ANNOUNCING WIFT TEXAS REGIONAL DIRECTORS

WIFT TEXAS INTRODUCES REGIONAL DIRECTORS INITIATIVE TO EXPAND MEMBER LEADERSHIP ACROSS TEXAS

Women in Film & Television Texas launches expanded regional leadership model designed to strengthen connection, programming, and visibility in underserved Texas regions: WIFT Texas Regional Networks.

SAN ANTONIO, June 1, 2026 – Women in Film & Television Texas [WIFT Texas] is proud to announce the launch of its WIFT Texas Regional Networks and the Regional Directors leadership initiative, a new level of membership designed to expand connection, participation, and opportunity across the many creative communities of Texas. Chartered in San Antonio, the strategically located second-largest city in Texas, and open to qualified members throughout Texas, this new leadership initiative supports the WIFT Texas plan established to serve a wide range of professionals working across film, television, journalism, audio, digital media, live entertainment, gaming, creative services, culture, emerging technologies, media business affairs, and more. Currently, WIFT Texas members live and work across the State and in major creative markets beyond Texas, including Los Angeles, New York, and London. As the organization continues to grow, the Regional Directors initiative will help activate key Texas regions by extending WIFT Texas programming and member engagement locally.

The Regional Directors initiative recognizes an important reality: Texas is one of the largest and most creatively dynamic states in the country, yet women in many regions remain underserved by consistent professional platforms, industry convenings, and leadership pipelines. The Regional Directors initiative is designed to help close that gap by creating stronger local points of connection within the broader WIFT Texas networks and by investing in statewide programs, membership pathways, and communications platforms that enable members across multiple regions to participate, contribute, and lead.

As Texas enters a historic new era of Media & Entertainment growth fueled by expanded state investment, increased production activity, new technologies, sports entertainment, live events, gaming, digital media, tourism, and local storytelling, WIFT Texas is building the statewide member network and workforce pipeline needed to help women participate fully in that opportunity. The organization’s Regional Directors initiative is designed to connect underserved regions to professional development, visibility, leadership pathways, and industry relationships so that growth does not remain concentrated in a few established markets. For WIFT Texas, economic development is not abstract. It means jobs, crews, vendors, founders, executives, artists, entrepreneurs, students, educators, and civic partners working together to ensure that Texas talent is prepared, connected, and seen.

“The Texas economy reached a record $2.9 trillion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, making it the second-largest state economy in the U.S. and the eighth largest globally. In economic development, Texas consistently ranks number one in the nation, leading in business climate, corporate expansions, and foreign direct investment, while experiencing a defining Media & Entertainment moment,” said Ceslie Armstrong, CEO and Board Chair of Women in Film & Television Texas.

The Regional Directors initiative is part of that economic development and workforce pipeline strategy. By activating key regional Texas markets through member sessions, socials, speaker series, professional development, partner activations, and special programming, WIFT Texas will extend its existing membership benefits into more regions and help members build the relationships, visibility, skills, and leadership pathways needed to participate fully in Texas’s growing creative economy where they live.

“Texas is one of the largest and most dynamic Media & Entertainment markets in the country, and the industry is entering a historic new growth cycle. With expanded state investment in moving image production, increasing activity across film, television, commercials, digital media, gaming, animation, visual effects, extended reality, live events, sports entertainment, arts, culture, and tourism, WIFT Texas is focused on helping women connect to the opportunities being created across the state and we are thrilled to launch our Regional Directors initiative in June 2026,” said Armstrong.

The initiative is designed to complement the broader Women in Film & Television International [WIFTI] network and to honor the collaborative spirit shared among chapters. WIFT Texas continues to welcome members with ties to other chapters and creative centers, while continuing to lock arms with the founding chapter, WIF Los Angeles, and encouraging members to expand their relationships in New York, London, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and beyond. It is common for professionals to maintain relationships with more than one chapter or market as their work, projects, and careers evolve across the Media & Entertainment industry.

“Our members live and work across a state that is changing fast,” said Eileen Kret, Vice President of Women in Film & Television Texas. “This new leadership model gives us a thoughtful way to listen locally, respond regionally, and build statewide momentum. Our members are not all in one city, and neither is the opportunity. The Regional Directors give WIFT Texas a thoughtful way to support members where they live and work while continuing to grow and support one connected statewide community.”

Regional Directors will help WIFT Texas identify local needs, elevate regional talent, expand participation in statewide programming, and strengthen communication between members and leadership. Each Regional Director will serve as a visible ambassador for WIFT Texas while supporting the organization’s mission to advance equity, opportunity, and professional achievement for women working in all areas of Media & Entertainment.

The inaugural Regional Networks rollout begins with the Coastal Bend region, reflecting WIFT Texas’ commitment to serving the creative and economic corridors that connect San Antonio, South Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the broader Texas Media & Entertainment industry. Additional regional leadership announcements will be made as the initiative expands including the South Texas (RGV & Laredo), West Texas, and more. 

To maximize inclusivity through existing WIFT Texas membership levels, which include robust benefits, access to statewide programming, leadership pathways, visibility opportunities, and participation in signature events, members can engage with the organization from wherever they live and work. Regional Directors will help ensure that members in growing and underserved markets have a stronger local point of connection while remaining part of the WIFT Texas “big tent” community whose mantra continues to be “Better Together!”

To inquire about membership, partnerships, and interest in becoming a WIFT Texas Regional Director, visit WIFTTEXAS.ORG or email hello@wifttexas.org