LOOKING BACK AT YOUR CAREER JOURNEY, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
In less than two weeks, I’ll be celebrating my 25th anniversary at the company—and honestly, I can’t believe it! What amazes me even more is how much joy this job still brings me after all these years. That, above all, is what makes me most proud. Of course, not every day is pure magic, but I consider myself incredibly lucky to do what I love, surrounded by amazing teams—both in my home office and across the world. Whenever I hit a rough patch, I remind myself of all the incredible moments I’ve experienced, and this journey never fails to fill me with gratitude. This year alone has been extraordinary! Marketing the most successful animated movie ever, Inside Out 2; bringing to life the campaign for the biopic of Bob Dylan, A Complete Unknown; and collaborating with one of Spain’s most acclaimed filmmakers, Alejandro Amenábar, on his new film El Cautivo. Moments like these reinforce that there’s no better way to describe my job than with those two words: PRIDE & JOY.
WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU ENCOUNTERED THROUGHOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? DID YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS ALONG THE WAY?
Talking about challenges, I cannot omit the fact that – even though I consider myself bilingual, Spanish is not my mother tongue, which for a marketing and advertising position has always been a bit of a challenge. Now, with years of experience, I like to think about it as a humbleness exercise that helped me develop my capacity to delegate and trust my team. As a leader, being able to admit “I don’t know” or “I don’t understand” can really be a good training that prepares you for more than linguistic challenges in your career. Recognising that it’s okay not to know can release you from the pressure of being omniscient to a collaborative way of operating with your team.
When it comes to mentors, I struggle to pinpoint a single person who played that role explicitly. However, I’ve been fortunate to have peers, colleagues, and bosses I admired, people I looked up to and learned from along the way. Looking back, I cannot overlook the profound influence of my upbringing in Poland. I was privileged to be surrounded by women who pursued and excelled in their careers while managing their families with remarkable ease. My mother, an engineer who held management positions, along with my aunts, became my first role models and mentors. They always supported me to push myself further and navigate life without prejudice.
GIVEN THE DEMANDS OF YOUR ROLE, HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE?
I’ve always been an organised multitasker with a gift for improvisation when the unexpected arises. But raising two children without broader family support was a real challenge—especially 15 to 20 years ago, when work-life balance in the corporate world was far from what it is today. Thankfully, having a supportive husband, a dedicated grandparent, and external help played a fundamental role in maintaining that balance. In the entertainment industry, the lines between personal and professional life often blur, so adopting a flexible mindset has always worked to my advantage. And last but not least,…a lot of yoga. It’s always the best medicine to find the right balance. :-)
WITH OVER 25 YEARS IN MEDIA AND THE CINEMA INDUSTRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS HOLDING WOMEN BACK, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR BETTER REPRESENTATION AND INCLUSION?
Throughout my 25-year career, I have witnessed significant progress in gender equality in Spain. However, women in the cinema industry continue to face major challenges in terms of career progression, they are particularly underrepresented in leadership, they faced industry bias, and structural barriers like work-life balance expectations. These challenges are especially present in the early stages of a career, when balancing professional growth with personal responsibilities can be most demanding.
Despite some progress, the sector remains largely male-dominated, with limited access for women to high-profile projects and key decision-making roles. Conscious and unconscious biases within companies still act as invisible barriers, slowing down the pace of change.
I firmly believe in the power of role modelling and active mentoring as key drivers of progress. Programmes like the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme are incredibly valuable in bridging the gap, providing guidance, visibility, and support for the next generation of female leaders in cinema distribution. Creating more opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship will be essential in building a more inclusive and diverse industry for sure.
YOU WERE A MENTOR IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION OF THE UNIC WOMEN'S CINEMA LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME. WHAT HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?
When I was invited to join the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme as a mentor two years ago, I embraced the role with one guiding principle: “Be the mentor you wish you had.” This mindset shaped my entire experience, making mentoring not only a responsibility but also a deeply fulfilling journey. What I love most about the programme is the opportunity to share my experiences while helping my mentee approach challenges from fresh perspectives. In my case, we were so well-matched that I genuinely looked forward to every session. The exchange of ideas, insights, and aspirations made the experience incredibly rewarding.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE CURRENT MENTORS AND MENTEES?
Mentorship is a powerful tool for career growth, but its success depends on the commitment of both mentors and mentees. So, first and foremost - commit! Both as a mentor and a mentee, prioritise this programme. Schedule regular meetings as your top priority. And then trust the process and enjoy…mentorship is a two-way street — both parties will gain invaluable insights and inspiration from one another. At least, that was my experience. Not only did I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and validate my own expertise, but I was equally inspired by the fresh perspectives and ambition of my mentee; it’s about growth on both sides.