Happy March! As the days grow longer and Spring approaches, I find myself reflecting on the natural seasons of change – both in life and at BAYCAT. This moment marks an exciting new season for BAYCAT, one that creates space for the next generation of leaders, reaffirms the strength of our north star, and sustains the legacy we’ve built together.
A New Season for BAYCAT
In case you missed the announcement, March 31st, 2025 will be my transition to Forever Founder, stepping away from the day-to-day responsibilities at BAYCAT after 20+ years.
I am incredibly proud of the team that has been leading BAYCAT forward. Since joining in 2022, Laura Gomez-Mesquita, BAYCAT’s Executive Co-Director has been a force for equity in media and education. Her unwavering dedication to uplifting voices and creating pathways for BIPOC storytellers makes her the ideal leader to guide BAYCAT into its next seasons. She is supported by an extraordinary leadership team that collectively brings over 60 years of experience in people operations, education, creative production, and equity-focused storytelling. With this leadership, BAYCAT is in the best possible hands.
In the coming months, we will welcome a new Executive Co-Director to join Laura, guiding BAYCAT into its next chapter and our 21st year: BAYCAT 21.0. Our engaged Board of Directors, led by Co-Chairs, Eric Pearson and Marianne Wilman, Secretary, Jason Robinson and Treasurer, Charles Patton will lead this search. Together, this team is shaping an evolved BAYCAT model that fully integrates our Academy and BAYCAT Studio, ensuring that our next generations of young creatives have access to innovative, antiracist career pathways, which are so critically needed especially now, given the political and ever-changing media landscape.
Introducing the Founders Legacy Circle
To ensure BAYCAT’s sustainability through this transition and beyond, I am honored to help seed and introduce the Founders Legacy Circle – a commitment to securing the long-term future of BAYCAT. This initiative, which we will launch this summer, will provide vital support to our leadership team, allowing them to continue growing our mission while staying rooted in the values that have defined BAYCAT for the past 20 years.
Reflecting on This Transition: Gratitude, Growth, and Full-Circle Moments
As the end of March approaches quickly, I find myself navigating a profound period of transition – one without a clear playbook, but filled with deep gratitude, reflection and excitement for what lies ahead. BAYCAT has been my life’s work, and stepping away from this role is one of the most personal and meaningful shifts I have ever made. BAYCAT will always be my family. As Forever Founder, I will continue to champion and uplift this community, celebrating your successes and amplifying your stories. What will my next season look like? While I make space to figure out how to rewire versus retire myself, I’m grounded in the overwhelming appreciation I feel – for this community, the stories we’ve shared, and for the impact we’ve made together.
Moments of coming full circle do fill my heart! Just last week, I got to have lunch with seven-time Emmy winner, Iman Rodney, and it's incredible that I met him when he was twelve years old. It warmed my heart to continue to be part of his journey in life.
And on the same day, I got to welcome Mahelet Gezachew back to BAYCAT as she takes on the role of Interim Lead Creative Producer and Production Supervisor! Her incredible lived experiences at Hello Sunshine, Marvel Studios, ARRAY, and Makeready/Nike will be a gift to our alums, interns and studio clients.
Let’s Stay Connected & Celebrate Together
I would love the chance to connect, celebrate, and reflect together with you. Whether you’d like to attend a farewell gathering on March 29th or simply reach out, I invite you to connect with me, our team, and our Board in the coming weeks. Your presence, stories, and support have meant the world to me, and I look forward to staying connected in new ways. Please stay in touch via LinkedIn.
To our incredible BAYCAT community, THANK YOU. Thank you for walking this path with me, for supporting this transition, and for ensuring that BAYCAT remains a place where creative talent thrives.
Let’s step into this next season together.
With love and gratitude,
Villy Wang
Forever Founder, BAYCAT