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  • JOHN MENEILLY | Unlock Her Potential

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

  • ALICE GU

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

  • LAUREN ABRAMO

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

  • GBENGA AKINNAGBE | Unlock Her Potential

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

  • ILEANA DIEZ | Unlock Her Potential

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

  • CHARLES YU

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

  • JOURNALISM | Unlock Her Potential

    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

  • JESSIE WEINSTEIN

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

  • DR. JENNIFER GARRISON

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

  • JON RUBINSTEIN

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

  • ANIL DASH

    STEM, C-SUITE ANIL DASH Former CEO Glitch Anil Dash leads the team at Glitch , the friendly coding community where people have collaborated to create and share millions of apps, serving as CEO of Glitch until its acquisition by Fastly. Honored by the Webby Awards with a lifetime achievement award in 2022, Dash is recognized as a leading advocate for more humane, expressive, inclusive and ethical technology through his work as an entrepreneur, activist and writer. He serves as a board member for organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation , the pioneering nonprofit organization defending digital privacy and expression, The Markup , the leading nonprofit investigative newsroom pushing for tech accountability, and the Lower East Side Girls Club , which empowers and serves girls and families in need in New York City. Previously, Dash was an advisor to the Obama White House’s Office of Digital Strategy, served for a decade on the board of Stack Overflow , the world’s largest community for coders, and was on the board of Data & Society Research Institute , which researches the cutting edge of tech's impact on society. Today, he continues to advise respected startups and non-profits including DonorsChoose , Medium , The Human Utility , and Project Include . In 2008, he led a MacArthur-backed research project that did some of the earliest research on social media’s impact on policy making. And during his tenure as CEO of Glitch, the company became the first tech startup to voluntarily recognize its workers’ union. As a writer and artist, Dash was a contributing editor and monthly columnist for Wired, has written for publications like The Atlantic and Businessweek, co-created one of the first implementations of the blockchain technology now known as NFTs, had his works exhibited in the New Museum of Contemporary Art, and collaborated with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda on one of the most popular Spotify playlists of 2018. Described by the New Yorker as a “blogging pioneer”, his personal website has been cited in sources ranging from the New York Times to hundreds of academic papers. In 2013, Time named @anildash one of the best accounts on Twitter, and he is the only person ever retweeted by both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Prince, a succinct summarization of Dash’s interests. Dash has also been a keynote speaker and guest in a broad range of media ranging from the Aspen Ideas Festival to Desus and Mero's late-night show to SXSW. He’s also guested on most of the podcasts that you like. TWITTER VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • PUBLISHING | Unlock Her Potential

    Check out our Publishing mentors for Unlock Her Potential PUBLISHING FEATURED HEESOK CHANG Professor | Vassar JEFF YANG Writer, Journalist | A. Magazine KEVIN BRUYNEEL Professor | Babson College LINDA CAMACHO Literary Agent | Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency TOCHI ONYEBUCHI Author PUBLISHING CHARLES YU Author | Screenwriter JEFF CHANG Writer LINDA CAMACHO Literary Agent | Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency TOCHI ONYEBUCHI Author DR. JENN JACKSON Asst. Professor | Author JEFF YANG Writer, Journalist | A. Magazine MARK ANTHONY NEAL Professor | Duke ELYSE CHENEY Founder and Agent | The Cheney Agency KATE SCHATZ Author | Activist | "Rad Women" MARYA SPENCE Agent | Janklow Nesbit HEESOK CHANG Professor | Vassar KEVIN BRUYNEEL Professor | Babson College PREETI CHHIBBER Author IJEOMA OLUO Writer, Speaker, & Internet Yeller LAUREN ABRAMO Literary Agent & Subsidiary Rights Director | Dystel, Goderich & Bourret STEPHANIE FRERICH VP & Executive Editor | Simon & Schuster Book Publisher VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • YOUNG GURU | Unlock Her Potential

    MUSIC YOUNG GURU Record Producer | Executive | Engineer "I have a lifetime of experience that isn’t in a book. I can give a mentee real world experience that an help them navigate this new business with the wisdom of the old" Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton is a Grammy Award-winning record producer, executive, and engineer. Beginning his music career as a DJ in Washington D.C. in the mid-90s, Guru went on to become what the Wall Street Journal dubbed “the most influential man in hip-hop.” While he is most known for his work with Jay-Z – with whom he won a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album for Everything is Love in 2019 – Guru has been a guiding force in the careers of the industry’s top recording artists. Over a decades’ long career Guru has made records with household names including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ludacris, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, T.I., Mariah Carey and more. In 2015, Young Guru assumed the role of the Director of Operations at 9th Wonder’s record label It’s a Wonderful World Music Group. In 2022, Guru announced his new role as the Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship, & Production program at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University. Passionate about sharing his knowledge and love for music and record-producing, Guru also serves as a mentor for the program. In addition to offering invaluable career guidance, in 2022 Guru offered a full-tuition scholarship to one promising prospective student of the program. Always eager to impart his wealth of expertise on the new generation, Guru has lectured at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Music, Emory University, and the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • COMING SOON | Unlock Her Potential

    NEW SITE COMING SOON UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS WE PREPARE FOR 2024!

  • DEMANE DAVIS | Unlock Her Potential

    FILM/TV DEMANE DAVIS Television Director | Producer | Filmmaker DeMane Davis is a Television Director, Executive Producer and Filmmaker who has an overall creative deal with Warner Brothers Television Group and is currently EP/Producing Director on the second season of the TV series Brilliant Minds, starring Zachary Quinto. DeMane’s TV directing career began when Ava DuVernay invited her to direct on Queen Sugar. Since then she has directed and produced Found, starring Shanola Hampton; Naomi; the Emmy nominated Netflix limited series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker; and Clarice. DeMane has helmed episodes of For The People, You, How to Get Away with Murder and Station 19. She has also directed over seventy commercials, including the 2023 Super Bowl spot for PETA starring Edie Falco, selected as Best Celebrity Commercial by Entertainment Weekly. Both of the indie features DeMane wrote and directed premiered In Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival and internationally at Edinburgh. LIFT starred Kerry Washington in her first leading role and received two Spirit Award nominations. DeMane’s previous career as a Copywriter/Creative Director spans twenty-five years and counts Nike, Snapple, Reebok, Coca-Cola and Blue Cross Blue Shield as clients. When not working DeMane supports The Innocence Project and the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. Website Twitter Instagram VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • ERIC OBERLAND

    FILM/TV ERIC OBERLAND Development Executive Amazon Studios Born and raised in Milwaukee, Eric migrated west in his early 20s to break into entertainment with an eye toward working on impactful storytelling. Eric currently is a Development Executive at Amazon Studios, working directly with First Look and Overall talent deals, including Riz Ahmed, Michael B. Jordan, and Carlton Cuse, among others. Prior to Amazon, he ran the Scripted TV Dept. of LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The SpringHill Co., overseeing both development and production for six years. In his time at the company, Eric worked on shows such as Starz’ SURVIVOR’S REMORSE, Netflix’s TOP BOY & SELF MADE, and produced the “Career Mode” storyline for NBA2K20. Eric’s passion lies with working alongside tremendous creators and helping bring their stories to life. Prior to SpringHill, Eric worked in various capacities on-set for both scripted and unscripted productions, spent some time in post-production, and worked in Comedy Development at Warner Bros. TV. Eric currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jessica, and two children, Maya & Oscar. WEBSITE @OberlandEric @theghostmo VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • PUBLISHING | Unlock Her Potential

    Check out our Publishing mentors for Unlock Her Potential PUBLISHING IJEOMA OLUO Writer | Speaker | Internet Yeller MAUREEN POLO Head of Direct-To-Consumer | Hello Sunshine VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • IJEOMA OLUO

    PUBLISHING 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 VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • VANESSA ANGIULI | Unlock Her Potential

    VANESSA ANGIULI Senior Director of A&R Interscope Records "As a mentor, I will customize a comprehensive plan to guide you through all you need to know about the music business. We will have detailed discussions about everything from songwriting to revenue, record labels and legal agreements. I will help you understand the basic building blocks of the music industry and how to get your foot in the door." 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 MUSIC VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • IJEOMA OLUO | Unlock Her Potential

    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

  • MENTEE & MENTOR RESOURCES | Unlock Her Potential

    MENTEE & MENTOR RESOURCES THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND The program is one hour per month from January 1 - December 31, 2024 The mentee is responsible for reaching out and scheduling the session with the mentor If possible, we suggest establishing a set time every month to speak to avoid time spent scheduling e.g. 2nd Tuesday o f the month at 3pm Feel free to copy us in the initial email and move us to BCC once you've made contact This is a strictly professional relationship Should any issues arise, please contact the team at support@unlockherpotential.com If you plan on spending more than 3 months abroad in 2024, you must alert your mentor and the UP team (support@unlockherpotential.com ). They may choose to discontinue the mentorship due to difficulty of scheduling. SUGGESTED ICEBREAKERS TO LAUNCH THE CONVERSATION Set the ta ble i.e. discuss mutual goals and expectations. How do you remain motivated? What is one of the biggest lessons you learned? Why do you do what you do? How did you choose your path? How do you make the most effective use of your time? How did it feel to change your career path? Did you envision your career as it is today? What's one lesson you wish you'd learned earlier? Did you have a mentor? How have they influenced you? BONUS TIP You might want to read through the Top 10 Tips to Maximize Your Mentoring and 40 Questions to Ask Your Mentor. WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT 2024 BRINGS FOR EVERYONE! DOWNLOADS UNLOCK HER POTENTIAL GUIDELINES & RULES UNCONSCIOUS BIAS DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF

  • SAMANTHA MILITANTE

    FILM/TV SAMANTHA MILITANTE Director of Current Series FX Networks Samantha Militante is a director of current series at FX Networks, where she works on comedy, drama, and docuseries across all of FX Networks. Currently, she is overseeing ATLANTA, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, SNOWFALL, MAYANS, & RESERVATION DOGS. In addition, she helped develop and launch the initial FX docuseries slate, including shows like CHILDREN OF THE UNDERGROUND, HIP HOP UNCOVERED, THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL OF ALL, and HYSTERICAL. Before joining FX, Militante began her career in the mailroom at Gersh and went on to work for multiple agents within the motion picture literary department. "I am incredibly grateful to have Samantha Militante as my mentor. From the start, she has actively supported my aspirations of being a TV writer, both in affirmation and in action. As an executive, she has given me invaluable insights from the development process to navigating the TV industry (and life!) as a woman of color, and has provided me with resources that have tremendously helped my writing craft. Her wisdom and talent is matched by her kindness and generosity, which altogether have helped me build greater confidence in myself, my work, and the path I’ve set on. Thank you, Sam!!" — Chloe VIEW ALL MENTORS

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  • RACHEL RAIMIST | Unlock Her Potential

    FILM/TV RACHEL RAIMIST Director "Are you a director or filmmaker seeking to develop your craft and career? Let’s build together. We’re living in a time of profound change in both the industry and the world. This makes the time you invest in yourself and the work we do together even more important. Together we can deepen your creativity, develop your voice, sharpen your skills and chart a clear path forward. My focus is on you—your talent, your goals and your growth. Whether you seek to map a long-term career plan, need to recut your reel or you want to learn how to pitch with confidence, I’m here to support your creativity and your journey. What I offer through this program: - Monthly one-on-one virtual meetings - Constructive feedback on your work (short films, short film scripts, reel, website) - Directing craft and industry advice - Workshop tutorials on digital tools for directors - Insight into navigating the industry What I don’t offer: On-set shadowing opportunities If you’re ready to invest in your growth and development as a director, I’m here to help guide that process with honesty, experience and good vibes." Dr. Rachel Raimist (she/her/ella) is a trailblazing television director and former tenured college professor whose work centers on smart women, messy families and wild teens. Her directing credits span drama, comedy, action, musicals, science fiction and fantasy. She has brought her distinctive voice to hit series including Elsbeth (CBS), Bel-Air (Peacock), The Spiderwick Chronicles (Roku), Sex/Life (Netflix) and Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu), among others. She loves directing teens and wild animals. At the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Raimist made history as the first woman appointed Co-Chair of the Special Projects Committee and was named Co-Chair of the Disability Committee by DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter. She also serves as Alternate Co-Chair of the Women’s Steering Committee and formerly held the same role on the Latino Committee. A passionate advocate for equity and representation, Raimist co-founded the DGA’s annual Women’s Day and leads initiatives spotlighting groundbreaking, diverse directors. She continues to champion inclusive storytelling both on screen and behind the camera. When not behind the camera, she teaches directing for Sundance, African Creative Television, the Tyler Perry Dream Collective Director's Workshop, AFI's Directing Workshop for Women, Netflix, the Stowe Story Lab, the Latino Film Institute and top film schools around the world. https://www.rachelmakesmovies.com/ https://www.thepeoplesfilmschool.com/ https://www.instagram.com/docraimist VIEW ALL MENTORS

  • KATHRYN TYUS-ADAIR | Unlock Her Potential

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

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