Expert Speakers
Who We Are
Chris Leotis
Chris Leotis is co-chief operating officer of Amblin Partners, a content creation company led by Steven Spielberg. Leotis joined Amblin Partners as CFO, from the LA Clippers where she had served as CFO. Prior to the Clippers, she held senior financial management positions at Otter Media, Concord Music and Fox Networks Group. She began her career in Dallas, Texas, at Bain & Company, followed by a position at Goldman Sachs. She then moved to Los Angeles and became a member of the acquisitions team at Colony Capital. Leotis is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
She holds an MBA degree from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and BA degrees in business administration and economics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
William F. Payne
is the CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Beverly Pacific, bringing over 30 years of experience in real estate and investment management. He has overseen multi-billion-dollar portfolios spanning real estate, private equity, and public markets, and previously served as Managing Director of Real Estate for R&B Realty Group (Oakwood Worldwide). A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Accountancy and Information Systems, Bill began his career at Ernst & Young and now serves on several investment advisory boards. Passionate about giving back, he has raised over $1 million for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and is leading its first Los Angeles Gala in 2026. Through Fund Your Future, Bill hopes to inspire foster and adoptive youth to take control of their financial futures with the same confidence and discipline that drive his career success.
Lourdes Diaz
Lourdes Diaz is a seasoned media executive and board member at AGC Studios, where she helps guide the company’s creative and strategic direction across film and television. With extensive leadership experience at major organizations including Univision, Viacom, and NBC, she has built a successful career overseeing global production, content development, and business operations. Lourdes brings a wealth of knowledge in finance, management, and entrepreneurship — inspiring young leaders to understand how strong business skills can open doors in any industry.