Ocean's 8," "A Star is Born," and "POKÉMON Detective Pikachu." Briana is a native of Jackson, Mississippi and in her free time, enjoys cooking and spending time with her daughter Nola, husband Josh, and dogs Fred and Murphy.
Danielle Misher is the Head of Global Theatrical Marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she leads worldwide marketing for the studio’s theatrical releases. With over two decades of experience in film marketing and publicity on films spanning a wide range of genres, including Spider-Man: No Way Home - the highest grossing title in Sony history - as well as 28 Years Later, Anyone But You, The Woman King, Baby Driver, among others, Misher began her career in film publicity at Rogers & Cowan before moving over to MGM/United Artists. She later ran marketing for Screen Gems and TriStar Pictures, building expertise across diverse audiences and release strategies.
Ingke Purrmann is the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of JustWatch Media, the global entertainment media company that helps studios, streamers, and agencies make more efficient media buying decisions in an increasingly complex attention economy. She has played a central role in scaling JustWatch Media from a Berlin start-up into an international business with major hubs in Los Angeles, London, New York, Dubai, and Berlin. Today, the JustWatch entertainment guide reaches more than 60 million users, and its data-driven media solutions support leading names across global entertainment.
As CRO, Ingke leads global revenue strategy, high-impact partnerships, and the ongoing expansion of JustWatch Media, known for driving smarter, more effective digital video campaigns. She is recognized for combining strategic vision with hands-on execution and for empowering multicultural teams across markets. Outside of media, she is active in community initiatives and competitive sports.
Kim Granito is a media and entertainment industry leader with more than 25 years’ experience across consumer and integrated marketing, production and events, and digital media and social. As Chief Marketing Officer of AMC Networks, she leads marketing and brand strategy, including media and performance marketing, creative, digital and social, as well as integrated marketing, production and events, and the digital and franchise studio for the Content Room, AMC Networks’ branded entertainment division.
Granito, who joined AMC Networks in 2011, has a strong track record for innovation and creativity. She built and led the company’s consolidated integrated marketing team and launched its award-winning in-house branded entertainment and creative studio. Earlier, she spent seven years at IFC, helping establish the network’s marketplace positioning and creating campaigns for hit series. She previously held consumer and strategic marketing roles at Viacom, NBCUniversal, MTV Networks, USA and Syfy.
As EVP of Partner Management & Strategy at AMC Networks, Amy Leasca leads the company’s partner management team and oversees commercial partnerships that drive the company’s linear, streaming, and FAST/AVOD business to elevate partner experience and uncover new paths to growth.
In her role, Leasca advances new business opportunities through her leadership of the AMC Networks’ FAST and AVOD strategy, including the development of new content, integrated content strategies, marketing, and audience development and measurement. She also manages and expands partnerships with key linear and distribution operators including AT&T, DirecTV, Charter Communications, Comcast, Amazon, Dish Network, Verizon, and more. Leasca has spent almost 20 years honing her marketing expertise in the media and entertainment industry. She joined AMC Networks in May 2022 as SVP of Partner Management before being elevated to her current role in 2024. Prior to her time at AMC Networks, Amy spent over 13 years at HBO in Distribution and Product Marketing before her promotion to SVP of Partner Marketing at WarnerMedia, where she developed HBO Max partner marketing launch strategies.
Olivia Metzger is a Partner and Co-Head of the New York office at 3 Arts Entertainment, where she represents some of the most influential voices in media, business, and public life. Her current and past clients include Wes Moore, Gary Vaynerchuk, Justin Trudeau, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Kristen Welker, Harris Faulkner, Ari Melber, Sheinelle Jones, Jonathan Capehart, and Trey Gowdy, among others.
Metzger joined 3 Arts following its 2025 acquisition of OManagement, the boutique agency she founded in 2018 after nearly a decade at CAA and almost 20 years at NBC. With more than 30 years in the business, Metzger has built a career representing individuals whose voices, expertise, and authenticity shape how audiences understand the world.
Grammy-nominated executive Spring Aspers is President of Sony Pictures Music Group, overseeing all music initiatives including development, production, and promotion. She collaborates with filmmakers to select songs, artists, and composers for Sony Pictures’ films. This year, the soundtrack for KPop Demon Hunters became a global phenomenon, debuting at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 and reaching #1, with over 7 billion streams worldwide and nine songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100.
Spring has also worked on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, It Ends With Us, Where the Crawdads Sing, Little Women, Venom, and Anyone But You, producing multiple Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated tracks. She joined Sony Pictures in 2009 and previously served as EVP at Island/Def Jam Recordings. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Spring is a UCLA alumna and serves on Sony Pictures’ Action Council and Female Leadership Initiative.
Justine Lupe is a versatile actress captivating audiences across film and television. She currently stars as Morgan in Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, opposite Kristen Bell and Adam Brody; her comedic and emotionally grounded performance has helped the series earn Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice nominations for Best Comedy. Lupe is also known for her role as Willa Ferreyra on HBO’s Succession, elevated from a three-episode arc to series regular, contributing to the show’s Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG wins.
Her television credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Big Door Prize, Mr. Mercedes, Snowfall, Younger, and Cristela. On film, she appeared in Netflix’s Luckiest Girl Alive, Frances Ha, and Not Fade Away. A Juilliard graduate, Lupe also co-created and starred in Adult Swim’s The Non-Essentials. She resides in Los Angeles.
Lisa Siskind Bilgrei is a senior content and brand go to market expert focused on executing innovative, entertaining and commercially driven opportunities. A seasoned veteran at Google, she currently works on Google TV running commercialization opportunities and content programming. In her 17 years at Google, some of her prior roles include Head of Branded Content and Head of Agency Development for IPG. Her most important job is as a wife and mother to her three children Dylan, Alexis & Maya. And in any free time that’s left over, you can find her on the tennis court, going to a concert or at the beach.
Sara Rea is an award-winning television producer and business leader with over 20 years creating unscripted TV and documentary films. She has ten Emmy nominations, a GLAAD Award, and multiple PGA nominations. Sara recently launched Firefly Studios. Previously, she was Head of Global Unscripted at Hello Sunshine, overseeing development, production, strategic growth, IP ownership, and global partnerships, and opening Hello Sunshine UK in 2021.
A prolific showrunner, Sara was Executive Producer of Project Runway and created Making the Cut with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, bringing e-commerce to the competition reality space on Amazon Prime. She rebooted Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with The Home Edit, produced Formula One Academy’s all-female driving docuseries for Netflix, and delivered projects including Apple TV’s My Kind of Country, Paramount’s Wynonna Judd: Between Hell & Hallelujah, Roku’s Meet Me in Paris and Side Hustlers, Amazon Sports’ Surf Girls Hawai’i, and Amazon Prime’s The Pasta Queen.
Yahlin Chang is Co-Showrunner, Executive Producer and Writer for The Handmaid’s Tale. She has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing, she won the HUMANITAS Prize for Drama Teleplay, and she has been nominated for multiple Drama Series Emmys, Writers’ Guild Awards and Producers’ Guild Awards. Her credits include ER, Supergirl, Dirty Sexy Money, Shades of Blue, Pan Am and Ed. Before writing for television, she was a writer, reporter and culture critic for Newsweek magazine.
Malika Andrews is an Emmy-award winnning journalist and host of ESPN’s weekday NBA studio show, NBA Today. She also hosts NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC, as well as WNBA Countdown on ESPN.
Andrews made her debut as a sideline reporter during the 2019-20 season. In 2021, at 26-years-old, Andrews became the youngest sports broadcaster to host the NBA Finals Trophy Ceremony. She made history in 2022 as the first ever woman to host the NBA Draft. She won the Outstanding Personality/Emerging On-Air talent Sports Emmy in 2022. She has appeared across multiple platforms on the Disney family of networks including Good Morning America, SportsCenter, ESPN.com and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN in October 2018, Andrews worked as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and The New York Times.
Andrews is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and sits on the NABJ Sports Task Force Scholarship Committee. She was honored with the 2021 NABJ Michael J. Feeney Emerging Journalist of the Year Award. Andrews is a lifelong equestrian, skier, avid reader, fashion enthusiast and loves Broadway shows.
14-year-old Eden Kontesz is a singer, songwriter, and actress quickly establishing herself as a major talent. Performing since age five, she has appeared in concerts, television, sporting events, and musicals across the U.S., U.K., and Italy. Gifted with perfect pitch, Eden was featured as a soloist in Catherine Hardwicke’s series Don’t Look Deeper (Tubi), singing Diane Warren’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and later recorded Warren’s Oscar-nominated song “The Journey.”
She also recorded the theme for Jacob the Baker (Amazon Prime), earning a Society of Composers and Lyricists Award nomination. Eden participated in a global COVID-19 relief music project with Warren, Sharon Farber, and the U.N., and has performed the National Anthem at Supercross events for 45,000 fans. Acting credits include Transparent (Amazon Prime), voice work in Birdbox Barcelona (Netflix) and The Simpsons, and lead musical theater roles, most recently earning a Best Actress nomination for Fiddler on the Roof (VOPA). She resides in Los Angeles.
Diane Warren is one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters, with nine #1 hits and thirty-three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, tied for the most #1 songs as a sole writer in Billboard history. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, she received the Johnny Mercer Award in 2024. Warren’s catalog includes “Un-Break My Heart,” “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and “Rhythm of the Night.”
She has 16 Academy Award nominations, a GRAMMY, an EMMY, two Golden Globes, and wrote songs for over 150 films. Recent works include “The Journey” (Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight) and “The Fire Inside” (Flamin’ Hot). The documentary Diane Warren: Relentless offers an intimate look at her life and creative process. She continues to write for top artists including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, H.E.R., and Justin Bieber, and is the sole owner of her publishing company, Realsongs.
Judith Light is celebrated for her extensive work onstage, in television, and film, recently receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her recent projects include The Same Storm, HBO Max’s Julia, Starz’ Shining Vale, The Menu, and Disney+’s Out of My Mind. She won a Primetime Emmy for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Poker Face and starred in Apple TV+’s Before alongside Billy Crystal.
Light has appeared in Ryan Murphy’s All’s Fair, Impeachment: American Crime Story, The Politician, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace, earning multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice nominations. On Broadway, she won back-to-back Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties, and received the 2019 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award. Light also serves on the board of MCC Theater and received GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award in 2022.
Kathleen Felix-Hager is a costume designer, currently working in both television and feature film. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began her career on the film WATERWORLD, and fell in love with the art of storytelling through costumes. She has designed the costumes on several award-winning television shows, including DEXTER, VEEP and HACKS. For her work on HACKS, she has received four Emmy nominations and one win for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes.
Kelsey Brosi is a Los Angeles-based fashion stylist and founder of Kelsey Nicole Style LLC, a luxury styling firm known for its refined aesthetic and high-profile clientele. With a career grounded in creative expression and sartorial precision, Kelsey has become a trusted expert in personal styling and image consulting for top figures in entertainment and media.
Her portfolio includes prestigious events such as the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, NFL, NBA, MLS game days, and Fashion Weeks in New York, Milan, and Paris, dressing celebrities, industry leaders, and top professionals. Known for blending elegance with individuality, she curates timeless, trend-conscious looks tailored to each client’s style and goals. Through Kelsey Nicole Style LLC, she offers personal wardrobe edits, luxury sourcing, designer access, styling suites, and on-set photo shoot styling, empowering clients to express confident, authentic, and polished versions of themselves.
Bronwyn Newport is a fashion historian and archivist with an eye for the extraordinary, living and breathing the art of clothing. Known for her maximalist style and love of bold, unforgettable pieces, she brings a one-of-a-kind perspective to everything she touches. A successful Broadway producer and passionate activist, Bronwyn champions progressive causes and social justice initiatives, supporting organizations that focus on mental health, homelessness, and LGBTQ+ rights. Whether she’s curating a jaw-dropping wardrobe or rallying for change, Bronwyn does it all with style, conviction and heart.
As President and CEO, Di Nonno leads the Institute's strategic direction, research, financial, and program initiatives. GDI’s mission is to reinvent, transform and inspire how global content creators and media tell stories through authentic portrayals of the population in entertainment. This year, Di Nonno was honored with the Lilly Ledbetter Lifetime Achievement award from ADWEEK. In 2022, the Institute was awarded the prestigious Governor’s Award Emmy from the TV Academy for its profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and science of television. Di Nonno is an Executive Producer on the Emmy nominated, television series Mission Unstoppable on CBS and the award-winning feature film This Changes Everything.
Previously, Di Nonno served in Executive leadership positions including: Hallmark Channel, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Starz/Anchor Bay and Nielsen Entertainment. Di Nonno is a sought-after keynote speaker and has been featured in Ad Age, Fast Company, Good Morning America, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair and Variety. Di Nonno is a proud alumni of Boston University. DI Nonno is on the Board of Directors for the Venice Chamber of Commerce and former Chair of the TV Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors and formerly serves as a mentor for the TV Academy’s Television’s TV Executives Peer Circle.
Betsy Beers is a groundbreaking producer and the longtime producing partner of Shonda Rhimes. Under the Shondaland banner, they have developed and produced some of the most industry-leading series in television. Through Shondaland’s unprecedented exclusive deal with Netflix, Beers serves as executive producer on “Bridgerton,” one of the most watched series debut in Netflix history, “Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” following legendary choreographer Debbie Allen, “Inventing Anna” inspired by the story of Anna Delvey and “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” which debuted at No.1 on Netflix's English TV List and in the Top 10 in 91 countries. Most recently, Beers served as executive producer on the documentary “Black Barbie” which received two Daytime Emmy Awards and the NAACP Award for Outstanding Documentary (Television) and the comedic murder mystery “The Residence” starring Uzo Aduba and Giancarlo Esposito for the streamer.
In addition, she is executive producer of the award-winning series “Grey’s Anatomy” and, along with Rhimes, developed and produced the hit series “Private Practice,” “Scandal,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “For the People,” and “Station 19” for Shondaland and ABC.
Kathleen Felix-Hager is a costume designer, currently working in both television and feature film. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began her career on the film WATERWORLD, and fell in love with the art of storytelling through costumes. She has designed the costumes on several award-winning television shows, including DEXTER, VEEP and HACKS. For her work on HACKS, she has received four Emmy nominations and one win for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes.
Grammy winner and four time Emmy Award recipient, composer Sharon Farber is a celebrated Film, TV and concert music composer. A Berklee College of Music graduate in Film scoring and Concert composition, she has worked with Amazon MGM, NBC, CBS, Showtime, Lifetime and the WB, composing for feature films, documentaries and the concert stage. Her music has been released commercially and performed live in concerts. Sharon recently completed Tyler Perry’s feature “From Italy With Love” for Amazon MGM and released the soundtracks for “Jacob The Baker” and “October 8”. She also scored Nina Menkes’ documentary “Brainwashed Sex Camera Power”, which premiered at Sundance and Berlin. Sharon is one of nine female composers featured at Lincoln Center at the historical “Women Warriors Voices of Change” concert and GRAMMY winning album. Her acclaimed concerto “Bestemming” continues to receive performances worldwide.
Grammy winner and four time Emmy Award recipient, composer Sharon Farber is a celebrated Film, TV and concert music composer. A Berklee College of Music graduate in Film scoring and Concert composition, she has worked with Amazon MGM, NBC, CBS, Showtime, Lifetime and the WB, composing for feature films, documentaries and the concert stage. Her music has been released commercially and performed live in concerts. Sharon recently completed Tyler Perry’s feature “From Italy With Love” for Amazon MGM and released the soundtracks for “Jacob The Baker” and “October 8”. She also scored Nina Menkes’ documentary “Brainwashed Sex Camera Power”, which premiered at Sundance and Berlin. Sharon is one of nine female composers featured at Lincoln Center at the historical “Women Warriors Voices of Change” concert and GRAMMY winning album. Her acclaimed concerto “Bestemming” continues to receive performances worldwide.
Yvonne Orji is an Emmy-nominated Nigerian-American actress, comedian, writer, producer and author best known for her role as Molly on HBO’s INSECURE, created by Issa Rae. Her performance earned an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress. An established stand-up, Yvonne has toured with Chris Rock and Roy Wood Jr and has two HBO specials, A WHOLE ME and MOMMA, I MADE IT!
She starred in Hulu’s VACATION FRIENDS and its sequel HONEYMOON FRIENDS, delivered a scene-stealing turn in THE BLACKENING and most recently appeared in Netflix’s THE WRONG PARIS, which debuted at #1 and remained in the top five for five weeks. Yvonne has hosted Netflix’s POP THE BALLOON LIVE!, HBO MAX’s MY MOM YOUR DAD and Amazon’s YEARLY DEPARTED. Her debut book, Bamboozled by Jesus, sold over one hundred thousand copies. She is now working on her second book and next comedy special.
Ali Krug is a producer who, alongside Sue Naegle, recently signed an overall deal with UCP under their banner, Dinner Party Productions. She most recently Executive Produced the upcoming Peacock series The Five-Star Weekend, starring Jennifer Garner and based on the NYT bestselling novel by Elin Hilderbrand. Previously, Ali served as Co-Head of Television at Annapurna Pictures, where she helped build the television department and created a dynamic environment for creators and artists.
At Annapurna, she Executive Produced Hulu’s ten-time Emmy-nominated Pam & Tommy, HBO Max’s two-time Emmy-nominated The Staircase, Showtime’s I Love That For You, Amazon’s Dead Ringers, and Apple TV+’s The Changeling. She also EP’d Hulu’s Monsterland and Netflix’s Soundtrack. A University of Michigan graduate, Ali began her career in the NBC Page Program, later working at HBO and Naegle Ink. She was named to The Hollywood Reporter’s “Next Gen” list.
Suzanne Cole has served as Executive Vice President, Media, for Universal Pictures, since 2008. In her position, Cole oversees all strategic media activities in television, streaming video, digital, social and outdoor media for theatrical features released by Universal Pictures in the United States and Canada.
During her tenure at the studio, she has overseen media campaigns for blockbuster Universal franchises including Jurassic World, Despicable Me and Fast and Furious. Her most recent noteworthy media campaigns include Wicked and Wicked For Good, How to Train Your Dragon, and Oppenheimer. Suzanne joined Universal Pictures in 1999, following a tenure at PolyGram Films, E! Entertainment Television and the advertising agency, DDB Entertainment. During her career in entertainment, she has overseen the media campaigns for 200+ titles in all film genres.