Megha Tolia, Shondaland’s president and chief operating officer, is stepping down after three years at the top, it was announced Tuesday. As part of the leadership changes, Sandy Bailey, chief innovation and design officer, and Chris DiIorio, chief marketing officer, will assume the roles of co-presidents.
Mr. Bailey and Mr. DiIorio will maintain their current oversight and responsibilities in addition to their new joint roles as co-presidents. The transition will take place in December. Shondaland said Toria is leaving to spend more time with her family.
Mr. Toria joined Shondaland in December 2021 as its first president and chief operating officer (COO), a newly created position at the time to oversee company operations including growth, strategic planning, and finance. It was. She joins Shondaland from SC Johnson’s Lifestyle division as vice president of e-commerce and strategy.
“I am so grateful to Shonda and my colleagues at Shondaland for a wonderful three years with the company,” Tolia said in a statement. “We look forward to supporting them as they continue to tell their stories and fearlessly entertain audiences everywhere.”
As for Bayley, she’s been in Shondaland’s orbit for years, including working on “Scandal” in the set decoration department. She joined the production company in 2016 as director of branding and engagement and was later promoted to chief design and digital media officer. Her previous work included 20 years of event management and interior decoration for high-profile clients, including the President of the United States.
Mr. DiIorio joined Shondaland in 2016 as vice president of strategic development after previously overseeing the television division at PR firm PMK*BNC. He was promoted to Shondaland Chief Marketing Officer in 2022.
Shondaland CEO Shonda Rhimes said, “There are no two people more aligned with my vision and goals for where I want our company to go than Sandy and Chris.” “Together, they have over 20 years of organizational knowledge in all areas of our business, and we are excited to expand their leadership as we continue to build Shondaland. We would like to thank her for her valuable contributions over the past three years and wish her the best as she spends time with her family.”
Shondaland was founded in 2005 and is part of the Rhimes deal with Netflix, whose series include the blockbuster “Bridgerton” series.
“As we enter Shondaland’s 20th anniversary year, we are honored to have been involved in this storytelling for many years,” Bailey and DiIorio said in a joint statement. “We are excited about this next chapter and look forward to leading Shondaland into the future.”
