MARKETING RICARDO LATORRE VP, Group Experience Design Director | Razorfish APPLY FOR MARKETING MENTORS WITH THIS LINK "Sometimes, in life's journey, you just need someone to help guide your inner light in the right direction. It's not always easy to find clarity alone, but I'm here to listen and support you." Ricardo Latorre is a dynamic experience design executive with over 20 years of experience transforming brands through innovative digital solutions and creative leadership. As VP, Group Experience Design Director at Publicis Razorfish, he has inspired award-winning teams and crafted user-centric experiences for leading companies. Ricardo’s journey spans pivotal roles at Prophet, Spredfast, Chasse C, and CompassLearning, where his passion for team culture, creative direction, and digital innovation has driven impactful results. Fluent in English and Spanish, Ricardo thrives on building connections between people and technology to deliver meaningful, transformative experiences. 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 KATIE BARON Vice President of Creative Sony Pictures Animation As Vice President of Creative at Sony Pictures Animation, Katie Baron has supported a multitude of animated feature films, including the studio's Academy Award® winner "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," and Academy Award® nominee “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.” She seeks out and acquires new material to be developed from the conceptual stage, through story development and production, working with directors, writers, and artists at all stages. In addition to her work in film, Baron is also overseeing development and production of a slate of adult and family animated television shows, working closely with filmmakers on several projects set up apple+, HBOMax, Netflix and Adult Swim. Prior to joining Sony Pictures Animation, Baron worked in current series at Disney TV Animation on projects such as "Mickey Mouse,” "Pickle and Peanut,” and various Marvel series for the Disney Channel and Disney XD. Before venturing into animation, Baron began her career in live-action working as an assistant and then moving up to a Creative Executive role at Shawn Levy's 21 Laps Entertainment, where she worked on titles such as "Real Steel," "Date Night", and "The Spectacular Now." INSTAGRAM VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV MARCELLE KARP Editorial/Creative Director | Brand Strategist | Marketing Magnet "I was never mentored at any point during my career. I had to navigate everything on my own and I made A LOT of mistakes. As a mentor I will guide you towards your potential and help you avoid burning bridges as I did. I will share whatever I possess in my skill set to help further you in your career path. My mentorship is a marriage of my experience, my wisdom and my devotion to my mentee." I have built my career understanding the power of the female brain on fire, the girl who is at the front, the woman juggling and struggling. Are you a writer? I'll show you how to find your voice, nurture it, unleash it. Are you interested in being a Creative Director? I'll unpack what that entails, guide you through corporate shenanigans, bolster your LinkedIn profile. Are you contemplating your next move? Oh my, let's get started. I can help you with any of those things. Here's some part of what I reign at: being your cheerleader. And here is a short list of some of what makes me right for you, how I tap into my voice, how I am always searching for more: I've had to tell Tyler Perry not to sing Millie Jackson's "Phuck You Symphony" in my on-air spot, I've had the great pleasure to produce a monthly stand-up show and I co-founded one of the pioneering zines of Third Wave Feminism, BUST. I've worked at SiriusXM/Pandora, BET, Madison Square Garden, the NFL, HBO, Lifetime, and so many other brands, as a Creative Director. I published my first YA novel GETTING OVER MAX COOPER in 2022. I got my Master's in Women and Gender Studies in 2023. And I'm just getting started. At my core, I'm a storyteller. I'd rather write than do most anything, and I know this: every woman has a story to tell. I'll mentor you to tap into yours. PRESS BLOG REEL "My marvelous mentor Marcelle expanded my perception of who I was by offering a safe space for me to explore my place in this chapter of my life. She told me, "Rejection is not the obstacle, it's lack of effort." This statement propelled me into my potential as a writer. Not only did Marcelle light the fire, but she also fanned the flame." — Janel "My experience with the Unlock Her Potential mentorship program has been nothing short of fantastic. I was selected to be a part of the program the first year and that’s when I met Marcelle Karp. During that year Marcelle encouraged and inspired me with her words of wisdom and kindness during our one-hour sessions. Her jovial spirit added a light-heartedness to our virtual meets which were during the pandemic. She always gave me a task to complete to help me stay on track to meet my goals, rather it was ways to expand my audience with my podcast or writing every day for 15 minutes, which eventually turned into one hour. As a writer, stand-up comic, and artist she was instrumental in helping me develop my level of discipline towards how I approach my creativity. I always left those meetings with my head held higher and a little bit more pep in my step. Thank you a million times to Marcelle for guiding and mentoring me, still!" — Rukeyah "I met my UHP mentor Marcelle Karp in 2021, the pivotal year I chose to break-up with my 10-year career as an academic mindfulness researcher. Determined to pursue a dream life as a creative professional, I pushed myself to land a new job as the Director of Communications at a Global Health NGO. I was ready to work with them to produce international video series about activist health workers in the pandemic, but found myself battling with severe nerves and impostor syndrome. Marcelle's mentorship helped me leap past my fears and step into the role to lead my team with confidence. She offered invaluable feedback as I successfully pitched, funded, produced, and launched the video series. Every conversation inspired me to tap deeper into my strengths, build new professional networks, and navigate the ups and downs of being a multidisciplinary creative leader. Since our year together, her advice has supported my capacity to take on new writing clients, travel internationally as a creative producer, and instill a work-life balance that aligns with my health and life goals. Meeting up with Sophia and Marcelle in New York after a year of Zooming in from California was an added layer of bliss to my mentorship experience. Now, as a UHP alumni, I aim to pay my blessings forward and open doors for other women of color within my industry. I'm honored to have been part of this mentorship cohort, and believe in growing this movement so more women of color can access lifechanging opportunities." — Sami VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC MICHAEL OSTIN Manager Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, D’Angelo Michael Ostin is a veteran of the entertainment industry. As Senior Vice President of A&R at Warner Bros. Records, Michael was involved in signing and recording some of the most admired artists of the time: Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Green Day, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rod Stewart, Seal, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Nile Rodgers, and Q-Tip. After WBR, Michael served as President of DreamWorks Records where he worked closely with the film, animation, and television divisions and their principals Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg. In addition to his contributions in the music industry, Michael was an early investor/producer in the Tony Award winning hit Broadway show The Book of Mormon. These days, Michael manages the career of Q-Tip and legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest and peerless singer songwriter D’Angelo. VIEW ALL MENTORS

JOURNALISM JULIE BLOOM Live Editor The New York Times Julie Bloom is the Live editor at The New York Times where she oversees a team of reporters and editors that respond to big breaking news across a variety of subjects with hubs in New York, Seoul and London. She grew up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 2002 and has a master's degree in Journalism from N.Y.U. with an emphasis on cultural criticism. Prior to The Times, she worked as an editor at Jane Magazine. She joined The Times in 2007 on the culture desk. She worked there as an editor for eight years, before being promoted to International Culture Editor for the international edition based in Paris. She then returned to New York in 2014 to become deputy weekend editor, before becoming a deputy on National where she oversaw multiple big breaking news stories, including the Las Vegas shooting, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news, coverage of California, as well as the trial of Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. In addition she regularly writes for the culture section. She is also a member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild and has volunteered for Girls Write Now. She lives in Brooklyn and is most interested in working with young women who want to develop as journalists. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV KATHRYN TYUS-ADAIR Senior Vice President of Original Programming Starz Kathryn Tyus-Adair is Senior Vice President of Original Programming at Starz where she has recently championed, developed and overseen production of series: BMF, BLINDSPOTTING, RUN THE WORLD, THE SERPENT QUEEN, STEP UP and VIDA. She has also developed and served as a production executive on OUTLANDER, POWER and THE SPANISH PRINCESS. Before joining STARZ, Kathryn oversaw TV and film development and production for industry icons Robert Redford, Halle Berry and Don Cheadle. With Cheadle, she was a producer of the Bill Murray film ST. VINCENT, as well as an executive on Showtime’s HOUSE OF LIES and on the Sony Pictures Classics’ Irish film THE GUARD, starring Brendan Gleeson. Kathryn’s earlier television work included series development for SESAME STREET producers Children’s Television Workshop. She later championed acclaimed Showtime series SOUL FOOD and the films BARBERSHOP and MEN OF HONOR for writer/director George Tillman’s State Street Pictures. Prior to joining Starz, Kathryn segued to the buyer side of the business as a Drama Development executive for NBCUniversal’s UTV Studios, selling and developing series across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING THEO JONES VP, Brand Creative + Social Strategy | Razorfish APPLY FOR MARKETING MENTORS WITH THIS LINK "To break the ice, I usually open with that Björk once called me cool in 2008. With nearly 15 years in creative + social marketing, I am passionate about growing brands and teams that connect with culture and conversation. I have led innovative and award-winning campaigns for global clients across entertainment, QSR, technology, sports, auto, enterprise, and more at platforms like Twitter & Snapchat and agencies like Edelman and AKQA. Currently, I lead a talented and diverse team at Razorfish that aims to make our clients more welcoming, responsive, and relevant for their customers and audience. I want to ensure that whomever I mentor is put in a position to take my job (or be at the level that I am in their current profession) one day. From navigating office politics, understanding creative + social media, and/or developing the soft leadership skills to ensure that they’re growing in the right direction professionally. At the end of the day, your job should be enjoyable, fulfilling, and fun; and I’ll do my best to make sure you’re put in the right position to thrive." 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 PATRICIA RESNICK Screenwriter | Playwright | TV Writer Patricia Resnick is a highly accomplished and esteemed American screenwriter, playwright, and television writer, known for her unique storytelling abilities that have made a lasting impact on both the big and small screens. Born in Miami Beach, Florida, Resnick found her passion for writing at an early age, eventually paving her way to a successful career in the entertainment industry. Following her work on two Robert Altman films, “A Wedding” and “Quintet” Resnick's breakthrough came in 1980 when she co-wrote the iconic feminist comedy “9 to 5" alongside Colin Higgins. The film, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, became a cultural phenomenon and propelled Resnick to prominence. Her ability to seamlessly blend humor, wit, and social commentary made her one of the most sought-after writers in Hollywood. Throughout her illustrious career, Patricia has contributed to numerous film and television projects, such as "Straight Talk" “Maxie” “Mad Men” and”Better Things.” Her extensive experience in various genres, ranging from animation to political satire, demonstrates her versatility and adaptability as a writer. In 2008, Resnick's theatrical adaptation of "9 to 5" premiered on Broadway, further showcasing her talent for translating stories across different mediums. The musical, featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, earned multiple Tony Award nominations and solidified Resnick's status as a creative force in the industry. A passionate advocate for women in film and television, Resnick has been actively involved in organizations such as the Writers Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Throughout her career, she has been a mentor and role model for aspiring female writers, helping to pave the way for future generations. With a career spanning over four decades, Patricia Resnick's unwavering dedication to her craft, ability to tackle important social issues, and talent for creating memorable stories have earned her a well-deserved place among the pantheon of great American screenwriters. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC SHIRIN NURY Music Agent Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Shirin Nury (she/her) is a Music Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Nury’s work places a direct emphasis on diverse female fronted talent with a roster including HAIM, Charli XCX, Tate McRae, FLETCHER, Gracie Abrams, Ava Max, Conan Gray, Maisie Peters, Jamila Woods, Nao, Betty Who, Sharon Van Etten, Deb Never, amongst others. In her 11 years at CAA, she has overseen multiple sold out tours for all of her clients. Based out of the Los Angeles office, Nury oversees her roster’s touring careers and books West Coast arenas and amphitheaters across the entire CAA contemporary pop and rock rosters. Nury secured two of her clients, Gracie Abrams and HAIM, a spot touring with Taylor Swift this Summer with Gracie Abrams performing at 30 dates – more than any other support act on the tour. Nury understands the importance of lifting up the next generation of women in music – mentoring young female artists, managers, and agents across all genres and companies. She is a Next Gen Femme mentor, a member of City of Hope’s Future Hope committee, and board member of EarthPercent, raising money from the music industry for the most effective environmental charities. Nury began her career at CAA and graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in English and Spanish VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV ALLIE WASSERMAN Vice President of Programming HBO Allie Wasserman is a Vice President in Programming at HBO and part of the comedy team that develops and oversees the production of original half-hour series. She currently oversees HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON from documentary filmmaker John Wilson and executive producer Nathan Fielder and the new series RAIN DOGS, from Cash Carraway and Sid Gentle, starring Daisy May Cooper. She also works on BARRY and AVENUE 5. Previously, Allie oversaw BETTY, BALLERS, and ROOM 104, and worked on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES, and the limited series THE BABY. Prior to HBO, Wasserman worked for a Motion Picture Talent agent at UTA after moving over with the comedy group from CAA in March 2015. She graduated with a BA in Radio/Television/Film and English Literature from Northwestern University in June 2014. VARIETY - New Leaders of 2022 VIEW ALL MENTORS

FRANCIE CALFO Producer Undisputed Cinema "I will help you sharpen your voice and hone your story. 25 years of developing and producing TV series from every angle of the industry has given me a unique insight into how to encourage a writer to be at their best. I will share my holistic view of how the machine works and how to navigate it." Francie Calfo currently oversees development and production for UNDISPUTED CINEMA, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood’s production company. Together, they are currently producing the fourth season of GENIUS – a dual biography of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. She also continues as Executive Producer of Marc Cherry’s Why Women Kill /Paramount +, Alex Tse and The RZA’s WuTang: An American Saga /Hulu, Reggie Bythewood’s Swagger /Apple and Jordan Cooper and Ms. Pat’s The Ms. Pat Show /BET. Calfo oversaw Imagine Television development and production for ten years, joining partners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard in 2010. During her tenure, she developed and produced numerous series, including mega-hit Empire on FOX and Emmy-nominated Genius on NatGeo. In 2017, she was elevated to Chairwoman of Imagine TV, where she guided the TV division’s transition from POD (production overall deal) to fully independent studio. In 2019, she led Imagine to its most prolific year ever, landing six new series orders. Prior to joining Imagine, Calfo was an ABC Television Studios-based independent producer, where she sold and executive-produced numerous network comedies and dramas. From 2004-2008, she served as Executive VP of ABC Network, overseeing all scripted development and current programs. In that time, she developed and shepherded some of primetime’s biggest hits, including Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, and Ugly Betty. Calfo had her first successful stint as a producer in 2003-2004, during which she executive- produced ABC’s Life As We Know It. This followed her work as a studio executive for Touchstone TV, where she oversaw all drama development, including CSI and J.J. Abrams’ Alias, as well as current series, including Home Improvement, Felicity, The PJs, and Sports Night with Aaron Sorkin. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

STEM, C-SUITE ANNE CHOW Lead Director FranklinCovey Anne Chow is a transformative business leader whose trailblazing corporate career spans over three decades in the technology and business sectors. She is currently Lead Director on the Board of Directors of FranklinCovey, a company dedicated to organizational transformation through leadership, individual effectiveness, execution, and culture. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of 3M, a company focused on applying science in collaborative ways to improve the daily lives of people around the world. Anne is an Adjunct Professor of Executive Education at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and actively supports numerous local organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including serving on the Dallas Mavericks Advisory Council. In her prior role, as the first woman of color CEO in AT&T’s 140+ year history Anne led AT&T Business, a $35B global operating unit comprised of 35,000 people. Appointed to this role in 2019, she guided this team, through the pandemic amid unprecedented market upheaval around the world, to serve customers with communications solutions across all sectors including small and medium sized businesses, global multinational enterprises, the public sector as well as nearly all of the Fortune 1000. Anne’s leadership experiences span product management, marketing, sales, strategy, customer service, operations, network engineering and more. Widely recognized for her role model inclusive leadership and her impact in driving success at the intersection of people, culture, and technology, Anne was named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business twice, Forbes inaugural CEO Next List of Leaders set to revolutionize American business, Most Inspiring Woman in Communications by Light Reading, and received the Legend in Leadership Award by Linkage, a SHRM company. Anne is also one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Gender Equity. As a lifelong learner committed to inspiration and impact, Anne engages with local, national, and global audiences through keynotes, panel discussions, and as a best-selling co-author of The Leader’s Guide to Unconscious Bias: How to Reframe Bias, Cultivate Connection, and Create High-Performing Teams . She also shares thoughts through her publications and blogs which have been featured in Fortune, Chief Executive Magazine, The Huffington Post, MarketWatch, and USA TODAY. She holds B.S. and M.Eng. degrees in Electrical Engineering as well as an MBA with Distinction from Cornell University and is a graduate of the Pre-College Division of the Juilliard School of Music. THE REWIRED CEO LINKEDIN TWITTER VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV ALEX TSE Screenwriter | Executive Producer Xen Diagram Media Alex Tse was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. After discovering his passion for film in college, he made the short pilgrimage to Los Angeles, bouncing around from temp jobs to gigs producing and promoting low budget music videos for such artists as Hieroglyphics, Living Legends and Del the Funky Homosapien, before breaking in as a screenwriter with his script ’87 Fleer. Besides co-writing the feature adaptation of Watchmen, Tse was also the writer and Co-Executive Producer of the Spike Lee directed Sucker Free City, an original movie for Showtime for which he won a PEN Award, and Superfly for Columbia Pictures. Over his career, Tse has also written projects for directors Michael Mann, Zack Snyder, James Mangold, Guy Ritchie and Justin Lin, and developed drafts of The Crow, The Phantom Tollbooth, Gran Turismo and Highlander. Currently, Tse and RZA are the creators, executive producers and showrunners of Wu-Tang: An American Saga for Hulu. "It has been an amazing experience to get time with Alex. He is super busy but to have an hour a month to be able to talk about the industry and give me tips on how to navigate has been a valuable experience. I’ve been able to meet him in person and attend a screening of one of his projects. He is generous, caring and wants to help me succeed by giving me honest feedback. I’ve gained so much confidence. He has reinvigorated my commitment to becoming a better writer." — Patricia VIEW ALL MENTORS

ART, C-SUITE 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. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV MICHELLE SY Producer Michelle Sy is a producer with over two decades of experience in identifying and producing content for film and television. She previously served as an executive at The Kennedy/Marshall Company and Miramax Films, and her credits include the Oscar-winning Finding Neverland. She also appeared in the first season of the HBO series Project Greenlight, for her role in executive producing the film Stolen Summer alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Michelle’s primary focus is storytelling that showcases diverse voices and female empowerment. She is currently developing a number of film and TV projects, both scripted and unscripted, including a scripted series by Sophia Chang, the first Asian woman to work in hip-hop, based on Sophia’s memoir, The Baddest Bitch in the Room, and a scripted legal series about groundbreaking victims’ rights attorney Carrie Goldberg. "Michelle has helped me work through my ideas and given me great guidance. She encourages me to chase my dreams and how to actually reach them. My mentor sessions with her have been energizing and inspiring. I'm ecstatic to have her!" — Rosie VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC JOHN MENEILLY Manager GRAMMY® Award-winning superstars have consistently entrusted John Meneilly as not only a manager, but also as a confidant and advisor. As Founder and C.E.O. of Left Right Management, he currently represents a dynamic and diverse roster of artists in addition to overseeing a team of managers based in New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles. His current clients range from Jelly Roll and Joey Bada$$ to Sara Bareilles and the Lil Peep Estate, among many others. The Long Island native initially spent nearly a decade in business management at Provident Financial, learning the ins and outs of the music industry. Upon leaving the company, he retained Roc-A-Fella Records as a client. The label eventually named him its GM, while he handled business management for JAY-Z. By 2000, his role evolved as he assumed management duties for JAY-Z. After 14 years with the rap icon, he embarked on his next chapter, building up a roster of his own. During 2023, he formally launched Left Right Management. In every lane, he remains an artist advocate and champion, first and foremost. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV ALICE GU Director | Cinematographer | Photographer Alice Gu is an award-winning director and director of photography. A Los Angeles native, Alice began her career as a director of photography, working with renowned directors Werner Herzog, Stacy Peralta, and Rory Kennedy, among others. Her commercial clients for print and live action include TBWA/ Chiat Day, Media Arts Lab, Deutsche, Edelman, Berlin Cameron, Cole & Weber, Pereira & O’Dell, Doremus, Publicis, Beats by Dre, Laird Hamilton, ESPN, FIFA, NFL, NHL, NBA, the WSL, and Apple. Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017, a documentary film directed by Academy Award-nominated director, Rory Kennedy, and lensed by Alice Gu. THE DONUT KING is Alice’s feature directorial debut and was slated to premiere in the canceled 2020 SXSW film festival. Despite the cancellation, the film won the Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Documentary Storytelling, as well as the Best Documentary awards from the Sun Valley Film Festival, Bentonville Film Festival, Urbanworld Film Festival and Best Emerging Director at the 43rd Asian American International Film Festival. A feature-length documentary about the rise and fall of a Cambodian refugee turned donut tycoon, “The Donut King” is executive produced by Academy Award-winners Ridley Scott and Freida Lee Mock. Alice’s follow-up feature, REALLY GOOD REJECTS, premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival. The film was produced by Academy-Award winning producers David Dinerstein and Robert Fyvolent. A loving look inside the magic of music, the film features prominent musicians such as Jackson Browne, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Aaron Dessner of The National, and Phoebe Bridgers, among others. Alice was recently selected as a 2022 fellow of the prestigious Concordia Studios Fellowship, which was founded by Academy Award winner Davis Guggenheim. While developing several documentaries, Alice is also transitioning into the narrative space, developing a feature project with Scott Free Productions. WEBSITE LINKEDIN INSTAGRAM "My mentoring experience with Alice has been amazing this year. Alice has introduced me to books, funding opportunities, and educational resources in our time together, as well as personal growth resources which also pour back into my career. I am honored to be able to work with her, especially considering I am a fan of her work, and I’m so grateful to the UP community and her as a person for the ways in which I have grown during this 2023 session." — Allyson VIEW ALL MENTORS

PUBLISHING LAUREN ABRAMO Literary Agent & Subsidiary Rights Director Dystel, Goderich & Bourret "I want to mentor someone whose goal is to advance in book publishing, whether as a writer or on the other side of the desk. If you’re a writer, I can help you understand querying and publishing, what works best for you in your process and professional relationships, how to maximize your opportunities, and how to navigate the challenges of the publishing world. I have experience working with a diverse roster of writers across many genres and categories, from middle grade to adult, fiction and nonfiction. I’ve worked with authors with a wide range of publishing experiences: Big 5, independents, small presses, self-publishing, work-for-hire, etc. I’m not the right mentor to edit or help you craft your work, but if you’re looking for insight into the business side of publishing, I might be a fit. If you’re working on goals related to a career in publishing, I can help you to learn the various roles, figure out avenues into and up within the competitive workforce, develop professional strategies to thrive in a challenging industry, and more from my 18+ years at a literary agency." Lauren E. Abramo is a literary agent and subsidiary rights director at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, a book publishing agency. She works directly with authors on her personal client list as well as in selling foreign and audio rights across the agency’s list. On her small client list she represents fiction and nonfiction from middle grade through adult with an emphasis on authors from communities not well represented in publishing. Her list includes literary fiction and both upmarket and commercial suspense, romance, and women’s fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction and occasional prescriptive nonfiction, primarily in areas that intersect with social justice, including contemporary culture, psychology, popular science, and media. Her bestselling and award-winning client list includes Rabia Chaudry, Jay Coles, Mason Deaver, Dylan Marron, Anthony Oliveira, Ijeoma Oluo, Erica Ridley, and Samantha Young, among others. VIEW ALL MENTORS

GBENGA AKINNAGBE Activist | Actor | Entrepreneur Liberated People "From activism to entrepreneurship, storytelling is our greatest tool. Communicating a message to humans is an endeavor as old as humanity itself. Whether it's an audience of one or a million, together we'll learn to identify whom we're connecting with, how they may receive information that penetrates their hearts and minds, and how we can best become those storytelling vessels." Activist, actor and entrepreneur are just a few traits to describe the multi-faceted rising star Gbenga Akinnagbe. Perhaps best known for his career defining turn as “Chris Partlow” in “The Wire,” Gbenga can currently be seen in the FX drama series THE OLD MAN from Fox 21 Television Studios in association with The Littlefield Company. He plays the series regular role of ‘Julian,' a highly trained special ops contractor sent to hunt down Chase, portrayed by Jeff Bridges. Written by Jon Steinberg & Robert Levine, the series also stars John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman, Alia Shawkat. He will next be seen in the features THE THICKET opposite Juliette Lewis and Peter Dinklage based on the critically acclaimed novel from Joe R. Lansdale, FAST CHARLIE from director Phillip Noyce, and BLACK FLIES opposite Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan, heading to Cannes this year. Gbenga’s most recent TV credits saw him in a major arc on season 3 of Starz’s hit series POWER BOOK II: GHOST as ‘Ron Samuel Jenkins,’ and recurring on Hulu’s WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA as ‘Mook.’ He was also seen in Amazon’s anthology series MODERN LOVE opposite Zoe Chao. Gbenga previously reunited with “The Wire” creator David Simon as a series regular in the HBO series “The Deuce” opposite James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Set in NYC during the 1970s and 1980s porn and prostitution scene, Gbenga played “Larry Brown,” an intense and demanding pimp who physically intimidates his stable of women but also has moments that betray a conflicted, underlying humanity. On the big screen, Gbenga’s recent credits include MGM’s THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR opposite Yara Shahini based on the NY Times bestselling novel; STARBRIGHT with Elisabeth Rohm and John Rhys-Davies; ALL THE DEVIL’S MEN opposite Milo Gibson and William Fichtner; HEART BABY with Jackson Rathbone; the comedy EGG opposite Christina Hendricks, Anna Camp, and Alysia Reiner; Kathryn Bigelow’s crime drama DETROIT with John Boyega; and Amazon Studios’ CROWN HEIGHTS, which premiered at Sundance. The son of two Nigerian parents, Gbenga Akinnagbe (pronounced Ben-gah Ah-kin-nah begh) was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland and after a rough upbringing, credits his love of wrestling to help carve his path as an actor. Wrestling got him to Bucknell University where he graduated with a double major of English and Political Science and then worked for the federal government. Gbenga soon became curious about acting and started researching the craft and then landed a job as an extra on the HBO series “The Wire.” That extra gig led to Gbenga later being cast in the recurring role of “Chris Partlow” where he ultimately became a series regular for the last two seasons. Soon after “The Wire,” Gbenga landed starring and recurring roles on such hit shows as “24: Live Another Day,” “Barbershop,” “The Following,” “Nurse Jackie,” and “The Good Wife.” No stranger to the stage, Gbenga performed in The Public Theatre’s Merry Wives, which aired on PBS, The Oedipus Plays at the Shakespeare Theatre and Romeo & Juliet in Washington DC, View From 151st Street for Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s Labryinth Theater Company off-Broadway, and earned acclaim for his turn in the one man show The Thin Place. His recent Broadway debut in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, adapted by Aaron Sorkin and produced by Lincoln Center and legendary producer Scott Rudin, earned him rave reviews and won a Theatre World Award for his performance as the accused ‘Tom Robinson’ opposite Jeff Daniels, directed by Bartlett Sher, in this re-imagined adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel. Gbenga has appeared in numerous films including THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123, LOTTERY TICKET, HEART, BABY!, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE and as the producer and lead of KNUCKLEHEAD, which went on to win numerous awards in the film festival circuit. He also produced the indie film NEWLYWEEDS, which was sold at Sundance 2013. Off screen, Gbenga has numerous projects in development as a writer and director. He made his directorial debut with the independent pilot DC NOIR based on material from George Pellecanos (The Wire, The Deuce). The pilot premiered at the 2019 TriBeCa Film Festival. Gbenga was also a writer on the popular Crackle series, THE UNKNOWN. He is currently at work on a memoir, and has multiple projects as a producer. Gbenga has his own lifestyle brand, Liberated People, which has created powerful online movements like #OurSonTrayvon with various celebrities wearing hoodies and a percentage of sales going to the Trayvon Martin Foundation, an organization to end gun violence, and #PatriarchyIsABitch, where they donate a portion of sales to Black Women’s Blueprint, which recognizes the contributions of feminist freedom fighters. In addition, Gbenga can add interior designer to his credits as the founder of Enitan Vintage where he redesigns vintage and antique furniture in the same Dutch wax-resist fabrics that are a fashion staple in West Africa, which allows the consumer to “sit on a story.” Instagram: @GbengaAkinnagbe X: @GbengaAkinnagbe Instagram: @liberatedpeople Facebook: @LiberatedPeople Instagram: @enitan_vintage FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC ILEANA DIEZ Brand Strategist | Creative Marketing "As a mentor, it is my aim to create a trusting space where we can discuss how to build a brand, the creation of a marketing campaign that resonates with target audiences, as well as how to develop impactful strategies for projects both big and small. As an entrepreneur who has taken many turns in my career, I have a wealth of knowledge into how to make career pivots that build upon your experience and continue moving you forward to your professional goals." Named one of Billboard Magazine’s 2021 “40 Under 40,” Ileana V. Diez integrates creativity and innovation into all things that she does. Once described as a Swiss Army knife of marketing, Ileana is the founder of her own brand strategy and creative marketing consultancy, focused on creating authentic connections between brands and culture. Operating between Los Angeles, Paris, Mexico City, Singapore, and Miami, she blends her unique expertise in music, fashion, and media to deliver cross-industry campaigns. Ileana has partnered with brands like Golden Goose, Netflix, Spotify, PgLang, and Cartier, leveraging her deep understanding of culture to craft strategic partnerships that align marketing strategies with cultural trends and regional nuances, ensuring campaigns resonate and make audiences feel seen and heard. Previously Head of Marketing at Roc Nation, Ileana led campaigns for over 70 clients, focusing on developing IP, building business for clients, and with them. Her notable work includes Rihanna’s first return to music in over five years, the launch of Rihanna’s luxury fashion brand FENTY Maison (LVMH), and Mariah Carey’s career-defining 30th Anniversary campaign and Supreme brand partnership. Prior to Roc Nation, she played a key role in launching Shawn Mendes’ career and re-launching Nick Jonas’ solo career at Island Records. Born in Puerto Rico and raised as a third-culture kid, Ileana’s passions include empowering women of color in creative industries, exploring new communities, and enjoying good food and wine. "As a young creative starting her first big girl job out of college, Ileana’s mentorship provided me with fierce words of wisdom that couldn’t have come at a better time." —Priyanka P. "Ileana helped me feel certain that I'm doing all the right things for my career switch to music. She boosted my confidence and trust in myself to continue being independent, rather than go get a full time job (just for the sake of added security) that doesn't serve my health, lifestyle or passions." —Maaheem A. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV, PUBLISHING CHARLES YU Author | Screenwriter "I've been writing fiction for over 20 years, and writing for television and film for almost ten. I can share my experience finding and developing my own voice, the difficulties in balancing a creative pursuit with a day job and family, and making the transition from part-time to full-time writer (and the challenges that arise when you do what you love for a living). I'll be candid about what it's been like for me, navigating the publishing world and, more recently, the world of development and production for TV and movies." Charles Yu is the author of four books, including Interior Chinatown, which won the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction, the Silver Medal from the California Book Awards, and was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. He has written for shows on HBO, AMC, FX and Adult Swim, and is the creator and showrunner for Hulu’s adaptation of Interior Chinatown. His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Harper's and Wired, among other publications. Along with TaiwaneseAmerican.org , he established the Betty L. Yu and Jin C. Yu Creative Writing Prizes. He lives in southern California with his family. Pronouns: he/him VIEW ALL MENTORS

Check out our Journalism mentors for Unlock Her Potential JOURNALISM PRINT & DIGITAL | BROADCAST FEATURED SWAY CALLOWAY Journalist | Radio Personality | SiriusXM PRINT & DIGITAL BILL ADDISON Food Critic | LA Times MARGARET TALBOT Journalist | New Yorker DANIELLE BELTON Editor-in-Chief | HuffPost JEMELE HILL Journalist, Author, & Podcaster | Co-Founder of Lodge Freeway Media JULIE BLOOM Live Editor | The New York Times KATIE BENNER Journalist | NYT BROADCAST JOHN HEILEMANN Host | Creator | Executive Producer | The Circus JUJU CHANG Co-anchor | ABC News’ “Nightline.” SARA SIDNER Co-anchor | CNN News Central VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING JESSIE WEINSTEIN Senior Manager of Celebrity Relations and Talent Producer BSE Global "I will help you learn how to form & cultivate meaningful relationships in order to successfully integrate into marketing plans and initiatives within the entertainment space." Jessie is the Senior Manager of Celebrity Relations and Talent Producer at BSE Global. In this role, she oversees all talent partnerships for the Brooklyn Nets, NY Liberty and Barclays Center. Jessie creates and implements talent strategies across the BSE Global properties to increase brand awareness through talent engagement. Prior to joining BSE Global, she was the Artist Relations Manager on the Culture Marketing team for Red Bull New York. Jessie began her career in the music industry, primarily focusing on booking events both on the agency side as well as in house at NYC’s legendary SOB’s in downtown Manhattan. She then transitioned to public relations where she was an Account Executive at PMK*BNC, working on brands such as Converse, Budweiser and American Express Music. Following this move, she went on to open the Freehand Hotel in NYC as their Director of Events and Culture Marketing. VIEW ALL MENTORS

STEM DR. JENNIFER GARRISON Co-Founder | Director Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity & Equality (GCRLE) "Love science? Interested in longevity or women's health? I can help demystify the research endeavor from start to finish, no matter your career stage." Jennifer Garrison, PhD, is a passionate advocate for women’s health and is pioneering a new movement to advance science focused on female reproductive aging. She is Co-Founder and Director of the Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity & Equality (GCRLE) and an Assistant Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. She also holds appointments in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at UCSF and the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at USC. Her research lab studies the role of inter-tissue communication in systemic aging, and how changes in the complex interactions between the ovary and brain during middle-age. Dr. Garrison received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular Cell Biology from UC Berkeley then completed her PhD at UCSF in Chemistry and Chemical Biology where she was a National Science Foundation Fellow and an ARCS Scholar, then was a Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Rockefeller University. She was named an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Neuroscience Research Fellow and an Allen Institute for Brain Science Next Generation Leader and is the recipient of a Pathway to Independence Award and a Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators from the National Institutes of Health, a Glenn Medical Foundation Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging, a Junior Faculty Award from the American Federation of Aging Research, and a Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award from the National Academy of Medicine. She has played an active role in the aging field, as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Aging Association (AGE), a reviewer for the American Federation of Aging Research (AFAR), and as Associate Director of the Buck-USC Biology of Aging PhD program. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV, C-SUITE JON RUBINSTEIN CEO Authentic Talent & Literary Jon Rubinstein is the CEO of Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and over the past 30 years has represented some of the top actors in the entertainment industry. Jon produced the award-winning film HIGHER GROUND, released in 2011 by Sony Pictures Classics after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival and served as Executive Producer on the 2020 documentary film WHY IS WE AMERICANS?, a cinematic exploration of Newark’s legendary Baraka family. Jon has long been involved in nonprofit projects around the world, working to provide prenatal care for rural women in southern Haiti, English language instruction to adults in Port-au-Prince, as well as projects working with children and teens in Guatemala, Kolkata, India, and Brooklyn. Jon received his BA from New School University and his MFA from New York University. He lives in Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley. También da la bienvenida a hispanohablantes (he also welcomes Spanish speakers). VARIETY - Mimsi Gives Haiti Moms to be the Medicine They Need ENTREPRENEUR - How This Entrepreneur Built a Powerhouse Talent Management FORBES - How Authentic Talent Leverages Today's Attention Economy and Client Passion to Succeed and Grow VIEW ALL MENTORS