Heidi Stangeland

I attribute much of my success to my family and the values they instilled in me. My three children are a constant source of motivation and inspire me to lead by example, showing them that it is possible to pursue your dreams even when the journey is difficult. I believe that if you remain committed to what you truly want and continue moving forward, you can achieve your goals. My maternal grandfather has also been a profound influence on me. He was a wonderful storyteller, and I grew up surrounded by stories shared by him, my parents, and my sister. In many ways, my work is a way of honoring my family, my roots, and where I come from while carrying those values and stories forward.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from a highly successful producer who encouraged me to write every single day, regardless of how much I produce. That advice has stayed with me throughout my career and is something I continue to share with others. Writing every day does not necessarily mean completing ten pages; it can be a paragraph, a poem, a short story, a journal entry, or even an affirmation. The important thing is to keep creating and putting your thoughts into words, because maintaining that practice keeps you inspired and prepared for the moments when creativity and momentum naturally take over.

The advice I would give young women entering my industry is to stay strong, trust themselves, and never allow others to make them question their instincts or ambitions. There will always be people with more experience or seniority offering advice and telling you what you should or should not do, but it is important to pause and listen to your own intuition. If something does not feel right, it is okay to respectfully say, “Thank you for the advice, but I’m going to follow the path that feels right for me.” Above all, never give up on yourself, your goals, or your vision.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is gaining access to the right connections and decision-makers who are willing to read, hear, or finance new work. The industry has become even more competitive following the pandemic and the strikes, and financial constraints have raised the bar for getting projects into production. However, I believe there is still a market for great ideas, and opportunities remain for those who are persistent and willing to put themselves out there. Networking, building genuine relationships, and consistently making your work and your voice visible are essential to creating opportunities and getting your work in front of the right people.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, accountability, humility, and respect for other people’s time. I believe in taking responsibility for my actions, being honest with myself and others, and showing up when I say I will. Timeliness may seem like a small thing, but I believe being punctual demonstrates respect and can prevent unnecessary challenges or uncomfortable situations. I also value humility, particularly in a creative field, because being passionate about my work should never prevent me from listening to constructive feedback or considering another perspective.