Samira Panah Bakhtiar is a dynamic leader in tune with the powerful relationship between digital media and technology. As General Manager of Media & Entertainment, Games, and Sports at Amazon Web Services (AWS), she leads a high-performing, multi-generational team of builders and champions diversity. For close to two decades, her work at AWS and Cisco, where she served as Director of Media Operations, led to strategic alignment and business transformations with some of the world’s largest entertainment companies. She has a proven track record in tech strategy, business development, and sales – focusing on introducing innovation and enhancing operational efficiency in the areas of content production, media supply chain, broadcast distribution, OTT, interactive experiences, and content monetization. Recognized for her exceptional ability to quickly understand and apply new concepts, address cross-functional challenges, and execute complex projects seamlessly, she infuses the AWS executive team with a fresh perspective. Striking the right balance between hitting performance targets and delivering at the highest standards, she’s secured $9B+ in committed contracts during her tenure. Samira also mentors numerous individuals at AWS and advocates for the promotion of team members of all levels within her organization to leadership roles. A visible female force in the entertainement industry, Samira has spoken 20+ internal and external events in the last two years, including the WICT Leadership Conference on Driving Innovation, AWS re:Invent, yearly AWS Kick Offs, and the Metropolitan Police of London’s International Women’s Day Event. Topics ranged from ID&E, Intersectionality, and Career Planning to Owning Authenticity and Building High Performing Teams. Passionate about advancing the status of women in technology, she is a presence in media, tech, and the NYC-based entrepreneurial community, as well as throughout major nonprofits and social impact organizations. Her humanitarian work focuses on the abolishment of human trafficking where she sat on the board of Together1Heart (an anti-human trafficking organization based in Cambodia) from 2017-2020. Samira’s philanthropic work has always been a strong personal driver, and as a result, she launched Bridge2Act in 2015, a venture focused on transforming the giving landscape through the use of technology. A graduate of the prestigious executive development program from the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute (Class 35), Samira continues to find ways to connect and inspire other ambitious women in tech. Samira was the inaugural winner of the Woman to Watch in Technology by The WICT Network in 2017, named a 40 Under 40 by NYC Television in 2019, and a Wonder Woman by Multichannel News in 2023. She is also a member of social organizations such as Soho House, Zero Bond, and Summit, and a Board Member At-Large for The WICT Network. Samira graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Finance and Magna Cum Laude from the Fordham University MBA program. Committed to continual learning, she obtained her Press Speaking Certifications at Amazon in 2022 (and is now an official Spokesperson) and her Solution Architect Certification in 2021. In 2022, she was cited as one of the most anticipated speakers on the IBC 2022 Website, presenting with Media Monk’s SVP on the “Future of Cloud Production.” In her personal time, Samira loves spending time with her family (including her 6-year-old son and 2 year-old daughter), traveling, practicing Muay Thai Kick Boxing, Hot Yoga, and hitting up the culinary scene with her husband, Koorosh, a restaurateur in Manhattan.

Phil Wiser is an industry-leading technology and digital media entrepreneur and executive. He serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Paramount, leading the global technology strategy, shared services, and multiplatform operations for the company. Prior to the merger of Viacom and CBS in December 2019, Wiser was the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of CBS Corporation, where he oversaw the technology strategy and development across the company’s entire business portfolio. Before joining CBS, Wiser served as Chief Technology Officer at Hearst. In this role, he managed Hearst’s technology migration to the cloud, and established a data-driven, cloud-first media environment for its digital businesses. Wiser was also the Chief Technology Officer at Sony Corporation of America and Sony Music, responsible for creating the digital businesses at Sony Music, including the forging of the groundbreaking deal to launch iTunes. Earlier in his career, Wiser was a key pioneer in the creation of the online digital music industry and the over-the-top TV market as founder of Liquid Audio and Sezmi. Both companies were the first to create commercial Internet-based media offerings in music and television. With numerous patents issued for these efforts, he broke new ground across the areas of IP based content delivery, machine recommendation systems, video delivery over the Internet and cybersecurity. 

Eliot has over 20 years of professional technology experience in Media and Entertainment. At Microsoft he has been applying artificial intelligence to media and entertainment workflows and business problems, such as content discovery, personalization, moderation, monetization and analytics. He has led several AI projects and initiatives at Microsoft and collaborated with industry partners and customers to innovate and transform their businesses with AI. Leading the Business and Technology strategy for named Media and Entertainment customers, matching business problems with technology solutions. Before joining Microsoft, Eliot was the Director of Technology for Funny or Die, Director of Technology at Endemol Shine North America and Manager of TV Production Technology at NBCUniversal. During his time at NBCUniversal he delivered technology solutions from digital workflows to unified communications to all in-house produced shows like The Tonight Show, The Office, House, Jerry Springer, SNL, Battlestar Galactica and more. Eliot has founded 2 startups in the media space and holds patents in digital advertising. And lives in Burbank with his wife and daughter, recently received his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and can be found roaming the aisles at Costco.

Seth Hallen has been leading innovative, market-dominant companies for over 30 years. Prior to joining Light Iron, he served as head of global strategy for Pixelogic Media, senior vice president of global creative services at Sony DADC New Media Solutions, chief executive officer of Testronic Labs, and vice president of North American operations for Lightworks. Since 2016, Hallen has been president of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA), and he is regularly asked to speak about the frontiers of post-production technology, including the role of AI tools in evolving workflows. Hallen is also a member of the Television Academy’s AI Task Force and Production Executives Peer Group, and he previously served as governor-at-large for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). He holds a bachelor’s degree in radio, television, and film from the University of Maryland.