Jinko Gotoh

WIA (formerly Women in Animation), a global nonprofit championing women, non-binary, and underrepresented talent across animation, VFX, and gaming, has named Jinko Gotoh as its new president, Deadline.com reports.

Gotoh succeeds Marge Dean, head of Skybound Animation Studio, who has served as president for 13 years. Goto has been WIA’s vice president for over a decade. Dean will continue as an advisor with the title of president emerita.

“Marge’s leadership has shaped WIA into the global organization it is today, and I am deeply grateful for her partnership and vision over so many years,” Gotoh said. “Stepping into the role of president is an honor, and I look forward to working alongside our board to continue expanding WIA’s reach – from North America to Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and beyond.

“As our industry navigates profound change, WIA’s commitment remains clear: to advance gender equity in animation, VFX, and gaming, and to provide meaningful programming, mentorship, and resources to every creative who needs it.

“I’m also deeply appreciative of the Global Fund sponsors who have supported this work since 2019 and helped us extend our impact worldwide. I’m excited for what we will build together in this next chapter.”

Gotoh is a BAFTA winner and an Oscar-nominated producer and consultant for the animation industry. Her strengths and passion include discovering and nurturing diversified creative talent and charting new technologies and creative processes.

She is currently producing Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” the highly anticipated conclusion to the Spider-Verse trilogy, which began with 2018’s Academy Award-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”

Born in Japan, Gotoh’s passion for animation sparked at an early age after two profound experiences: a viewing of “Lady and the Tramp” and a resounding meeting with the creator of “Astro Boy,” Osamu Tezuka.

Her extensive producing screen credits include 2020 BAFTA winner and Oscar-nominated “Klaus,” “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” BAFTA winner “The Little Prince,” Oscar-nominated “The Illusionist,” “9,” and Oscar-winning “Finding Nemo.”

Gotoh started her feature animation career as the CGI producer on the 1996 hit comedy “Space Jam.” She then became the director of digital production at Walt Disney Animation Studios, overseeing the inevitable move to CGI animation and its extensive application on “Dinosaur” and many more films, including VFX work for The Secret Lab.

In 2002, her experience led her to Pixar, where she served as an associate producer on “Finding Nemo,” and since then, Gotoh’s assignments have taken her around the globe, working for major studios and independent films.

Gotoh is devoted to advancing women and all underrepresented people in the industry. She serves on the Board of Governors for The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Math and a Master of Fine Arts in Film from Columbia University.

She is also a published poet and the happy rescuer of many dogs.