The Women In Media Holiday Toast was an incredible event filled with surprises and excitement! California Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo made a special appearance to present a California Legislature Assembly certificate to Tema Staig, founder and executive director of Women in Media. As she stepped up to the mic, Carillo offered glowing remarks about Staig’s commitment to promoting gender parity and balance within the film and entertainment industry.
She said, “It is my honor to recognize you for your tireless efforts in providing tools and resources that help our community realize economic empowerment and reach their fullest potential.” The audience erupted into cheers as they showed their appreciation for Staig’s hard work. It was truly inspirational to see how far Women In Media has come since its inception – from networking opportunities, supporting women in their projects, and panel discussions on topics such as diversity in media production and creating industry networks among women filmmakers – they have done so much to empower women in the last decade.
It was no surprise that Carrillo was keen to recognize Staig’s achievements. She praised her initiative in establishing Women In Media as an organization that empowers women by giving them access to the resources they need to thrive professionally. At this momentous event, everyone recognized just how far women have come but also acknowledged there is still work to be done – a sentiment echoed by Carrillo, who reminded us all of why we gather each year for this celebration: “to remind ourselves of what can be achieved when we create equitable opportunities for everyone.”
The festive Holiday Toast was a remarkable event headlined by Academy Award-winning songwriter/composer Diane Warren. She put on an incredible performance of her current hit single “Applause” on guitar, accompanied by Sharon Farber playing the piano and 11-year-old vocalist Eden Kontesz.
As soon as Warren began to strum her guitar, the song effortlessly filled the room with its passionate lyrics, captivating everyone present. Meanwhile, Farber provided an impressive addition to the performance with her effortless skill at the keys. The combination of these two musical forces was something truly remarkable to behold. To top it off, Kontesz displayed stunning vocal talent with her belting performance of background vocals during certain sections of “Applause.” Her ability to keep up with Warren was mesmerizing for all who were listening, creating a touching crescendo of sound that echoed throughout the hall.

Diane Warren & Eden Kontesz
All of these combined talents created a magical atmosphere in the venue that day that will be remembered fondly for years to come. The annual Women in Media (WiM) Holiday Toast event was held at Television City, supported by Zach Sokoloff, Senior Vice President at Hackman Capital Partners. The prestigious gathering saw five “Women In Media” honored for their contributions to the industry. Among them was Executive Producer, Writer, and Director Deborah Pratt, who has worked on hit shows such as Quantum Leap; Oscar-winning Costume Designer Deborah L. Scott, whose work includes films like Avatar, Way of the Water, E.T., and Titanic; Supervising Sound Editor Becky Sullivan from The Woman King; Cinematographer and Camera Operator Michelle Crenshaw who was recognized for her work on The Ranch; and Diane Warren, a visionary artist whose memorable style is deeply entrenched into today’s entertainment landscape.
Guests were treated to a delightful celebration with plenty of mimosas during the event, which honored these pioneering women who have broken many boundaries across the media world. At the noteworthy event, each honoree was warmly received with cheers and applause as they were introduced by colleagues familiar with their outstanding achievements and contributions to the entertainment industry. Four toast masters – Kimberly Jimenez (Senior Vice President of Post Production Services at Sony Entertainment), Emmy-winning cinematographer Johnny Simmons ASC (known for his works on Family Reunion and iCarly), producer/director/writer Romell Foster-Owens (President of Jowharah Films), and award-winning composer Sharon Farber (composer for Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power) – provided a tribute to the remarkable individuals. Following their heartfelt speeches, Tema Staig hosted an interactive Q&A session in which the honorees shared anecdotes from their careers, providing listeners with invaluable insight into developing success in the industry. Clearly, all were inspired by the unique stories told by these esteemed individuals, further celebrating their impressive accomplishments.

PR Mavens: Erin K Williams & Marisa Herbert