Carrie Wootten
Carrie Wootten is an award-winning leader, speaker, and women in leadership trainer with over 20 years’ experience driving transformation across the global media, technology, and creative industries. As CEO of Media Talent Manifesto, she leads a pioneering international initiative focused on closing skills gaps, advancing diversity, and creating equitable pathways into the industry through mentoring, education, and large-scale global programmes. A member of BAFTA and Fellow of the RSA, Carrie is recognised for her commitment to creativity, innovation, and social impact.
Carrie is widely known for championing women’s leadership and progression. As Co-Founder and Managing Director of Rise, she built a global network of over 4,000 members and delivered mentoring and leadership programmes supporting more than 600 women worldwide, with over 90% achieving career progression. She also co-founded Rise Up Academy, engaging thousands of young people, particularly young women from underrepresented backgrounds, through hands-on workshops, training, and summer schools designed to inspire careers in media technology.
Through her current work, Carrie leads impactful initiatives including the IGNITE mentoring programme for ethnically underrepresented professionals and a dedicated neurodiversity programme that equips leaders to build inclusive teams. She also hosts the Media Careers podcast, interviewing industry leaders to inspire the next generation. With a background spanning senior roles at Trinity College London and Ravensbourne University London, Carrie brings deep expertise in leadership development, innovation, and organisational change, equipping leaders with the tools to build inclusive cultures and drive meaningful, sustainable impact.
