FILM/TV RAKHEE JETHWA Producer | Director Rakhee Jethwa is an Award-winning producer and director. She has developed and produced documentary and branded content across the globe for HBO Max, CNN, HULU, National Geographic, Red Bull, MTV and more. Her work has taken her to Texas prisons, slums in Nairobi and Gujarat, the Amazon rainforest and many places in between. She is most drawn to stories about the human spirit and what drives us, particularly within marginalized communities. Most recently she produced episodes for Take Out with Lisa Ling, United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell and Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi. In the early 1970s, Rakhee’s family became refugees after they were expelled from Uganda by dictator Idi Amin. It was in England that her parents rebuilt their lives and eventually moved to the Washington D.C. area, where Rakhee was born and raised. Though her roots are Indian, her identity is a confluence of several cultures which has given her a unique lens from which to see and interact in the world. Rakhee recently directed and edited a short documentary called Ragpickers , about a group of women in India who collect and sell recyclable waste to support their families. She is currently based in Brooklyn, where she’s practicing her cooking skills and developing a project about her family’s volatile and unusual past. Her hope is that by using story as a tool to center minority and marginalized voices, we may reveal a fuller and more expansive picture of who we are. "Rakhee has been such a great mentor for me at this point in my early career as she has patiently taken me through various explorations of viable and potential next steps in this incredibly wide-reaching industry. I now have a better understanding of specific skills to improve on for the path I plan to go down, but also transferable skills in case of a pivot to something else related. As a working producer, I most appreciate the confidence Rakhee has instilled in me to go forth and claim my place in this industry!” — Nadira J VIEW ALL MENTORS

HELEN CHO Director | Producer | Showrunner "Having navigated the documentary TV production industry from the ground up, working my way through roles ranging from production assistant to showrunner, as a mentor, I can offer guidance tailored to your current position and aspirations. While I can’t guarantee you a job placement or introductions, I am happy to share insights and answer any questions you may have, helping to demystify the industry's nuances and making the journey feel less intimidating." Helen M. Cho is a Korean American two-time Emmy Award nominated director, producer, and showrunner from New York City. She is best known for her work on the critically acclaimed series Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, and United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell. Helen served as Executive Producer and Showrunner of Take Out with Lisa Ling, now streaming on HBO Max. IndieWire named Take Out one of ‘The Best Documentaries and Docuseries of 2022’. Previous to her work in television, Helen was a digital consultant for clients: Anthony Bourdain, Ecco Press, and Steven Rinella. She holds a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. More importantly, she is the proud daughter of a nail salon worker and USPS letter carrier. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helencho Website: https://helenmcho.com Newsletter: https://helenmcho.com/newsletter FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

Check out our Art mentors for Unlock Her Potential ART GABE WHALEY CEO | Founder | MSCHF VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING SUNYA GANBOLD Head of Delivery, EVP | Razorfish APPLY FOR MARKETING MENTORS WITH THIS LINK "I can help you: sharpen your leadership skills and elevate your personal brand—whether that means navigating tough moments with clarity and confidence, building high-performing teams rooted in trust and purpose, or finding your voice in the room. As a woman of color myself, I’ve learned how to navigate within complex organizations, negotiate cultural nuances, and facilitate alignment across stakeholders with different backgrounds and agendas. I’ve led program management and operations for some of the world’s biggest brands and built and managed massive high-performing cross-disciplinary teams. And along the way, I’ve picked up tools to lead with executive presence, resilience, and empathy. I’m passionate about supporting other women of color as they step into their power." For the first time ever, a third party is sponsoring a full cohort! Top digital marketing agency Razorfish, part of Publicis Groupe, is providing all of the Marketing mentors in 2026. Thanks to Razorfish's generosity, ALL applicants to these 5 Marketing mentors will be free. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV W. KAMAU BELL Comedian | Host | Executive Producer "As someone who has navigated a unique path through my career, but has somehow managed to make some headway in this business in comedy, writing, producing, and directing, I can help you brainstorm ideas and come up with plans to get ahead in your chosen career" W. Kamau Bell is a stand-up comedian and the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning CNN docu-series UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA WITH W. KAMAU BELL. His latest stand-up comedy special, PRIVATE SCHOOL NEGRO, is available on Netflix. Kamau wrote a book with the easy-to-remember title, The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian. He’s the ACLU Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice and serves on the advisory boards of Hollaback! and Donors Choose. VIEW ALL MENTORS

CELIA AU Actress | Filmmaker "As a mentor, I can help you navigate the ups and downs of being an actor and working in the entertainment industry. Together, we can set goals and manage expectations. Drawing from my personal experiences, I will provide you with valuable insights and advice, helping you find the balance between the business and artistic aspects of your career." Celia Au is well known for playing a variety of characters across Netflix's Wu Assassins, Comedy Central's Nora from Queens, and AMC's Lodge 49. Au believes the power of storytelling is to change perception and her producerial slate is centered around uplifting AAPI voices. She is an alumni of Berlinale Talents and her current projects include an untitled cooking show in co-production with Hearst Media Productions, a TV show and 3 feature films in development. She recently produced a Music Video Don't Give Up by artist Calistar and directed by Ron Yuan. Her films were nominated at the SoHo International film, Asian on Films and her VR project premiered at Cucalorus film festival. In addition to acting and producing, Au has been an outspoken activist in the AAPI community and has spoken at engagements with Goldman Sachs, IPG group, AEG Studios, Wash the Hate, Act to Change, and others. in 2020-2022 Celia was named the "Ambassador of Hope" at the Rise Above the Storm Gala. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV JAIMIE LEE Drama Development Executive Amazon Studio As a mentor, I will guide you through challenging situations, help you establish a foundation for creative development, and boost networking skills, particularly those with creative executive or producing aspirations. I will not be able to submit scripts officially for consideration but can provide personal feedback for writers. Jaimie Lee is a Drama Development Executive at Amazon Studios. Currently, she is overseeing shows such as Donald Glover’s upcoming series Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Prior to joining Amazon in 2022, Jaimie held development positions at SISTER, Apple TV+ and FX Networks, where she worked on shows like FARGO, AMERICAN CRIME STORY and PACHINKO. Jaimie initially intended on going to med school while at UCLA, but with a science degree in hand, decided to pursue storytelling and started her entertainment career in the mailroom at WME. Pronouns: She/her VIEW ALL MENTORS

JOURNALISM JUJU CHANG Co-anchor ABC News’ “Nightline.” Juju Chang is an Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline.” Born in South Korea and raised in Northern California, Chang graduated with honors from Stanford University with a BA in political science and communication. A former news anchor for “Good Morning America,” Chang joined ABC News as a desk assistant in 1987, later becoming a producer for “World News Tonight.” After reporting for KGO-TV in San Francisco and the ABC News affiliate service NewsOne in Washington, she co-anchored the overnight show “World News Now.” Chang’s work has won numerous awards, including multiple Peabody Awards, Emmys, Gracies, a DuPont, and a Murrow. Chang’s decades-long reporting career converged in two hour-long prime time specials in 2021. She co-anchored an ABC News Live special “Stop The Hate: The Rise In Violence Against Asian Americans.” Following the mass shooting at three Asian-themed spas, Chang co-anchored and reported from the scene for an “ABC News 20/20” breaking news special “Murder In Atlanta”, which won a Front Page award in 2022. Chang’s in-depth personal narratives cover pressing national and international news, spanning from natural disasters to terrorism and racial equity. Chang won a GLAAD award for her coverage of Matthew Shepard’s murder and the legacy his parents built in his honor. Chang has covered major breaking news for decades for ABC News including extensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, mass shootings, and global climate issues. Chang has profiled newsmakers like Joe Biden and Oprah Winfrey as well as high-profile celebrities including Jamie Lynn Spears, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Her extensive feature reporting covers mental illness, opioid addictions and parenting dilemmas. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV MITCH SOLOMON Manager Authentic Talent & Literary Mitch Solomon is a well-established feature film and television literary manager, with over 15 years of experience representing writers and directors. He is also a veteran producer, with high level experience running production companies at major studios. In his position at Authentic Talent and Literary Management, Mitch’s special focus is his talent for finding the core story within any piece of material and identifying the right constellation of talent to give it traction in the marketplace. His passion for development is informed by his roots as a producer, running the production arm for Magnet Management, as well as previous stints leading production at financier Film Roman, independent production companies with Miramax and Warner Bros. and heading development at Robert Redford’s Wildwood Enterprises. As a producer and executive, Mitch oversaw award-winning productions such as Lasse Hallstrom’s CIDER HOUSE RULES and Redford’s QUIZ SHOW. Independent producing includes Sundance opener MY FIRST MISTER and thriller BLOOD IN THE WATER. In all, Mitch has been directly involved with over fifty produced television shows and movies as a manager, executive and producer. Mitch has a particular interest in politics, creating and partnering on 501c3 organizations that merged the film, television, and music businesses for Presidential and Congressional campaigns. Mitch is a graduate of Vassar College and is proud to live in Eagle Rock with his partner who runs digital marketing for ArtCenter College of Design and raising a rambunctious teen. VIEW ALL MENTORS

PUBLISHING HEESOK CHANG English Literature | Author | Educator Vassar College "I will help you express yourself - your questions and ideas, provocations and arguments, your major and minor feelings - with power and precision, elegance and variety. I will not proofread your writing for publication. Rather we will discuss samples of your work with an eye on rewriting and put it in conversation with close readings of texts you and I love. At the close of our year you will be writing a prose that is conversational but free of bromides and catchphrases, that sounds assured even in the interrogative mood, that moves at a brisk clip but can stop on a dime, that can switch rhetorical registers from high to low and be steady in the pocket." Heesok Chang teaches English literature at Vassar College. He is the author of British Modernism (Blackwell) and various articles on literature and media, philosophy and critical theory. His areas of interest include continental philosophy, poetry, world lit, Asian and Asian American literature and film, media and politics. Heesok has decades of experience mentoring students: college goers who want to improve their academic performance and students who would like help navigating the various stages of grad school (starting and finishing a thesis, securing letters of rec, writing for academic publication, applying and interviewing for jobs and fellowships). But he will also mentor anyone interested in improving their reading and writing skills, non-fiction or fiction, poetry or prose. VIEW ALL MENTORS

We are confident that this mutually enriching experience will be a powerful step towards achieving greater equity in the workplace. Please adhere to the following guidelines and rules GUIDELINES We are confident that this mutually enriching experience will be a powerful step towards achieving greater equity in the workplace. Please adhere to the following guidelines and rules Mentors should be engaged, encouraging, empowering. Mentors are expected to share expertise, wisdom, guidance, and constructive criticism to help their mentees develop and advance their careers. Mentees should be humble, disciplined, grateful. Mentees are expected to respect mentor’s time and do their best to follow their advice. The mentor/mentee relationship should be based in respect, trust, communication. This is a strictly professional relationship. Mentees should not discuss personal issues as mentors are not their therapists. Mentors are not expected to advocate in any way on behalf of their mentee e.g. make introductions, write recommendation letters help secure jobs, etc. If they choose to do so, it is at their sole discretion, not at the request of the mentee. Mentees can discuss projects, but must not pitch them to their mentors. If mentees asks their mentors to engage outside of a call e.g. listen/watch/read a sample, that is considered part of the monthly hour. Mentees should prepare questions for each session to maximize the time. Mentees should schedule the meetings and send calendar invites. Mentees understand their mentors may not reach the target 12 hours in the year due to unforeseen circumstances, but will try to make up the time, pending scheduling. Meetings should be virtual, unless the mentor suggests otherwise. If a mentor doesn’t hear from their mentee after two months, we will assume the mentee is no longer interested or able to participate. Should any issues arise, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@unlockherpotential.com. UNLOCK HER POTENTIAL is not an employer or employment agency and assumes no liability for any participant’s advice, action or inaction arising out of or related to participation in the program.

Check out our Music mentors for Unlock Her Potential MUSIC FEATURED DJ SCRATCH DJ & Producer | ScratchVision JANET BILLIG RICH Mus. Sup./Theater Prod./Mgr | "Rock Of Ages" JEREMY HOLGERSEN Senior Vice President of Concerts | Agency for the Performing Arts SCOTT HARDING Music Producer | Engineer | Musician | Underground Producers Alliance TY STIKLORIUS Founder and CEO | Friends At Work MUSIC ALYSSA CASTIGLIA Director of A&R | A&R Research | UnitedMasters EBONIE SMITH Music Producer | Audio Engineer | Songwriter MICHAEL OSTIN Manager | Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, D’Angelo SUZY RYOO Co-Founder & President | Q&A BEKA TISCHKER Manager | Publisher | Wide Eyed Entertainment JANET BILLIG RICH Mus. Sup./Theater Prod./Mgr | "Rock Of Ages" NIKI SHERROD Niki Sherrod | EVP Music | WB Pictures TROY CARTER Founder & CEO | Q&A BOB POWER Grammy and Multi-platinum Producer/Mixer JENNIFER KNOEPFLE EVP & Co-Head of US A&R | UMPG PAUL BROUCEK Paul Broucek | President Music | WB Pictures TY STIKLORIUS Founder and CEO | Friends At Work CRISTINA CHAVEZ VP of A&R | Universal Music Publishing Group JEREMY HOLGERSEN Senior Vice President of Concerts | Agency for the Performing Arts SCOTT HARDING Music Producer | Engineer | Musician | Underground Producers Alliance VANESSA ANGIULI Sr Director A&R | Interscope DJ SCRATCH DJ & Producer | ScratchVision JOEY BADA$$ Rapper | Actor | Philanthropist | Pro Era Records, Badmind Records SHIRIN NURY Music Agent | Creative Artists Agency (CAA) YOUNG GURU Record Producer | Executive | Engineer VIEW ALL MENTORS

Check out our Film & TV mentors for Unlock Her Potential FILM/TV CASTING | CREATIVE EXECUTIVES | DIRECTORS | EDITORS & CINEMATOGRAPHERS | HR & LEGAL MANAGERS & AGENTS | PRODUCERS | PRODUCTION EXECUTIVES | SCREENWRITERS & SHOWRUNNERS | TALENT casting CASTING KIMBERLY WILLIAMS Casting Director LIZ PAULSON EVP of Casting and Talent | Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon, & Awesomeness creative executives CREATIVE EXECUTIVES ALEX KIM VP of Development | Monkeypaw DAVID LEVINE Chief Content Officer | Anonymous Content KATHRYN TYUS-ADAIR SVP Original Programming | Starz NEAL SHAPIRO President & CEO | WNET SHARLA SUMPTER SVP Film & TV | Chernin Ent. ALLIE WASSERMAN VP Programming | HBO ERIC OBERLAND Development Exec | Amazon KATIE BARON VP Creative | Sony Pictures Animation NICOLE HARJO SVP Development | Paramount AMELIA HANIBELSZ Former Executive Director of Development | Founder | ABC News Studios JAIMIE LEE Development Exec | Amazon KELLY GOODE SVP | Warner Bros. TV ROBERT KESSEL EVP of Narrative Film | Participant BETH OSISEK VP of Content Development | Hulu JESSIE DICOVITSKY SVP Original Programming | Showtime MAL STARES SVP, Global Scripted | Blink49 Studios SAMANTHA MILITANTE Director | FX CABRINA QUESADA VP TV | Heyday JULIA ZAK Development Exec | Cinetic MARK R WRIGHT VP of Development & Production | The Obama’s Higher Ground SARAH HARDEN CEO | Hello Sunshine directors DIRECTORS ALICE GU Director | Cinematographer | Photographer ONE9 Director | "Nas: Time Is Illmatic" ALLEN HUGHES Executive Producer | Director BAO NGUYEN Director | Producer | Be Water JOSEPH PATEL Producer | Director | Writer | "Summer Of Soul" LINDA GOLDSTEIN KNOWLTON Emmy-Nominated Producer & Director editors cinematographers EDITORS & CINEMATOGRAPHERS CHRISTINA VOROS Cinematographer | Director | Producer | Screenwriter JEREMIAH SMITH Cinematographer JERRY HENRY Cinematographer | Director LISA CHURGIN Oscar-Nominated Editor hr legal HR & LEGAL HILARY STRAW VP of People | Hello Sunshine MARCIE CLEARY Partner | Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Sel MANAGERS & AGENTS managers agents ANNE WOODWARD Manager | Authentic Talent & Literary JON RUBINSTEIN Founder | Authentic KIMBERLY CARVER Talent Manager | Producer | Anonymous Content LAUREN JANE HOLLAND Agent | Creative Artists Agency (CAA) MITCH SOLOMON TV Screenwriter | Director Literary Manager | Authentic PRODUCERS producers ADAM NEUHAUS Founder | Neuhaus Ideas MICHELLE RAIMO KOUYATE Former President | Sony Pictures Animation BECKY CLEMENTS President | Tomorrow Studios MICHELLE SY Producer | Symmetry BRUCE COHEN Producer | American Beauty RAKHEE JETHWA Producer/Director | "Taste The Nation" FRANCIE CALFO Producer LORI TILKIN Producer for Legendary Director John Woo PRODUCTION EXECUTIVES production executives GIGI CAUSEY VP of Production | FX Entertainment SCREENWRITERS & SHOWRUNNERS screenwriters showrunners ALEX TSE Screenwriter | Xen Diagram Media ILANA PEÑA Showrunner SOPHIA CHANG Storyteller | The Baddest Bitch in the Room BRIAN YORKEY Showrunner | 13 Reasons Why JACQUE COFER Executive Producer STACY TRAUB Executive Producer & Writer CHARLES YU Author | Screenwriter KEITH ANTONE Screenwriter | "Gentified" Netflix TAZBAH CHAVEZ Co-Executive Producer | Episodic Director | FX’s Reservation Dogs CHELSEY LORA Screenwriter KELVIN YU Actor, Exec Producer, Screenwriter DAVAH AVENA Screenwriter | Producer PATRICIA RESNICK Screenwriter, Playwright, TV Writer TALENT talent ALYSIA REINER Actress, Activist, & Producer RUSSELL PETERS Comedian CELIA AU Actress | Filmmaker SARAH PODEMSKI Anishinaabe/Ashkenazi Multidisciplinary Artist GBENGA AKINNAGBE Activist | Actor | Entrepreneur W. KAMAU BELL Comedian | Host | Executive Producer KELVIN HARRISON JR. Actor YUL VÁZQUEZ Actor LENNON PARHAM Actor, Writer & Director VIEW ALL MENTORS

Mentorship for Women of Color - Unlock Her Potential's epic roster of mentors will share their expertise, experience, wisdom, insights, and guidance in order to help their mentees develop and advance professionally. Just 1 hour with any of these mentors could change the life of a woman. MENTORSHIP FOR WOMEN OF COLOR CREATING COMMUNITY, COALILTION, AND CITIZENRY. 2026 PROGRAM UPDATE For 2026, we are looking for applicants who seek to accelerate their careers in the world of media — FILM/TV, MUSIC, MARKETING, or SOCIAL MEDIA. The full mentor roster will be available on the UP website on August 1. Make sure you’re following us on Instagram . DETAILS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP & BUILD UP SESSIONS Up BUILD UP SESSIONS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING We are planning an exciting schedule of quarterly on-line BuildUP sessions to help you navigate your career, develop hard skills, and gain industry insights. They will cover topics you told us matter most to you, including: PITCHING, PERSONAL BRAND, NEGOTIATION, IMPOSTOR SYNDROME, TV DEVELOPMENT, SECURING REPRESENTATION, etc.Mentors already committed to sharing their wisdom include: Academy and Tony Award winning producer Bruce Cohen , Academy Award winning producer Joseph Patel , Meta Creative Director and Strategist Alix Tyler . (subject to change) BuildUP sessions will also available on an adhoc basis for $49 each . Thank you for your continued sUPport and belief in our mission of empowering women of color in the workplace! Please feel free, as always, to email us at support@unlockherpotential.com . OBJECTIVE UP Mentors share their expertise, experience, wisdom, insights, guidance, and constructive criticism in order to help their mentees develop and advance professionally. Just 1 hour with any of these mentors could change the life of a woman. IMAGINE WHAT 12 HOURS COULD DO. THE IDEAL MENTOR EMPATHETIC remembers what it was like just starting out ENGAGED listens to what is and is not being said and how ENCOURAGING helps the mentee believe in themselves EMPOWERING gives the mentee the tools and guidance, but not the answers MENTEE HUMBLE eager to learn and benefit from the mentor’s wisdom CURIOUS asks questions that will help them attain knowledge and skills DISCIPLINED follows through with advice and applies the tools provided GRATEFUL acknowledges and appreciates the mentorship DYNAMIC RESPECTFUL mindful of the other’s time TRUSTING conversations remain confidential COMMUNICATIVE better rapport = more fruitful outcomes RECIPROCAL both mentor and mentee learn from each other GUIDELINES We are confident that this mutually enriching experience will be a powerful step towards achieving greater equity in the workplace. Please adhere to the following guidelines and rules Mentors should be engaged, encouraging, empowering. Mentors are expected to share expertise, wisdom, guidance, and constructive criticism to help their mentees develop and advance their careers. Mentees should be humble, disciplined, grateful. Mentees are expected to respect mentor’s time and do their best to follow their advice. The mentor/mentee relationship should be based in respect, trust, communication. This is a strictly professional relationship. Mentees should not discuss personal issues as mentors are not their therapists. Mentors are not expected to advocate in any way on behalf of their mentee e.g. make introductions, write recommendation letters help secure jobs, etc. If they choose to do so, it is at their sole discretion, not at the request of the mentee. Mentees can discuss projects, but must not pitch them to their mentors. If mentees asks their mentors to engage outside of a call e.g. listen/watch/read a sample, that is considered part of the monthly hour. Mentees should prepare questions for each session to maximize the time. Mentees should schedule the meetings and send calendar invites. Mentees understand their mentors may not reach the target 12 hours in the year due to unforeseen circumstances, but will try to make up the time, pending scheduling. Meetings should be virtual, unless the mentor suggests otherwise. If a mentor doesn’t hear from their mentee after two months, we will assume the mentee is no longer interested or able to participate. Should any issues arise, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@unlockherpotential.com.

Check out our Marketing mentors for Unlock Her Potential MARKETING FEATURED ALIX TYLER Creative Director | Creative Strategist | Instagram + Facebook MARKETING ALIX TYLER Creative Director | Creative Strategist | Instagram + Facebook MAUREEN POLO Head of Direct-To-Consumer | Hello Sunshine DOUG FRISBIE VP Marketing | Snap MELISSA ROSENFIELD Founder | IFP Communications ILEANA DIEZ Brand Strategist | Roc Nation JESSIE WEINSTEIN Senior Manager of Celebrity Relations and Talent Producer | BSE Global MARCELLE KARP Creative Director | Pandora VIEW ALL MENTORS

Mentorship for Women of Color - Creating Community, Coalition, and Citizenry. In order to qualify for the program, you must be a woman of color, 18 years or older, residing in the US (including Puerto Rico) and have an active LinkedIn profile. MENTORSHIP FOR WOMEN OF COLOR CREATING COMMUNITY, COALITION, AND CITIZENRY. PRESS OUR STORY Research has revealed that very few women of color get mentored. Even worse, many don’t even think to seek mentors. That’s how systemic racism + patriarchy work hand in hand. IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THAT. It’s time to equip women of color to ascend to the C-suite, run the shows, direct the films, and take over. It’s time to break up the boys’ club that has kept the gates closed off to us for too long. OUR FOUNDER SOPHIA CHANG Sophia Chang is a life and career guide, author, and screenwriter who is developing numerous TV properties, including a scripted series based on her Audible memoir “The Baddest Bitch In The Room.” You can listen to the prologue here . Her memoir was released in print on 9/8/20. She was also the subject of an episode of the Hulu series “Defining Moments.” Sophia created Unlock Her Potential, a program that provides mentorship for women of color. Sophia Chang is the music business matriarchitect who managed Ol’ Dirty Bastard (RIP), RZA, GZA, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Q Tip, and A Tribe Called Quest as well as working with Paul Simon. She did marketing at Atlantic, A&R at Jive, A&R Admin at Universal, as well as serving as General Manager of RZA’s Razor Sharp Records, Cinematic Music Group, and Joey Bada$$’ Pro Era Records. She trained with and managed a Shaolin Monk, who became her partner and father of her children. She produced runway shows for Vivienne Tam and "Project Runway All Stars," was an account executive at a digital agency, and did business development at a cannabis company.

MELINDA HSU Writer | Producer | Showrunner "I will share my knowledge from two decades as a TV writer-producer to help you craft effective strategies to manage your creative journey. And as a former introvert who is also the daughter of Chinese immigrants, I am committed to helping you overcome parental discouragement and cultural inhibitions so that you can step forward powerfully into the world, joyfully take up space, and boldly voice your perspective. While I won’t offer detailed notes on your writing or hear pitches, I will give you insights about the current TV landscape as well as pro tips on navigating the entertainment industry in a way that sustains your internal calm." Melinda Hsu is a TV writer-producer who was the showrunner of NANCY DREW and its spinoff TOM SWIFT, both on the CW; currently, she’s in a multi-year development overall deal at ABC Signature. A lifelong genre geek, she started writing at age 8 when she authored a Star Trek fan fiction novella series on a stack of spiral notebooks in her childhood bedroom in Bangor, Maine. Her TV credits include LOST, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE GIFTED, FALLING SKIES, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, MEDIUM, and one-hour pilots for Amazon, Netflix, NBC and Lifetime. In her nonprofit life, she mentors writers and producers through the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), helped found the Asian American Pacific Islander Writers’ Brunch and the CAPE Showrunner Incubator, and serves on the Executive Board of the Sarah Jones Film Foundation, which fosters set safety through awareness and accountability. She has also been a staff member of service organizations providing education and advocacy for adult refugees and people living with HIV/AIDS. Recently, the Center for Strategic and International Studies appointed her to a U.S. delegation to evaluate NATO facilities throughout Europe in order to craft new messaging around NATO’s work and engagement with the public. Her podcast, Lead With Kindness, is aimed at changing the culture of Hollywood and the world; this series of ten 30-minute conversations is available in audio and transcript form via Apple Podcasts (IG: @LeadWKindness). FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

GABE WHALEY CEO | Founder MSCHF "I can help with business, creativity, going from zero to one, building a team, fundraising, dealing with lawsuits, managing employees, hiring / firing, breaking into the fine art world, breaking into the fashion world, etc." Gabriel Whaley is the CEO and founder of MSCHF, a collective of approximately 20 artists who are all about poking fun at contemporary trends and riding on the wave of controversy. In 2020, the brand received global attention when they customized a pair of Air Max 97s into "Jesus Shoes" where the soles contain holy water from the River Jordan. The design collective, MSCHF, sold the shoe for over a thousand dollars. Fast forward to 2021, their collaboration with Lil Nas X on the Air Max 97 "Satan Shoes," drew major controversy, that fed off of the common saying, "no press is bad press." Whaley once said, that their "perspective is everything is funny in a nihilistic sort of way. We're not here to make the world a better place. We're making light of how much everything sucks." It appears that with each controversial project, Whaley drove more and more interest and buzz toward MSCHF. The label was once again been at the top of the news when it sold 1,000 Warhol artworks for $250 USD each, but only one would be real. Playing Russian Roulette with one of the most coveted artists in the world would be unimaginable for some, but for MSCHF, it was the perfect way to make art accessible. This year, the Brooklyn-based startup kicked off the season with a project that resold designer shopping bags. On brand with the company's ethos of being "fans of mischief," Whaley and his team are exactly that, always looking to gain attention for their art, whether it is negative or not. Continuing on this creative path, MSCHF came together with Tiffany & Co. to handcraft "The ultimate Participation Trophy." Continuing its foray into the footwear world, the company officially launched its Air Force 1-inspired Super Normal sneakers in white and "5 O'Clock Shadow." MSCHF captures the entirety of the world with the release of the adventurous Gobstomper, drawing notes from the iconic Gobstopper candy that shows off hidden colors with wear in collaboration with Jimmy Fallon, and later arriving in a "Sour Edition." The mischief does not end with painting, as it also recently sold 1,000 keys for one shared mystery car that was located somewhere in New York City. With all that they have done in 2022, MSCHF shows no signs of stopping when it comes to fun and causing chaos. ART VIEW ALL MENTORS

Your donations go to funding program implementation, administrative overhead, and operational costs. UP pairs Women of Color with Mentors to help them break through the glass ceiling and become leaders in their respective fields. UP Mentors share their expertise, experience, wisdom, insights, guidance, and constructive criticism in order to help their mentees develop and advance professionally. MAKE A DONATION MAKE A DIFFERENCE Your donations go to funding program implementation, administrative overhead, and operational costs.

BETH OSISEK Vice President of Content Development HULU Originals "In full disclosure I will say I hold no key to success. My goal will be to help you be best positioned for opportunity. As a mentor I am happy to give you feedback on your pitch, film or visual project and clue you into the market place you will face as you try to finance. I can also help you hone the narrative you will bring to the project to sell it. I am obsessed with story elements, story structure and love playing with form. I consider it my goal to help you upend tropes and avoid formulas.. If you aspire to be a producer or creative executive I can help with development, networking and outline creative skills to hone." Beth Osisek is a VP of Content Development at HULU Originals focused on documentary and limited series. She brings her decades long experience as an award winning filmmaker to the position. Since joining the Hulu team she has worked on I Am Greta, Framing Britney Spears, Padma Lakshimi’s Taste The Nation, Hilary, Captive Audience and Victoria Secrets: Angels and Demons . She is driven by a belief in the power of story to entertain, inform and impact. Before joining Hulu, she executive produced the three part Netflix documentary series Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates which looks at Gates's past and present as he tackles some of the biggest problems facing the world today. Other work includes CNN Films "We Will Rise'' with Michelle Obama and the PBS documentary "MAKERS: Women Who Make History". FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

LINDA G. KNOWLTON Filmmaker "As a filmmaker, I am profoundly curious and compelled by where the personal and political meet. I am interested in big changes and how we can all not only flourish in those changes and challenges, but grow as human beings. I am inspired by people who act and strive, without any guarantee of success. And not because they are superheroes. And not because they always succeed, because sometimes they don't. It's the striving, it's the vision. As a mentor I am inspired to support my mentee with *their* striving and *their* vision for the story they are burning to tell." Linda Goldstein Knowlton is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, working in documentary and scripted feature films, as well as television. For her most recent film, she directed and produced the feature-length documentary WE ARE THE RADICAL MONARCHS, premiered at SXSW in 2019, won several audience awards, and had its national television debut in 2020 on POV/PBS. The film chronicles a group of young girls of color at the front lines of social justice. Set in Oakland, the film shows the journey of the group as they earn badges for completing units including being an LGBTQ ally, Black Lives Matter, and Disability Justice. Goldstein Knowlton directed and produced one of the six, Emmy-nominated documentaries for the PBS MAKERS: WOMEN WHO MAKE AMERICA series. The film, WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD, includes interviews with Jane Fonda, Shonda Rhimes, Lena Dunham, Ava Duvernay, Glenn Close, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Alfre Woodard, HUNGER GAMES producer Nina Jacobson, among many other notable women. Goldstein Knowlton produced the award-winning documentary, CODE BLACK, which was the basis for the CBS one-hour drama. She directed and produced SOMEWHERE BETWEEN, winner of the Audience Award at the Hot Docs Film Festival, which was released theatrically in over 80 cities across the US. For her directorial debut, she co-directed THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SESAME STREET, which debuted at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival in competition and aired nationally on PBS. Goldstein Knowlton started her career producing scripted feature films, including the award-winning WHALE RIDER and THE SHIPPING NEWS. "I was a 2022 UHP mentee. My mentor was documentary filmmaker Linda Goldstein Knowlton. I had such a great experience having Linda as my mentor throughout the year that at the end of last year I invited her to be an executive producer on my feature documentary in production, I OF THE WATER. She accepted! The project was then selected for the Hot Docs Forum, which took place last week. Linda agreed to be part of my pitch team for the project and came to Toronto with me. We ended up taking the top pitch prize! I'm so grateful to Unlock Her Potential for bringing Linda and me together and giving us the opportunity to get to know one another. She has helped me hone the way I present my projects, and it has made a huge difference in the industry response. Thank you to UHP for providing this platform for mentorship and collaboration!" — Kimberlee "Linda's advice to improve the way I pitch myself was crucial in improving our DocPitch video, and now we're seeing a ton of support worldwide for our film. She helped boost my confidence to give voice to the storyteller within me. I can't thank her enough!" — Pallavi FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

CHRISTINA VOROS Cinematographer | Director | Producer | Screenwriter Voros came to cinematography through directing and shooting her own award-winning documentaries, later pivoting to the narrative space on films lensed for Tate Taylor, Theresa Rebeck, James Franco and Tim Blake Nelson. In 2018, Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey tapped her to direct an episode of their series Queen Sugar, opening the door to narrative directing. She since helmed episodes for Tate Taylor (Filthy Rich) and David E Kelly (Big Sky), while primarily teaming with Taylor Sheridan with whom she collaborates on Yellowstone and 1883, serving as Director, DP and Executive Producer. She was recently nominated for an Emmy for Best Cinematography for a limited series on 1883 for her episode "Lightning Yellow Hair" She is currently in development on her feature film, Valentine, which she will write and direct, inspired by stories of the people and land of West Texas, where she resides. The only daughter of Hungarian refugees, Christina Voros was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she later attended Harvard University. She was granted the Dean’s Fellowship at NYU’s Tisch School of the Art’s Graduate Department of Film and Television where she studied under Spike Lee and Sandi Sissel, receiving her MFA in directing and cinematography. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MICHELLE RAIMO KOUYATE Former President Sony Pictures Animation "As a mentor I can help you understand the perspective of both the producer and studio buyer, how to put a project together and move it forward and how to advocate for yourself and know your true worth." Michelle Raimo Kouyate is a producer with over two decades of experience producing and developing for film and TV. Formerly President of Production at Sony Pictures Animation, she has the rare distinction of success in the live action and animation spheres, both as a producer and top-level executive at companies such as Nickelodeon, and Miramax Films. The films she has been involved with, which range from CHOCOLAT and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK to PUSS IN BOOTS and HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 1 & 2, have grossed over $3 billion worldwide. Michelle currently has a deal with Sony Pictures Animation where she is producing a slate of movies and is running LENS: Sony Pictures Empowerment and Leadership for New Storytellers which seeks to develop filmmaking leadership from underrepresented communities in an effort to allow them to create the content that reflects their worlds and perspectives. She is deeply committed to creating space that includes more marginalized voices and viewpoints. She also serves on the board of A Place Called Home, which offers services to the youth of South Central Los Angeles. "My mentor's name is Michelle Raimo Kouyate and from our 1st call where I admitted to being nervous and she replied “don’t be” I instantly felt that I was in good hands. She is a role model for how to “wear” your success while creating a space for others to also be successful. When I explained to her that I wanted to move from being a “corporate creative” to a creative in my own right as a writer/producer I felt that she totally supported me and would be invaluable on my journey. On her advice I have taken classes which have already strengthened my ability to tell the stories that I want to tell with more clarity and confidence. It’s incredible what I have learned through her insights and our mutual passion for storytelling. I am amazed at how much I have grown in just 4 sessions and excited to meet myself at the end of this year. I am also grateful to her and Unlock Her Potential for giving me this awesome chance and opportunity." — Nicole FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

Check out our Art mentors for Unlock Her Potential ART GABE WHALEY CEO | Founder | MSCHF VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC, C-SUITE TROY CARTER Founder & CEO Q&A Troy Carter is the founder and CEO of Q&A, a technology and media company focused on powering the business of music via distribution, services, and data analytics. Formerly, Troy was the founder and CEO of Atom Factory, where he rose to prominence, nurturing the careers of global superstars, including Lady Gaga and John Legend. He most recently served at Spotify as its Global Head of Creator Services, overseeing the company’s growth strategy for artists and record labels. In 2017, Troy was also named Entertainment Advisor to the Prince Estate. His interest in the intersection of technology and culture resulted in the formation of AF Square Investments. Early investments include Uber, Lyft, Dropbox, Spotify, Warby Parker, theSkimm, Blavity, Gimlet Media, Thrive Market, PlayVs, and FazeClan. Troy currently serves as a trustee for The Aspen Institute, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and CalArts. VIEW ALL MENTORS