BRUCE COHEN Producer Bruce Cohen Productions "Embarking on a career in film and television or already on that journey and wanting some help with next steps? Through consulation and advice, both practical and inspirational, I can help you craft a game plan." Bruce Cohen is an Oscar and Tony-winning, Emmy-nominated producer of film, television, theater and live events. He won an Academy Award for Best Picture for AMERICAN BEAUTY and earned additional Best Picture nominations for MILK and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. He was Emmy nominated for producing the 83RD ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS, and executive produced PUSHING DAISIES and BROADWAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE for First Lady Michelle Obama. He produced both the feature film and Broadway musical versions of BIG FISH, won the Tony for Best Play in 2020 for co-producing Matthew Lopez’ THE INHERITANCE, and was Tony nominated for co-producing Jeremy O. Harris’ SLAVE PLAY. His next feature film, which will be in theaters this fall from Netflix, is RUSTIN, directed by George C. Wolfe and starring Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin. Bruce is producing with Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company. Cohen is a graduate of Yale University and started his film career as the DGA Trainee on Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple. He lives in New York City with his husband and daughter. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC VANESSA ANGIULI Senior Director of A&R Interscope Records The most beneficial lessons in my career have come from having a mentor and being a mentor. Paying it forward is one of the most important things people can do for each other. Programs like UNLOCK HER POTENTIAL allow women to build a strong set of skills that will act as a foundation for their paths forward. I am excited to partner with a candidate who is driven, organized – and a lover of music. I have a lot to teach – and even more to learn! My role as an A&R is dependent on my ability to scout and develop new talent. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the industry’s leading songwriters, producers and recording artists. I am passionate about building and fostering mutually-beneficial relationships within the creative community. Vanessa Angiuli is a Senior Director of A&R at Interscope Records where she has worked with artists including: Selena Gomez, BLACKPINK, Tainy, 5 Seconds of Summer, X Ambassadors, Jacob Banks, Towa Bird and many more. Born and raised in New York, she began her career at Platinum Sound Recording Studios working under Grammy Award-winning producer Jerry ‘Wonda’ Duplessis . After a string of internships at Crush Music and QPrime Management , she landed her first job as an Executive Assistant and Junior Day-to-Day at TMWRK Management . Vanessa also worked briefly as an A&R coordinator for songwriter/producer Tim Anderson . PRONOUNS: She/Her VIEW ALL MENTORS

JOURNALISM KATIE BENNER Reporter The New York Times Katie Benner covers the Justice Department for The New York Times, and she was part of a team whose reporting on workplace sexual harassment issues won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for public service. She moved to Washington D.C. in 2018 to cover the Justice Department under former President Donald Trump. Her reporting often focused on his clashes with law enforcement and national security officials as he flexed presidential power in an extreme manner not seen since the Nixon era. Before covering national security, Benner worked in The Times' San Francisco Bureau and covered Apple, venture capital and startups. She reported on the encryption fight between Apple and the FBI and investigated how tech employees chasing the Silicon Valley dream are short-changed by executives and investors. She also wrote about sexual harassment in the tech industry and the legal contracts used to keep that behavior a secret. TWITTER VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING MARCELLE KARP I'm a Go-Get-Her 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. Here's a short list of some of what makes me right for you: 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 just published my first YA novel GETTING OVER MAX COOPER. I'm working on my Master's in Women and Gender Studies. 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

ALIX TYLER Creative Director | Creative Strategist Instagram + Facebook “What can I do to stay inspired and brainstorm more effectively? How can I create a personal brand that will propel my career forward? How do you stand in front of a room full of people with confidence? And does a Creative Director actually get to be creative??” These are just some of the questions I can help you unpack. My process is a combination of inspiration and tangible, go-to tips and tricks. I’ll show you how to exercise your creative muscle, help you “own the room” when you present, and together we’ll hone in on your goals and build strategies to help set you on the path to success!" Alix Tyler is an award-winning Creative Director and Creative Strategist at Instagram + Facebook, where she is seated at the table with CMOs, VPs and ECDs for some of the biggest fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands in the world—including Gap, Sephora, Vans and Kate Spade. Alix and her team live at the intersection of creativity and technology where she partners with brands to inspire, educate and guide as they build creative campaigns that connect with the over 2 billion monthly active users on the platform. Before Instagram, Alix spent over a decade in advertising as a Creative Director/copywriter where she created campaigns for Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Fergie…and some very sexy chips and salsa for Frito-Lay. With nearly 20 years of industry experience under her belt, Alix specializes in creative problem solving and is known for creating work that is both strategic and visually inspiring. Alix is also a skilled and engaging public speaker—something which has helped her throughout her career. She has co-hosted a Facebook Watch show with Queer Eye's Tan France, spoke at notable design conference C2 Montréal, hosted a fireside chat with celebrity photographer Alexi Lubomirski, shared Instagram best practices with fashion legends Inez + Vinood and Mario Testino, guest lectured at Stanford University, and even ran an Instagram Story School for the entire Vans Pro Skateboard Team. A graduate of Harvard University with a degree in anthropology, Alix is also a vintage lover, music video director, photographer and confirmed maximalist. She is a big believer that you should move through life with confidence but never take yourself too seriously. She is not afraid to admit she is a self-proclaimed Instagram addict. And no, she can’t get you verified. ALEXANDRATYLER.COM LINKEDIN MARKETING VIEW ALL MENTORS

GIGI CAUSEY VP of Production FX Entertainment "I’ve worked in many areas of production (Film/Scripted TV/Unscripted) both as a freelancer and in-house at both independent and major studios. While my expertise is in physical production (the details and realities that come into play once a script or show is green-lit), I work closely with creative teams and talent throughout all phases of a project from development through post production. This means I can offer perspective and practical insight as you’re working to find your passion and to hone or redirect your career path. WON’Ts: "I’m really looking to help someone navigate their overall objective and recognize their strengths and am not looking to give advice on a specific script or project. I will not read scripts or hear pitches." Gigi Causey joined FX Entertainment as Vice President, Production, in 2016. She is responsible for directly overseeing physical production on multiple series (Snowfall, Better Things, The Bear, Shogun) and projects in development for FX Productions. Prior to joining FX, Gigi worked as a freelance production manager, supervisor and line producer in New York and Los Angeles on independent films, unscripted TV, and major studio feature films (Queer Eye [the original], Safe House, Straight Outta Compton). She was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for Time Freak, a short film she produced and financed with her husband, who wrote and directed the film. Born in Costa Rica, Gigi immigrated to El Paso, Texas, with her mother at the age of six. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film. She began her career in entertainment in the art department of micro-budget independent feature films in Texas. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. FILM/TV 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

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

MUSIC JEREMY HOLGERSEN Senior Vice President of Concerts Agency for the Performing Arts Jeremy Holgersen is a booking agent for Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) in New York, NY. He has been a booking agent for over 20 years, having started out after college in the late 90’s as an assistant at the boutique booking agency Artists & Audience in NY and later moving on to The Agency Group NY office as an assistant and working up to agent in 2000. He joined UTA when UTA acquired The Agency Group in 2015. Jeremy has worked with a diverse roster of artists throughout his career from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Glassjaw, Hatebreed, Finger Eleven, Bad Brains, Gojira, The Pogues and many others. He currently is actively working with a diverse roster of artists like Ms Lauryn Hill, Action Bronson, G-Eazy, Protoje, Common, Cypress Hill, Apocalyptica, Suicidal Tendencies, Princess Nokia, GZA, iann dior, YG and many many more. From his days at Artists & Audience and The Agency Group up to UTA, Jeremy has always been surrounded by some of the most talented agents in the business to learn from, as well as working alongside great managers, labels, lawyers and promoters. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV ALEX KIM VP of Development Monkeypaw Alex Kim is Monkeypaw's VP of Development. Since joining the company in 2017, Kim has been integral to building Monkeypaw’s expansive TV and film slate, working on the development and production of HUNTERS, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, LORENA, WEIRD CITY and THE LAST OG. Most recently, Kim has served as a producer on the second season of THE TWILIGHT ZONE. Across Monkeypaw, Kim manages content curation, project development, creative oversight, and production workflow, ensuring that all projects are aligned creatively with the Monkeypaw vision. Caveats: "I'm okay with reading projects to discuss, but I'm not interested in project pitches for Monkeypaw consideration. I'm happy to talk at length about any advice or feedback I can give to help someone better understand the process, but if they want to pitch something to me for Monkeypaw consideration, I will only consider hearing the pitch if we set that up through the proper channels/reps outside of this program. I would like to use this time to focus on how I can help an individual and not on purely developing/producing a project for someone." Languages: I speak some Korean. I'm somewhat conversational, but definitely shy of saying I'm fluent. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV SHARLA SUMPTER Senior Vice President, Film and Television Chernin Entertainment "As a mentor, I will help you hone your story development skills, provide feedback on projects, and advise on how to navigate your career as it pertains to your short- and long-term goals, particularly for those with aspirations of becoming a creative executive or producer." Sharla Sumpter Bridgett currently holds the role of Senior Vice President of Film and Television at Chernin Entertainment. Sumpter Bridgett, who has over 15 years of experience in development and production, was previously Tim Story’s producing partner running The Story Company where projects in development included Lionsgate and Hasbro’s live-action feature Monopoly starring Kevin Hart, Universal Pictures’ musical comedy Praise This directed by Tina Gordon, and the Netflix and STX Entertainment superhero comedy Night Wolf led by Hart. Before this, Sumpter Bridgett produced television and film through her SB&Co shingle, consulted for multiple companies, and ran a writer/directors program. She’s also served as Partner and President of Production at Varsity Pictures, where she produced titles like The To-Do List , Blue Mountain State and Sonny with a Chance, and served as President of Film at Tollin/Robbins Productions where she executive produced Coach Carter and Wild Hogs . VIEW ALL MENTORS

IJEOMA OLUO Writer | Speaker | Internet Yeller Ijeoma Oluo is a writer, speaker and internet yeller. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk About Race and most recently, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America . Her work on race has been featured in The Guardian, The New York Times and The Washington Post, among many other publications. She was named to the 2021 TIME 100 Next list and has twice been named to the Root 100. She received the 2018 Feminist Humanist Award and the 2020 Harvard Humanist of the Year Award from the American Humanist Association. She lives in Seattle, Washington. WEBSITE PUBLISHING 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

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

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

JOURNALISM SARA SIDNER Co-Anchor CNN News Central Sara Sidner is co-anchor of CNN News Central, airing weekdays from 9am-12pm ET. She is also CNN's multiple award winning senior national and international correspondent. In 2014 Sidner provided extensive coverage of the 6 month long protests in Ferguson, Missouri after Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed by a white police officer. From 2020 thru 2021 she led the network's coverage in Minneapolis of the protests following the death of George Floyd and the trial of Derek Chauvin. She was one of the lead reporters in Washington State reporting on the first known deadly US outbreak of Covid-19. As an international correspondent, Sidner covered the aftermath of the deadliest earthquake in modern Turkey which left more than 44 thousand people dead earlier this year. She has reported for more than a dozen countries throughout the Middle East and Asia. Her work in Libya reporting surrounded by rebel fighters during the fall of Tripoli has been recognized all over the world. She was live for hours as grenades and gunfire rang out during the 2008 deadly terrorist attacks on several five star hotels in Mumbai, including the famed Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. Her stories from South Asia also included a documentary on the 25 year civil war in Sri Lanka, several stints reporting in war-torn Afghanistan, and live coverage of violent political eruptions in Thailand and Bangladesh. Sidner also traveled to Chile and Haiti to cover the aftermath of devastating earthquakes in those countries. Sidner was part of the team that won a Peabody award for CNN's coverage of the Arab Spring. In 2011 Sidner shared the Achievement of the Year Award from SKY WFTV Women in Film & Television in the United Kingdom for her war coverage in Libya. Sidner has collected a Peabody award, two Emmys, two Asian Television Awards, two Alliance for Women in Media Gracie Awards, an NABJ award, several Telly awards and an Edward R Murrow award. Sidner received her journalism degree from the University of Florida and is in the UF School of Journalism and Communications Hall of Fame. 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

PUBLISHING STEPHANIE FRERICH Vice President and Executive Editor Simon & Schuster Book Publisher "If you love books—whether they spark your imagination through the ideas they offer or the escape and magic they provide—I can help explain book publishing. You can pursue a job through this field, working behind-the-scenes to help bring a book to life. Or I can help demystify the publishing process if you're interested in writing, from idea phase to finding a book agent, how to write a nonfiction manuscript, how to pitch your book idea, and more." Stephanie Frerich is an executive editor at Simon & Schuster where she works with nonfiction books and authors, on a variety of topics, from current events, history, biography, business and economics, and psychology. S Some of her bestselling and award-winning books include Just Pursuit by Laura Coates, Amazon Unbound by Brad Stone, I Would Leave Me If I Could by Halsey, Measure What Matters by John Doerr, No Filter by Sarah Frier, How to Invest by David Rubenstein, Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley by Emily Chang, and The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo. Other of her forthcoming and published authors include Kara Swisher, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Gretchen Morgenson, WNYC Death, Sex & Money host Anna Sale, Congressman Ro Khanna, Washington Post technology reporter Taylor Lorenz, neuroscientist Heather Berlin, Wall Street Journalist relationship columnist Elizabeth Bernstein, and more. Stephanie also oversees the Stephen R. Covey The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People library. Hailing from Minnesota, she studied James Joyce while pursuing a master’s degree at Trinity College in Ireland, learned how to run a small publishing company at Ivan R. Dee in Chicago, and briefly left publishing for a jaunt in the startup world at Skillshare. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV, C-SUITE SARAH HARDEN CEO Hello Sunshine Sarah Harden is the CEO of Hello Sunshine, a media brand anchored in storytelling, on a mission to change the narrative for women. Alongside founder Reese Witherspoon, Harden leads Hello Sunshine’s growth as a premium content studio and direct-to-consumer media brand developing films, scripted and unscripted television series, podcasts, live events and more. She also oversees Reese’s Book Club, fast-growing in reach & influence. Prior to her time with Hello Sunshine, Harden was President of Otter Media, a privately held joint venture between AT&T and The Chernin Group, where she spearheaded Otter’s first investment in Hello Sunshine. She also served as Group Director at News Corp Asia, where she oversaw growth initiatives in Hong Kong. Additionally, Harden served as SVP of Business Development for Fox Networks Group, identifying, cultivating, and executing new business for Fox. Harden began her career at Boston Consulting Group in Melbourne, Australia after graduating from Harvard Business School with high distinction as a Baker Scholar. 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

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

JOURNALISM, C-SUITE DANIELLE BELTON Editor-in-Chief HuffPost Born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. on a healthy diet of news programming, pop culture, black history and “snark,” Danielle Belton is currently Editor-in-Chief of HuffPost. She was previously the Editor-in-Chief at The Root and is best known as the editor and writer of the award-winning pop culture-meets-politics blog The Black Snob. She was also the first black woman to lead a writer's room in late-night television as head writer for BET's NAACP Image Award-nominated show, "Don't Sleep," in 2012. As a journalist, Belton has written for: The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Essence Magazine, The Guardian, The American Prospect, Jezebel, NPR and many others. An advocate for mental health, Belton writes extensively about her experience with Bipolar disorder. She currently lives in New York City. "Danielle Belton is a wonderful mentor to have and I am very fortunate to receive her guidance. She helps me set milestones and yearly goals, doesn't allow my imposter syndrome to kick-in, and encourages me to take initiatives I wouldn't dare to try. She's a great listener and our informal monthly meetings make me feel confident about myself and all the things I want to accomplish." — Kristal 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

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

FILM/TV, C-SUITE DAVID LEVINE Chief Content Officer Anonymous Content David Levine spent more than a decade at HBO, most recently as EVP and Co-Head of Drama. During his tenure, he oversaw some of the premium cable network's hit shows, including TRUE DETECTIVE, WESTWORLD, SHARP OBJECTS and GAME OF THRONES. He is currently the Chief Content Officer of Anonymous Content, where he oversees all filmed content, including SHANTARAM, TIM BANDITS, DEFENDING JACOB, DICKINSON, and SWAN SONG. Previous to HBO, he was the VP of Development and Production at Mandalay Entertainment and a producer at Fuse Entertainment. VIEW ALL MENTORS