Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has upped Susan Akinbola from director to VP of development as the company works on expanding its production team. In her new role, she will develop a slate of original and IP-based films for the studio to make. 

Akinbola was hired by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation as a development executive in 2020. Before that, she worked as a production assistant on Solo: A Star Wars Story at Lucasfilm, and also on WBPA’s The LEGO Ninjago Movie back in 2014. 

The studio is also bringing in two new executives to join its production team. Kim Mackey comes in as EVP of production talent and will oversee recruiting strategy. She’s been the top recruiter at major studios including Netflix Animation (2019 to 2024) and DreamWorks (1995 to 2011) over the course of her 25-year career in the industry. 

Jessie Carbonaro has also come on board as VP of talent production. She most recently worked at Netflix as a director of talent acquisition for the feature animation team.