New leads join WIA President Marge Dean during discussion at Animation Dingle presentation
DUBLIN, Ireland— Today at Animation Dingle — Ireland’s premiere animation festival — WIA Ireland announced the appointment of Kirsten Shiel and Lynne Guthrie as its new co-chairs, marking the next phase in the organization’s history as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary. With new leadership and an updated vision, WIA Ireland is set to build upon the work done by pioneering creatives and will continue to advance the presence and influence of women and nonbinary people in the animation industry across Ireland.
“WIA is thrilled to have Kirsten and Lynne take the lead at WIA Ireland,” WIA President Marge Dean said. “They have an authentic dedication to fostering environments of support for women and nonbinary people, promoting meaningful relationships and trust between members, and expanding opportunities for mobility in the animation, VFX, and gaming fields. I am eager to see the contributions they will make to the Ireland animation community.”
Shiel and Guthrie bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles as co-chairs of WIA Ireland. Shiel as an art director and educator, and Guthrie, a 2D Design Supervisor. Together, they are committed to empowering people of underrepresented genders at every stage of their careers, from aspiring students to established professionals.
The new leads say they are thankful and proud to follow in the footsteps of the incredible committee of women who, over the last 10 years, made WIA Ireland what it is today. The organisation was established with the main goal of recruiting more women into animation. Through the work done by those pioneering women and other like-minded advocates, women currently make up an average of 56 percent of creatives at Irish studios, according to a WIA Ireland survey. This exceeds WIA’s goal of 50/50 representation by 2025.
“It is fantastic to see how far the industry in Ireland has come since 2014,” Deirdre Barry, founder of the WIA Ireland chapter said. “While there is still more work to be done, the support that we have encountered over the past decade, from studios, creatives, educational institutions and funders, is incredible. I’m also grateful to Gareth Lee and Eileen Bell, who were there from the very beginning. We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring.”
“Lynne and I are thrilled to be taking the reins of WIA Ireland,” Shiel said. “We are truly standing on the shoulders of giants, women who have transformed the landscape of the Irish animation industry in the last decade. We are so grateful to them for not only their legacy but for their continued support, guidance and mentorship as we take this next chapter. We can’t wait to deepen connections within the Global WIA community and bring to life the exciting plans we have for our community!”
WIA Ireland’s plans for the future are centered around three key pillars:
- Advocacy and Representation: WIA Ireland will continue to advocate for gender equality and diversity in all facets of the animation industry, from storytelling and character representation to hiring practices and leadership roles.
- Education and Mentorship: The organisation will expand its efforts to provide educational resources, mentorship opportunities, and networking events to support women at every stage of their animation careers and to support women in achieving their goals.
- Community Engagement: WIA Ireland is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where women can connect, collaborate, and support one another in their professional endeavors.
For more information about WIA Ireland and how to get involved, please follow us at @wia.ireland.
ABOUT KIRSTEN SHIEL
Kirsten Shiel has been working in the animation industry on both 2D and 3D projects for Disney, Sesame Street, Apple, Nickelodeon, NBC Universal, and Netflix as a background artist, a character designer, a concept artist, and an art director. She is also an award-winning illustrator who has worked for clients such as the BBC, Microsoft, Aer Lingus, and John West Tuna.
ABOUT LYNNE GUTHRIE
Lynne Guthrie graduated from BCFE with a degree in Animation and started her career in Brown Bag Films as a 2D Designer. She has since worked on numerous Disney and Netflix shows including Doc McStuffins, Vampirina and Ridley Jones. She regularly guest lectures and reviews portfolios at universities around Ireland with a keen interest in helping students break into the industry. She is currently working as a 2D Design Supervisor on Robogobo for Disney, airing soon.
ABOUT WIA IRELAND
WIA Ireland is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the presence and influence of women in the animation industry across Ireland. Since its founding in 2014, WIA Ireland has worked tirelessly to advocate for gender equality, provide educational resources, and foster a supportive community for women at all stages of their animation careers. With a diverse and dedicated membership base, WIA Ireland continues to push boundaries and challenge norms to create a more inclusive industry for future generations.
ABOUT WIA GLOBAL
WIA envisions a world in which people of all gender identities share fully in the creation, production, and rewards of animation, resulting in richer and more diverse entertainment and media that move our culture forward. The mission of WIA is to bring together a global community of animation professionals to empower and support people of underrepresented gender identities in the art, science and business of animation by increasing access to resources, creating opportunities for education, encouraging strong connections between individuals, and inspiring excellence.
