Lindsey Gui is Vice President, Business Operations & Strategy at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, where she oversees strategy, business development, and financial planning for the studio’s feature animation slate. She manages eight feature films currently in production, spanning beloved global brands such as HELLO KITTY and original stories from top creative talent. Her work includes slate economics, greenlight planning, production strategy, partnerships, and creative technology, building a strong business foundation for the diverse and ambitious slate. The division’s first release, THE CAT IN THE HAT, opens globally next month. Outside of work, Lindsey also serves on the Board of Female Executives in Media & Entertainment (FEME) and is an active supporter of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE).

Lindsey began her career in investment banking before moving into entertainment, inspired by the rapid growth of the media industry in China during the early 2010s. She has spent more than a decade at Warner Bros., working on many of the studio’s most iconic franchises and highest-profile releases through leadership roles spanning corporate strategy, Warner Bros. Television, and Warner Bros. Pictures.

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C100: What inspired you to work in your professional field?

Lindsey: I’ve always loved animation. Disney films inspired me to explore the world, while Studio Ghibli films amazed me with their creativity, artistry, and imagination. As I got older, I became fascinated by the business behind the storytelling: how great ideas get made, how audiences connect with them, and how enduring franchises are built. That curiosity led me to pursue a career on the business side of entertainment.

C100: What are some of the challenges you have encountered to become a leader in your respective field? Are Chinese Americans well-represented in your field, and what do you think are the reasons they are/aren’t well-represented? 

Lindsey: Entertainment is fundamentally a relationship business. One challenge I’ve observed, including in myself at times, is the tendency to believe that hard work and strong performance will naturally speak for themselves. While excellence matters, leadership opportunities often come through relationships, sponsorship, and visibility.

I don’t think Chinese Americans are as well represented in senior leadership as I’d hope. Part of that is encouraging people to build networks and make their ambitions known. But it also requires leaders to actively recognize and invest in talent that may not always self-promote in traditional ways. The talent is there; what we need is more opportunity and sponsorship.

C100: What do you believe needs to be done so that more Chinese Americans feel empowered to follow and achieve their dreams?

Lindsey: I think mentorship and community are incredibly important. I’m grateful for organizations like C100 and NGL that invest so much time and energy into building connections and supporting the next generation of leaders. I also believe it’s important to broaden our definition of success. Not everyone will become a household name, but success and leadership take many forms. We should feel empowered to pursue our ambitions with confidence and define success on our own terms.

C100: How can your NGL community support you and your work? Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you’d like to highlight?

Lindsey: I’ll take this opportunity for a shameless plug: I hope everyone will go see THE CAT IN THE HAT when it opens in U.S. theaters on November 6. At Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, we strive to bring Heart, Humor, and Hope to every film we make, and this movie is a perfect example of that mission. It’s a joyful experience for audiences of all ages, and I hope people leave the theater feeling a little more optimistic and a little more confident in being themselves.

C100: For those who just recently graduated college or are early in their careers, what advice would you give to them?

Lindsey: Don’t be afraid to bring your whole self to work and have confidence in what you bring to the table. People want to hear your perspective. Stay curious, keep learning, and always look for ways to add value. Most importantly, don’t wait for someone else to invite you in. Build the community you want to be part of, and support others along the way.