She graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University and holds a bachelor's degree in both theatre history and literature, class of 1987.
[5][6][7] During her tenure at HBO, she oversaw 48 award-winning films and mini-series including If These Walls Could Talk, Mi Vida Loca, Empire Falls, Lackawanna Blues and Normal.
[9] In 2006, Putnam joined Miramax, then a division of Walt Disney Pictures after the departure of the Weinstein brothers from the company, as President of Production.
She oversaw the production and acquisition of 20 films including No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Gone Baby Gone, The Queen, Adventureland and Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
[13][14] In this role, she oversees the Sundance Film Festival as well as the institute's many year-round programs to support independent storytelling artists around the world through labs, workshops, and educational resources.