Women in Post: The Journey into AI

Carolyn Giardina (Moderator)
Journalist and Author
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Carolyn Giardina is an award-winning journalist and author who has devoted her career to covering the art and science of entertainment.

Her extensive coverage has spanned entertainment technology and the creative arts ranging from VFX to sound. She’s covered key industry inflection points such as the DTV and digital cinema transitions and continues to examine the impact of emerging technology.

She’s been recognized with American Cinema Editors’ Robert Wise Award for journalistic contributions to film editing (and is currently Editor of ACE’s Cinema Editor magazine); International Cinematographers Guild’s Technicolor William A. Fraker Award for journalistic contributions to cinematography; Women in Technology Hollywood’s Leadership Award; and Advanced Imaging Society’s Distinguished Leadership Award.

A dedicated educator, Carolyn is a lecturer at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts and co-authored a book about stereoscopic 3D filmmaking, “Exploring 3D” (Focal Press, 2012).

She is a long-standing and active community member—a frequent conference speaker/moderator who has served on numerous industry boards, committees and juries. During nearly two decades on HPA ‘s Board of Directors, she co-founded and chaired the inaugural HPA Awards. She has conducted panels and interviews for organizations including SMPTE, HPA, IBC, NAB and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Valerie Madden
VMCre8
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Valerie Madden is an Executive Creative Director and strategist with 20+ years in entertainment and brand marketing, credited with over 350 product/title campaign launches across Streaming, TV, Theaters, Syndication, and global distribution. Her work has earned CLIO, GEMA/PROMAX, Shorty, and ComArts awards — though she values connecting with audiences and customers over dust collectors.

She formerly served in senior creative leadership roles as a Sr. Creative Lead for Global 360 Marketing Content at Amazon MGM Studios and as a Group Creative Director at NBCUniversal, bringing to life campaigns across branding, development, production, and multi-platform execution. Her portfolio includes titles such as Fleabag, Transparent, Good Omens, Upload, The Tick, Savage x Fenty, The Office, 30 Rock, Parks & Recreation, Law & Order: SVU, Friday Night Lights, Heroes and The Olympics.

Now through VMCre8 and in partnership with E7 Stack, Valerie consults with organizations and individuals to integrate AI into creative operations and workflows, drawing on observation and curiosity to connect tech, talent, and business goals. She has also developed two human lead AI-powered tools — Maxx Strata for campaign strategy and thought starters, and PathLumina for personal brand refinement — both designed to empower teams and individuals to streamline workflows and deliver emotionally intelligent work that performs.

Christina Lee Storm
Playbook PLBK
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Christina Lee Storm is an award-winning producer and executive recognized for her pioneering work at the intersection of storytelling and technology spanning television, film, animation, documentaries, virtual reality, augmented reality, and XR.

As Co-Founder/Partner of PLAYBOOK PLBK and Founder/CEO of ASHER XR, Christina leads her companies to strategically, creatively and responsibly integrate emerging technologies like AI, real-time, and virtual production into narrative, digital, and multi-platform storytelling. She has been instrumental in implementing creative and strategic production technologies for franchises, IP, and world-building with studios such as Netflix, Universal, and DreamWorks Animation.

Christina served as Head of Content & Acquisitions at Positron where she played a key role in strategizing, driving, and acquiring premium cinematic VR content for the company’s platform.

She is Governor of the Television Academy’s Emerging Media Programming, Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee, Lead for the Academy’s Responsible AI & Production Standards Working Group, and an active member of the Innovation Advisory Committee. Christina sits on the Producers Guild of America’s Production Innovation Task Force, Los Angeles Mayor’s Entertainment Industry Council and Workforce Development Sub-Committee. She is an advisor for Runway’s 100 Film Fund Advisor Panel and Judge for several AI Film Festivals including Runway’s 2025 AI Film Festival.

Globally known as a thought leader in the emerging media landscape, Christina was inducted into AWE’s inaugural XR Hall of Fame and received the Lumiere Distinguished Leadership Award in Technology. She is a newly inducted member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, Class of 2025.

Rachel Joy Victor
FBRC.ai
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Rachel is a designer, strategist, and worldbuilder, creating cohesive narrative, brand, and product experiences focused on emerging technologies. She designs for a range of applications: from multiplatform narratives and immersive experiences, to tools and platforms, to spaces and cities. Rachel’s clients have included Disney, HBO, Technicolor, Vans, Ford, Nike, Havas, Meow Wolf, Niantic, and many more.