Making history, Maria Guerra-Stoll, the powerhouse behind PAM Studios and GSB Architects & Interiors, Inc., has officially been named the first Latina to join The Governor’s Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Advisory Commission. The big moment came on September 30, 2024, when she was sworn in alongside other new members at the Georgia State Capitol.
This commission plays a major role in shaping Georgia’s ever-expanding entertainment industry, and Guerra-Stoll’s appointment highlights her game-changing impact. Known for her groundbreaking studio designs and relentless commitment to uplifting diverse voices, she’s poised to bring even more innovation to the table.
A Visionary in the Entertainment World
Guerra-Stoll’s journey into the world of entertainment started back in 2007 when she worked on designing Tyler Perry Studios, Georgia’s first major film production campus. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “Our team pioneered purpose-built sound stages, backlots, and studio campus components in Georgia.” This move would set the stage for Georgia’s future as a film and TV production powerhouse.
In 2015, Guerra-Stoll took her vision even further by founding PAM Studios LLC (Playa Azul Media). The company focuses on creating film, TV, and streaming projects that put Hispanic voices front and center, smashing stereotypes along the way. Since then, PAM Studios has grown its influence, working with major clients like AT&T, Verizon, Wells Fargo, and Clorox, while also lending a hand to emerging studio projects across the state. Based in Rome, Georgia, the studio is not only a hub of creative energy but also a force for real change in the industry.
Championing Underrepresented Talent
Guerra-Stoll is all about giving a platform to voices that often go unheard. Her passion for nurturing underrepresented communities in entertainment has earned her huge recognition and respect. She’s optimistic about Georgia’s future as a leader in the entertainment industry, saying, “We have an amazing amount of talent spread all over Georgia, with untold stories, and the great majority is untapped—that’s like gold!” She also points out that, besides the state’s incredible tax incentives, Georgia offers unbeatable natural backdrops, thriving film offices, and learning institutions that are creating a self-sustaining industry.
The Next Chapter for Georgia’s Entertainment Scene
As the newest member of the Governor’s Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Advisory Commission, Guerra-Stoll is just getting started. With her vision, she’ll continue pushing for a more inclusive entertainment ecosystem in Georgia, creating new opportunities for diverse talent and further establishing Georgia as a key player in film and digital media.
About Maria Guerra-Stoll
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Maria Guerra-Stoll holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and has completed several Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) programs, including one at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. She’s also sharpened her leadership skills through programs like Leadership Atlanta and the John F. Kennedy University Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Beyond her work in entertainment and architecture, Guerra-Stoll is committed to giving back. She serves on the executive board of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce and is a former chairman of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her efforts have earned her features in Georgia Trend magazine, Atlanta Woman, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
