MUMBAI: The Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE), the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today announced that Sally-Ann D’Amato has been named executive director by the SMPTE board of governors. D’Amato formally began this new role on 18 December 2024, after acting as interim executive director since October. 

“I’m honoured to accept the role of executive director,” says D’Amato. “After more than two decades with the society, I’m humbled to be chosen as its leader. I will continue to work toward a society that is efficient, innovative, and united. My goal as executive director is to encourage more collaboration across sections to create more opportunities for members, strengthen the standards community, and reinforce the organization's infrastructure. This will be enacted through a mission we’re calling ‘We Are All One SMPTE.’” 

D'Amato joined the SMPTE family in 2001, working as an administrative assistant. She was promoted to executive assistant in 2003, and again promoted to director of operations in 2005. In 2016, she became director of events and governance liaison. In this role, she was responsible for planning and executing events and was also responsible for working with the board on issues of society governance and board activities. In October 2024, she became the interim executive director. 

During her time at SMPTE, D’Amato helped enact the current bylaws and operations manuals. She also has been responsible for producing the media technology summit since 2005, and even produced a virtual version of the event during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also produced the SMPTE centennial celebration in 2016 and incorporates her creativity by writing songs for and performing in many of the events she works on.
 
“Sally-Ann has been a tremendous asset to SMPTE, and will continue to be in this new role,” says SMPTE president Renard T. Jenkins. “She has proven her commitment, qualifications, and talent time and time again, and when asked to lead the society, she didn’t hesitate to step up. Her performance in the role of interim executive director has already had a positive impact on the society. I believe she will lead SMPTE to a brighter future, and I look forward to helping her do just that.”