As adults’ the magic of animation is often lost on us, the profession somewhat ignored or unthought-of. We grow up and leave the realm of kids movies and Saturday morning cartoons to our pasts and our friends with children.

But the craft is booming, the field expanding and Women in Animation are working to put more ladies in the animator seats. Founded in 1994 by industry veteran, Rita Street and several others, WIA has been around for two decades. But last year co-presidents Marge Dean, director of production for Mattel’s Playground Productions, and Kristy Scanlan, vice president of business development at Technicolor, relaunched the organization with the intention of taking it global.

And while this is a volunteer-run organization Scanlan and Dean mean business. “We envision a world in which women share fully in the creation, production and rewards of animation,” Dean describes. “It would make for a richer and more diverse entertainment and media to move our culture forward.”

SharpHeels: Tell me a bit more about Women in Animation and most importantly, why was it started?

Marge Dean: The organization was started at a time when animation was booming and yet women were not very well represented in the industry. It was very much a boys’ club, and so WIA was launched to provide support. WIA has continued to grow over the years as the role of women in animation evolves. Coincidentally, Lily Tomlin was one of the first members to join.

SH: As one of the co-presidents, what is your role at WIA and who are the other co-presidents?

MD: My role as co-president is to steer the ship with Kristy Scanlan. In 2013 [for the relaunch] we brought together a team of dynamic women with lots of ideas and enthusiasm for our mission. Together with Kristy it’s our job to harness and guide that energy to produce a robust organization.

SH: Is WIA like having a full-time 9-5?

MD: There are days when it does seem like a full time job. We have a lot that we want to accomplish in the coming year in order to take the organization to the next level and truly build it on a global scale. But we are currently a volunteer run organization and everyone has a day job so we all do our best with the time we have.

SH: Why is it so important to have an organization that focuses on Women in Animation?

MD: Women make up more than 50 percent of art schools and yet only about 20 percent of the animation creative workforce. There is a disconnect happening within the hiring practices that needs to be corrected. On a larger scale, we also believe that if more women were in creative leadership spots it would change our culture for the better.

SH: How are you guys at WIA creating lasting change in the way animation is made, produced, and perceived?

MD: First of all, we’re helping people to realize that animation can be and is made by women. Up until recently, the image of an animation geek was a young man who never grew out of adolescence. But actually there are a variety of people interested in telling stories through animation. We want to open the doors for all kinds of people to express themselves through this wonderful medium.

We were thrilled to see Frozen, directed by Jennifer Lee, win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. We look forward to seeing the business continue to evolve for women with more and more women being recognized on this level.

SH: What’s a typical day at WIA look like?

MD: Being a volunteer organization, every day is different for different members. We have a strong, diverse team of women driving various areas of the organization from programming and events to chapter coordination and marketing who are committed to building its global awareness. Each committee chair and volunteer members determines individually how much time they can contribute on a daily and weekly basis.

SH: As a producer how do you help women working in the animation field?

MD: With my experience I understand how to put a team together and how to make a group cohesive and cooperative. I am a highly developed problem solver, and I always deliver. Good qualities for leadership of a nonprofit, volunteer based organization.

SH: How exactly do you help women working in the animation field?

MD: Women In Animation brings together a global community of animation professionals to empower and support women in the art, science and business of animation by increasing access to resources, creating opportunities for education, encouraging strong connections between individuals, and inspiring excellence.