Speakers

Thomas F. (“Tom”) Lesinski is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National CineMedia, Inc. He also serves on the board of NCMI as a Director. 

A highly accomplished executive with a career bridging the entertainment, digital media, sales, marketing and advertising industries, Lesinski was appointed to the role of CEO in 2019 after serving as both an Independent Director (2014) and Chairman of the Board (2018) of NCMI Since, 2015, he had also served as CEO of Sonar Entertainment, a leading TV production company, after serving as a Sonar Board Director since 2013. 

His extensive 25-year Hollywood career also includes prior leadership roles as CEO of Sonar Entertainment, a leading TV production company, after serving as a Sonar Board Director since 2013. His extensive 25-year Hollywood career also includes prior leadership roles as CEO and founder of Energi Entertainment, President of Digital Content & Distribution with Legendary Entertainment, President of Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment and President of Worldwide Home Entertainment for Paramount, and both Executive Vice President and General Manager of Home Entertainment and Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing & Development at Warner Bros. He began his career in advertising, working at industry leaders BBDO, Foote, Cone & Belding, and Clairol Inc. 

He holds bachelor’s degree in Journalism and master’s degree in Advertising from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Ronnie Ng is Chief Financial Officer of National CineMedia Inc. 

He joined NCM in September 2021. With 20 years of finance, investment banking, accounting and managerial experience, Ng joins NCM from Allen Media Group, LLC (AMG), a diversified media and entertainment company, where he was CFO and head of corporate development. At AMG, he led the company’s finance organization and oversaw multiple large-scale acquisitions and the refinancing of its capital structure. 

Prior to AMG, Ng served as vice president in the fixed income group for TCW Group, Inc. (TCW) where he evaluated investments in the media and technology industry, including investment grade corporate bonds, high-yield bonds and leveraged loans. Before joining TCW, he was an investment banker for approximately 10 years. He served as executive director of UBS Investment Bank’s Global Media Group where he managed, advised and structured various financings and merger and acquisition transactions. Ng’s other previous experience includes working at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Houlihan Lokey, Inc. and Arthur Andersen LLP. 

Ng holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Catherine is President of National CineMedia, Inc., based in the company's New York office. She joined NCM in May 2024 and will oversee the Company's sales and marketing strategy and lead initiatives to continue the momentum of brands returning to the theater to reach sought-after audiences. 

Catherine Sullivan is a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience in media and AdTech. Currently serving as a senior advisor to Equativ, Smarly.io, Telly, #Paid, and several other startups, Catherine brings strategic insight and industry expertise to her advisory roles. 

Prior to her consultancy work, Catherine played a pivotal role as a consultant for Penn Entertainment, facilitating the successful closure of the ESPN Bet deal. Preceding this accomplishment, she held the esteemed position of CEO at PHD Media US, where she transformed the organization into a powerhouse of innovation and excellence, driving unprecedented growth and market leadership. 

In her role as CEO, Catherine spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration that propelled PHD Media US to the forefront of the industry. Under her leadership, the agency earned accolades for its cutting-edge campaigns and strategic vision, solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in media planning and buying. 

Transitioning to the role of Chief Investment Officer at Omnicom Media Group (OMG) NA, Catherine continued to redefine industry standards and shape the future of media investment. Leading investment strategies across flagship agencies such as OMD, PHD, and Hearts &Science, she orchestrated transformative initiatives that optimized client outcomes and maximized ROI. 

Catherine's tenure at OMG was marked by strategic foresight and bold decision-making, driving unparalleled growth and profitability for the organization. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence earned her recognition as a driving force in the industry, setting new benchmarks for success and innovation. 

Before her tenure at OMG, Catherine held executive positions at both ABC and NBC, where she played instrumental roles in driving revenue growth and fostering innovation in digital multiplatform sales.

Manu Singh is the Chief Data and Innovation Officer at National CineMedia (NCM), where she drives the company’s data and technology strategy, shaping its approach to audience intelligence, measurement, and programmatic innovation. She played a key role in launching NCMx, a first-of-its-kind platform that connects brands with high-intent moviegoers through advanced data insights and precision targeting. Her expertise lies in leveraging AI/ML, real-time signals, and closed-loop attribution to enhance advertising effectiveness and unlock new monetization opportunities. 

With leadership experience at Discovery Inc., WebMD, NBCUniversal, and Nielsen Media Research, Manu has a deep understanding of audience behavior, ad tech, and revenue optimization. She has led groundbreaking initiatives in data-driven advertising, cross-platform measurement, and strategic partnerships that have reshaped media buying and campaign performance evaluation. In addition to her corporate leadership, Manu advises startups in healthcare, education, and networking, offering strategic guidance on data strategy, product development, and market expansion. 

She holds a Master of Art’s degree in Mass Communication and Social Research from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from NYU Stern School of Business.

Sara Light is the US and LATAM Brand Media Lead at Expedia Group, managing the planning team across iconic travel brands Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. Sara began her career working at various media agencies for almost 10 years, honing her media planning and buying skills across a wide array of clients including Home Depot, Lionsgate Films, FX Network, ShopStyle, eHarmony, and more. From there, Sara transitioned to client-side media and marketing roles at multiple Fortune 500 companies including Discovery Communications, AT&T, Fox Sports, Amazon, and Webex by Cisco. She has managed media budgets that spanned from $5 million to more than $300 million and spearheaded partnerships across the spectrum from the American Legion to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to Hard Rock Café. Sara's unique blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership make her a valuable asset to Expedia Group and vendor partners.

Chris Poydenis, Chief Revenue Officer and Partner at Influential. Has been with Influential since the beginning. Chris previously worked in the celebrity endorsement space at Premiere Networks and iHeart Media. Before that Chris worked in the entertainment industry at Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. Chris began his career as a member of the prestigious William Morris Agent Trainee Program. Starting in the famous “mailroom” and throughout his time there he focused within The Motion Picture Talent Department.