TELL US ABOUT YOUR DAILY HABITS THAT KEEP YOU INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED.
Curiosity has always been my biggest source of motivation.
One thing I have learned throughout my career is that no matter your title or level of responsibility, it is important to keep your feet on the ground. I've always been very attached to the operational side of the business because that's where you stay connected to reality.
Some of the most valuable insights come from spending time with exhibitors, talking to partners, visiting cinemas, and understanding what is happening beyond the meeting room. Staying close to the day-to-day challenges of the industry helps me continue learning, questioning assumptions and thinking differently.
For me, curiosity is not just about looking at trends or reading reports. It's about listening, observing, and staying connected to the people who make this industry work every day. That connection to the field continues to be one of my biggest sources of inspiration.
LOOKING BACK AT YOUR CAREER JOURNEY, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
What makes me most proud is having built a career across different parts of the cinema ecosystem while remaining true to my passion for theatrical exhibition.
I started my career in exhibition before moving into distribution, and having experienced both sides of the business has given me a perspective that I value enormously today. It has taught me that our success is interconnected and that the strongest results come when distributors and exhibitors work as true partners.
I am also proud of having pursued opportunities beyond my comfort zone, particularly my experience in Los Angeles. Living and working abroad challenged me both personally and professionally, broadened my perspective and strengthened my confidence in operating in an international environment.
More broadly, I am proud that I have never been afraid to take risks or follow my instincts, even when the path ahead was uncertain. Some of the most important decisions in my career were not necessarily the easiest or the most obvious ones at the time. Looking back, I have learned that growth rarely happens within your comfort zone, and that resilience, curiosity and the willingness to embrace new challenges often lead to the most rewarding experiences.
Most importantly, I am proud of the relationships I have built throughout my career. Cinema remains a people business, and the trust developed over the years with colleagues, exhibitors, distributors and industry partners is something I value deeply.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? DID YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS ALONG THE WAY?
One of the biggest challenges has been learning to trust my own voice.
Early in my career, I often found myself as one of the youngest people in the room, surrounded by experienced industry leaders. Like many professionals, I sometimes questioned whether I had earned my place at the table. Over time, I realised that leadership is not about seniority alone; it is about bringing value, perspective and authenticity.
Another important lesson has been understanding that leadership is not about doing everything yourself. As someone who has always been highly driven and hands-on, learning to delegate, empower others and focus on the bigger picture has been an ongoing journey.
I have been fortunate to learn from several mentors throughout my career. One of the most influential has been Helen Moss through the UNIC Women's Cinema Leadership Programme. Helen has consistently encouraged me to think bigger, challenge my own assumptions and approach opportunities with confidence. Her support, alongside that of other leaders who invested time in my development, has reinforced the importance of mentorship in shaping future leaders.
More broadly, mentorship has taught me the value of remaining open to different perspectives. Some of the most valuable lessons in my career have not necessarily come from formal mentors, but from colleagues, partners and peers who challenged my thinking or helped me see a situation through a different lens. I believe we learn every day from the people around us, provided we remain curious and open enough to listen.
GIVEN THE DEMANDS OF YOUR ROLE, HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE?
I am not sure there is such a thing as perfect balance, particularly in an industry that we are all genuinely passionate about.
For me, it is more about maintaining perspective. There are periods where work requires intense focus, especially around major releases, events or industry milestones. During those times, I accept that work will naturally take more space.
What helps me recharge is maintaining interests and relationships outside of work, travelling whenever possible and making time for the people who matter most. Having lived abroad also taught me the importance of stepping back occasionally and looking at things from a different perspective.
Ultimately, I believe that sustaining a long-term career requires taking care of your energy, not just your time.
WITH 10 YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN BOTH CINEMA EXHIBITION AND DISTRIBUTION, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS HOLDING WOMEN BACK, AND WHAT NEEDS TO IMPROVE REPRESENTATION AND INCLUSION?
The industry has made meaningful progress, but I believe one of the biggest challenges remains visibility.
When women do not see enough people who look like them in senior leadership positions, it becomes harder to imagine themselves following the same path. Representation matters because it helps create ambition and confidence for the next generation.
I also believe we need more sponsorship alongside mentorship. Mentors provide guidance, but sponsors actively advocate for talent, create opportunities and help open doors. Throughout my career, some of the most significant opportunities came because leaders believed in my potential and were willing to support my growth.
Finally, inclusion should not be viewed as a women's issue. Building diverse leadership teams benefits organisations, strengthens decision-making and ultimately helps our industry better reflect the audiences we serve.
YOU WERE A MENTEE IN THE 7TH EDITION OF THE UNIC WOMEN’S CINEMA LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME. WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THAT EXPERIENCE?
The programme came at a particularly important moment in my career and gave me much more than I initially expected.
Having the opportunity to be mentored by Helen was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the experience. Helen challenged my thinking, encouraged me to think bigger and helped me approach opportunities with greater confidence. What started through the programme has evolved into a friendship that continues to this day, and I remain incredibly grateful for her guidance and support.
Beyond the mentorship itself, the programme gave me something equally valuable: perspective.
One of the greatest benefits was the opportunity to step outside my own day-to-day reality and spend time with talented mentors and mentees from across Europe. We all came from different markets, companies and backgrounds, yet many of the challenges and ambitions we shared were remarkably similar.
Listening to their experiences, perspectives and approaches broadened my horizons in many ways. It encouraged me to look beyond my own professional environment and reminded me that there is rarely a single way of thinking about a challenge or an opportunity.
More than anything, the programme reinforced my belief that some of the most valuable learning happens when we are willing to listen to people whose experiences, perspectives and journeys are different from our own.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN ASPIRING TO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE CINEMA INDUSTRY?
Don't be afraid to take risks, step outside your comfort zone and pursue opportunities that may feel slightly beyond your reach. Some of the most rewarding experiences in my career came from decisions that were not necessarily the most obvious or rational on paper but simply felt right. Learning to trust your instincts can be incredibly powerful.
I would also encourage future leaders to seek experiences beyond their immediate role, stay curious about every part of the business and build relationships across the industry. Some of the most valuable lessons of my career have come from understanding different perspectives, whether from exhibition, distribution, international markets or industry organisations.
And perhaps most importantly, keep believing in yourself and don't give up too quickly. Careers are rarely linear, and the path to your goals may look very different from what you originally imagined. In my experience, there is never just one route to a destination. Stay open, stay resilient, and keep moving forward.
Finally, find people who challenge you, support you and believe in you. No career is built alone, and having a strong network of mentors, sponsors and peers can make all the difference.