Search this site

PUBLISHING LINDA CAMACHO Literary Agent Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency Linda was always a fan of escaping into a good book, so the fact that she gets to make it her career is still surreal. She graduated from Cornell with a B.S. in Communication and has seen many sides of the industry. She’s held various positions at Penguin Random House, Dorchester, Simon and Schuster, Writers House, and Prospect Agency. She's done everything from foreign rights to editorial to marketing to operations, so it was amazing to see how all the departments worked together to bring books to life. Somewhere in between all that (and little sleep), Linda received her MFA in creative writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. At Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency, Linda represents children’s and adult fiction across various genres, along with select narrative nonfiction. My specialty is in books, especially fiction. I don't represent screenplays, poetry, or short stories/novellas, so I wouldn't be the best advisor for those arenas. I'd love to work with someone who's interested in becoming an agent or editor in the book publishing industry. I won’t be reading pages or accepting pitches. WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV KIMBERLY CARVER Talent Manager | Producer Anonymous Content Kimberly Carver is a talent manager and producer at Anonymous Content in Los Angeles. She represents a diverse and talented group of writers, producers, directors and talent in the entertainment industry, specifically in television and film. Kimberly is the executive producer of the HBO Max series, JULIA, starring Sarah Lancashire and David Hyde Pierce. She also co-created and executive produces the non-scripted version of THE JULIA CHILD CHALLENGE for Food Network. In addition, she executive produced several comedies series, including BARELY FAMOUS, COMEDY GET DOWN and VERY SUPERSTITIOUS. At the very heart of what I do is the ability to effectively be many things to many people, be it an entrepreneur, advisor, producer, therapist, and cheerleader. Vital to my role as a manager is the capacity to package and manage client ideas, persuade others to see the value of their vision and act on it all the while pushing client career goals to new heights. While I may have a passion like others in the business, the path that led me here is a little different. I was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and believed my career lay in the finance world. However, shortly after my career in finance began, it quickly ended. I knew this was not where I wanted to be, and it did not fulfill my creative aspirations. So, I did the only thing I could do, I quit and headed out west. My biggest asset during that time was my willingness to do whatever I needed to do to make my dreams a reality, which all started with the first step – the willingness to bet on myself. I learned early on in this journey that there are a million different ways into the entertainment business, and it was critical to be open minded every step of the way. That open mindedness paid dividends when I gave a contact a stock tip that paid off. As a result, this “contact” was so impressed with the information I gave him that he passed along my contact information to a friend of his at a talent agency, CAA, which led to a job as an assistant. From that seemingly inconsequential stock tip, my career took flight. For over 20 years I’ve continued to maintain that level of openness and intellectual curiosity as a manager and producer. Combined with the knowledge that I’m doing exactly what I want and love to do. What propels my career is the choice to continue to make something happen in the face of a thousand no’s. This thinking has led to a very rewarding and unpredictable journey in bringing the artists vision to life. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV LIZ PAULSON EVP of Casting and Talent Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon (Live-Action & Animation), & Awesomeness (Live-Action) "I hope to help shine a light on my mentees vulnerabilities and strengths, for me they’re often one and the same. I will remind one another that we’re constantly evolving and growing and that this relationship will ideally be reciprocal. I truly appreciate the role of the mentor and deeply identify with teaching. With that said, I’m reminded that we’re often mirrors and gain immense knowledge and strength through learning from one another and our ever evolving landscape." Liz has spent the past 20+ years immersed in the casting community. She joined Nickelodeon Animation Studio as SVP of Casting and Talent Development in February 2020 and expanded her oversight to include live-action for Nickelodeon and Awesomeness series and movies in May of 2021. Recently promoted to EVP with a purview to include; Nickelodeon, Awesomeness & Paramount Animation. Prior to Nickelodeon, she was SVP of Casting at 20th Century Fox Television, with oversight of both scripted television and animation. She attributes a large part of her success to leadership, creativity and the ability to attune to others and the marketplace. Her strengths and entrepreneurial spirit help to effectively implement a structure that is organized yet immensely creative. In October 2015, Variety honored Liz as one of Hollywood's New Leaders. VIEW ALL MENTORS

Check out our Marketing mentors for Unlock Her Potential MARKETING FREE MARKETING APPLICATION 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. Please apply here for Marketing mentors only. MELANIE GEE GVP, Client Partner | Razorfish OMAR FAJARDO VP, Creative Director | Razorfish RICARDO LATORRE VP, Group Experience Design Director | Razorfish SUNYA GANBOLD Head of Delivery, EVP | Razorfish THEO JONES VP, Brand Creative + Social Strategy | Razorfish VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV JOSEPH PATEL Producer | Director | Writer “Summer Of Soul” "As a mentor, I can share my experiences, my advice being on both sides of the creative equation, and any guidance you may need wherever you are in your journey. I can’t guarantee reading or watching anything, or making any professional introductions. But if you commit time and effort to this mentorship, those things can happen organically." Joseph Patel is an Academy Award-winning Producer, Director and Writer on documentaries and short films. He recently produced the documentary feature, SUMMER OF SOUL (...OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED), directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, which won the Oscar in 2022 for Best Documentary Film. The film won multiple awards (BAFTA, Independent Spirit, PGA, Critics Choice, Sundance Grand Jury & Audience Award) and was declared “The Best Film of 2021” by The New York Times. Patel began his career as a music & culture journalist, writing for magazines and websites. He went on to produce and direct television and digital content for MTV News & Docs and Vice Media, and served as Content and Creative Director at The FADER and Vevo. VIEW ALL MENTORS

Check out our Marketing mentors for Unlock Her Potential MARKETING ALIX TYLER Creative Director | Creative Strategist | Instagram + Facebook ILEANA DIEZ Brand Strategist | Roc Nation MARCELLE KARP Editorial/Creative Director | Brand Strategist | Marketing Magnet MELISSA ROSENFIELD Founder | IFP Communications VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV FRANCIE CALFO Producer Undisputed Cinema 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. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV LISA CHURGIN Editor Lisa Zeno Churgin is an editor based in Los Angeles. She began her career working as an assistant on the cult classic, THE WARRIORS, which brought her to LA from New York City. She assisted on 2 more Walter Hill films before leaving the film business to pursue an MBA at Columbia University. But ultimately choosing her love of film over the pursuit of money, Lisa returned to LA and editing. While working her way up, she had the opportunity to work on RAGING BULL, MASK, THREE AMIGOS and THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST. As an editor, Lisa has worked on a wide range of films, refusing to be pigeon-holed into one genre. Highlights include BOB ROBERTS, REALITY BITES, DEAD MAN WALKING, GATTACA, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES (Oscar nominated as Film Editor), THE WEDDING PLANNER, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG, PITCH PERFECT and AN AMERICAN PICKLE. She is particularly proud of her 3 films done with Director David Lowery, PETE’S DRAGON, THE OLD MAN; THE GUN (Robert Redford’s last starring role) and PETER PAN; WENDY. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV 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. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC, C-SUITE PAUL BROUCEK President of Music Warner Bros. Pictures Paul Broucek began his film career as an assistant engineer on the mix of APOCALYPSE NOW. In the 1980s, Broucek went on to join the music engineering staff at the legendary Record Plant. By the end of the decade Broucek moved to music supervision, overseeing a mix of feature films and television projects. He joined the New Line Cinema music department in 1996 and was named President in 2001. During Broucek’s tenure at New Line, he oversaw the music for projects as diverse as AUSTIN POWERS, the RUSH HOUR series, AMERICAN HISTORY X and the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Broucek was named President, of Music at WB in 2009. On top of his administrative duties, he continues to serve as the creative music executive on a full slate of films annually including THE HOBBIT trilogy, INCEPTION, GRAVITY, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE GREAT GATSBY, WONDER WOMAN, JOKER, TENET, JUDAS & THE BLACK MESSIAH, KING RICHARD and ELVIS. IMDB VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV LENNON PARHAM Actor, Writer & Director "I will be a sounding board, a cheerleader, and brainstorm collaborator for the direction you would like to head in your career. I can help you set goals and get specific about where it is you’d like to go. My expertise is in entertainment, specifically being a writer-actor-director mostly in the comedy world. Can’t wait to get started!" Lennon Parham is an actor, writer and director based in Los Angeles. As an actor, she just completed filming on “Holland, Michigan” a thriller directed by Mimi Cave and starring Nicole Kidman and Matthew Macfadyen. And the new season of Minx (a comedy set in the world of 70’s erotic magazines) airs late this summer on STARZ. She directed two episodes of HBO’s acclaimed series “Somebody Somewhere” which just aired. Prior to that, she was a series regular on FOX's BLESS THIS MESS, for which she also directed two episodes. She co-created and starred in her own ½ hour USA series, PLAYING HOUSE, for 3 critically acclaimed seasons, also directing a HOOSIERS-inspired episode in Season 3. From TV, you may recognize her as Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ incompetent Senior Advisor, “Karen Collins” on HBO’s VEEP. Additionally, Lennon has made a number of memorable appearances on television including CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, Netflix’s LADY DYNAMITE, AMC’s MAD MEN, ABC’s SCHOOLED, NBC’s PARKS AND RECREATION and more recently BETTER THINGS. On the feature side, she also had flashy supporting roles in THE HOUSE, HORRIBLE BOSSES 2, CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC and OTHER PEOPLE. She has written a comedy feature for UNIVERSAL and is currently writing another with her long-time collaborator Jessica St. Clair. She is a proud alumnus of the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater and the University of Evansville. VIEW ALL MENTORS

CULINARY, C-SUITE JIM LAHEY Artisan Baker | Owner | Founder Sullivan Street Bakery "I can provide guidance on how to start a food-centered business, and insights into the entire spectrum on the food industry, ranging from retail to wholesale. I can also provide support in identifying what you need to do to be recognized, and to build a food brand. I will not teach you bread-making. I will not hire you or find you a job." Jim Lahey is an artisan baker, owner and founder of the Sullivan Street Bakery, in NYC and Miami. He is the creator of the no-knead baking method and author of “My Bread”, “My Pizza”and “The Sullivan Street Bakery Cookbook”. Jim has received two James Beard awards, for outstanding baker and “who’s who“ in food and wine in America. He lives in NYC with his wife Maya, his children, and his rescue dog Polly. VIEW ALL MENTORS

SOCIAL IMPACT & ADVOCACY, C-SUITE HEATHER ANDERSON Chief Executive Officer Global Health Corps As GHC’s CEO, Heather provides leadership, management, and vision to drive GHC’s mission to mobilize a global community of health equity leaders. Since 2012, she has overseen GHC’s leadership development programming and training curriculum, partner recruitment and selection, and impact measurement activities in her roles as Senior Vice President of Programs and Chief Impact Officer. Prior to joining GHC, Heather was Vice President at Global Health Strategies, an international advocacy and communications consulting firm. She managed a portfolio of public and private sector clients, including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Women Deliver and GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines. Heather previously served as a Senior Program Officer at Planned Parenthood Global in Washington D.C. Additionally, she spent time in Ethiopia establishing a youth program for EngenderHealth. Before joining the global health community, Heather spent six years at Accenture, a management consulting firm. She holds a Master of Public Health from Columbia University and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. Heather lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children. Fun Fact: If she could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, Heather would be on a plane to France. She is a lover of warm weather and would be extremely content with a croissant in hand while on a long walk through the French countryside. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV JACQUE COFER Executive Producer Jacque Edmonds Cofer attended Princeton University, graduating with an A.B. in Politics. She also earned an M.B.A. at the Harvard Business School. Cofer left corporate life to become a television writer and producer. After completing the Walt Disney Fellowship program, her first network television-writing job was on MARTIN. Within two years, she had risen to supervising producer. Cofer has been the co-executive producer of six network comedies, most recently THE UNICORN, starring Walton Goggins on CBS and “DAD, STOP EMBARRASSING ME, starring Jamie Foxx on Netflix. She has also been the showrunner of four series including LET’S STAY TOGETHER, BET’s first original scripted comedy. Since 2016 Cofer has been a faculty member of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she is also on the admissions committee. She is a lecturer and thesis advisor in the John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television and teaches Advanced Half-Hour Comedy writing in the MFA program. Cofer has frequent speaking engagements and has won the following awards: NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Comedy Program, MARTIN PRISM Award, from the National Institutes of Health and the Entertainment Industries Council, for accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction, MOESHA SHINE Award (2), from The Media Project and the Kaiser Foundation for accurate and honest portrayals of adolescent sexual health issues, MOESHA President’s Award, from the Alliance of Black Entertainment Technicians Founder’s Award, from the Black Women Film Preservation Project "Jacque’s guidance has been instrumental in shaping the writer I aspire to be. My background is in advertising, so her depth of knowledge and years of experience in the entertainment industry has been invaluable in helping me navigate a new field. Throughout our mentorship, I've learned so much about the intricacies of TV writing, from crafting compelling narratives to understanding the nuances of character development. Her willingness to share her insights has given me a solid foundation to build upon as I continue on this journey. I am so grateful for the lessons she’s provided, and look forward to learning more from her in the months to come." — Nannette E. VIEW ALL MENTORS

KIM WILLIAMS Casting Executive | Casting Director | Producer "Casting is key to bringing stories to life and reflecting real-world diversity. Your unique perspectives can shape authentic and powerful narratives. Casting is not just about finding the right actor for a role, but about shaping the way stories are told and who gets to tell them. By learning about casting, you help ensure diverse voices are represented on screen. As a mentor with extensive experience in the casting process, I can guide you through the intricacies of this vital role. My commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in storytelling, coupled with my industry knowledge, equips me to support and inspire you on this exciting journey." Kim most recently served as Vice President, Casting at Disney Television Studios, a post she held from October 2019 - April 2023. Kim served as casting director for season 4 the critically acclaimed series Genius, this iteration, Genius: MLK/X, exploring the lives of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. She cast the lead in Lee Daniels’ upcoming limited series for Hulu, Sammy Davis Jr. She also cast the teen leads in the Disney+ series The Crossover as well as the pilot and first season of Freeform's hit series Single Drunk Female. She oversaw the casting for Onyx's new series Deli Boys, Lee Daniels' The Spook Who Sat by the Door for FX, Showtime'sThe Chi. She was instrumental in shaping the casts and overseeing and the FX series The Old Man starring Jeff Bridges and the Emmy-nominated season 3 Genius: Aretha. Kim joined ABC as director of casting in early 2019, working on projects for the network, Disney+ and ABC Studios, including the critically acclaimed For Life. Kim is passionate about diversity, belonging, inclusion and equity and was actively involved in several projects and initiatives across The Walt Disney Company. As an independent casting director, Kim worked on Greg Berlanti’s All American, Narcos, The Bernie Mac Show and Martin, and several Tyler Perry movies and series including Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and feature films including My Little One and Payment Received. Williams worked on The HBO Access Project, allowing her to guide casting while mentoring creative minds from diverse backgrounds over eight projects. Previously, at Paramount Pictures and Television, Williams oversaw the casting for Annihilation, Looking for Alaska, Jack Reacher: Never Look Back, Baywatch starring Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson, Shooter, The Alienist and Grease: Live! While at Fox, Williams served as director of casting on shows including Prison Break, Glee, and Sarah Conner Chronicles. Prior to that, Williams spent close to a decade at HBO as a director of casting. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV 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.” Follow Gbenga Akinnagbe: Instagram: @GbengaAkinnagbe Twitter: @GbengaAkinnagbe Follow Liberated People: Instagram: @liberatedpeople Twitter: @WeAreLiberated Facebook: @LiberatedPeople Follow Enitan Vintage: Instagram: @enitan_vintage Facebook: @enitanvintage VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARCELLE KARP I'm a Go-Get-Her "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 MARKETING VIEW ALL MENTORS

PUBLISHING JEFF YANG Writer | Journalist A. Magazine "I write compelling narratives that seek to move people and shape public conversation. Sometimes they’re Op-Ed pieces for major media. Sometimes they’re books, screenplays or speeches. If you’re looking to use words, ideas and your public persona to change the world (or just the world around you), I can help you find and polish your narrative voice." JEFF YANG has been observing, exploring, and writing about the Asian American community for over thirty years. He launched one of the first Asian American national magazines, A. Magazine, in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and now writes frequently for CNN, Washington Post, Slate, New York Times and elsewhere. He has written/edited three books—Jackie Chan’s New York Times bestselling memoir I AM JACKIE CHAN: My Life in Action; ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, a history of the cinemas of Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Mainland; and EASTERN STANDARD TIME: A Guide to Asian Influence on American Culture, and recently coauthored the New York Times bestselling RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now. His next book, THE GOLDEN SCREEN: The Movies That Made Asian America, will be a lead title for Hachette in Fall 2022. He most recently wrote and produced the feature film A GREAT DIVIDE, about an Asian American film confronting Covid-era xenophobia after moving to small town Wyoming, starring Ken Jeong and Jae Suh Park. He lives in Los Angeles, CA. VIEW ALL MENTORS

BECCA RODRIGUEZ Manager Grandview "I love working with multi-hyphenate creatives. Whether you’re a screenwriter turned novelist or vice versa, I can help demystify the development process on both ends from start to finish. In addition to the creative and development side, we can walk through business and strategy including how to find a representative, navigating the studio system/market, how to approach general meetings, pitching, and more." Becca Rodriguez joins Grandview from Curate where she oversaw the book department. Prior to Curate, she worked at The Gotham Group as a book manager. She began her career as an assistant at Anonymous Content across various departments from talent to literary then media rights. Rodriguez’s roster includes distinctive storytellers such as Philip K. Dick Award nominee Rebekah Bergman, Pushcart Prize nominee Lucie Britsch whose novels are under option and in development, New York Times bestselling author and journalist Maureen Callahan, International Latino Book Award winning author Ann Dávila Cardinal, PEN America /Hemingway Award winning author Oscar Hokeah, USA TODAY Bestselling author Jessica Joyce, PEN/Faulkner Award winning author Deesha Philyaw whose collection of short stories, THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES, she is co-adapting at Max and Viva Maude, Sue Grafton Memorial Award nominee Marcie Rendon, debut novelist Hattie Williams, and Locus Award finalist Hannah Yang. Born and raised in Santa Monica, CA she currently resides in Los Angeles. She received a BA in English Literature from Occidental College. Pronouns: She/Her Languages spoken: English & Spanish FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING OMAR FAJARDO VP, Creative Director | Razorfish APPLY FOR MARKETING MENTORS WITH THIS LINK "I can help you figure out how to navigate the creative industry without losing your voice, your values, or your sanity. I’m here to help you find clarity in the chaos, build confidence in your ideas, and approach every challenge with a fresh perspective. Thinking about a career in advertising or the creative world? I’ve been there—and I know it’s not always easy to see how you fit, especially if you’re coming from an underrepresented background. I can help you think beyond the brief, ask better questions, and tell your story in a way that feel true to you—whether that's in a portfolio, a pitch, or a client meeting. From career growth and creative leadership to simply figuring out how to be heard in a loud room, I'm here to help you move forward with purpose. My goal is to make sure you don't just survive this industry—you shape it." Omar Fajardo is a VP Creative Director with two decades of experience in advertising. Influenced by his training in art and design, Omar sees every challenge as an exercise in perspective. He starts every project the same way: by asking, “What is the bigger objective we’re really solving?” As a creative leader, he helps teams reframe the problem, challenge assumptions, and make space for unexpected solutions. His career has taken him across the globe—literally all seven continents—fueling a deep appreciation for different cultures, perspectives, and the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture and technology. He leads with empathy and curiosity, creating space for new voices and championing inclusive storytelling. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Omar brings his full self to the work and encourages others to do the same. His leadership has guided award-winning campaigns for brands like Citibank, GE Money, Sprint, Samsung, Dove, Burger King, Visit Orlando, and Holland America Line—spanning digital, TV, social, experiential, and out-of-home. Fluent in Spanish and fluent in ideas, Omar’s work has been recognized with Addy, Halo, and W3Awards, and featured in outlets like Architectural Digest Mexico, Art Basel, and Design Miami. He also helped shape the creative direction for speaker events featuring James Cameron, Vivienne Westwood, LeBron James, Malcolm Gladwell, and Steven Levitt. Beyond the day-to-day, he stays plugged into what’s next—continuously exploring diverse sources of inspiration, experimenting with emerging technologies, and blending the digital with the handmade. To him, creativity and learning is a muscle and a mindset. His north star? That life happens FOR you, not to you—and every project is a chance to turn that belief into something real. 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 TAZBAH CHAVEZ Co-Executive Producer | Episodic Director FX’s Reservation Dogs Tazbah Rose Chavez (Dinè, Nüümü, San Carlos Apache) is a performance poet turned television writer and director from the Bishop Paiute Reservation. She is currently Co-Executive Producer/episodic Director on FX’s Reservation Dogs. She has worked on SyFy’s Resident Alien, Peacock’s Rutherford Falls, directed on HBOMAX’s Sex Lives of College Girls and is a Writer/Director on FOX’s, Accused. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV ROBERT KESSEL EVP of Narrative Film Participant "I am a good person to bounce career trajectory advice around with—both how to get a job, how best to network and make the most of your contacts as well as a good handle on the creative/business side of the film business." Robert Kessel is Executive Vice President of Narrative Film at Participant, the leading global media company dedicated to entertainment that stands at the intersection of art and activism, where he co-manages the development and production of narrative films. Since joining Participant in 2013, Kessel has been integral to the production of the company’s most commercially successful films to date—Wonder and Green Book—overseeing production on both projects, and as an Executive Producer on Wonder. He was also an Executive Producer on the critically acclaimed Todd Haynes film Dark Waters, and oversaw production on Spotlight, Deepwater Horizon, Beasts of No Nation and A Most Violent Year. Kessel is an Executive Producer on the upcoming films Rob Peace and White Bird, the sequel to Wonder; he is also a Producer on the upcoming Out of My Mind. Prior to Participant, Kessel held executive posts at Matt Tolmach Productions, Overture Films, Hart Sharp Entertainment and Miramax Films. Kessel serves on the board of Students Run LA, a nonprofit organization that trains over 3000 at-risk kids to run the LA Marathon each year. He holds a BA in political science and film from Vassar College. Caveats e.g. I won't read scripts, I will not accept or receive any submitted material (scripts, pitches, demos, etc.) without a submission agreement for each project submitted. VIEW ALL MENTORS

ILEANA DIEZ Brand Strategist | Creative Marketing Roc Nation "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. As a founder in her own brand strategy and creative marketing consultancy, Ileana works with global brands and companies alike to build bridges between them and real authentic people and culture. Previously Head of Marketing at Roc Nation, Ileana created and oversaw campaigns for 70+ clients including Rihanna’s first return to music in over 5 years, the launch of Rihanna’s luxury fashion brand FENTY Maison (LVMH) as well as Mariah Carey’s career-defining 30th Anniversary campaign. While at Roc Nation, Ileana also created an in-house ‘Cultural Creative Agency’ where she spearheaded innovative global campaigns for clients such as Afterpay. Prior to Roc Nation, Ileana was a senior publicist at Island Records, where she was instrumental to the launch of Grammy-nominated Shawn Mendes’ career as well as the re-launch of Nick Jonas’ solo career. Born in Puerto Rico but raised as a third culture kid living throughout Mexico, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA, Ileana's personal passion is empowering women of color within creative industries and as a mentor, can help you define your own personal brand, strengthen your networking skills, and help develop a clear career path to achieve your goals and dreams. "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. MARKETING VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC CRISTINA CHAVEZ Vice President of A&R Universal Music Publishing Group Transparency encourages creativity. As a respected music executive and trusted partner, Cristina Chavez has catalyzed the success and evolution of various GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum producers and songwriters, ranging from Needlz and Bongo to Drew “Chiller” Gavin. Guiding careers as VP, A&R at UMPG, she consistently empowers talent to flourish and thrive at the highest level by leading with confidence and clarity. “I’m always transparent with my clients, first and foremost,” she exclaims. “They definitely know what’s on my mind. I’m very dependable as well. If I say I’m going to do something, I always get it done—and I make sure it happens in a positive way.” Growing up in The Bay Area, she immediately gravitated towards music during her childhood. Studying favorite artists, she obsessed over Toni Braxton’s voice and Babyface’s lyricism. While attending California State University Chico, she also split her time between internships at 106 KMEL and BET, grinding towards an eventual career in music. She turned the internship at BET into her first formal job as Talent Coordinator at 106 & Park in New York. She powered BET’s influential Music Matters brand, booking the likes of Kendrick Lamar, H.E.R., J. Cole, Big Sean, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan, and more for gigs, appearances, and interviews at gestational phases of their respective careers. Not to mention, she oversaw the Music Matters presence at SXSW, A3C, and MegaFest, working with superstars such as Pharrell, Meek Mill, and T.I. 2016 saw her accept an executive position at ASCAP where she orchestrated initiatives with Women Behind The Music and She Is The Music, hosted panels, and secured talent a la Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty and many more for high-profile activations. In 2020, she joined the team at Hallwood Media as Senior Vice President of A&R and Management at Hallwood Media. Under her watch, Chiller wrote The Game’s internet-breaking 2022 epic “Eazy” [feat. Kanye West], while she also shepherded and ignited projects for Needlz [Cardi B, Drake, Bruno Mars] and Dimitri McDowell [Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign]. Independently, she notably manages Bongo whose robust credits include Jazmine Sullivan’s “Girl Like Me” [feat. H.E.R.], Big Sean’s “Stay Down,” Cordae’s “Bad Idea” [feat. Chance the Rapper], G Herbo’s “Man Now,” Ty Dolla $ign’s “Ex” [feat. YG], and many more. At the same time, she sets an example for the next generation through her diligence and commitment. “I want to let young executives, especially girls, know you achieve every dream you have, if you put your mind to it,” she states. “It really is my life. I’m trying to contribute to the culture of music in some capacity. Whether it’s a song that speaks for the youth or putting a writer and producer together to make a connection around a great song, I want to add to this incredible world.” Beyond her role as a manager and executive, she has notably featured on panels for Joining Forces, a day-long summit hosted by Women In Music, ASCAP EXPO, and more. Thus far, her career has been chronicled by Variety and many more. VIEW ALL MENTORS

AMELIA HANIBELSZ Former Executive Director of Development | Founder ABC News Studios Amelia Hanibelsz is the former Executive Director of Development for ABC News Studios. In this role and in life she uplifts communities of color, underrepresented voices and under estimated audiences. She is a Prime Time Emmy nominated Supervising Producer and Genesis Award Winning Producer. Most recently she worked as Executive Producer at the USC SHOAH Foundation - founded by Steven Spielberg- supporting the creation of immersive and educational content inspired by over 55,000 testimonials of Holocaust and Genocide survivors from around the world. In 2020 Amelia wrapped as a Senior Producer for VICE on an 8-part series about young global activists. Over the past 20+ years, Amelia has acquired extensive experience in discovering and cultivating new talent for content initiatives on leading media networks such as Discovery, A&E, National Geographic, Animal Planet, The Smithsonian Channel, MTV, and VICE. She worked as the VP of Development for the award-winning production company Pangolin Pictures in New York for seven years. In 2013, Amelia founded Tell2C Productions to continue to utilize her storytelling skills for good. Since then, she has collaborated with FilmAid and the talented filmmakers of Kakuma Refugee Camp and is now proudly a FilmAid Kenya Board Member. She has worked with UNICEF, ActionAid, The Sesame Street Workshop, and The Gates Foundation to create compelling advocacy films on women and empowerment all over Africa. In South Sudan, she produced and distributed multimedia content for the United Nations, featured in Vanity Fair, Discovery, and Global Citizens social media platforms. She was a judge for the Reel Impact and IOM Global Migration Film Festival, which was in 106 Countries with over 500 screenings, a judge for the 41st, 42nd News & Doc Emmys, 73rd LA Emmys, the Netflix "New Voices" competition @ "Sunny Side Of The Doc" and a judge for the International Documentary Awards. She is an active member of the Television Academy, Global Impact Producers Assembly, and last but not least, a proud member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia. "Thank you for choosing me as your 2022 - 2023 Unlock Her Potential mentee, Amelia Hanibelsz. You've been a friend, sister, mentor and much more. Thank you for reminding me of my worth and pushing me to dream bigger. If it weren't for you, I may have learned lessons the hard way. Thank you for sharing inspo videos and WOC career advice podcasts. Thank you for showing up to Disney as a mover and shaker. ABC News President Kim Goodwin noticed your light and love. You glow without trying to. I'm most grateful for your transparency as you navigate grief. Thank you for feeling it because you've given me permission to feel mine too. Like you always say, it's wild how similar our lives are (right now). Thanks for making sure I didn't navigate this thing on my own. Cheers to that and as Sophia Chang says, 'Being the baddest b**** in the room." — Aja FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS