LOS ANGELES — Women in Animation (www.womeninanimation.org) recently appointed its executive committee leaders, who reflect both valuable experience and new perspectives. Returning to their posts of co-president are Marge Dean and Kristy Scanlan, with their new terms in place through 2019. Dean is general manager for Stoopid Buddy Studios, and Scanlan holds the role of vice president of business development, animation & games at Technicolor.
Joining the executive committee for the first time is Jinko Gotoh, serving as secretary and Brendan Burch, serving as treasurer. Gotoh is currently producing The LEGO Movie Sequel, and she had previously served in the role of WIA Chair of International Chapters. Burch is president of Six Point Harness and the CCO of Mondo Media.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jinko and Brendan to our executive committee, as both have already given generously of their time and expertise in helping WIA grow as an organization,” says Dean.
The WIA board enters 2017 with three new positions in place: a chair of industry relations in Julie Ann Crommett; a chair of interactive in Molly Mason-Boulé; and chair of the shorts program in Chris Waters. Crommett is the newly appointed VP, multicultural strategies for The Walt Disney Studios and was recently named to the list of "Next Gen: 35 under 35" by Hollywood Reporter. Mason-Boulé is based in Vancouver and has been leading CG and digital entertainment production for the past 20 years in film, television and games, currently holding the position of vice president of content production for Electronic Arts Worldwide Studios. Waters is a veteran commercial, digital and TV producer who co-founded Oktobor Animation, where he produced on hit TV series including Kung Fu Panda, Legends of Awesomeness and Penguins of Madagascar, and he is now consulting on business development and digital initiatives for clients including Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.
In terms of numbers, WIA has just passed the 1500 member mark, a more than tenfold increase from its 120-member total just three years ago.