Meet the executive director

To mark International Womens Day on March 8th, TVBEurope is showcasing some of the women who are helping to shape the media technology industry. We start with Sally-Ann DAmato who tells us how she went from aspiring actress to SMPTEs executive director

By Jenny Priestley

Published: March 3, 2025 Updated: March 4, 2025

To mark International Women's Day on March 8th, TVBEurope is showcasing some of the women who are helping to shape the media technology industry. We start with Sally-Ann D'Amato who tells us how she went from aspiring actress to SMPTE's executive director

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Talk us through an average day in your role Every day in my new position is an adventure! I am very new in my current role but not at all new to my current organisation, as I have worked in various positions at SMPTE since I started in 2001. Having so much institutional knowledge helps, but now I'm a student again, learning about the areas in which I had not previously had much involvement. I currently spend a LOT of time in a lot of meetings (which isn't really that new) and fight a losing battle with my overstuffed inbox. There is also a lot of maths and accounting in my life these days. I am luckily a person who likes to solve problems and investigate, so that trait helps me as I navigate uncovering the interworkings of accounting and financials. I'm also in almost daily contact with SMPTE president Richard Welsh, as we work closely to ensure we are aligned on our goals and plans to move SMPTE forward. Since I came from the staff and not from outside, I already have a great working relationship with our team and we meet daily to check in and make sure our projects are on track and that we're supporting each other however we can.

How did you get started in the media industry? It was actually by accident! I graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Theatre Performance and moved back home to New York to pursue my acting career. I had a small part on a soap opera and was auditioning for theatre, film, and television roles. I knew I would be a terrible waitress, but I had a lot of admin experience, so I was working temporary office assignments. One day the agency called to say they had the perfect assignment for me at a film production company in White Plains. I thought this sounded strange, but I took the job and I found myself at the SMPTE office, which was very much NOT a film production company! I was hired to make member retention phone calls and I was so awful at it. Maybe that's why I have phone anxiety to this day. Luckily, the staff saw my potential and other skills, and I quickly moved on from that task and began helping with administrative tasks related to the SMPTE sections, conferences, and board meetings. I soon started attending trade shows to staff the SMPTE booth and even began to present at student events and the UFVA conference. I began meeting all the members and volunteers and almost 24 years later, I'm still here!

What training did you have before entering the industry? Very little technical training. I had some basic skills in film and television production work from college, but that was it. In fact, I thought that working at SMPTE would give me an edge when auditioning for student films. I expected the students to be so impressed when I told them, and I was very surprised when I was met with blank stares, or when they would recognise SMPTE timecode, but would think that SMPTE was just part of the name. That was when I began working on plans to engage students and raise awareness about SMPTE.

Why do you enjoy working in the industry? It's all about the people. For me, that's what makes this career rewarding. I've worked with so many wonderful individuals who have volunteered their time and expertise so graciously. They have been willing to speak with students and early career professionals, who have just been awed by the opportunity to ask questions and learn. They have dedicated time and resources to educational conferences, courses, webcasts, and more. They have supported and lifted others up in their careers. This is truly a great community.

What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours? Work hard and know your worth. Don't be shy about networking and just talking to the people in your industry. You'd probably be surprised at how many people want to see others succeed and be a part of their success. Don't be afraid to speak up and speak the truth. I have always been honest and transparent and have spoken my mind to our board when it mattered - even when I was brand new to the industry and early in my career. A fresh perspective can be extremely valuable. And build your tribe - surround yourself with the people you want to work with and the people who lift you up and are there to help you succeed.

LINK:	https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/people/meet-the-executive-director...
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