Natalie Fischer is the CEO of Locksmith Animation, an independent producer of animated features with studios in Los Angeles and London. With over 20 years of experience working in the entertainment industry, Fischer previously served as the COO of Illumination Entertainment where she played an integral role from the studio’s inception. Working closely with founder Chris Meledandri, she was instrumental in setting up the studio, striking key partnership deals, and guiding the studio through its many years of massive growth and success. She oversaw operations on all levels, including business & legal affairs, finance, marketing, and consumer products and managed the relationship with Universal Pictures and Illumination Studios Paris. During her tenure at Illumination, the ten films she helped shepherd, from the Despicable Me and Sing films, to The Lorax and The Grinch, amassed over $5.7 billion in worldwide box office. Her work firmly cemented Illumination as a global brand. Prior to working with Illumination, she was the Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy at Universal Pictures and a Business Strategist at Channel 4 Television in the UK.