Women In Film has named its Board of Directors EVP Syrinthia Studer as president, the organization announced today. Her tenure, which will commence next year, picks up following Amy Baer’s 9-year term as leader of WIF’s board of directors.
“I’m now thrilled to pass the baton to an extraordinary woman, executive, and a friend, WIF’s next Board President, Syrinthia Studer,” Baer said in a statement. “A 25-year industry veteran with a career spanning from marketing to development, and from film to digital platforms production in the U.S. and globally. Syrinthia is a bold and caring leader, and WIF has already benefited from her vast and diverse experience and extraordinary leadership skills as a Board member since 2018, and most recently, Executive Vice President of the WIF Executive Committee. She has a clear-eyed, ambitious, and exciting agenda for WIF in 2025 and beyond.”
WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer added, “Syrinthia’s exceptional leadership record places her at the forefront of our field. “As Syrinthia prepares to step into the role, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Amy Baer for her stellar guidance during one of the most turbulent times in our industry. I look forward to working closely with Syrinthia to bring innovation, excellence, and the fresh perspective necessary to advance equity.”
Studer said of her appointment: “I am grateful for Amy’s leadership and honored to be entrusted to take the baton at a time when the entertainment industry is experiencing such rapid and transformative change. WIF’s mission of advancing and supporting women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals across all facets of the screen industries is critical, now more than ever. As the industry recalibrates in response to these new challenges, I look forward to working with Kirsten and the Board to meet the moment.”
Studer comes to the role with 25 years of industry experience, serving most recently as executive vice president of International Productions and Republic Pictures at Paramount Global. In her dual role, Studer oversaw content strategy, development and production of local language films, including originals and culturally specific remakes sourced from Paramount’s vast library. She also served as the senior creative executive for the studio’s distribution-focused film label.
During her long tenure at Paramount Global, she was also EVP of Film for Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Live Action Studio and was responsible for all aspects of live-action feature content for the Kids and Family unit, overseeing development, production, acquisitions and co-financing. Previously, she held the position of EVP of Worldwide Acquisitions for Paramount Pictures, spearheading the global content acquisitions business, acquiring films for domestic and international theatrical releases and distribution across multiple home entertainment platforms including streaming and digital video-on-demand.
Her notable productions and acquisitions in these roles include Book Club, the $100 million box office success starring Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen; Richard Linklater’s Boyhood (in partnership with IFC Films); critically praised teen comedy, Honor Society; Fantasy Football, produced in partnership with LeBron James’ Springhill Entertainment, Genius Entertainment, NFL Films and EA Games; Rob Peace, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor; Mother Mother directed by K’Naan Warsame and Winter Spring Summer or Fall directed by Tiffany Paulson and starring Jenna Ortega.
Prior to Paramount, Studer worked in business development and promotional marketing with positions at national theater circuit Loews Cineplex Entertainment, General Mills and IBM.
She is a current board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters Los Angeles and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with a new post in the Executives Branch Executive Committee.
WIF was founded in 1973 in Los Angeles, fighting for gender equity in Hollywood through advocacy, career programs and research. It aims to dismantle sexism in the entertainment world and increase gender parity through representation.
