ONIKA WATSON
Personal Profile
Onika Watson is the steady hand behind the scenes—where art meets accountability, and creative vision is transformed into cinematic reality. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory, Onika brings a formidable command of structure, discipline, and strategic foresight to independent film production.
Her journey began in the high-stakes world of financial services, where she built and led complex regulatory and risk programs for some of the world's largest banks. For 13 years, she served as a trusted advisor at Deloitte and KPMG — two of the world’s foremost consulting firms — leading large-scale transformation initiatives and guided Fortune 500 companies through complex risk environments with precision and insight. Her work was as much about storytelling through data as it was about protecting institutions from disruption.
An emerging force in the film industry, Onika now channels that same rigorous, process-driven approach to the role of film producer. As the central point of contact for financial and logistical operations, she oversees everything from budgeting and crew hiring to scheduling and crisis management, ensuring creative visions are realized. Her projects often explore themes of identity, resilience, and social change, aligning with her values and voice.
Her risk acumen allows her to anticipate the unexpected—setting contingency plans in motion before problems arise, and shielding creative teams from distractions that could derail a shoot. Whether it’s securing a last-minute location, adjusting for weather delays, or renegotiating vendor contracts, Onika makes certain that every production she leads moves forward with purpose, precision, and control. Her approach is both technical and human: fluent in compliance protocols and post schedules, but just as comfortable resolving crew concerns or steering a production back on course.
Onika’s career reflects a rare blend of analytical precision and creative collaboration, giving her a competitive edge —one that bridges the analytical world of compliance with the collaborative art of storytelling. She doesn't just manage productions; she protects them, ensuring each story reaches the screen intact, on time, and on budget.
Onika holds a Master’s in Risk Management and is a certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP). She is also a graduate of a top-tier film production program, where she refined her skills in producing, budgeting, and creative collaboration. Whether advising executives in a boardroom or leading a production team on set, Onika brings integrity, strategy, and storytelling to everything she does.
