By David Laurell

While everyone who has ever worked for a company has encountered their share of odd or eccentric co-workers, Zita Lefebvre has everyone beat. On any given day, Zita works side-by-side with talking animals, a boy genius who invents strange chemicals and robots, and a trio of kindergarten-aged girls who defend their town from villains and monsters by use of their superpowers. Serving as the director of operations and community relations for Cartoon Network Studios, Zita also deals with all aspects of running the day-to-day operations of the Burbank-based studio that produces cartoons such as “Dexter’s Laboratory,” “Johnny Bravo,” “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Ed, Edd n Eddy” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog.”

Cartoon Network, owned by Turner Broadcasting, a Time-Warner Company, was launched in 1992. The decision to establish the animation showcase came after Turner’s 1991 purchase of Hanna-Barbera Productions that had been founded by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna, the legendary animators who brought the world the Flintstones, the Jetsons, Tom and Jerry, Huckleberry Hound, Scooby-Doo, Top Cat and a galaxy of other classic cartoon characters.

“I was hired at Hanna-Barbera in 1993, as an editor for Turner Publishing and to assist the head of creative services,” said Zita. “I was in my mid-40s and it was my first job. I then went on to work for Warner Animation until Cartoon Network Studios opened in 2000. The core of the Hanna-Barbera group then became Cartoon Network Studios and that was when they brought me on as the director of operations.”

Born and raised in Saratoga, New York, Zita married young, had three children and moved frequently due to her husband’s work. “He was transferred all over the country until we finally ended up in California,” said Zita. “I was a mother and a housewife for 20 years – raising my kids, baking cookies, getting involved with all their activities and volunteering at their schools – It was a very enjoyable part of my life.”

While Zita clearly loved her role as a mother and housewife, ultimately, a divorce and the departure of her children to begin their own lives served as the impetus for her, for the first time, to seek a job. “I really feel blessed to have had the best of both worlds,” she said pragmatically. “I got to be home with my kids as they were growing up, and then was able to get a fabulous job with a great company when I was in my 40s.”

When Zita was hired on a Hanna-Barbera, the company’s now-deceased founders were still very much a part of the studio. “I loved working with William Hanna and Joe Barbera,” said Zita. “It was a delight and a joy to work side-by-side with them. Their talent and creativity was amazing and it was incredible to be around them and all their artists.”

Zita said she learned many things from her bosses that she implements in her work today. “I work with a generation of animators who revere Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera,” said Zita. “Many of the animators I work with were inspired to become animators by them and the characters they created. Bill and Joe were down-to-earth people. Bill Hanna made his own lunch every day and he would have people over for barbeques on a regular basis. It was a different era in which the work environment was just wonderful. We try to replicate that today at Cartoon Network Studios and I think we do a really good job of that.”

Another thing Zita does a really good job of is working with local schools and non-profit organizations. “I had started a community outreach program when I was at Hanna-Barbera,” said Zita. “They had been throwing things out that I knew the local schools could really use. Bill and Joe were really excited about that – just thrilled with the idea that we could donate things they had been dumping. That started my involvement and commitment to community outreach on the corporate level.”

With a deep belief that both individuals and companies must find ways to show gratitude for their success and give back, Zita became engaged with those in the community who are in need. She has established numerous partnerships with a local Boys & Girls Club, homeless shelters, food pantries and schools. “It’s a natural fit,” she said. “Reaching out to the community is as good for us and my animators as it is for those who benefit from what we do. I have found that young people don’t get involved unless someone invites them to get involved. I’ve had young artists tell me they don’t feel they have anything to offer. I’ve told them that when they walk into a school and tell the kids they are an animator at Cartoon Network Studios, they will be an automatic superstar. When they do, they just love it and become mentors to kids. My job is to be a mentor to the mentors.”

Zita also arranges for children suffering from serious maladies to tour Cartoon Network Studio’s facilities and meet some of their characters through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “Every time we have the opportunity to fulfill a wish for a child from Make-A-Wish it sends a powerful message to all of us that there are so many children lying in hospitals watching Cartoon Network,” she said. “We bring them in on the days we are doing recordings so they can meet the voice artists and watch them work. We then load them up with toys and T-shirts and backpacks for whatever shows they like. Those days are both wonderful and emotional. They really make you pause and be grateful for so many things – the health of your own children.”

Today, working with many people who are younger than her own children, Zita said she very much enjoys the rapport she has established with her younger co-workers. “It’s remarkable to interact with them,” she said. “They will come in and tell me about their lives and families. I know I am a different person than I would be if I did not interact with young people on a daily basis. They come from such a different place. I listen to their music and, while sometimes it gives me a headache, other times I’ll think that something is really catchy. I learn something from them every day. They have a lot to offer me. And, in return, I have found I have a lot to offer them – which is extremely gratifying. If I can help them in some way, it is a pleasure to be able to do that.”

While Zita takes her role as a mentor seriously, she also believes the productions and characters her studio creates should do the same. “Animation, at its best, should entertain kids,” she said. “But I like to think it also teaches them things and gives them something to think about that they can share with their parents.”

Pointing to Cartoon Network Studios’ hugely successful series, “The Powerpuff Girls,” in which Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles use their powers, not just to ward off crime, but also to deal with issues such as bullying, sibling rivalry, hygiene or bed wetting, Zita considers it to have been a groundbreaking show. “It was the first time a cartoon provided superheroes for girls,” she said. “There was nothing like that before and it was a wonderful show, for young girls and for our network.”

Asked if she has a favorite cartoon character herself, Zita said when Hanna and Barbera were asked that question they would demur and never name a favorite. “The characters were like their children, so how could they have a favorite?” she laughed. Pressed on the subject, Zita revealed she is rather partial to Scooby-Doo. “I worked on the Scooby show and when they did the live-action film, I was on the set. I think Scooby is an amazing character – as popular now as he was 40 years ago. I watched Scooby as a kid and then with my kids. Kids still love him today.”

In her office, surrounded by framed animation cels and hundreds of collectables pertaining to the studio’s various shows and characters, Zita said she completely rejects the concept of retirement. “The thought of retiring frightens me,” she laughed. “I think nothing makes a person old like retiring. So I hope to never retire. I love my job. It’s a very positive and pleasant place to work. I mean, when you get on an elevator and your standing next to Johnny Bravo, how bad can your day be? I never grouse about getting up and going to work – even on a Monday morning. I never grouse about staying till 11:00 p.m. Every one of my days is different and wonderful. Some aren’t as wonderful as others, but that’s the case with any work.”

Asked about her feelings and philosophy in regards to aging, Zita called life after 50 a blessing, adding that she is a believer that things happen for a reason and it is only when one passes the age of 50 that they can look back and understand why certain things happened or didn’t happen. “You have a better understanding of things and you can really enjoy life,” she said.

She also believes the fountain of youth really exists. “It’s in your head,” Zita revealed. “I think as long as you think young, and act young, and engage with young people, you won’t get old. Sure you’ll get wrinkles, but so what? They don’t hurt. I think that as we age, we should simply take one day at a time and make it a point to enjoy each day. I truly believe that if you keep your thoughts in a positive place, you will have a good day. If you wake up grouchy and start griping about things, that’s the way the whole day will go. Staying young in your mind is the best way to stay young in your body and outlook – and watching a couple of cartoons every day is also a great way to stay young and happy.”