As Cinequest Film Institute celebrates its 23rd anniversary next February, much of its success can be accredited to Kathleen J. Powell, a woman who's combined her unique background in engineering and art to successfully grow an idea into a flourishing business. Kathleen Powell is the Co-Founder and President of Cinequest, a Silicon Valley institute and recognized leader in fostering digital technologies and new distribution models that empower Maverick film artists through art and innovation. Not only has she succeeded in growing a vibrant film institute economically over the last 22 years, she has also empowered youth through the development of diverse programs related to film. This led to her ultimate success that serves as encouragement for millions of women striving to make a difference and impact on this world. Kathleen has been recognized as an innovative, determined, and charismatic role model for women in business.Previously, Kathleen was Vice President of Worldwide Programming at Jaman, a socially-conscious online film distribution portal. While at Jaman, she led the company's content acquisitions and programming capacities. Kathleen's technology background includes a 17 year track record at Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies, where she served in a variety of management roles including R&D, Business Development and Quality Management. Kathleen holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Business Administration from Kansas State University. This extraordinary recipe of a Business background combined with her artistic abilities has enabled Kathleen to become the successful film producer she is today. Her extensive experience in film includes producing and executive producing three feature films. The first independent feature film she produced He's Still There premiered to rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival. After experiencing the passion of international film lovers combined with the Venice hospitality it was Kathleen's ambition to bring this appreciation of the arts to the Silicon Valley, and add the power of technology. And this is precisely what she did in 1990 with Halfdan Hussey. She later independently produced and executive produced the provocative Seizing Me, a powerful and beautiful psychological thriller about a disturbed woman who refuses to look inside herself for fulfillment and thus decides to take what she wants from others—mind, body and soul. Kathleen's diverse experiences in both Fortune 100 companies as well as the challenging world of Independent films gives her a unique ability which she has leveraged for countless years of success. Named one of the 25 people who dramatically changed the Silicon Valley over the past 25 years by Metro Newspapers 2010.
