The Visual Effects Society (VES) has revealed the speaker lineup for its inaugural Women Who Lead Summit, taking place Friday, September 4, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Designed as an international gathering of industry leaders to share inspiring stories, build community, and empower the next generation of female talent, the half-day event is stacked with powerhouse speakers and opportunities for meaningful networking.
Neishaw Ali, chair of the VES’ Women Who Lead Committee, shared, “I’m incredibly excited to kick off our inaugural Women Who Lead Summit. Our vision is to inspire a community grounded in strength, collaboration, and meaningful connections, one that supports women at every stage of their leadership journey. We believe that investing in women leaders isn’t just about creating opportunities for individuals; it’s about strengthening our entire industry. Five years from now, I hope we’ve fostered a more connected industry where women are recognized and valued for their talent, experience, and leadership, and where they’ve earned their place at the table.”
The Women Who Lead Summit will include two keynote speakers and two panels, bookended by a networking breakfast and networking lunch for all attendees. The lineup includes:
Opening Conversation with Bárbara Muschietti
Bárbara Muschietti is a top producer with a track record of creating international hits, alongside her brother and creative partner Andy. She produced the record-breaking box office juggernauts IT and IT: Chapter Two, and went on to expand the franchise with HBO’s prequel series IT: Welcome to Derry. Previously she co-wrote and produced Mama starring Jessica Chastain, with Guillermo del Toro executive producing. Muschietti also has extensive experience with producing documentary features, as well as commercials for brands including Coca-Cola, Mercedes, and the California Lottery. Her new and upcoming projects include They Will Kill You for Skydance, starring Zazie Beetz, Myha’la, Patricia Arquette, Heather Graham, and Tom Felton; the Amazon Prime original series Ride or Die starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham; The Brave and the Bold for DC Films; and Final Girls Support Group for Paramount. Muschietti was born and raised in Argentina, and now lives in Los Angeles.
Panel: Opening Doors for the Next Generation of Leaders
Moderated by Janet Muswell Hamilton, VES (HBO); with panelists Jennifer Bell (Universal Pictures), Kathy Chasen-Hay (Paramount Pictures), Anne Putnam Kolbe (Netflix), Christine Mansfield (Disney), and Lori J. Nelson (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Join some of the industry’s most accomplished leaders for an inspiring panel on leadership, resilience, and the responsibility of creating opportunities for those who follow. Moderated by Muswell Hamilton, VES, SVP of VFX at HBO, this conversation will explore the pivotal moments that shaped their careers, the challenges they overcame, and the leadership lessons they learned along the way. Together, they’ll discuss how today’s leaders can cultivate more inclusive cultures, elevate emerging talent, and intentionally open doors for the next generation of women who will shape the future of visual effects and entertainment.
Panel: Storytelling Empowered by Technology
Moderated by Annie Chang (NBCUniversal); with panelists Dina Benadon (Super 78), Pavani Boddapati (WetaFX), and Connie Wailan Siu (Promise)
Technology is transforming not only how stories are created but also who gets to tell them. Moderated by Chang, VP of creative technologies at NBCUniversal, this thought-provoking discussion brings together visionary artists and technology leaders to explore how real-time production, immersive media, AI, and emerging creative tools are reshaping storytelling. Through personal experiences and industry perspectives, panelists will discuss how innovation, creativity, and leadership are enabling women to influence the future of entertainment across every screen.
Closing Keynote Speaker: Brit MacRae
Brit MacRae is a Canadian-American founder, actress, and producer. She is the co-founder of KINO, an entertainment technology company venture-backed by Sequoia, ARK Invest, Slow Ventures, and others, helping studios and filmmakers securely review, test, launch, and monetize content. As a producer, MacRae most recently executive produced Undertone, acquired by A24, and is an EP on the upcoming HBO Band of Brothers Legacy documentary, with production partners Tom Hanks and Playtone. As an actress, she has starred in film and television projects for Netflix, Lionsgate, NBC Peacock, and more.
The Women Who Lead Summit is part of the Visual Effects Society’s larger Women Who Lead initiative, which launched earlier this year. This initiative is led by a formidable committee of VFX leaders from around the world, spearheaded by chair Ali, VES – the founding partner, CEO, and executive producer of SPINVFX, a VES Fellow, and a former member of the global VES Board of Directors. In addition to the Women Who Lead Summit, the initiative is inspiring change year-round with its peer mentorship program, the “Careers in VFX” video spotlight series, a newsletter dedicated to elevating industry news and career opportunities, and more.
For Summit tickets, click here.
