Elizabeth Spano
Elizabeth Spano is an Emmy-winning producer and the owner of GopherHire, a premier platform connecting production companies with verified, top-tier crew across the United States. She has been an active force in the entertainment and film industry since 2004, beginning her career as a production assistant on the show Starting Over. Over nearly two decades, Elizabeth has progressed to executive-in-charge and producer roles on multiple high-profile television and film projects, earning recognition for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence. In 2024, she received her first Emmy for her work on Welcome to Wrexham, marking a major milestone in her distinguished career.
Alongside her business partner Rose, Elizabeth co-founded GopherHire to address the challenges of finding reliable local crews outside major production hubs like New York, Florida, and California. The platform functions as a vetted resource hub, connecting employers with skilled crew members who are verified and ready to deliver exceptional results. GopherHire also supports crew development by offering opportunities for skill enhancement, creating a professional community that benefits both employers and talent. Elizabeth’s vision is to streamline production staffing, minimize logistical challenges, and foster dependable, professional teams across all states.
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Film and Communication from Marymount Manhattan College, where she was active in student government and the Lambda Pi Eta society. Beyond her professional work, she is committed to giving back through initiatives like the Mind-Body-Soul wellness event, which benefits the Kindness Campaign supporting children with mental illness. A respected member of the Academy of Television and Arts and the Producers Guild, Elizabeth is driven by a philosophy of respect, confidence, and collaboration, emphasizing professionalism and integrity on every set she leads.
• Marymount Manhattan College - B.A.
• Emmy Award 2024 for Welcome to Wrexham
• Academy of Television and Arts
• Producers Guild
• Gopherhire
• Women In Film
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents, Rosie and Pete. When I first moved to LA after going to college in Manhattan, it was my first time really leaving the nest, and it was very hard. It was one shitstorm after another - my car broke down, I couldn't find an apartment, I didn't have any money to eat. I called my mom and said I don't think I could do this, and she told me I'm not coming home until I do what I came to do. My dad also inspired me because he came from humble beginnings and lost his mother when he was young, and his dad wasn't around much, but he created this amazing life for my mom and me and my siblings. I thought, if he could do it without really having his parents, I can definitely do it with my community and support system. That really pushed me to keep going.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my parents. They taught me that respect and confidence are foundational to both personal and professional success. I also remember my mother encouraging me to persevere when I first moved to Los Angeles—her words were, “You’re not coming home until you do what you can do.” That guidance instilled in me a strong work ethic and the determination to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's going to be hard, and you're going to work extremely long hours, but if you love what you do, stay with it. When I started off, I knew I wanted to do it, and I had such a fire under my ass. I worked 18 hours a day, sometimes 7 days a week, but I loved it. I loved every minute of it. If you don't love what you're doing, don't stay in that field. An important lesson is to really try to figure out your work-life balance. I'm getting older now, and I still want to have kids. Being in this industry and working as hard as I do, you kind of have to put that love life off. When I was working so hard, I was so fulfilled that I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything because I worked with all these crew and we became a family. But you realize you're getting older and you want to have kids and that house with a white picket fence. You have to be confident in who you are and what you put out there. Respect is huge - if you don't respect me, I'm not gonna respect you, and I don't care who you are. You also have to be nice to everybody. I started as a PA, and I know what it was like doing all the grunt work with nasty upper heads treating you like garbage. You have to remember that the production assistant getting your coffee could be your boss one day.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is finding reliable local crew outside major production hubs, especially when budgets don’t allow us to fly staff in. Long and demanding hours can also be tough, and navigating gender dynamics becomes more pronounced as one advances in the industry. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities—particularly in creating and improving vetted platforms like Go4Hire—that help streamline hiring and increase reliability, making it easier to connect talent with the right projects.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are respect, confidence, and strong support for family and community. I also prioritize maintaining a healthy work–life balance, ensuring that I can give my best both professionally and personally.