Lessons From Leading is a series featuring alums of the Athena Center for Leadership at Barnard College discussing what they learned about leadership from Athena — and what leading looks like for them now.
Reni Calister is an accomplished two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and content executive who has overseen an array of film and television productions for notable platforms, including Disney+, Discovery+, ESPN, ABC, Lifetime, and the History Channel. She’s an alumna of Barnard College (class of 2011) and the Athena Center for Leadership, where she was an Athena Scholar!
Reni currently serves as the Chief Content Officer of Rock’n Robin Productions, and previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Content at TOGETHXR, where she played a key role in elevating women’s sports through compelling visual storytelling.
Taking the time to interview with the Athena Center for Leadership team, Reni reflects on how she found her path in the unpredictable and ever-changing entertainment industry post-college, what she has come to center in her work, and the valuable lessons she has learnt along the way.
On how her studies at Barnard have supported her career path
I was a history major, with a focus on Gender, Family, and Sexuality. I wrote my thesis on the marriage crisis at the turn of the 20th century, TLDR: women thought marriage sucked! While my major doesn’t directly relate to my career, it taught me a good deal about unknown stories and hidden figures. Studying History at Barnard inspired me to widen the aperture on the history we’ve been widely taught, and to search for those who have been systematically left out of the conversation. That ethos has guided my work as a storyteller.
It’s worth noting that Reni’s efforts as a producer have extended to helping the launch of “A Touch More”, a production company founded by Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird. The company focuses on showcasing the stories of revolutionaries that shape culture — an interest that aligns with her pursuit of history studies.
How Reni’s perception of leadership has evolved & the value of teamwork
When I was at Barnard, I thought I was a leader because I was the most energetic and (attempted to be) the most charismatic person in the room. What I’ve learned about leadership since then, however, is that it’s actually not about me at all. While I still have the same energy, I’ve learned that great leaders encourage loyalty and performance by working to understand the base motivations of others. Great leaders have excellent teams and results because they can hire, empower, encourage, and protect people from a myriad of different experiences. Empathy is, I believe, the most important aspect of being a good leader.
Thankfully, I’ve learned a lot and have eaten many helpings of humble pie. My thinking about leadership has evolved by seeing it in action from incredible women who are the very best at what they do. From Sheila Nevins to Robin Roberts, working with women who have been at the top of their field for decades is an insane masterclass in career navigation and leadership. Aside from being immensely talented, they also treat others with integrity, respect, and honesty. They surround themselves with people who make them better, who challenge them, and push them to innovate.
On the beginning of her career journey
I learned that who I work with is just as, if not more, important than the work that I do. My first job out of college was working as a hostess at Danny Meyer’s Maialino. I started the day after graduation, with the hopes that it would be a way to pay my bills while I pursued a career in the entertainment industry. I had never worked in restaurants, nor had any hospitality training or expertise outside of a casual interest in food and wine. My goodness, those people and that place changed my life. I learned so much about excellence, commitment to craft, and how to thrive in chaos. I worked with the most incredible people — from the chefs, to the porters, servers, manager, baristas, etc — everyone there took so much pride in creating an unforgettable experience for our guests. I didn’t even know that those were lessons that I needed, but being surrounded by people who are the very best at what they do and require that of others inspired me endlessly.
On striving towards a more inclusive and equitable world through her work
I’m so proud of the projects that I’ve been a part of, because they’re always centered around a person or a group that have been historically marginalized. I’ve spent my career producing projects about women, BIPOC folks, LGBTQ people, the disabled community, etc. I’ve also made it my mission to put just as much importance on who is behind the camera as what is in front of it. I’m passionate about widening the definition of “mainstream”, because there are so many perspectives and voices that will resonate if we are brave enough to give them a chance to be told.
On navigating an unpredictable and ever-evolving industry
I work in an ever shifting and sometimes unpredictable industry. From mergers and acquisitions, to bubbles and busts, changing mandates and general uncertainty, I think that Ray Arnold says it best: “Hold onto your butts!” That’s how I feel about ambiguity. It’s going to happen, and it might feel crazy, but the only thing one can control is oneself and one’s attitude.
I have a lot of energy and a very high work capacity, both in my personal life and in work. I’m able to handle a lot of different objectives at once without getting overwhelmed. I can also see the big picture and understand what requires my attention and when it’s most important, and not get mired in the minutia.
On the value of mentorship — it comes in many shapes and forms
I think that mentors come in all different shapes and sizes. I have a few dear friends who might have started out as my mentees, but now I seek their advice. Peer mentors are the people who have helped me most in getting jobs, making pivots, and guiding day-to-day decisions, while my bosses have been generous enough to support and guide me in the big picture. At the end of the day, a mentor-mentee relationship should be based on friendship, not transaction.
Your peer network is going to get you through the good, the bad, and the ugly of life. Nurture those relationships. Don’t stress about being perfect, just strive to get a little bit better every day. Where you start is not where you end up.
On life outside of work
I absolutely crush epic fantasy novels. I’m currently reading Branden Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives series and listening to Sarah J. Mass’s Crescent City series. I love watching and going to women’s sporting events, go Liberty! And my wife and I opened a boutique gym in Chelsea called Bodied Fitness Club, so owning and operating a small business scratches a lot of my curiosity itches.
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Our sincere thanks to Reni Calister ’11 for sharing such valuable insights on her journey from Barnard Athena Scholar to acclaimed Emmy award winner, and her experiences navigating the film and television industry over the past decade. We are so proud of Reni’s achievements and continue to wish her all the best with her future ahead.
Reni is happy to speak with current students and alums interested in breaking into the world of media — to be a sounding board for big dreams, big fears, and big questions.
If you would like to get in touch with Reni, she can be contacted via her Instagram @therealreni
Blog Post written by VISP film student and Athena summer 2024 intern Amy Miller ’24
