Donna Langley

Company: NBCUniversalTitle: Chairman, NBCUniversal Entertainment & StudiosIndustry: Media and EntertainmentNotable in 2024: Langley led the Universal Studio Group team to deliver more top 20 hits across more streaming platforms than any other studio, as the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group ranked as the number 1 Hollywood studio in global market share and grossed almost $5 billion worldwide.

While accepting the 2024 Academy Award for best director — and the first Oscar win in his storied career — Christopher Nolan highlighted several critical people that led to the success of "Oppenheimer," the highest grossing biographical film ever, which ultimately took home seven total awards, including best picture.

The first name he noted was Donna Langley, who he thanked for "seeing the potential in this."

Championing stories and storytellers is a persistent theme for Langley in her nearly two-decade career at NBCUniversal. Starting her career as a production executive at New Line Cinema, she worked her way up through the ranks in Hollywood, becoming chairman of NBCUniversal Studio Group and chief content officer in 2023. Now, she leads a studio responsible for producing and distributing more than 100 films and television series each year.

The last two years — two of the most profitable years in the studio's 112-year history — are indicative of her eye for potential across movie genres. In 2023, Universal was the top studio at the worldwide box office, unseating Disney for the first time in eight years thanks to films like "Oppenheimer," "Fast X," and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie."

That was followed up by another successful year in 2024, with hits like "Despicable Me 4," "Twisters," and "Wicked," which became the top-grossing Broadway musical adaptation of all time. Universal Studio Group also scored several broadcast and streaming hits, including "Never Have I Ever," "Hacks," and "Bel-Air."

That far-ranging variety of films and shows, from historical biographies to action blockbusters to animated films, coming from directors and talent both accomplished and emerging, is indicative of the support and advocacy that Langley has long provided for diverse and unique voices, challenging and redefining the status quo in Hollywood.

The only women to lead a legacy Hollywood film studio, Langley has been rewarded by parent company Comcast for her hit-making powers. Last November, she was named chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios as part of the broader corporate reorganization that will see many of Comcast's cable TV assets spun off, giving her additional "greenlight" powers across Peacock, Bravo, and NBC, from primetime to late night. Her latest promotion was described by The Hollywood Reporter as the culmination of a "meteoric rise" after "one of the most impressive winning streaks in the history of Universal's storied film studio."

"This is a coronation for Donna," an industry insider told Variety. "Well, another one."

Langley's efforts to foster a more inclusive film and television industry was celebrated at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, where she became the first executive to receive the Women in Motion award, which highlights inspiring women in arts and culture.

While accepting the award, Langley quoted previous winner Viola Davis. "[Davis] said, 'I hope my ceiling is somebody else's floor,' and I really want to reiterate that," Langley said. "Let's just keep doing the work. It's never-ending."