Ginko Goto succeeds Marge Dean as WIA president

EXCLUSIVE: WIA, the global nonprofit championing women, non-binary and underrepresented talent in animation, VFX and gaming, has named Oscar-nominated producer Jinko Gotoh as its new president. Gotoh succeeds Skybound Animation president Marge Dean, who will end a 13-year tenure as president this month. Before that, he, along with Dean, was the deputy head of the organization for […]

EXCLUSIVE: WIA, the global nonprofit championing women, non-binary and underrepresented talent in animation, VFX and gaming, has named Oscar-nominated producer Jinko Gotoh as its new president.

Gotoh succeeds Skybound animation studio president Marge Dean, who ends a 13-year term as president this month. Previously, he served alongside Dean as vice president of the organization for more than a decade.

With Gotoh's promotion, Julie Ann Crommet, founder and CEO of Collective Moxie and current WIA minister, will assume the role of vice president. Tracy Campbell, director – production training and development at Walt Disney Animation Studios, will serve as secretary, and Sharon Taylor, director of animation, will serve as treasurer. RELATED STORIES Below the calendar for the 2026-2027 awards season: Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, guilds and more 'Wildwood' review: Carey Mulligan's ambitious voice cast and stunning visuals Leica stop-motion fantasy - London Film Festival

Moving forward, Dean will remain an engaged and valued advisor to the WIA and will hold the honorary title of President Emerita. WIA credits him with unprecedented organizational growth, international expansion and sector-wide initiatives that have helped advance industry standards for equity and agency. Watch on Deadline

Dean will formally confirm his decision to step down from the WIA board during a special speech today at the Los Angeles Animation Film Festival.

In a statement about the transition, Dean told Deadline: "Leading WIA for the past thirteen years has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. When I came into this role, we were a small group with big ideas about what the industry could be. Today, WIA is a global community with nearly 18,000 members, and the industry's representation of women and queer people has grown to 30%."

"We're not equal yet, but we're closer than ever. What we've achieved has never been down to one person. It happened because thousands of creatives and allies who stood by us believed change was possible and made it happen," Dean emphasized.

He said there is still work to be done and therefore it is time for new leadership.

"I'm thrilled to pass the baton to Jinko, who has been by my side 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's to come."

Goto enters the presidency of WIA as one of the most respected figures in animation. A BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated producer, his career spans major studio and acclaimed independent features, with credits including Klaus, The Lego Movie 2, The Little Prince, The Illusionist, and 9. He began his career as a CGI producer on Space Jam before taking on digital production leadership roles at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and later contributed to Pixar's Oscar-winning Finding Nemo. Currently producing Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, his industry advocacy work also includes serving on the AMPAS Board of Directors as well as the PGA Board of Directors.

Goto told us, "Marge's leadership has made WIA the global organization it is today, and I am deeply grateful for her contributions and vision over the years. It is an honor to step into the role of president, and I look forward to working alongside my board to continue expanding WIA's reach – from North America to Europe, Asia, Latin America, industry, Africa and beyond. Gender equality in animation, VFX and gaming, and to provide meaningful programming, guidance and resources for Any creative that needs it, I'm so excited for the global sponsors who have supported this work since 2019 and helped us build together this season.

Founded three decades ago as Women In Animation, WIA's mission is to continue to build a more equitable, innovative and inclusive future for animation worldwide. Over the past year, the organization has continued to grow its membership, adding 800 new members to 18,000. From Vancouver to New York, from England to Nepal to Colombia, WIA communities have hosted 761 major events—a nearly 50 percent year-over-year increase. The organization also welcomed Hayley Porter as executive director, celebrated the sixth year of its Mentoring Circles program and returned to Annecy with 650 attendees for its 10th WIA World Summit.

● Amy Smith – Global Director, Recruitment & Development at Framestore – UK

● Barbara Stephen – President/CEO, Flying Buck Productions – Australia

● Brendan Burch – Head, Six Point Harness. COO, Mondo Media – New York, USA

● Christine Chang – Head of Global Operations, Airbnb – Los Angeles, USA

● Craig Hunter – Chief Content Officer, Mino – Los Angeles, USA

● Deepa Joshi – CEO, Baran Bifefe Studio. Founder, WIA Nepal – Los Angeles, USA

● Hsiang Chin Moe – Chair, BFA Animation, School of Visual Arts – New York, USA

● Ginko Goto – Oscar nominated producer – Los Angeles, USA

● Julie Ann Crommet – Founder and CEO of Collective Moxie, Colorado, USA

● Maya Penn – artist, animator, founder of Upenndo! Maya products and ideas; Goodwill Ambassador (FAO); Global Speaker and Trainer - Georgia, USA

● Rozanna Tesler Fried – Principal Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs, Films at Netflix – Los Angeles, USA

● Sharon Taylor, Animation Director - Australia

● Tracy Campbell, Director – Production and Development Training at Walt Disney Animation Studios – Los Angeles, USA

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