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BOULDER, Colo. — At the latest installment of the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, Emmy-award-winning producer and CEO Gigi Pritzker offered a compelling and unconventional perspective on leadership—one rooted in personal choices, creative courage, and the power of storytelling to inspire change.

Hosted by the CU Boulder Center for Leadership, Pritzker’s talk on November 17 in Macky Auditorium brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members eager to learn from one of Hollywood’s most influential leaders. Pritzker, the founder and chief executive of Madison Wells Media, is known for producing acclaimed films, theater works, and television series that challenge conventions and elevate diverse voices.

Redefining Leadership as Decision and Direction

Pritzker began her remarks by reflecting on her own journey and what it reveals about leadership. She thanked Chancellor Emeritus Phil DiStefano for his leadership and for inviting her to speak, grounding her remarks in gratitude and connection to the CU Boulder community.

Rather than equating leadership with titles or hierarchy, Pritzker offered a more democratic view:

“Each decision is a choice… and each choice we make leads us down a road.”

In her telling, every pivotal moment in her life—from studying anthropology in Nepal to embarking on a career in film—stemmed from decisions that weren’t always clear or conventional. Leadership, she said, starts with leading yourself by making intentional, sometimes risky, choices.

Her story highlights that leadership often unfolds in nonlinear ways, a message especially resonant for students and early-career professionals navigating uncertainty.

From Anthropology to Hollywood: Trusting the Unexpected

Pritzker recounted how her initial plan to earn a master’s degree and return to global humanitarian work fell apart when credits weren’t accepted by her university. Rather than deterring her, this disruption opened space for new possibilities. After presenting her thesis, a professor told her:

“You are too creative… don’t get a master’s in anthropology, you should go to film school.”

At first stunned, Pritzker embraced this unexpected encouragement, ultimately enrolling in a film program in New Mexico—a choice she describes as fueled by “the power of youthful ignorance.”

Her narrative underscored how openness to new paths and willingness to act—especially when guided by thoughtful advice—can shape a life of meaningful impact.

Producing as Leadership

One of the evening’s most powerful reframes was Pritzker’s linkage of her profession to universal leadership principles. She shared a common definition of leadership that includes communication, vision, alignment, and motivation, and then offered this twist:

“Replace the word ‘leadership’ with ‘producer’ and you have the definition of what it takes to produce film, TV, or theatre.”

This insight brought to life the idea that producing is a leadership practice—one that requires navigating complexity, guiding creative teams, and building shared purpose. Pritzker’s career exemplifies that leadership extends beyond corporate titles and into the arts, media, and culture.

Her work at Madison Wells Media illustrates this principle in action: the company intentionally champions stories about underrepresented voices and people who push boundaries, using film, television, theater, and immersive media to spark cultural conversation and social impact.

Storytelling as a Force for Change

Throughout her career, Pritzker has used storytelling as a vehicle for broadening perspectives and fostering empathy. From globally recognized films to theater productions celebrated on Broadway and beyond, she emphasized that stories have the power to move audiences, provoke dialogue, and inspire action.

Her own early research into the role of folk tales in cultural transmission foreshadowed a lifelong belief in the power of narrative—a belief she carries into every project she champions.

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Pritzker’s talk offered university stakeholders a powerful message: leadership is not reserved for the few at the top, but begins with reflective choices, the courage to explore new directions, and the commitment to create and share stories that matter. Her insights resonated with the Center for Leadership's philosophy—that leadership potential exists within us all and can be nurtured through experience, connection, and purposeful action.