About us
Our story
Baobab Studios bridges the gap between passive viewing and active playing.
Guided by the creative leaders behind Madagascar and Moana, and the innovators behind FarmVille and Pixar’s character technology, we create stories that can be watched, played, and experienced.
From premium features and series to interactive games, graphic novels to Roblox and YouTube, our original worlds have attracted collaborators such as Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, and Kate Winslet. With the guidance of luminaries like Pixar co-founders Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith, we are helping shape how the next generation experiences animation.
Our visionaries & innovators
Our visionaries & innovators
Maureen Fan
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Before co-founding Baobab, Maureen served as VP of Games at Zynga, where she oversaw six studios—including the original FarmVille franchise—and helped lead the company through its IPO. She has been named one of Ad Age’s “Most Creative People of the Year” and recognized by Variety as a “Top Digital Creative.”
Maureen Fan
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Maureen Fan
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Before co-founding Baobab, Maureen served as VP of Games at Zynga, where she oversaw six studios—including the original FarmVille franchise—and helped lead the company through its IPO. She has been named one of Ad Age’s “Most Creative People of the Year” and recognized by Variety as a “Top Digital Creative.”
Eric Darnell
Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
A 30-year veteran of feature animation, Eric is the director and screenwriter of the entire Madagascar franchise (grossing over $3B worldwide) and DreamWorks’ Antz. At Baobab, he leads the narrative vision for the studio’s original worlds and characters.
Eric Darnell
Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
Eric Darnell
Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
A 30-year veteran of feature animation, Eric is the director and screenwriter of the entire Madagascar franchise (grossing over $3B worldwide) and DreamWorks’ Antz. At Baobab, he leads the narrative vision for the studio’s original worlds and characters.
Larry Cutler
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Larry bridges the gap between art and code. He began his career as a Technical Director at Pixar and later served as DreamWorks Animation’s Global Head of Character Technology. Before co-founding Baobab, he was VP of Solutions at Sequoia-backed startup, Metanautix (acquired by Microsoft), focusing on big data and machine learning.
Larry Cutler
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Larry Cutler
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Larry bridges the gap between art and code. He began his career as a Technical Director at Pixar and later served as DreamWorks Animation’s Global Head of Character Technology. Before co-founding Baobab, he was VP of Solutions at Sequoia-backed startup, Metanautix (acquired by Microsoft), focusing on big data and machine learning.
Osnat Shurer
Co-Chief Creative Officer
Osnat brings over 30 years of animation experience to the studio. She produced Disney’s Oscar-nominated Moana and Raya and the Last Dragon. Moana remains one of the most-watched family films in the world. Previously, she led Pixar’s short films group and served as VP of Development at Walt Disney Feature Animation.
Osnat Shurer
Co-Chief Creative Officer
Osnat Shurer
Co-Chief Creative Officer
Osnat brings over 30 years of animation experience to the studio. She produced Disney’s Oscar-nominated Moana and Raya and the Last Dragon. Moana remains one of the most-watched family films in the world. Previously, she led Pixar’s short films group and served as VP of Development at Walt Disney Feature Animation.
Kane Lee
Chief Content Officer
A multi-Emmy-winning producer, Kane oversees the studio’s content across film, series, publishing, and interactive media. His credits include Netflix’s award-winning series Oni: Thunder God’s Tale and the studio tentpoles The School for Good and Evil and The Tiger’s Apprentice. He previously held leadership roles at Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age, Horton Hears a Who!) and Jane Startz Productions.
Kane Lee
Chief Content Officer
Kane Lee
Chief Content Officer
A multi-Emmy-winning producer, Kane oversees the studio’s content across film, series, publishing, and interactive media. His credits include Netflix’s award-winning series Oni: Thunder God’s Tale and the studio tentpoles The School for Good and Evil and The Tiger’s Apprentice. He previously held leadership roles at Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age, Horton Hears a Who!) and Jane Startz Productions.
Our board & advisors
Ed Catmull
Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Former President of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar
Ed Catmull
Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Former President of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar
Ed Catmull
Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Former President of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar
Gary Marsh
Former President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Branded Television
Gary Marsh
Former President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Branded Television
Gary Marsh
Former President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Branded Television
Kevin Lin
Co-Founder and Former COO of Twitch
Kevin Lin
Co-Founder and Former COO of Twitch
Kevin Lin
Co-Founder and Former COO of Twitch
Jane Rosenthal
Co-Founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises
Jane Rosenthal
Co-Founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises
Jane Rosenthal
Co-Founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises
Mireille Soria
Former President of Paramount Animation, Former Co-President of DreamWorks Animation, Producer at Netflix
Mireille Soria
Former President of Paramount Animation, Former Co-President of DreamWorks Animation, Producer at Netflix
Mireille Soria
Former President of Paramount Animation, Former Co-President of DreamWorks Animation, Producer at Netflix
Peter Chernin
Former CEO of The Fox Group, Former President and COO of News Corp
Peter Chernin
Former CEO of The Fox Group, Former President and COO of News Corp
Peter Chernin
Former CEO of The Fox Group, Former President and COO of News Corp
Glenn Entis
Co-Founder of PDI, Former CEO of DreamWorks Interactive, Former SVP and Chief Visual Officer at Electronic Arts
Glenn Entis
Co-Founder of PDI, Former CEO of DreamWorks Interactive, Former SVP and Chief Visual Officer at Electronic Arts
Glenn Entis
Co-Founder of PDI, Former CEO of DreamWorks Interactive, Former SVP and Chief Visual Officer at Electronic Arts
Matt Finnick
Former CFO of Roblox, Former SVP at Marvel Studios
Matt Finnick
Former CFO of Roblox, Former SVP at Marvel Studios
Matt Finnick
Former CFO of Roblox, Former SVP at Marvel Studios
Ben Pyne
Former Disney Media Distribution President
Ben Pyne
Former Disney Media Distribution President
Ben Pyne
Former Disney Media Distribution President
Glen Keane
Oscar-winning Director and Animator (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Tangled)
Glen Keane
Oscar-winning Director and Animator (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Tangled)
Glen Keane
Oscar-winning Director and Animator (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Tangled)
Bing Chen
Former Global Head of Creator Development & Management at YouTube
Bing Chen
Former Global Head of Creator Development & Management at YouTube
Bing Chen
Former Global Head of Creator Development & Management at YouTube
Deb Liu
CEO of Ancestry, Former VP at Facebook
Deb Liu
CEO of Ancestry, Former VP at Facebook
Deb Liu
CEO of Ancestry, Former VP at Facebook
David Henry Hwang
Playwright, 3x Pulitzer Prize Finalist
David Henry Hwang
Playwright, 3x Pulitzer Prize Finalist
David Henry Hwang
Playwright, 3x Pulitzer Prize Finalist
Alvy Ray Smith
Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Co-Inventor of the Alpha Channel
Alvy Ray Smith
Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Co-Inventor of the Alpha Channel
Alvy Ray Smith
Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Co-Inventor of the Alpha Channel
Do crazy things with people who think they can achieve the impossible
Sound like you? Check out our openings below
Digital Marketing Manager
We're looking for a versatile marketer to lead content strategy and operational initiatives across our transmedia portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of gaming, animation, and entertainment.
Digital Marketing Manager
We're looking for a versatile marketer to lead content strategy and operational initiatives across our transmedia portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of gaming, animation, and entertainment.
Digital Marketing Manager
We're looking for a versatile marketer to lead content strategy and operational initiatives across our transmedia portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of gaming, animation, and entertainment.
Roblox Programmer
Contract position building games for our 10+ title portfolio with over 100M visits. Develop engaging gameplay systems and features that reach massive audiences.
Roblox Programmer
Contract position building games for our 10+ title portfolio with over 100M visits. Develop engaging gameplay systems and features that reach massive audiences.
Roblox Programmer
Contract position building games for our 10+ title portfolio with over 100M visits. Develop engaging gameplay systems and features that reach massive audiences.