Leadership shift positions WIA for its next phase of growth, with Jinko Gotoh named President and Julie Ann Crommet Vice President, following Dean’s decade-defining tenure
WIA, formerly Women in Animation, the global nonprofit championing women, non‑binary, and underrepresented talent across animation, VFX, and gaming, today announced a significant leadership transition as longtime President Marge Dean prepares to conclude her thirteen-year tenure on the Board. Academy Award-nominated producer Jinko Gotoh, who has served as WIA Vice President for over a decade, will assume the role of President, marking a new chapter for the organisation’s global impact and industry advocacy.
The announcement was made during a special presentation at Animation Is Film in Los Angeles, where Dean – Head of Skybound Animation Studio and WIA President since 2013 – formally confirmed her decision to step down from the Board, effective October 2026. Dean’s tenure has been defined by unprecedented organisational growth, international expansion, and sector‑wide initiatives that have reshaped industry standards for equity and representation.
In recognition of her thirteen years of leadership, Dean will continue her association with WIA as President Emerita – an honorary title reflecting her lasting impact on the organization. In this capacity, she will remain a valued advisor on global programming moving forward.
“Leading WIA for the past thirteen years has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. When I stepped into the role, we were a small group with a big idea about what this industry could be. Today, WIA is a global community with almost 18,000 members, and representation of women and nonbinary people in the industry has grown from 20% to 33%. We’re not at parity yet, but we’re closer than we’ve ever been. What we’ve achieved never came down to one person. It happened because thousands of underrepresented creatives and the allies who stood with us believed change was possible and made it happen. But there is still work to be done, and that’s why this is the moment for new leadership. I’m so happy to pass the baton to Jinko, who has been beside me for the past decade. I can’t think of anyone better to lead the organization into its next chapter. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and excited to see what comes next.”
Marge Dean, concluding her tenure as WIA President
Gotoh steps into the presidency as one of the most respected figures in animation. A BAFTA winner and Oscar-nominated producer, her career spans major studios and acclaimed independent features, with credits including Klaus, The Lego Movie 2, The Little Prince, The Illusionist, 9, and Finding Nemo. She began her feature career as CGI producer on Space Jam before taking on senior digital production leadership roles at Walt Disney Animation Studios and later contributing to Academy Award-winning Finding Nemo at Pixar. She is currently producing Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming feature Spider-Man™: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Beyond her creative work, Gotoh is a prominent industry advocate, serving on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, PGA board member, and championing inclusive creative pipelines through her long‑standing leadership at WIA.
“Marge’s leadership has shaped WIA into the global organisation it is today, and I am deeply grateful for her partnership and vision over so many years. Stepping into the role of President is an honour, and I look forward to working alongside our Board to continue expanding WIA’s reach – from North America to Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and beyond. As our industry navigates profound change, WIA’s commitment remains clear: to advance gender equity in animation, VFX, and gaming, and to provide meaningful programming, mentorship, and resources to every creative who needs it. I’m also deeply appreciative of the Global Fund Sponsors who have supported this work since 2019 and helped us extend our impact worldwide. I’m excited for what we will build together in this next chapter.”
Jinko Gotoh
Alongside Gotoh, Julie Ann Crommett, Founder & CEO of Collective Moxie and current WIA Secretary, will step into the Vice President role, strengthening the organisation’s strategic leadership team and reinforcing its commitment to building equitable pathways across the animation. Tracy Campbell, Director – Production Training & Development at Walt Disney Animation Studios will take on the role of Secretary with Sharon Taylor, Animation Executive stepping in as Treasurer.
The Board now brings together expertise and international representation spanning studio leadership, global operations, education, production strategy, VFX alongside deep experience in creative production, legal affairs, global outreach, and youth‑focused content innovation. Current directors include:
- Amy Smith – Global Director, Recruitment & Outreach at Framestore – UK
- Barbara Stephen – President/CEO, Flying Bark Productions – Australia
- Brendan Burch – President, Six Point Harness; COO, Mondo Media – NYC, USA
- Christine Chang – Head of Global Operations, Airbnb – LA, USA
- Craig Hunter – Chief Content Officer, Minno – LA, USA
- Deepa Joshi – Co‑CEO, Incessant Rain Studios; Founder, WIA Nepal – LA, USA
- Hsiang Chin Moe – Chair, BFA Animation, School of Visual Arts – NYC, USA
- Jinko Gotoh – Oscar nominated Producer – LA, USA
- Julie Ann Crommet – Founder & CEO of Collective Moxie, Colorado, USA
- Maya Penn – Artist, animator, founder of Upenndo! Productions and Maya’s Ideas; Goodwill Ambassador (FAO); global speaker and mentor – Georgia, USA
- Rozanna Tesler Fried – Principal Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs, Film at Netflix – LA, USA
- Sharon Taylor, Animation Executive – Australia
- Tracy Campbell, Director – Production Training & Development at Walt Disney Animation Studios – LA, USA
WIA’s continued growth reinforces the organization’s expanding global footprint and deepening community impact. Over the past year, membership rose to almost 18,000, with nearly 800 new members joining, while WIA Communities grew to 58 chapters and collectives spanning Vancouver to New York City, the UK to Nepal, and Colombia, hosting 761 events – nearly a 50% year‑on‑year increase. The organisation welcomed Hayley Porter as its new Executive Director, celebrated the sixth year of its Mentorship Circles program – now serving 3,460 mentees since inception – and returned to Annecy with a 650‑attendee 10th edition of the WIA World Summit.
Together, these transitions highlight WIA’s mission to continue building a more equitable, innovative, and inclusive future for animation worldwide, while honouring the legacy of Dean’s transformative leadership and setting a clear vision for the organisation’s next chapter under Gotoh’s guidance.
