Zola Mashariki

Head of Audible Studios

Audible Inc

Zola Mashariki joined Audible in 2021 as Head of Audible Studios. In her role, Mashariki oversees the creation of all original content and manages the entire studio, as-well-as the development and implementation of content strategy. She has been growing the star-studded Audible stories that have been captivating audiences with their audio plays and series by creating partnerships with high profile production companies such as Plan B, Smokehouse and Higher Ground. A few notable titles she has overseen are Kerry Washington’s “The Prophecy,” John Legend’s “Living Legend,” audience favorite, “Impact Winter” and “Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast.” Previously, she spent 15 years at Fox Searchlight Pictures (now Searchlight) where she served as Senior Vice President of Production, working on an array of indie, prestige and international films such as “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” “The Last King of Scotland,” for which Forest Whitaker won the Oscar for Best Actor, Denzel Washington’s directorial debut, “Antwone Fisher,” and acquisitions “Slumdog Millionaire” (winner of 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture, BAFTA winner for Best Film) and “12 Years a Slave” (winner of 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture, BAFTA winner for Best Film). Mashariki also served as Head of Original Programming for BET/ Viacom where she led the content team and executive produced “The New Edition Story,” BET’s highest rated mini-series of all time. She most recently was Chief Content Officer at production company One Community, where she oversaw the critically acclaimed 2019 film “Just Mercy,” based on the life of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Zola is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. She lives in Los Angeles, California, has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, is a wife and mother of twins.