Elizabeth Daley

Elizabeth M. Daley is a media professional, academic, and the longest-serving Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Before becoming a leading figure in film and television, she earned a bachelor’s and master’s in Theatre from Tulane University and a Ph.D. in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to joining USC, Daley produced for MGM Television and was the Director of Taper Media Enterprises. In 1989, she became Chair of USC’s Film and Television Production Program and was appointed Dean in 1991. Under her leadership, the school expanded into Animation, Digital Arts, and Interactive Media. She is the inaugural holder of the Steven J. Ross/Time Warner Dean’s Chair, founding Executive Director of the USC Annenberg Center for Communication, and Executive Director of USC’s Institute for Multimedia Literacy. Her honors include the Women in Film Business Leadership Award, and she serves on numerous boards including Avid Technology. Daley is also a former chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council and a member of the Directors Guild of America along with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.