Kathy Le Backes

The Walt Disney Studios

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

About

I’m an entertainment executive with 20 years of experience championing inclusive and intentional representation in film and TV, and I’m passionate about elevating stories and talent from underrepresented communities.

Experience

  • The Walt Disney Studios (4 yrs 2 mos)
    • Vice President, RISE
      Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

    • Director, RISE Content Advisement
      May 2022 - Aug 2024 · 2 yrs 4 mos

  • Senior Director, Equity & Inclusion - Programs at WarnerMedia
    Nov 2020 - Apr 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos

    Developed and helped run talent development programs to discover, cultivate, and amplify underrepresented writers, directors, producers, and below-the-line talent across WarnerMedia's brands, such as HBO, Warner Bros, Turner, and CNN.

  • Vice President of Development & Research / Producer at Wise Entertainment
    Apr 2014 - Nov 2020 · 6 yrs 8 mos

    Managed the development of Wise Entertainment's slate with a special focus towards diverse content and social impact. Cultivated and managed high-level relationships with non-profit and philanthropic organizations that serve on the company’s advisory committees. Producer on six-time Emmy-nominated Hulu original drama, EAST LOS HIGH, as well as various multi-platform/360 storytelling content series, brand integrations and social media campaigns. Producing credits include: Co-Executive Producer REZ BALL (Netflix) 2024 Transmedia Producer SHINE ON WITH REESE WITHERSPOON (DirecTV / Netflix) Dec 2017 – Jun 2018 Produced 84 short-form videos for the Hello Sunshine Channel on DirecTV and YouTube. Supervising Producer EAST LOS HIGH - FINALE SPECIAL (Hulu) Jan 2017 – Dec 2017 Producer EAST LOS HIGH - SEASON 4 (Hulu) Aug 2015 – Jul 2016 Transmedia Producer EAST LOS HIGH - SEASONS 3+4 (Hulu) Aug 2014 – Jul 2016 Director Of Development EAST LOS HIGH - SEASON 3 (Hulu) Aug 2014 – Jul 2015

  • Digital Campaign Manager at Entertainment Industry Foundation
    Apr 2011 - Apr 2014 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    Produced, managed and executed multi-platform digital and social media campaigns to help raise cancer awareness and to help raise millions of dollars for Stand Up To Cancer's collaborative cancer research. Produced campaigns and behind-the-scenes videos for the roadblock 2012 Stand Up To Cancer national telecast. Ran digital philanthropy campaigns for brands such as Lucasfilm, Major League Baseball, Safeway and MasterCard.

  • Hollywood, Health & Society (USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center)
    • Program Manager
      Feb 2008 - May 2011 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      Bridged partnerships between the entertainment industry and non-profit organizations, foundations and federal health agencies to provide accurate and timely information for health-related TV storylines. Produced events at the Writers Guild of America, West, spearheaded a workshop on storytelling for the CDC, and participated in numerous evaluations measuring the impact of television storylines.

    • Program Coordinator
      Aug 2006 - Feb 2008 · 1 yr 7 mos