Jay Francis is Vice President, Current Series and Diversity, Disney Television Animation (TVA). He is responsible for managing the creative direction of production on current series for Disney TVA and working closely with the development and recruitment teams to identify, secure and mentor diverse creative talent for Disney TVA and Disney Junior.
Francis joined Disney TVA in 2007. During his tenure, he has overseen creative direction on a multitude of original animated series including Disney’s five-time Emmy® Award-winning “Phineas and Ferb,” Emmy® Award-nominated “Big City Greens,” “Amphibia,” and most recently the upcoming Disney+ original animated adventure movie “Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe.”
In his Diversity role, Francis has created an educational institutions program for which he regularly visits and speaks with students at key universities across the country as well as the country’s prestigious art and animation schools. He also oversees the television animation studio’s Apprentice Writers and Diversity Development Programs.
Prior to joining Disney TVA, Francis was Vice President and General Manager, Development and Acquisitions for Level 13, Film Roman’s online animation distribution network.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Francis received a Bachelor of Science in television and film production from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.