Lillian Johnson

I've definitely always been creative, I used to make movies in the backyard with my friends when I was little for fun. But in public school, filmmaking isn't advertised as something that you can study and get a full-time job in, so discovering that I could pursue my love for film as a career was really awesome. The desire to be creative is what drives me. I bring my compassion and my love for what I do into my work, because it definitely makes a visual difference. It's just that little bit of extra effort, wanting to go the extra yard when you don't have to, it ends up making a huge difference that people can see. Our brand has grown a lot since my team started here, so just seeing the difference we've made from our passion for being creative is amazing. What's been most impactful for me is learning from other women in the industry. All of my mentors who've taught me everything I know have been women, from my female professors to my first internship mentor to my current boss. Our post-production team here is actually all female, and learning so much from women in a male-dominated industry has been really big for me.

All of my major mentors throughout my career have been women: female professors, internship mentors, and my current manager. Our post-production team is an entirely female team, and Nasdaq has a female CEO. Being part of teams led by women in what is often a male-dominated industry has shaped how I approach both my work and my career. I’ve learned so much from their leadership styles, their creativity, and the way they navigate challenges. But the best career advice I've received is to always keep pushing yourself. The bar can never be too high, and always strive to outdo your last biggest win. Reach for the stars and surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.

Be open-minded, be ready to face challenges, and learn from your mistakes. It's really easy to be hard on yourself, but learn from your mistakes and continue to build on what makes your filmmaking or editing style unique. Have confidence in yourself, and be true to what makes your creative side shine.

Women in post-production are vastly underrepresented. Gender bias, pay inequality, and industry instability are all huge factors. A background as female-oriented as mine is extremely rare, and I strive to be a voice for change and use my story as a testimony to show what women in the film industry can accomplish together.

Work-life balance is crucial, and burnout is real. Always make time for yourself and your employees to recharge, your accomplishments will come out stronger in the long run. In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and going to concerts. I always challenge myself to have the best experiences possible personally, just as I always aim to set the bar higher professionally.