Read on as Jackie shares more on her work on hit shows like Winning Time, the importance of women mentors, and the ways her work keeps her fulfilled.

Q: As a woman in leadership who is responsible for spearheading campaigns and experiential brand experiences that are tailored for diverse, multicultural audiences, what keeps you engaged and inspired?

A: The work itself inspires me. I love what I do. My team and I drive engagement of Max multicultural and LGBTQ+ subscribers. We shine a light on the diverse talent and stories on the platform which I find extremely powerful. With every campaign and brand experience, we strive to connect with the audiences we serve. Often, this involves collaborating with organizations, brands, or media partners that have meaningful connections to those communities. We work with established groups like the New York Latino Film Festival or We All Grown Latina, and we also discover unknown groups and support their vision. Our team was among the first to back the Creative Collective NYC, which is dedicated to facilitating brave spaces for multicultural creatives. I find their work and the community they've established incredibly inspiring. I'm also proud of the role we've played in their growth while simultaneously supporting our diverse content.

Q: This year's theme for Women's History Month is women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. What are some projects you've worked on at WBD that have allowed you to advocate for and empower others?

A: I'm enormously proud of the Asian Pacific American (APA) Visionaries program my team launched to support our AAPI Heritage Month campaign efforts. Visionaries was a short film competition that allowed emerging filmmakers of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent to showcase their work. Each year, APA filmmakers, industry leaders, and company executives chose honorees from hundreds of submissions and judged them. The winning films received cash prizes, premiered at the Los Angeles Pacific Film Festival, and won an opportunity to premiere on our platforms. Visionaries supported dozens of emerging filmmakers and provided culturally relevant content.

To celebrate the premiere of Winning Time, our team worked with the cities of Inglewood and Los Angeles to refurbish a local basketball court. With the help of a California-based artist and Project Backboard, a non-profit organization, the Roger's Park basketball court transformed into a Winning Time masterpiece, providing an inspiring space for the next generation of basketball fans in Inglewood. By hosting a Winning Time Training Camp on the court, we not only showcased the community's newest asset but also engaged 16 influencers to create social content to support our targeted promotional outreach.

Q: Through your career journey and professional experiences, can you share one of your most impactful leadership lessons?

A: Discovering the value of authenticity has been the most significant lesson. When I first started my career, I believed I had to conform to a certain standard in order to be perceived as "professional." More often than not, that meant not bringing my entire self to work. Besides being a leader at WBD, I'm a mom and a spouse. I'm also a first generation Cuban American and bilingual. To me, authenticity in leadership is about being genuine, transparent, and true to yourself. This inspires others to do the same. Authentic leaders are relatable and approachable. They're open and share their experiences, which strengthens the bond within the team.

Q: Personally, and professionally, who are the women in your life that have mentored, supported, and positively influenced you?

A: My mother has influenced me the most. She's the strongest woman I know and the hardest working. She immigrated to the US from Cuba when opportunities were scarce for all women. With limited skills and resources, she overcame significant challenges and built a new life. Professionally, I've been lucky to have the support of amazing women, many of whom I met while working at HBO/ Max. Shelley Wright Brindle, former head of distribution and marketing at HBO, was a remarkable leader. Shelley's ability to provide honest and constructive feedback, a skill many leaders struggle with, contributed to my growth as a manager. Lucinda Martinez, the previous leader of Multicultural Marketing, supported my development and provided me with exposure to senior executives. Lucinda's commitment to her own professional growth motivated me to seek opportunities to serve on boards and speak at events.

Q: What's one piece of advice you'd give to younger Jackie?

A: Believe in your abilities and don't be afraid to assert yourself. Speak up in meetings, share your ideas and advocate for yourself.

JackieGagnephoto