She Paved the Way: What Donna Smith Taught Me About Power, Purpose & Perseverance
- Ela Ziembicki
- Jun 17
- 9 min read
Just one week before the Niagara International Film Festival, I was asked if I’d like to interview Donna Smith, the first female President of Physical and Post Production at Universal Pictures. I said yes before I even realized the weight of that opportunity. I love movies. I grew up rushing to Blockbuster on Friday nights and spending weekends at the mall theatres, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t always know the names behind the scenes of Hollywood.
So when I started doing my research and watched past interviews, I had a moment of “Whoa.” Donna isn’t just impressive, she’s legendary. A woman who built her career from the ground up, broke into a male dominated space, and quietly shaped some of the biggest films of our time.
The ten minute prep call I planned turned into a forty minute conversation, because Donna is just that kind of woman. Genuine, grounded, and still curious about others. She didn’t just show up, she leaned in, asked me questions, and shared stories that made me pause in awe.
And when I finally sat across from her on stage, under the lights, in front of that audience, something in me shifted. I wasn’t just interviewing a Hollywood icon. I was sitting with proof that women can rise, lead, and rewrite the rules with grace and grit. That moment reminded me exactly who I am and why every woman needs to hear stories like hers.
Her Legacy
Before I even get into what it was like sitting across from her, let’s just set the stage... Donna Smith has worked on over 150 films and not just any films. We’re talking:
These weren’t just box office hits, many went on to win Oscars, Golden Globes, and the hearts of millions. She’s been behind the scenes of some of the most powerful, emotional, and culture-shifting stories in modern cinema. And yet… she still walks into a room with humility, curiosity, and a genuine passion for storytelling. That’s the kind of legacy I want to learn from. That’s the kind of leadership women need to witness.
Sitting Across a Legend
The day of the interview, I had my questions ready, my notes highlighted, and butterflies in my stomach. I’ve delivered speeches. I’ve trained in front of thousands. I’ve spoken on stages where I felt completely at home. But this was different.
This wasn’t a scripted talk. There was no teleprompter. Nothing memorized. Just me, a list of questions, and a deep desire to make this moment matter for Donna, for the audience, and for every woman watching.
I had the cadence mapped out, but I hate memorizing. It never feels real. I needed the flow to feel like a conversation, not a performance. So yes, I was nervous. Nervous if the timing would land. Nervous if I’d remember everything. Nervous if the interview would hit the way I knew it could.
But the second that spotlight hit, and I sat across from her on the main stage, something shifted.I didn’t feel small. I didn’t feel like an imposter. I felt ready.
Donna met me with warmth, presence, and a calm strength that only comes from experience. The moment we locked into that first exchange chatting in our seats prior to the interview, I wasn’t just hosting an interview, I was in conversation with a legend. Every answer she gave was layered with wisdom, with history, with new experiences she would always have to navigate through.
And somehow, she made space for me, too. She allowed the conversation to breathe, to evolve, and together we created a rhythm that was more than just questions and answers. It was connection. It was storytelling. It was two women, different generations, holding the same torch of resilience and purpose in our hands.
What hit me most was that a woman who had produced over 150 films, worked with legends, and held one of the highest titles in Hollywood, still approached this moment with grace and humility. In fact, she was fully present the entire weekend. She attended the festival from start to finish, open to talking and being interviewed by others and even enjoyed a helicopter ride flying over Niagara Falls.
That’s what power looks like. Not loud. Not boastful. But undeniable.And in that moment, I didn’t just find inspiration. I remembered my own power, too.
From Filing Clerk to Film Trailblazer
Donna didn’t start at the top. She started in the filing room. That alone gives me chills.
She entered an industry dominated by men, full of gatekeepers and glass ceilings, and instead of backing down or dimming her light, she showed up, never backed down, and she climbed. One opportunity at a time. One bold decision after another. Until eventually, she became the first female President of Physical and Post Production at Universal Pictures.
Let that sink in. Still to this day, no other females have been in that spot.
The little girl in me, the one who always dreamed big, who never fit into a box, who wanted to do something meaningful, sat across from a woman who had done it. Who had taken the long way, the hard way, the “you don’t belong here” way and made history.
And the way she told her story? With ease. With humor. With zero ego.
She talked about being underestimated. About navigating power dynamics. About being the woman in the room and owning her place at the table anyway.
She never chased titles. She focused on the work. The impact. The art. She showed up with consistency, grit, and an eye for excellence. And over time, the industry started to take notice not because she demanded it, but because her results spoke volumes. She took on the role of making hard decisions like firing people because at the end of the day, it is a business and someone has to do it.
Donna’s journey reminded me that success isn’t always loud or flashy. Sometimes, it’s slow. Steady. Intentional. And more importantly, it is possible.
Her story is proof that you don’t need to come from Hollywood to leave your mark on it. You just need to stay the course, trust your vision, and keep showing up when no one’s clapping.
That’s the kind of trailblazer I want to learn from. That’s the kind of story I want every woman to hear because whether it’s film, business, or life, we all start somewhere. And we’re all capable of rewriting the script.
The Power of Presence, Preparation, and Purpose
What made this moment unforgettable wasn’t just Donna’s resume. It was her presence.
She walked into the room with no need to prove anything. No ego, no show. Just quiet strength. A woman who knew who she was and didn’t need to raise her voice to be heard. That’s something I deeply admire. Obviously, people just gravitated to her.
And it made me reflect on my own journey. Because I’ve had to pivot, start over, rebuild. I’ve shifted offers, changed directions, paused projects that didn’t feel aligned. It wasn’t always pretty. But I never stopped preparing for the moment I’d be called forward.
This interview reminded me that all the “figuring it out” seasons were worth it. Every redirection was preparing me for something more powerful than I could have imagined. And when that moment came, not only did I get to rise into it, I got to bring my purpose with me.
This wasn’t just about asking great questions. It was about what I represented sitting in that chair. I carried with me the mission behind COACHELA, the heart of helping women rise. The belief that we all have something to offer, and that our voices belong in rooms we once thought were too big.
Donna showed me that when you’re aligned with purpose and grounded in who you are, you don’t have to force opportunities, they’ll find you. But you do have to stay ready.
You have to trust the work you’ve done, and walk in knowing that who you are today is enough.
That’s what I want women to feel when they read this. That fire. That reminder. That knowing... you don’t need permission. Just presence, preparation, and purpose.
Because that’s the trifecta that changes everything.
Why Donna’s Story Matters More Than Ever
The film industry has long been a man’s world and the numbers prove it. According to the 2023 Celluloid Ceiling Report, only 22% of producers on the top 100 grossing films were women. When it comes to executive leadership, that number drops even lower. And only a fraction of those roles are held by women over 50.
Donna Smith didn’t just slip into the system. She stood out rising from a filing clerk to the first female President of Physical and Post Production at Universal Pictures. She held that title for 10 years, during an era when women weren’t just underrepresented… they were rarely invited into the room at all.
She helped shape over 150 films, many of them becoming cultural landmarks. Her fingerprints are on films that changed cinema. And yet, you probably didn’t know her name until now.
That’s the problem and the lesson.
Too many women are doing powerful work behind the scenes but aren’t being seen, celebrated, or remembered. Donna didn’t demand attention, but her story commands respect.
Sitting across from her reminded me... legacy isn’t built on noise. It’s built on consistency. Grit. Excellence. Boundaries. And a deep belief in your own voice even when the room doesn’t reflect you.
As women, we’re still navigating industries where the default is male. Whether it’s corporate, film, tech, or even entrepreneurship, we’re often the first, the only, or the most doubted in the room.
That’s why I coach. That’s why COACHELA exists.
To make sure the next generation of women isn’t just behind the scenes, they’re front and center, confident in their vision, unapologetic in their pursuit, and equipped to lead.
Donna’s career proves that with intention and boldness, we don’t just survive in these rooms, we change them.
Carrying the Torch Forward
As I walked off that stage, I wasn’t just reflecting on a great interview. I was walking with a deeper sense of clarity. Donna lit something in me, a reminder that we rise by showing up fully, even when we’re unsure, unqualified, or underestimated.
She didn’t come from a place of privilege. She came from persistence. And because she dared to step into rooms where women weren’t seen, she changed what leadership could look like, not just in Hollywood, but for every woman watching.
That weekend wasn’t just a highlight. It was a full-circle moment. Our interview took place on Saturday, and the next day, I arrived in the afternoon because I was to supporting my daughter at another event (mom life never stops 💁♀️). I returned in time for the evening awards to accept a beautiful honored gift and present an award on stage to some of the winners.
As I sat back down, something wild happened… Donna,looking every bit the legend she is, walked over to me just to say, “Hey! I hadn’t seen you all day.”
Wait… you’re kidding, right? Donna Smith, a woman who’s worked on over 150 iconic films went out of her way to check in with me. That small gesture? Meant the world.
Because that’s who she is. And that’s who I strive to be, someone who lifts others up, makes space, and leads with heart.
That’s also what COACHELA is about.
It’s not just about coaching or community. It’s about women realizing that they are the story, the power, the legacy, the change.
Every conversation, every workshop, every post, every coaching session I lead is rooted in this mission:
To help women rise into their purpose, own their voice, and rewrite the script, in business, in leadership, and in life.
So if you’ve ever felt like you missed your moment… I’m here to tell you: your moment is now. And I hope Donna’s story reminds you, you don’t need to wait for permission. You just need to walk in with purpose.
We rise when we see each other. We rise when we support each other. And we rise when we decide: I belong here too.
This Is Your Cue to Rise
Donna’s story isn’t just one to admire, it’s one to act on.
It’s a reminder that you don’t need the perfect background, the perfect timing, or the perfect plan. You need courage. You need clarity. And you need to believe, even if quietly at first, that you were made for more.
She didn’t wait to be chosen. She showed up. She stayed ready. And she did the work even when no one was watching. That’s what real leadership looks like. That’s what legacy looks like.
And now? It’s our turn.
As women, we’re not here to fit into someone else’s mold. We’re here to break the mold, build our own tables, and leave doors wide open for the next woman coming through.
So whether you're pivoting careers, rebuilding your confidence, starting your business, or simply trying to remember who you are hear this... your story matters. Your voice matters. And your rise is already in motion.
Let Donna’s journey be your permission slip. Let COACHELA be your guide. And let this moment be your reminder... You don’t just belong in the room, you were born to lead in it.
Now go light it up. 💫
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