We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aurellia Himawan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aurellia below.

Hi Aurellia, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that businesses will always put their bottom line first, but people won’t, and it’s important to differentiate that. After witnessing so many layoffs during and after the writer and actor strikes last year, and then personally being victim to a “position termination” myself, I saw that corporations won’t hesitate to eliminate their employees if it benefits them more to let you go. The days of being at a company for 20, 30, or 40 years are long over, especially in an industry that constantly has to adjust to changing technologies and market conditions like entertainment. At the end of the day, an employee is trading their experience, skills, and time for compensation, and a company should never be prioritized over your life. Your value as a person is not in productivity.

On the other hand, it’s important not to lay the blame on the people that surround you. When the terminations come, your coworkers and supervisors didn’t make that decision and normally don’t want it to happen to you, because we all know how difficult losing a job is, especially with no warning. They will be vital resources and sometimes friends and mentors as the dust settles. Especially in entertainment and creative fields, but in every field, there are so many opportunities for you to create professional communities and relationships with people. Oftentimes, your success hinges upon your ability to do so. This world are subject to the same capitalist system that you are and are fellow workers too, so remember that the only way we can try to survive is by leaning on one another.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a young professional trying to navigate the loveable yet hateable landscape of the entertainment industry. I stick around, like most of us, due to a lifelong passion for the performing arts and the collaborative spirit it embodies. As corny as it sounds, there’s truly nothing more rewarding like working with other people to create something larger than any of us as individuals.

Originally, I’m from Indonesia. Thanks to the green card lottery, my family and I found our way to the United States. Unlike many people at my high school, going to college was a huge reach for me not only because of low admission rates, but also because I experienced a lot of personal difficulty in high school which led me to have middling academic scores. On top of that, financially, I came from a working family and was on free lunch stamps throughout my years at school. Eventually, graduating from USC summa cum laude was a testament not only to hard work but also to the incredible support of a generous financial aid scholarship—without which, my path would have been extremely different.

As I graduated, I learned that the best way to break into the industry was commonly accepted as joining the mailroom of a management company or agency. I landed at Verve after I was drawn by its reputation for fostering a respectful work culture that values everyone—from assistants to partners. I also personally knew a few people who had worked there or were there at the time that gave glowing reviews. My priority was to foster an environment where I could truly find mentorship and friendship, and it more than paid off. I got to understand a birds-eye view of “the town” and the importance of synergy across various teams and specialties in talent representation. Most importantly, I made so many treasured friends and mentors who are still in my life today and hopefully will be there in the decades to come.

However, I eventually felt my true passion lay in creative producing, or at least getting closer to the creative process. The folks at Verve were aware of this and were supportive of my pursuit toward that end. Amid the challenges posed by the 2023 writer and actor strikes, I was lucky to have the opportunity to join Searchlight Pictures. The experience was amazing, offering me the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Though a corporate reorganization led to my departure, it reinforced my belief in the power of resilience and connection. Afterward, I pursued opportunities that would bring me closer to producing on the ground floor, aligning with my vision of storytelling.

What I feel sets me apart is my commitment to building relationships—those genuine connections that breathe life into our projects and our lives. I strive to foster environments where creativity flourishes, and every voice is heard. Though I’m still early in my career, my experiences have continued to shape my understanding of the industry and the value of collaboration.

As I continue this journey, I am proud of the relationships I’ve nurtured and the stories yet to be told. I want potential collaborators to know that I am dedicated to crafting meaningful narratives that resonate with people and elevate diverse voices. What I’m always aiming for is combining teamwork, creativity, and unwavering passion—a reflection of my belief that at the heart of entertainment lies the transformative power of storytelling and a way to expand people’s point of view and empathy about each other and the world.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One important lesson I’ve had to unlearn is that simply doing good work isn’t enough; it must be accompanied by visibility and advocacy to truly be recognized. This realization took root during my high school years when I struggled with mental health issues. I really believed that I had to complete every assignment to 110% of my efforts to earn validation. Unfortunately, my depression often left me unable to finish my work, which spiraled into feelings of failure and led me to skip school more and more.

At one point, my counselor and family intervened, helping to reduce my course load to alleviate my stress. During this time, I took the initiative to speak with my teachers, apologizing for my absence and sharing my struggles. Through these conversations, I realized that my presence mattered more than I had assumed. My teachers were far more understanding if they saw me engaging in class and showing up, rather than just focusing on the assignments I submitted.

This lesson became even more relevant in college, where I made a conscious effort to invest in relationships with my peers and professors. By participating actively and being visible, I built a network of support that proved invaluable during challenging times. For example, when I faced a particularly demanding project, my relationships allowed me to ask for help and leniency when I needed extra time.

Carrying this understanding into my professional life, I learned that it’s essential to advocate for oneself and foster connections. In the workplace, I make it a priority to share my accomplishments and seek feedback, to ensure that my contributions are recognized. This shift has transformed my approach, reinforcing the idea that success is not just about the work itself, but also about the relationships and visibility that accompany it.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In a world where ruthless competition often masquerades as ambition, I find comfort in a simpler approach: hard work, genuine connections, and an open mind create a kind of quiet rebellion against the chaos. For me, I make it a point to never make it about outshining the next person; rather, it is about showing up, rolling up my sleeves, and pouring my heart into every project and task. I make it a point to nurture relationships, sharing a laugh or a coffee with colleagues, because nothing fosters growth like a friendly ear or a shared struggle. I check in with my supervisors and mentors often to pursue ways to get better, and feedback becomes my compass, guiding me through the murky waters of self-doubt, teaching me that criticism at its best is another form of encouragement, a nudge toward improvement. When mistakes inevitably are made by myself or others, it’s best to let it roll off like water on a duck. Especially in an industry like ours, the stakes should never be so high as to make people feel shame about it. Authenticity is so important as well. Being genuine and transparent in my interactions has helped me build trust within my network, and encourage others to be honest as I am in kind to them. Through it all, I keep my chin up, believing that positivity is contagious, like a good joke that spreads through the room. In the end, what determines my conduct isn’t just about building a reputation; it is about creating a community, one where kindness flows as freely as the thousands of emails we send day to day, and where each small triumph feels like a collective victory.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eahimawan/

Image Credits

Photo 1 & 2: Julianna Hernandez Photo 3: Aamuro Kanda Photo 4: Self Photo 5: Kayla Eremita