M+E Daily

Attendees of Women in Technology Hollywood’s (WiTH) SoCal Women’s Leadership Summit, being held Nov. 3 at Nya Studios in Los Angeles, will open the day with a motivational opening keynote presentation by the esteemed Madeline Di Nonno, president and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.

As we embark on the day’s transformative journey, Di Nonno will delve into groundbreaking studies and research that shed light on the captivating world of STEM in media and the critical pursuit of closing the STEM gender gap.

In a world where media influences perceptions and aspirations, it has become critical to comprehend the current state of women’s portrayal in STEM.

Di Nonno will explore how women are currently depicted and their impact on society’s collective mindset. Through compelling examples and eye-opening statistics, she will unveil the trends that shape our perceptions of gender roles, opportunities, and ambitions.

Be prepared to witness the power of representation in media and its profound effect on shaping future generations. As we stand at the crossroads of change, Di Nonno will inspire attendees to forge a path toward an equitable and inclusive world of STEM representation.

Together, we will explore how to challenge the status quo and create a media landscape that empowers women to embrace and thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In this dynamic keynote, Di Nonno will not only lay the foundation for understanding the current state of affairs but also ignite a passion for driving transformational change. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable insights and the knowledge to make a significant impact in their spheres of influence.

Let’s come together, learn, and be inspired to rewrite the script for women in STEM media representation … because the stories we tell today will define the reality we live tomorrow.

The annual SoCal Women’s Leadership Summit is presented by Qvest with sponsorship by Softtek, and will take place at Nya Studios, located in the heart of Hollywood.

The summit will be held both in-person in Los Angeles and virtually via Zoom.

The full-day event, themed “Us, Our Org, Our Community,” promises a dynamic lineup of presentations and discussions. Attendees can expect engaging sessions such as “STEM in Media,” “Courageous Leadership,” and “Ethical AI.” Last year’s in-person edition of the summit attracted over 250 attendees, with more than 70 percent representing the media, entertainment, and tech-adjacent industries.

One of the highlights of the summit is the Leadership Awards, which recognizes outstanding leaders and advocates in the entertainment technology sector.

These individuals not only excel in their professional roles but also embody WiTH’s principles through their work, community engagement, mentoring, and networking.

Past recipients of the award include industry luminaries like Nancy Faginas-Cody, Cristina Mancini-Jones, and Theresa Miller.

WiTH, founded in 2014, plays a pivotal role in advancing women in entertainment technology. The WiTH Steering Committee, responsible for selecting Leadership Awards winners, comprises representatives from prominent organizations such as Amazon Studios, Microsoft, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company.

For inquiries about sponsorship, as part of your tax-deductible donation to WiTH Foundation, contact [email protected].

For more information about the WiTH Leadership Awards and the organization itself, contact [email protected].

To register for the event click here.

* By Christina Aguilera, president, WiTH Foundation