FILM/TV W. KAMAU BELL Comedian | Host | Executive Producer W. Kamau Bell is a stand-up comedian and the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning CNN docu-series UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA WITH W. KAMAU BELL. His latest stand-up comedy special, PRIVATE SCHOOL NEGRO, is available on Netflix. Kamau wrote a book with the easy-to-remember title, The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian. He’s the ACLU Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice and serves on the advisory boards of Hollaback! and Donors Choose. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV KELVIN YU Actor | Executive Producer | Screenwriter Kelvin Yu is an actor, Executive Producer, and Emmy-winning writer on the hit animated series BOB’S BURGERS on FOX. He’s also the showrunner of the animated series CENTRAL PARK on Apple TV+. He will next be seen in the series THE AFTER PARTY, alongside Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Dave Franco, and Sam Richardson on AppleTV+. He’s best known for playing Aziz Ansari’s best friend ‘Brian’ in the Netflix series MASTER OF NONE. Other notable acting credits include “STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, MILK, STAR TREK, AND WONDER WOMAN 1984. A native of Los Angeles, Yu is a graduate of UCLA and an outspoken advocate for diversity and empowerment in the Asian-American community. He also has a 17-year-old dog. VIEW ALL MENTORS

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

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. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC JANET BILLIG RICH Music Executive | Supervisor | Producer | Manager Janet Billig Rich is a music supervisor, Tony-Award nominated theater producer, artist manager and music executive. Among Janet Billig Rich’s most recent theater projects include, MOULIN ROUGE – THE MUSICAL, MJ The Musical and the five-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical ROCK OF AGES, and the musical theater/ cabaret hybrid show FOR THE RECORD: THE SERIES. She is also the music supervisor for the Steve Aoki documentary, I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD, Sundance winner, STEP and recently released documentaries FOUND and SISTERS ON TRACK, both on Netflix. After starting her professional journey in the rock clubs of New York City, Billig Rich partnered with Gold Mountain Entertainment as an artist manager before landing at Atlantic Records, where she established herself as one of the youngest senior executives and department heads ever appointed at the company. Her work as a publicist and artist manager during her early years helped to advance the careers of some of the biggest bands in history, including the Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Hole, Sugar Ray, Matchbox 20, Jewel and, Grammy-award winning artist Lisa Loeb. Janet’s other ventures include being a Commercial Music Supervisor for Peloton, and a partner in The Lisa Loeb Eyewear Collection (now featured at Costco), and a partner in Loudspeaker Music Group, which provides music supervision & clearance for numerous independent & documentary films as well as national TV commercials. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC NIKI SHERROD Executive Vice President of Music Warner Bros. Pictures Did you know that the marriage of music and film involves much more than making a cool music playlist and trying it to picture? I’d love to discuss the extensive process it takes to get to the final result of what you see and hear on screen. Niki Sherrod moved to Los Angeles from Nashville to pursue a career in entertainment…and experience a change of scenery. She started out as an assistant to a motion picture talent agent @ CAA. After a year, Niki moved on to Atlantic Records, working in the soundtracks division, and subsequently worked for all of the Warner Music Group labels, pitching artists for various film & TV opportunities. Since 2006, Niki has worked for Warner Bros. Pictures (now a division of Warner Bros. Discovery), where she is currently Executive Vice President of Music in both the theatrical animation and live action space. Niki has overseen the music on behalf of the studio for such films as PROJECT X, THE LEGO MOVIEs, GRAVITY, THE JOKER, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH and SPACE JAM 2, among many others. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV KELLY GOODE Senior Vice-President, Current Programming Warner Bros. Television Kelly Goode is Senior Vice-President, Current Programming at Warner Bros. Television, where she is a creative executive on broadcast, cable, and streaming scripted series. Previously, she was Vice-President, Original Programming at ABC Family (now Freeform), overseeing current programming. Goode began her career at Columbia Pictures Television, then moved to CBS Entertainment as an executive in comedy development and Vice-President, CBS Productions. Later, she was named Senior Vice President, Programming at Lifetime Television, overseeing development and current programming. Goode then became Head of Television at New Deal Productions, director John Singleton’s production company. Later she was named Senior Vice President, Programming at GSN (Game Show Network), where she was head of programming. Goode is a board member of the I Have A Dream Foundation-Los Angeles, Advisory Council member of The Hollywood Radio and Television Society, and a member of the Reform Leadership Council for the Vera Institute of Justice. VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV LAUREN JANE HOLLAND Agent Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Lauren Jane Holland is a TV-Scripted Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Holland is based in Los Angeles and represents many of the world’s leading writers, filmmakers, and producers, including Suzan-Lori Parks, Lee Daniels, Tomi Adeyemi, Blitz Bazawule, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Reggie Rock Bythewood. Prior to joining CAA in 2019, Holland worked in policy and government, notably as a staffer for Congresswoman Maxine Waters in her Capitol Hill office. Holland also worked with BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia, where she was a film programmer and managed corporate partnerships. She also served as a programmer for Outfest. Holland graduated from Howard University with a degree in International Business and Marketing. VIEW ALL MENTORS

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

PUBLISHING KEVIN BRUYNEEL Professor of Politics Babson College "I can help you with: navigating the academic job market and academia generally, writing and presentations, relationship of one’s work and career plans to political activism and organizations." Kevin Bruyneel is Professor of Politics at Babson College. His latest book is Settler Memory: The Disavowal of Indigeneity in the Political Life of Race in the United States, published in the Critical Indigeneities Series of the University of North Carolina Press in 2021. His first book was The Third Space of Sovereignty: The Postcolonial Politics of U.S.-Indigenous Relations. He presently writes on race, colonialism, racial capitalism, masculinity, and abolitionism. He is treasurer and council member of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, and a board member of Political Research Associates, a social justice research and strategy center devoted to supporting organizations, civic leaders, journalists, and social sectors that are building a more just and inclusive democratic society in which supremacist, masculinist, and authoritarian forces no longer wield cultural or political power. He is a settler scholar, born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. At Babson College, Bruyneel teaches courses in Critical Race and Indigenous Studies, Political Theory, American Politics, and Radical Politics. TWITTER INSTAGRAM WEBSITE VIEW ALL MENTORS

SOCIAL IMPACT & ADVOCACY SUSAN JIN DAVIS Social Impact Officer Susan Jin Davis has 30 years of experience in the communications and technology industry. As the first Chief Sustainability Officer of Comcast NBCUniversal, she was responsible for identifying sustainable strategies and priorities, and for implementing Comcast NBCUniversal's Sustainability Program across all of the Company's business units and functions. Previously, Susan served as Senior Vice President of Operations Compliance where she was responsible for implementing product policies, operationalizing regulatory and legal requirements, reducing costs to the cable business, and managing business compliance. In 2011, Susan negotiated an historic Memorandum of Understanding between Comcast and the Asian American community as part of the Company’s merger with NBCUniversal which created ground-breaking commitments in the areas of programming, supplier and employment diversity, and community investment. She serves on Comcast’s Internal Diversity Council and is a Company liaison to the Comcast NBCUniversal Joint Diversity Council. She is an executive sponsor of Asian Pacific Americans at Comcast, a Company Employee Resource Group. Susan completed the Women in Cable Telecommunications Senior Executive Summit at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and the Women’s Executive Leadership Program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Susan was named a Fellow in the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute of the Women in Cable Telecommunications, and she’s been recognized on the “Most Powerful Women in Cable” and the “Most Influential Minorities in Cable” lists by Cablefax, for many years. Susan serves as the Chair of the Board for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies and is a director on the Boards of the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship, and the Juvenile Law Center. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Bryn Mawr College. LINKEDIN VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC JOEY BADA$$ Rapper | Actor | Philanthropist Pro Era Records, Badmind Records Joey Bada$$ is a rapper and actor born and raised in Brooklyn. At 17 years old, he and his Pro Era crew took the rap world by storm with the release of his first mixtape, “1999,” which is now considered a classic. His two subsequent studio albums, “B4.DA.$$” and “All-Amerikkkan Badass,” helped elevate him to become one of the hottest names in music. His standout role in the hit TV show MR. ROBOT put his acting talents on display for the world for the first time and has led to multiple roles since. 2019 saw him expand his acting career with a role as Inspectah Deck in HULU’s WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA, as well as recurring appearances in BET sitcoms BOOMERANG and GROWN-ISH. He recently starred in the 2021 Academy Award-winning Netflix short film TWO DISTANT STRANGERS, where he played protagonist Carter James. He also appears as Unique in the upcoming STARZ original series POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN. WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK TWITTER SOUNDCLOUD SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV MARK R WRIGHT VP of Development & Production The Obama’s Higher Ground Mark R. Wright is the Vice President of Development and Production at The Obama’s Higher Ground, where he oversees a slate of scripted film projects for the company's exclusive overall deal at Netflix. In this role, he champions aspirational and entertaining stories across genres as a vehicle to unite and inspire audiences. Mark is an Executive Producer on Higher Ground's upcoming film Rustin directed by George C. Wolfe and starring Colman Domingo. His creative focus is producing unique and genre-bending narratives with people of color at the center to increase diverse images, experiences and perspectives available to audiences. For the work he’s accomplished, Mark was recently named one of 35 Rising Execs Under 35 by The Hollywood Reporter in the 2022 Next Gen issue. Prior to joining Higher Ground, Mark worked at MACRO, where he developed and executive produced Juel Taylor’s directorial debut, They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix) and Thembi Banks’ Young. Wild. Free. He also worked on the Oscar-nominated Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros.), Alan Yang's Tigertail (Netflix), and hit sci-fi family series Raising Dion (Netflix), among others. Mark is originally from Cleveland, OH and earned an MFA from USC's Peter Stark Producing Program and a BS in Communication from Ohio University. VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING MAUREEN POLO Executive Hello Sunshine Maureen Polo is an award-winning leader with 20+ years of experience in managing and scaling high-growth media businesses. In her current role, Maureen leads the Direct-to-Consumer businesses for Hello Sunshine including Reese’s Book Club, The Home Edit, and Hello Sunshine’s social editorial channels across social. In her role, Maureen oversees content strategy, marketing, editorial, book selection, and business growth. Prior to her role at Hello Sunshine, Maureen ran marketing strategy and solutions for Warner Media’s entertainment properties including HBO Max, TBS, truTV, Turner, Adults Swim, and Cartoon Network. In her previous role as General Manager at Fullscreen, Maureen ran the 400-person next generation entertainment company. Throughout her career Maureen has worked at a mix of traditional agencies and media companies where she excelled at leading start-up digital businesses specializing in the development and execution of cutting-edge cross-platform marketing and branded entertainment. She spent almost a decade at Conde Nast, led the sales and integrated marketing solutions team for Allrecipes.com , and worked with Rachael Ray & CBS to build and sell bespoke in-show, digital, and social integrations- essentially helping to build the industries original digital celebrity. Polo has been consistently recognized for their industry-leading work, including Shorty, Cannes Shortlist, OMMA, Streamy, RealScreen, Brandweek Constellation, and Digiday awards. Polo has also won Ad Age 20 under 30, She Runs It: Changing the Game Awards, and Cynopsis Top Women in Digital. Polo has also been profiled in Thrive Global’s Women Leadership series and featured in Forbes and Inc. "Maureen models badass-ery and generosity in equal measure. On being a badass, she’s a force of both creative and business excellence. Her quick and sharp feedback has been a tremendous guide for me as I navigate a career transition. On being generous, she is in the trenches with you, making sure you both do your best work and get your shine. Maureen’s mentorship has directly resulted in new perspective, new connections, and new opportunities for me. After my first meeting with her I wrote in my journal, “oh my gosh she's incredible” and many meetings later I can’t help but feel that same glee!" — Ami VIEW ALL MENTORS

MUSIC SCOTT HARDING Music Producer | Engineer | Musician Underground Producers Alliance "As a mentor I can help you understand the different aspects of music production and decide which path you might want to take. Are you an audio engineer who wants to expand into production? Are you an artist or producer who wants to learn the language and techniques of engineering to better express what you want to achieve during the recording or mixing process? Are you a DJ or artist who wants to learn and develop the skills to make your own tracks? These are all things I’ve done and can help you understand. The other things I can help you understand are the different roles one plays in the studio. What do you do if you’re recording an artist or a band when there is no producer? I can help you understand the dynamics of the situation and how to read the room and see when to offer ideas and when to lay back and listen. How do you go from being a beatmaker to fulfilling the full role of the producer, from making decisions about arranging and editing to writing budgets and booking studio time. These are essential lessons in order to maintain a long lasting career in the studio. I have recorded, mixed, arranged, performed and composed on hundreds of records over decades and this has allowed me a unique understanding of the process of music production and I can help you shape the direction you want to take to make music." I am a Brooklyn, NY based music producer, engineer and musician. I have been making records for over 40 years both domestically and internationally, spanning multiple genres from hip hop to jazz, rock to singer/songwriter, folk to classical . I have worked with international art figures Matthew Barney and Stan Douglas and recently remixed the De La Soul catalog. I am also a founding member of the Underground Producers Alliance, an independent school for post graduates and professionals looking for advanced knowledge and extended techniques in music production, sound design, composition, performance and audio engineering. I was involved in developing 2 of its’ signature courses, The Ghost Program and Mixing the Hard Way, my personalized course on the concept and techniques for mixing music. As I play numerous roles in the studio, I have worked extensively in collaborative as well as non-collaborative situations and can help you to learn how to understand your role in the process. I have recorded, mixed, arranged, performed and composed on hundreds of records over decades of working in numerous countries and continents. This has allowed me a unique understanding of the process of music production. Some of the artists I have worked with include The Master Musicians of Jajouka, Wu Tang Clan, Teo Macero, Vijay Iyer, Nação Zumbi, Mos Def, Vernon Reid, Chris Rock, Medeski, Martin and Wood, The Jungle Brothers, Sexmob, Mach Hommy, Harriet Tubman, Salif Keita, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many more. WEBSITE LINKTREE VIEW ALL MENTORS

FILM/TV YUL VÁZQUEZ Actor Yul Vázquez was most recently seen in HBO’s THE OUTSIDER, opposite Ben Mendelsohn and Cynthia Erivo. Other recent television credits include RUSSIAN DOLL opposite Natasha Lyonne, and TNT’s miniseries I AM THE NIGHT. Vázquez will next be seen starring in the Apple TV+ series, SEVERANCE, opposite Adam Scott and Christopher Walken, directed by Ben Stiller, and HBO’s WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS, opposite Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux. Feature credits include THE PHENOM opposite Paul Giamatti and Ethan Hawke; Tom McCarthy’s THE COBBLER opposite Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman and Steve Buscemi; Noah Buschel’s GLASS CHIN opposite Billy Crudup; Brad Furman’s RUNNER, RUNNER opposite Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake; Paul Greengrass’s CAPTAIN PHILLIPS opposite Tom Hanks; Michael Cuesta’s KILL THE MESSENGER opposite Jeremy Renner; and Ridley Scott’s AMERICAN GANGSTER. Vázquez was nominated for a Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for his role in THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT. INSTAGRAM VIEW ALL MENTORS

CABRINA QUESADA Vice President of TV Heyday "As a mentor, I will help you establish a foundation for development, networking and honing your brand, particularly for those with creative executive or producing aspirations." Cabrina Quesada is the Vice President of TV at Heyday, David Heyman’s Oscar-winning production company (HARRY POTTER, GRAVITY, MARRIAGE STORY, CLICKBAIT). Previously, she was the Director of Development at Anonymous Content, where she oversaw TV & Film for the Producer Joy Gorman Wettels (13 REASONS WHY) and covered Dana Fox’s Overall Deal with AC Studio and Paramount TV (HOME BEFORE DARK). Prior to AC, she worked at Netflix, starting in International Series & Film. On the creative team, she helped launch their first original slates in India and the Middle East (SACRED GAMES, DELHI CRIME, BARD OF BLOOD, LITTLE THINGS) and traveled to Mumbai to grow their regional office. Later on the U.S. Original Series Team, she worked in the Drama department on titles such as Molly Smith Metzler’s award-winning limited series MAID, as well as Overall and First Look deals, such as Obama's Higher Ground Productions and Regina’s King’s Royal Ties. Prior to the streamer, she worked for Director Ruben Fleischer’s and Producer Dave Bernad at The District (THE BOLD TYPE, SUPERSTORE, WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS, WHITE LOTUS), Brian Grazer at Imagine Entertainment, Barry Josephson’s Entertainment and Freeform. Additionally, she worked for Rob Lowe on-set of multiple scripted and unscripted series (CODE BLACK, ORVILLE, THE LOWE FILES), helped him adapt his memoir to the stage, STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS, and co-ran the show on tour. As the daughter of a Naval Submarine Officer and a Military Therapist, she attributes her passion for telling universal stories that transcend borders to her family’s time stationed across the U.S. and Abroad. She is also an UCLA’s school of Theater, Film and Television Alum where she majored in Directing. FILM/TV VIEW ALL MENTORS

MARKETING 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 VIEW ALL MENTORS

SOPHIA CHANG Storyteller The Baddest Bitch in the Room "As a mentor, I will teach you to develop your negotiation skills, to have the hard conversations, to advocate for yourself, and find your true value. In short, I will set you on the path to becoming the Baddest Bitch In The Room." Sophia Chang is a screenwriter and author who is developing numerous TV properties, including a scripted series based on her Audible memoir “ The Baddest Bitch In The Room .” Her memoir will be released in print on 9/8/20. She was also the subject of an episode of the Hulu series “ Defining Moments .” Sophia created Unlock Her Potential, a program that provides mentorship for women of color. Sophia Chang is the music business matriarchitect who managed Ol’ Dirty Bastard (RIP), RZA, GZA, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Q Tip, and A Tribe Called Quest as well as working with Paul Simon. She did marketing at Atlantic, A&R at Jive, A&R Admin at Universal, as well as serving as General Manager of RZA’s Razor Sharp Records, Cinematic Music Group, and Joey Bada$$’ Pro Era Records. She trained with and managed a Shaolin Monk, who became her partner and father of her children. She produced runway shows for Vivienne Tam and "Project Runway All Stars," was an account executive at a digital agency, and did business development at a cannabis company. AUDIBLE - Prologue of Memoir HUFFPOST - Opinion Piece on AAPI Hate "I learned tangible skills around contract negotiation and communicating with my management, but more than that, it was being around a force like Sophia that left its deepest impression. I had access and support from someone who is a model of advocacy, community, impact, and badassery — and because of that became more of who I want to be in this industry/world." — Nancy "My mentorship with Sophia changed not only my career, but the way I operate in this world. In our time together she not only helped me develop hard skill sets in personal branding, pitching, and team management but she also gave me tools to cultivate my confidence, advocate for myself, and to dream big as hell." — Kausar FILM/TV 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

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

FILM/TV 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 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

SHARLA SUMPTER BRIDGETT 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 . FILM/TV 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