Hommage aux femmes remarquables à l’occasion du Mois de l’histoire des femmes

As we commemorate Women's History Month this March, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements and contributions of women throughout history. It's a time to celebrate the progress we've made and to recognize the ongoing journey toward gender equality. At Twist, we're proud to not only honor the women who have shaped history but also to highlight remarkable individuals who continue to inspire and drive positive change for women and girls in their communities today.

 

Twist is committed to actively fostering diversity and inclusion within our workplace. Not just through the diversity of our team, but also with internal programs including our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging series “Culture Conversations,” where we have the privilege of hosting guest speakers to share their lived experiences, insights, and expertise with our team. As we celebrate Women's History Month, we shine a spotlight on one of these extraordinary individuals who we celebrated and learned from in a previous Women’s History Month discussion.

 

We had the privilege of welcoming Kathy Le Backes to share her story with us. In our Culture Conversation, Kathy shared her family’s story of coming to the United States as refugees, what it was like growing up as the “model minority” and how she is inspired by the change she is seeing so that her daughter can grow up learning to take up more space and be her authentic self.

 

“I've realized now the power of my lived experience, how by sharing it has created so much connection and understanding. I'm still learning how to embrace this power, and I'm also realizing that I have a responsibility to do so for the generation after me. I have to step into my power because I'm a mother, and I am setting an example for my children. I also owe it to the students I meet and young people I mentor, specifically those from historically marginalized communities to empower them to step into their power as well. As a leader, this perspective allows me to lead with authenticity and empathy, because we're all fighting our own battles and all of our stories deserve to be heard.” - Kathy Le Backes

 

Kathy has been working at the intersection of entertainment and social impact for over 15 years. She is currently the Director of Content Advisement on the Representation, Inclusion Strategies + Engagement team at The Walt Disney Studios where she helps ensure cultural authenticity and inclusion in their feature films. Prior to joining Disney, she was the Senior Director of Equity + Inclusion at WarnerMedia where she helped develop and run talent development programs to discover, cultivate, and amplify underrepresented writers, directors, producers, and below-the-line talent across WarnerMedia's brands, such as HBO, Warner Bros, Turner, and CNN. Before that, Le Backes was the Vice President of Development & Research at Wise Entertainment where she oversaw the development of the company’s slate with a special focus on inclusive content and diverse storytellers. She also executed the integration of social issues into Wise Entertainment’s creative IPs, and cultivated relationships with non-profit and social justice organizations to bolster meaningful storytelling. While at Wise, Le Backes was a producer on three seasons of the six-time Emmy-nominated Hulu original drama, EAST LOS HIGH. She also produced over 100 short-form transmedia videos for EAST LOS HIGH and Hello Sunshine’s SHINE ON WITH REESE WITHERSPOON.

 

Kathy is a regular lecturer on entertainment and social justice at USC, UCLA and Mount Saint Mary’s University. She is also a board member of Asia Society Southern California, a faculty advisor for the RespectAbility Entertainment Lab, and on the leadership committee for the Yes, And… Laughter Lab. Kathy holds an MPH degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Davis. Kathy lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and two kids.

 

Kathy is just one of the incredible women who have graced our Culture Conversations with their presence and wisdom. Their voices have enriched our discussions, challenged our perspectives, and inspired us to continue striving for progress. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let us not only honor the trailblazers of the past but also recognize and uplift the women who are making history within our own communities. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, both in the workplace and beyond.

 

Learn more about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Twist: https://www.twistbioscience.com/company/esg?tab=social{{/a:1}}