LOS ANGELES – WIA (https://wearewia.org), the global nonprofit that champions women, non‑binary and underrepresented talent across animation, VFX and gaming, recently announced a significant leadership transition. Longtime president Marge Dean will conclude her 13-year tenure on the board, while Academy Award-nominated producer Jinko Gotoh, who has served as WIA vice president for over a decade, will assume the role of president.
WIA, formerly known as Women in Animation, has nearly 18,000 members, and 58 chapters and collectives across the world. 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, effective October 2026. She will continue her association with WIA as President Emerita – an honorary title reflecting her lasting impact on the organization.
Gotoh is a BAFTA winner and Oscar-nominated producer whose career spans major studios and acclaimed independent features. Her credits include Klaus, The Lego Movie 2, The Little Prince, The Illusionist, 9 and Finding Nemo.
Gotoh 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 the Academy Award-winning film 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 and as a PGA board member.
