TheWrap launched its sixth annual Changemakers List on Monday, highlighting 51 women in entertainment and media who are making a difference. From Pamela Abdy, Donna Langley and Mara Brock Akil to Chloé Zhao, Mariska Hargitay and Rose Byrne, the slate of women recognized this year lead, inspire and shake up the status quo in their own ways.
To celebrate the launch of the annual project, TheWrap’s founder and editor-in-chief Sharon Waxman hosted a cocktail event at the Maybourne Beverly Hills Monday night to toast participating talent and the great work still to come. Speaking to the crowd, Waxman said that today’s volatile political environment where “our democracy has faced threats unprecedented in most of our lifetimes … makes celebrating the women who are pushing the culture forward all the more important.”
“So for our sixth annual Changemakers List, which we publish at the same time as we put on the Power Women Summit, we have chosen 51 women who stood out in 2025 for their creativity, their leadership, their defense of the rights we may no longer take for granted liked reproductive health and free speech. This year’s list includes powerhouse executives, singular performers, visionary filmmakers and producers, fearless journalists and innovative creators who have tapped into the future of entertainment,” she said.
Attendees ran the gamut of the pop stars behind Netflix juggernaut “KPop Demon Hunters,” Emmy nominee Constance Zimmer, executives like Starz’s President of Original Programming Kathryn Busby, “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Bronwyn Newport and many more ahead of Tuesday’s annual Power Women Summit.
Check out red carpet arrivals, the Changemakers toast, guests mingling over Starz-themed aperol spritzes and more in the photo gallery below.
Changemaker Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” at Changemakers 2025
Bronwyn Newport, tv personality, “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”
Kelsey Brosi, Stylist & Founder, Kelsey Nicole Style LLC
Changemaker Autumn Durald Arkapaw, cinematographer, “Sinners”
Constance Zimmer, actress
Lesley Boone, actor, “The Pitt”
Changemaker Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, Starz
Changemaker Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative
Changemaker Amanda Zurawski, activist, and Changemaker Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative
Changemaker Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” and Changemaker Carol Goll, Managing Partner and Head of Endorsements, Range Media Partners
The Changemakers 2025 event at The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Specialty cocktail, Starz Spritz, at Changemakers 2025 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Changemaker Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”
Changemakers 2025 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills sponsored by Starz.
Sharon Waxman, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap
Sharon Waxman welcomes the Changemakers of 2025: Alison Hoffman, President, Starz Networks, Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters,” Carol Goll, Managing Partner and Head of Endorsements, Range Media Partners, Amanda Zurawski, activist, Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, cinematographer,
“Sinners”, Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”, Gita Rebbapragada, COO, Crunchyroll, Jo Cronk, Co-CEO, Whalar, and Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz
Sharon Waxman, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap
Sharon Waxman welcomes the Changemakers of 2025: Alison Hoffman, President, Starz Networks, Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters,” Carol Goll, Managing Partner and Head of Endorsements, Range Media Partners, Amanda Zurawski, activist, Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, cinematographer,
“Sinners”, Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”, Gita Rebbapragada, COO, Crunchyroll, Jo Cronk, Co-CEO, Whalar, and Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz
Changemaker Gita Rebbapragada, COO, Crunchyroll and Sharon Waxman Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap speak onstage.
Guest at Changemakers 2025
Guests at Changemakers 2025
Guest at the photo booth at Changemakers 2025 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Changemaker Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” at Changemakers 2025
Changemaker Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” with guests
Heidi Clements, writer, Constance Zimmer, actor, Changemaker Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz
Nina Shaw, Founding Partner, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang (second from left) and Sharon Waxman, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap and guests
Guests at Changemakers 2025
Demetrio Deterville, director, “Finger Licking,” and Vivian Afriyie, Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley
Felicity Wren, VP of Development, ISA (center), Taylor Price, Founder, Priceless Tay; host, “Adult Money” & Gen Z Financial Expert and guest.
Paige Sloniker, Client Relations & Events Manager USA, Balmain,Kevin Harris, Stylist, Balmain and guest
Guests at Changemakers 2025
Changemaker Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative (right) and guests
Changemaker Autumn Durald Arkapaw, cinematographer, “Sinners” and Max Minghella, actor
Guests attend Changemakers 2025
Gisele Sheehan, Erin Reilly, and Marisa Barone, Vice President, US Retail at Harry Winston
Madeline Di Nonno, President & CEO, Geena Davis Institute
Changemaker Jo Cronk, Co-CEO, Whalar
Changemaker Alison Hoffman, President, Starz Networks, Starz
Simran Baidwan, Executive Producer, “The Pitt”
Paige Sloniker, Client Relations & Events Manager USA, Balmain
Guests attend Changemakers 2025
Olivia Metzger, partner at 3Arts Entertainment abd Ty Stiklorius, Founder, Friends at Work, and guests
Guests attend Changemakers 2025
Guests attend Changemakers 2025
Lesley Boone, actor, “The Pitt” and guest
Heidi Clements, writer, Madeline Di Nonno, President & CEO, Geena Davis Institute, and Constance Zimmer, actress
Changemaker Hilary Leavitt, President, Upside Down Pictures
Dr. Meredith Conroy, VP of Research at the Geena Davis Institute
Changemaker Carol Goll, Managing Partner and Head of Endorsements, Range Media Partners
Amy Leasca, Executive Vice President, Partner Management & Strategy, AMC and Oana Tucker
Changemaker Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”
Kevin Harris, Stylist, Balmain
Debra Gunn Downing, Executive Director of Marketing, South Coast Plaza, Molly Downing, Publicist and Stylist and Susan Franklin, Store Manager, Loro Piana.
Ayanna Fears
Kristina Burke
Mia Samson, Gerber Kawasaki Wealth Management
Maia Kelly, musician
Davida Lura, Executive Vice President, Payroll Services, Entertainment Partners
Melissa Philip
Muriel Payan
Olivia Metzger, Partner, 3 Arts Entertainment
Vivian Afriyie, Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley
Jaime Slater
Erin Reilly
Isha Chhabra
Kate Myers and Andrea Mara
Taylor Price
Rachel Goldberg, director, “Neighbors,” “Agatha All Along” and Dana Jackson
Sharon Waxman, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap
Desa Larkin-Boutté, writer, “Westword”
Ayanna Fears, Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”, Melissa Philip, and Davina Lura
Changmaker Jo Cronk, Co-CEO, Whalar (center) and guests
Heidi Clements, writer
Gisele Sheehan
Rachel Gottlieb, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Jennifer Bender
2025 Changemakers