The Sundance Institute and Women In Film Los Angeles have announced that they have hired Alison Emilio for the newly-appointed position of Director for the Systemic Change Project.

Emilio has more than 25 years of experience working in entertainment marketing, communications, branding, strategic partnerships, media relations, fundraising, cultural arts advocacy, and nonprofits in both the U.S. and Canada.

The Systemic Change Project, a press release details, was launched in October, 2015 and “grew out of an unprecedented two day meeting the organizations hosted for top industry decision-makers and talent to share learning from four years of in-depth research and develop plans for concrete action. The established goal is to build a coalition of industry leaders to take tangible steps that will bring about measurable progress in achieving gender equity, with an initial emphasis on female directors in film and television.”

“In Alison Emilio we have found the leader we need to manage our multi-faceted project, and we look forward to building momentum as we engage and unify decision makers in Hollywood,” said Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute.

“She has the programmatic experience, management skills, and film industry relationships to oversee the dynamic systemic change strategy we seek to advance gender equality in media,” said Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director of Women In Film Los Angeles.

“I am excited and honored to be joining Women In Film and Sundance Institute in this movement to turn significant research into tangible change. I look forward to working with both established and new industry advocates, regardless of gender, on this program that is vital to the equal rights and opportunities of women in the entertainment industries,” said Emilio.