It's been about a year since the doors opened to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter in Tokyo, and few know the magic of bringing the experience to life like Dani Kastomoniti, Executive Director of Global Operations Technology. Dani recounts the thrilling ride supporting the company's global expansion efforts and the little birdie (hint: Looney Tunes sketches) that helped her land her first role at WBD over ten years ago. Read the Q&A below.

Q: You lead a global operations tech team as executive director; can you tell us about the goals or core principles that guide your team? What key indicators do you look to for assurance that your team has done their job well?

A: Not necessarily all simultaneously, but if the below is achieved along the journey, then I would say it's certainly a job well done.

Goals / Core Principles -

‘Think forward,’ to allow for innovation.
“Dare, but with care.”
Don't be afraid to break the ‘perceived norm’; just because something has been done a certain way doesn't make it right or the best way.
Critical thinking is key; don't just do something that you were asked to do without thinking about it → understand it & know the WHY.
Don't be afraid to challenge; healthy debates are critical to reaching the best ideas/ outcome.
Be free and feel empowered to show up authentically
Inspire one another.
Celebrate each other.
Check-in with one another and support each other.

Key Indicators -

Successful tech adoption.
Benefits realization.
True business partnering.
Trust amongst peers and stakeholders.

Q: You’ve been with the company for over ten years, what sparked your initial interest in joining the company and the industry? A birdie told me that Looney Tunes may have had an influence.

A: Well, when I got approached for the role, the company I was being asked to interview for wasn't disclosed to me initially. When it was, however, I couldn’t quite believe it – I had to pinch myself – because to me, ‘the shield’ played a big part in my life. As a young teenager, I was travelling the world competing in sport. Back then, I didn't have a mobile phone and the only way I could communicate with my family and friends was with postal letters or pay phones! The one constant that kept me company when I was so far from home was sketching, particularly Looney Tunes. I recall waking up around 4 a.m. each day, just so that I could sketch for an hour before getting ready to head out for my day’s training. The Looney Tunes sketches gave me an escape, a calm and a lightness that helped me through a lot of tough and lonely moments whilst on tour. Fast forward to another lifetime – when I got my interview at WBD, I couldn't resist not bringing some of my sketches with me. I was a bit skeptical of how that would be perceived, but to me it meant the world, and at the end of the day, they were part of my story. I hope my sketches weren't the deciding factor, but regardless, things turned out pretty well.

Q: It’s been one year since the opening of The Warner Bros. Studio Tour - Making of Harry Potter experience. What role did your team play in executing this initiative—from inception to the finish line?

A: My team was responsible for the running and successful implementation of the Technology Programme of the Tokyo Tour. It was a very exciting multi-year programme, comprising numerous technology projects, with a broad collaboration across many technology groups, each contributing with their specialist areas. With ‘no-fail’ initiatives like new openings, where the deadlines are made public, the pressure is immense. The entire group working on this initiative showed commitment and stamina like never before – the sense of pride that was developed made everyone feel like they had a personal stake in its success. Collectively, there was a lot of sacrifice and it paid off. Personal support networks were pivotal in supporting each of us through this journey, and our great business partnerships contributed to both our, and the overall success for the programme. I will never forget the look on the faces of the ‘megafans’ waiting to be the first ones ever to enter the Tokyo Tour. It was quite a magical day seeing it all come to life and the happiness and smiles it brought to all.

Q. What do you find most exhilarating about supporting WBD’s global expansion efforts?

A: Being at the forefront of growth is certainly very exciting. You get the opportunity to repeat previous successes, but more importantly to innovate and improve where there is opportunity to do so. There is so much at stake with large growth projects, but done well, they come with a lot of reward – and by reward, I mean a very personal and deep feeling of achievement. The team really pulls together with these large initiatives – even in the moments when one may feel they have nothing left – and there is something very beautiful about how we do that. To witness a team being successful when things go to plan is great, but to witness their success when up against adversity, immense pressure and yet still retain their strong sense of pride in what they do, is really something else. It’s quite emotional thinking back on those moments. I’m so proud of my team; their talent and potential at times has me in awe.

Q: With your extensive career and tenure, what would you say is a key motivator and driver for your success?

A: As a young kid, just starting out in my sport, I recall my dad saying to me one thing over and over – “There is no such thing as ‘I can’t’, only ‘I don't want to.’” I guess that instilled an ‘anything is possible, so long as you want it enough’ attitude in me from the get-go. I tend to recall that from time to time and it gives me the energy I need, when going gets tough. Generally, though, I would describe myself as an intrinsically motivated person – I tend to be driven in whatever I do, and have a lot of pride when doing it. This is true for me outside of work just as much as it is in work. I’m most content when I've done my best and I enjoy doing my best.