Susan L. Decker, the cfo and evp of Yahoo! has joined the board of directors of Pixar Animation Studios. At Yahoo! she is responsible for managing all aspects of the company's financial and administrative activities. Prior to joining Yahoo!, Decker was the global director of equity research for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), where she managed the worldwide equity research operation.
"We're thrilled to have Susan join our board of directors," said Steve Jobs, Pixar Animation Studios' ceo. "Susan's deep financial expertise as well as her strong management experience will help to guide Pixar as we enter a very exciting period ahead."
"Pixar's films are loved and admired throughout the world, including in my own home, and I'm excited to join the board of this unique company," commented Decker. "I am looking forward to working with Steve and the other Pixar board members to contribute to the company's continued growth and success."
Decker was appointed to the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC) by the trustees of the Financial Accounting Federation to serve a four-year term from 2000 to 2004. She earned a bachelor of science from Tufts University with a double major in computer science and economics, and holds a master of business administration from Harvard Business School. Decker also received the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst in 1989. She resides in Menlo Park, California, with her husband and three children.
Decker joins Pixar's current directors: Skip Brittenham, partner in Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca & Fischer; Ed Catmull, president of Pixar Animation Studios; Joseph Graziano, former evp and cfo of Apple Computer; Jobs; Lawrence B. Levy, former evp and cfo of Pixar; Joe Roth, founder, Revolution Studios and former chairman of the Walt Disney Studios; Larry Sonsini, chairman and ceo, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati; and Jack Wadsworth, honorary chairman, Morgan Stanley Asia Ltd.
Pixar Animation Studios (www.pixar.com) has created and produced five of the most successful and beloved animated films of our time: Academy Award-winning TOY STORY (1995); A BUG'S LIFE (1998); Golden Globe-winning TOY STORY 2 (1999); the Academy Award-winning MONSTERS, INC. (2001); and the Academy Award-winning FINDING NEMO (2003). Pixar's five films have earned $2.6 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The Northern California studio's next two film releases are THE INCREDIBLES (Nov. 5, 2004) and CARS (holiday 2005).
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
