Donna Smith

Donna Smith began her career as Production Coordinator on Raging Bull and quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Production Manager, Line Producer and Producer on notable projects that included The Terminator. Smith was tapped by Universal Pictures to serve as President of Physical Production and Post Production, becoming the first woman to serve in that role in a major Hollywood studio. During Smith's seven-year tenure at Universal, more than 150 titles were released under her leadership including Academy Award winner movies and Golden Globe Awards winner movies, such as Schindler's List, Scent of a Woman, Jurassic Park, Babe, Apollo 13, Casino, Backdraft, Back to the Future and Waterworld. Following her executive role at Universal, Smith entered the world of motion picture completion bonds, having established a sterling reputation as a "highly bondable" producer. Donna served as CEO/President for the Entertainment Coalition, a management entity formed to coordinate full-service completion bond and insurance services for the entertainment industry worldwide. Under Donna's leadership, the company handled such titles as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, The Nutty Professor, Batman & Robin, LA Confidential, Armageddon, Lethal Weapon, The Matrix, etc. Donna Smith more recently served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Cinema Completions International (CCI). Based in Los Angeles with offices in London and Sydney, CCI underwrote completion bonds for films budgeted upwards of $100 million. Smith green-lit new business and spearheaded strategic planning and managerial insight; guided by an extensive network of relationships with Hollywood studio executives, producers, filmmakers and creative talent. Donna has served as Vice President of the Cannes Film Festival. She was a former President of Women in Film, and she currently serves as a Trustee for Women in Film. She is President of the Bali(Indonesia) Film Council for 8 years and she has the honor of being appointed the United States Film Ambassador to China. Donna Smith is currently the CEO/President of Persnickety Productions. Founder and Co-chair of 2W Entertainment Network. And Co-Chair of Hollywood Express.