Empowering Women in Film & TV Through Community & Connection

The Reel Women was founded in 2015 by Ashley Pacini in response to the Sony hack revelations, which exposed the pay disparities for women in Film & TV. From the beginning, our mission has been clear: to showcase the incredible talent of women in the industry and prove that qualified women are already here, ready to lead. We started by profiling women professionals on social media, giving them the visibility they deserve.

Over time, we realized that visibility alone isn’t enough—networking is the key to unlocking more opportunities in the industry. That’s why we launched The Reel Women Networking Community—a space dedicated to helping women in Film & TV network, connect, and grow their careers.

How We Help Women Network Smarter—Not Harder

🔹 One-on-One Networking Pairings – We pair women for an initial networking event, helping them build relationships that matter.

🔹 The Weekly Tuesday Newsletter – Every week, we share networking strategies to help women connect with purpose, plus industry insights to keep them informed and ready for meaningful conversations in Film & TV.

🔹 Upcoming Networking Events – We announce networking opportunities to help women expand their professional circles.

At The Reel Women, we believe that networking isn’t just about who you know—it’s about how you connect. We’re here to make that process easier, helping women in Film & TV build meaningful relationships that lead to real opportunities.

📩 Join us & start networking smarter—sign up for our newsletter today!

About – Ashley Pacini, Founder, The Reel Women

Member of the Producers Guild of America

Ashley’s love for storytelling began in high school when she moved with her family to Rome, Italy. Immersing herself in a new culture and language, she and her identical twin sister, Brittany, found comfort in weekend trips to Blockbuster, bridging the gap between their American roots and expanding their cinematic knowledge.

Her passion for film led her to earn a B.A. in Media Arts from Brigham Young University, followed by a Master’s in Cinema Studies from NYU, where she initially planned to pursue a Ph.D. and teach. However, missing the hands-on experience of production, she pivoted and earned an MFA in Film & Television Producing from Chapman University. During her time at Chapman, she met her husband, Michael, and together they moved to Los Angeles to build their careers.

Ashley gained experience working at ThinkFactory Media and Kinetic Content before joining Netflix (all jobs she got through networking!), where she now works at the intersection of entertainment and technology. She focuses on helping teams on developing internal tools and apps that support Business & Legal Affairs, content scheduling, and Netflix’s content teams.

Beyond her professional life, Ashley loves spending time with her husband, their 3-year-old daughter, and their three Chihuahua mixes—Charlie, Buster, and Suzi. She enjoys watching films and TV, playing video games, and prioritizing her health and wellness.