Vancouver, Canada-based prodco Rainmaker Entertainment has named veteran animation producer Catherine Winder as president.

Winder comes from Lucasfilm Animation, where she setup the studio and produced Cartoon Network series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. One of her first tasks in the new remit will be to produce an original short feature animation project, Luna, this summer. It’s based on a concept from in-house producer Luke Carroll, and directed by Pixar alumnus Jon Mead.

Winder is no stranger to the animation world, having worked in the feature film, homevid and TV business along with running her own industry consulting biz. Previous roles include SVP of production at Fox Feature Animation and she began her animation career in Asia, working for Walt Disney Television Japan, followed by positions at Hanna-Barbera/Turner Pictures in both Taiwan and L.A. She also co-authored Producing Animation which is used as a reference text in animation schools.

Kim Dent Wilder is also joining the Rainmaker management team as SVP of production and operations, while Tara Kemes joins the prodco as manager of talent development.