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.
Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” at Changemakers 2025
Kelsey Brosi, Stylist & Founder, Kelsey Nicole Style LLC
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, cinematographer, “Sinners”
Constance Zimmer, actress
Lesley Boone, actor, “The Pitt”
Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, Starz
Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative
Amanda Zurawski, activist, and Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative
Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” and 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.
Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”
Changemakers 2025 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills sponsored by Starz.
Sharon Waxman, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap
Sharon Waxman, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap, 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, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap, Alison Hoffman, President, Starz Networks, Starz, 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
Guest at Changemakers 2025
Guests at Changemakers 2025
Guest at the photo booth at Changemakers 2025 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” at Changemakers 2025
Rei Ami, musician, “KPop Demon Hunters” with guests
Heidi Clements, writer, Constance Zimmer, actor, 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, Taylor Price, Founder, Priceless Tay; Host, “Adult Money” & Gen Z Financial Expert
Guests at at Changemakers 2025
Guests at Changemakers 2025
Tamra Goins, Managing Partner, Head of Comedy, Innovative (right) and guests
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
Jo Cronk, Co-CEO, Whalar
Alison Hoffman, President, Starz Networks, Starz
Simran Baidwan, Executive Producer, “The Pitt”
Paige Sloniker, Client Relations & Events Manager USA, Balmain
Guests attend Changemakers 2025
Guests attend Changemakers 2025
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
Hilary Leavitt, President, Upside Down Pictures
Dr. Meredith Conroy, VP of Research at the Geena Davis Institute
Carol Goll, Managing Partner and Head of Endorsements, Range Media Partners
Amy Leasca, Executive Vice President, Partner Management & Strategy, AMC and Oana Tucker
Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”
Kevin Harris
Ayanna Fears
Kristina Burke
Mia Samson
Maia Kelly, musician
Davida Lura, Executive Vice President, Payroll Services, Entertainment Partners
Melissa Philip
Muriel Payan
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
Andrea Nordgren and Shawna Schultz
Rachel Goldberg and Dana Jackson
Sharon Waxman, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap
Amanda Chambers-Burt
Ayanna Fears, Mara Brock Akil, showrunner, “Forever”, Melissa Philip, and Davina Lura
Jo Cronk, Co-CEO, Whalar (center) and guests
Bronwyn Newport
Heidi Clements, writer
Gisele Sheehan
Rachel Gottlieb, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Jennifer Bender
Desa Larkin-Boutté, writer, “Westword”
Demetrio Deterville, director, “Finger Licking”
Olivia Metzger
2025 Changemakers