2019 Speakers

Eva Longoria

Actress, Producer & Director

Golden Globe-nominated and SAG Award-winning actress, producer, director, entrepreneur, philanthropist, Time’s Up founder, and L’Oréal Paris Global Brand Ambassador, Eva Longoriais leading the charge of diverse and female representation as one of the most significant…

Jenna Dewan

Actress, Author & Dancer

Noted as one of the most accomplished dancers, actress, author and host – Jenna Dewan has become one of the most recognizable multi-hyphenate artists in the entertainment industry. Her ability to successfully transition among her…

Chrissy Metz

Actress, "This Is Us"

Emmy and two-time Golden Globe nominee Chrissy Metz stars on the award-winning NBC series “This Is Us,” winner of the 2018 and 2019 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and People’s Choice Award for “Favorite…

Sophia Bush

Actress & Activist

Sophia Bush is an American actress, activist, entrepreneur, and global education access advocate. Bush is a member of the Directors Guild of America in 2017 entered a talent and development deal with 20th Century Fox…

Nicole Richie

Actress, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

Nicole Richie is a Creative Director, actress, entrepreneur, writer, producer, and philanthropist. A native Californian, Richie was born and raised in Los Angeles surrounded by art, music and costumes which has helped foster her artistic…

Rachel Zoe

CEO, Designer & Philanthropist

Rachel Zoe is a distinguished designer, editor, author, TV personality and entrepreneur renowned for her effortless take on glamour. As a designer, Zoe makes her exceptional taste accessible as Creative Director of the Rachel Zoe…

Gigi Gorgeous

Activist & Author

Gigi Gorgeous is a YouTube star, transgender activist, television personality, actress, model and LGBTQ icon. She has nearly 8 million followers across her social platforms and almost half a billion views on her popular YouTube channel….

Erin Andrews

Sports Broadcaster

Very few people in the world know exactly what they want to be at the age of 13, much less make that dream into a reality, but that’s exactly what Erin Andrews did, as she’s…

Jennifer Salke

Chief, Amazon Studios

Jennifer Salke is the Head of Amazon Studios. She oversees of all aspects of television and film development as well as production for Amazon’s Global entertainment division. This includes implementing an overall long-term content strategy…

Alli Webb

Founder, Drybar & Co-Founder, Squeeze

Alli Webb is an Entrepreneur, N.Y. Times Bestselling Author, and Founder of Drybar. After spending 15 years as a professional hair stylist, Webb left the professional hair industry in 2005 to start a family, but…

Mira Sorvino

Actress

Mira Sorvino is an Academy Award winning actress and activist. She is a prominent figure in the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. She is a Harvard graduate and an official ambassador for the United Nations…

Becky G

Singer, Songwriter & Actress

Singer, songwriter and actress Becky G is set to release her highly anticipated first album Mala Santa on Thursday October 17th. Becky G was born for the spotlight and her multifaceted career is shaping up to be nothing short of…

Tony Gonzalez

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Sports Analyst

Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez currently serves as a FOX Sports studio analyst. Since the 2017 NFL Season, Gonzalez has been a fixture on FOX NFL Kickoff, Fox’s…

Nats Getty

Model & Activist

Nats Getty is an American model, designer, artist, LGBTQ rights activist, and heir to the Getty oil fortune. A self-described tomboy, Nats was born in Los Angeles and split her childhood between Santa Monica and…

Stephanie Beatriz

Actress, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"

Stephanie Beatriz will star in John Chu’s upcoming film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s play, IN THE HEIGHTS, set to release June 26, 2020 by Warner Bros. She will star as ‘Carla’ along a star-studded cast…

Jessica Yellin

Former Chief White House Correspondent, CNN

Jessica Yellin is the founder of #NewsNotNoise, a fresh voice in media that provides daily news reports on Instagram. The mission: to provide a news-wary audience of women and millennials information that leaves them feeling confident, informed and ready to engage. She is the former chief White House correspondent for CNN and…

Colleen Bell

Executive Director, California Film Commission

Colleen Bell was appointed executive director of the California Film Commission (CFC) by Governor Gavin Newsom on May 23, 2019. As Film Commissioner, she oversees governmental efforts to facilitate motion picture, television, commercial and new…

Sarah Shahi

Actress

Sarah Shahi stars as Rachel Benham in the SHOWTIME Original Series City on a Hill. She next stars in Netflix’s Dolly Parton Anthology series Heartstrings, releasing in October. Sarah recently starred on the NBC series Reverie and is best known…

Gina Torres

Actress, "Suits"

Gina Torres is well known for her role as Jessica Pearson on USA Network’s hit original series “Suits.” Torres can currently be seen toplining and executive producing “Pearson,” which sees her “Suits” character take on…

Lauryn Evarts Bosstick

Founder, The Skinny Confidential

Lauryn Evarts Bosstick has turned her passion for beauty, wellness and no-censor advice into one of the most distinctive blogs online today, The Skinny Confidential. Along with the blog Lauryn released her own book, The Skinny Confidential Lifestyle Guide and a BODY GUIDE,…

Carolyn Kylstra

Editor-in-Chief, SELF

Carolyn Kylstra is the Editor-in-Chief of SELF. She led the transformation of SELF magazine, a historically print-rooted brand, into a thriving and award-winning digitally led organization, resulting in SELF’s highest traffic and video views in…

Rita Wilson

Actress, Producer, Singer & Songwriter

Rita Wilson is a multi-talented actress, producer, singer and songwriter. Rita first donned her producers cap for the record breaking box-office hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, followed by its sequel for which she co-wrote and…

Bryan Smiley

VP of Creative Development & Production, Columbia Pictures

Featured in Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen 2018, Bryan Smiley is Vice President of Creative Development & Production at Columbia Pictures a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Most recently at Columbia, Bryan spearheaded a major production deal with…

Diane Guerrero

Actress, "Orange is the New Black"

Diane Guerrero is an actress, author and activist who is well known for starring as “Maritza Ramos” on Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, for which she received three Screen Actors Guild awards. Additionally she currently…

Johanna Fuentes

EVP, Communications, Showtime

Johanna Fuentes serves as Executive Vice President, Communications, for Showtime Networks Inc. As the chief press officer for Showtime Networks, she is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all global public and media…

Lolo Spencer

Influencer & Content Creator

Lolo, is a disability lifestyle influencer, actress, model, public speaker, and content creator with a YouTube channel titled “Sitting Pretty.” “Sitting Pretty” is a series she created to showcase her life as a woman in…

Lauren Jolda

Program Manager, LinkedIn

Lauren is an aspiring leader who connects people to ideas so they unlock potential and achieve the impossible. This is the leadership compass that guides her in her life and career. She believes in the power of relationships,…

Amy Banse

Managing Director & Head of Funds, Comcast Ventures

Amy Banse is the Head of Funds and Managing Director at Comcast Ventures. She has 30 years of experience investing in, acquiring, and building companies. At Comcast, she led investments in E!, The Golf Channel,…

Joanna McFarland

CEO & Cofounder of HopSkipDrive

Joanna McFarland is the CEO and Cofounder of HopSkipDrive, the innovator in youthtransportation. HopSkipDrive is a ride service that helps families and schools that gets kids where they need to go safely and dependably with…

Diane Warren

Song Writer

Diane Warren is one of the most continuously prolific and successful contemporary songwriters of our time. She is the sole owner of her publishing company Realsongs. Her songs have been featured in more than 100…

Constance Shwartz-Morini

Partner & Co-Founder, SMAC Entertainment

Constance Schwartz-Morini is partner and co-founder of SMAC Entertainment (Sports, Media and Culture), a multifaceted talent management, music, business development, and production company launched in 2010 alongside Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan. Her…

Debbie White

Vice Chair, Music Industry, Loeb & Loeb

Debbie White focuses her practice in the music, motion picture and entertainment industries, with particular emphasis on representing recording artists, songwriters, producers, managers, record companies, publishing companies, and digital media and technology companies in their…

Jana Winograde

President of Entertainment Showtime

Jana Winograde serves as President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. She is responsible for developing and supervising all aspects of Showtime Networks programming across all genres, including comedy, drama, unscripted, documentaries and films. In addition,…

Knatokie Ford, PhD

STEM & Entertainment Engagement Advisor, Association of National Advertisers’ SeeHer initiative

Knatokie M. Ford, PhD currently serves as the STEM & Entertainment Engagement Advisor for the Association of National Advertisers’ SeeHer initiative. In this role, Dr. Ford co-leads SeeHer’s efforts to deepen relationships with content creators. …

Karen Bailey

Karen Bailey is Senior Vice President of Original Programming for Starz. Based in the company’s Santa Monica office, Bailey oversees creative development and production on a number of programs for the network including the critically-acclaimed…

Sarah Barnett

President, AMC Entertainment Networks

As President, Entertainment Networks, Sarah Barnett has oversight of AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, and SundanceTV. Her role includes direct oversight of AMC Premiere, the company’s premium SVOD service which offers fans the ability to watch…

Marva Smalls

EVP & Global Head of Inclusion Strategy, Viacom; EVP, Public Affairs & Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon Group

Marva Smalls is the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Inclusion Strategy for Viacom and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief of Staff for Nickelodeon. She reports directly to Viacom President and…

Cara Stein

Chief Talent Officer & SVP, NBCUniversal

Cara Stein is Chief Talent Officer and Senior Vice President for NBCUniversal, a newly created position that she was appointed to in June 2011. She is responsible fortalent management, including hiring staff, executive development. Since…

Amy Israel

EVP, Scripted Programming, Showtime

Amy Israel serves as Executive Vice President, Scripted Programming for Showtime Networks, Inc. She is responsible for the development and creative oversight of SHOWTIME original scripted series, including drama, comedy and limited series. Israel…

Lara Cohen

Global Head of Partnership Solutions, Twitter

Lara heads the Global Partnership Solutions team at Twitter. The team is tasked with working with the most influential voices and partners across news, entertainment and sports and helping them best use Twitter to tell…

Tracy Edwards, MBE

Round the World Yachtswoman

Tracy Edwards has a lot to talk about! A life story that is akin to the proverbial “rollercoaster” ride is condensed into a speech of inspiration, life and business lessons, fun and drama. Tracy gained…

Amy Britt

SVP, Talent & Casting, Showtime

Amy Britt serves as the Senior Vice President, Talent and Casting. Britt is responsible for overseeing casting for the network’s original series, including BILLIONS, THE AFFAIR, RAY DONOVAN, BLACK MONDAY, KIDDING and HOMELAND, among others….

Erica Huggins

Executive & Producer

Erica Huggins is a veteran executive and producer, who began her career as a film editor for John Waters and Michael Cimino. She then served as EVP at Interscope Entertainment and Radar Pictures. Huggins spent…

Gloria Calderón Kellett

Showrunner, Director, Producer & Actor

Gloria is the executive producer, showrunner, director and actor on the critically acclaimed sitcom “One Day at a Time,” coming to POP TV in 2020. The proud daughter of Cuban immigrants, Gloria was the first…

Dalana Brand

VP, People Experience & Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Twitter

Dalana Brand is a seasoned human capital executive with significant global leadership experience in various industries, Dalana has established a career profile that includes both corporate finance and human resources. This dual background allows her…

Jennifer Caserta

Chief Transformation and People Officer, AMC Networks

As Chief Transformation and People Officer, Jennifer Caserta is charged with driving transformation across AMC Networks to enable its long-term growth objectives, including developing an integrated transformation vision and strategy and leveraging key areas related…

Gail Becker

Founder & CEO, Caulipower

Gail Becker is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CAULIPOWER and Vegolutionary Foods. Her career has spanned the worlds of media, politics and business during which she has held executive roles at Warner Bros….

Faith Rodgers

Faith Rodgers was just 19 years old, when she met then 50-year-old R. Kelly in San Antonio at his concert. After nearly two months of communication via phone calls, texting and FaceTiming with R. Kelly, Faith flew…

Maya Batra

Singer, Songwriter, & Producer

Maya Batra is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Los Angeles. Maya has been in the studio recording vocals for film and session work since the age of six. She is now hired as a…

Mandana Dayani

Founder, I Am a Voter.

MANDANA DAYANI is the founder of I am a voter., a nonpartisan movement that aims to create a cultural shift around voting and civic engagement. Its mission is to inspire and excite this generation and to make voter identity…

Alicin Reidy Williamson

SVP, Chief Inclusion Officer, Endeavor

Williamson leads all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across Endeavor. Prior to joining Endeavor, Reidy Williamson was with The Raben Group, a national public policy and communications strategy firm, where she led the firm’s New…

Lizzette Martinez

Lizzette Martinez met R. Kelly at a Miami mall when she was a 17-year-old high school senior in 1995. As an aspiring singer, Lizzette decided to call Kelly after his bodyguard slipped his number to…

Crystal Kayiza

Filmmaker

Crystal Kayiza was raised in Oklahoma and is now a Brooklyn-based documentary filmmaker. Named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film,” her work focuses on pursuing more nuanced storytelling about the African…

Alma Har’el

DGA Award-nominated Director

Alma Har’el is a DGA Award-nominated director, best known for her documentaries Love True and Bombay Beach, the latter of which was awarded the top prize at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, nominated for a Film Independent Spirit…

Alexandra Henry

Director

Alexandra Henry Recently selected for SHOOT Magazine’s New Directors Showcase 2019, Alexandra Henry is a multilingual emerging director with over 12 years of international experience in film and branded entertainment. She showcases her passion for…

Ava Greenfield

Television Literary Agent

Ava Greenfield is a television literary and packaging agent at ICM Partners. She works with leading artists in entertainment including writers, directors, actors, comedians, authors and musicians. She began her career as an agent trainee…

Constance Schwartz-Morini

Partner & Co-Founder of SMAC Entertainment

Lisa VanAllen

Author of Surviving the Pied Piper

Lisa VanAllen was 17 years old when she first met R. Kelly on the set of one of his music videos. After sitting by the poolside, talking, R. Kelly wanted to meet her in private in his…

Sahar Saidi

Founder & CEO of LUS Brands Inc.

Sahar Saidi is the Founder & CEO of LUS Brands Inc., a Toronto-based “non-beauty” beauty brand devoted to creating innovative products that help consumers embrace and love their own natural features. LUS (“Love Ur Self”)…

Sarah Bond

Head of Global Gaming Partnerships & Development, Microsoft

Sarah leads Microsoft’s gaming business development team. She and her team are responsible for cultivating and managing Microsoft’s gaming partnerships, shaping and executing deals and negotiations and shaping strategy and M&A. Sarah’s organization is global…

Sandy Abrams

Entrepreneur, Author, "TheCEOm.com" Workplace Wellness Consultant

Sandy Abrams is a longtime entrepreneur. Her first book, Your Idea, Inc. (2010) inspired other first time entrepreneurs to turn a product idea into a business. In Breathe to Succeed (2019), Sandy shares her 30 years of experience utilizing…

Robbie Brenner

Executive Producer, Mattel Films

As Executive Producer of Mattel Films, Robbie Brenner is responsible for transforming Mattel’s iconic portfolio of brands into cinematic experiences that delight audiences around the world. The Academy Award®-nominated producer of Dallas Buyers Club assumed leadership of…

Somos We Are

Somos We Are are an international female directing duo who create captivating fashion and documentary films presented through the lens of the modern, multi-faceted and metropolitan woman. Candice and Jana, who spend their time between…

Cori Bush

U.S. Congressional Candidate (D-MO)

A native St. Louisan, solely educated at local St. Louis schools and universities, Cori is a single parent, a registered nurse, an ordained pastor, an activist, and a community organizer. Her work crosses cultural, ethnic,…

Cindy Chupack

TV Writer, Producer & Director

Cindy Chupack has won two Emmys and three Golden Globes as a TV writer/producer whose credits include “Divorce,” “Better Things,” “Modern Family,” “Sex and the City,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and most recently the darkly comic…

Nicole Avant

Ambassador

Ambassador Nicole Avant was nominated by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by The U.S. Senate to be the 13th Ambassador to The Bahamas. On September 9, 2009, she was sworn in by Secretary of…

Karol Urban

Television & Film Re-recording Mixer

Karol Urban CAS, MPSE, NATAS has more than 20 years’ experience as a re-recording mixer for top television and feature films, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “New Girl,” “Kingdom,” “Into the Dark” and “Band Aid”. She began…

Nancy Josephson

Partner, WME

Nancy Josephson is a partner at WME, with clients in the agency’s television, motion picture literary and talent departments. Her clients include Paul Attanasio (executive producer of “House” and creator of “Bull”), Yvette Lee Bowser…

Jerhonda Pace

Author of Coming Forward: THE ABUSED

In 2008, 14-year-old Jerhonda Pace met her musical idol, R. Kelly for the very first time, standing outside the courthouse of child pornography trial. Their interactions were short and friendly but the following year, Pace…

Kitti Jones

DJ for Dallas Hip-Hop & R&B Station 97.9

In 2011, with an established career as a well-known DJ for Dallas hip-hop and R&B station 97.9, Kitti Jones met R. Kelly for the first time at an after-party. After a quick exchange, Kelly immediately…

Bonnie Eskenazi

Partner, Greenberg Glusker

Bonnie Eskenazi is consistently recognized as one of the most prominent entertainment attorneys in Hollywood. She regularly handles some of Hollywood’s most high profile and landmark entertainment disputes for some of the industry’s leading performers,…

Cathy Schulman

Cathy Schulman, a Best Picture Academy Award® winning producer and veteran film executive, is the president and CEO of Welle Entertainment, a film and television production and finance company that opened its doors in 2017….

Stacy Kaiser

Licensed psychotherapist, author, relationship expert & media personality

With hundreds of television appearances on major networks including NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and HLN, Stacy has a reputation for bringing a unique mix of thoughtful and provocative insight to a wide range of topics….

Cindy Eckert

CEO, The Pink Ceiling

A self-made serial entrepreneur and vocal advocate for women, Cindy defies convention. In her industry, in her companies, in her outcomes. Her work today in The Pink Ceiling/Pinkubator continues to break barriers by investing in…

Asante McGee

Author of No Longer Trapped in The Closet: The Asante McGee Story

In 2013, Asante McGee met R. Kelly at a nightclub and began dating the R&B singer soon after for the next two years until he flew her to his Georgia concert and moved her into…

Teal Newland

Senior Vice President, Marketing & New Platforms, Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE)

Teal Newland is senior vice president, marketing and new platforms, Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE), an award-winning next generation studio and distribution network with entertainment content across film, television, premium digital video, social, and virtual reality….

Karen Baker Landers

Two-time Academy Award-winning Sound Editor

The first and only woman to win two Oscars for Sound Editing, Karen Baker Landers was selected for Variety’s “Women’s Impact List” in 2008 and 2013. Her filmography includes nearly 100 projects including the original…

Viviana Zarragoitia

Vice President, Three Point Capital

Viviana Zarragoitia began her career in the entertainment industry working in production accounting at Millennium Films and Bold Films. She then spent 5 years at Lionsgate, where she started working in the accounting department and…

Semi Chellas

Writer/Co-Executive Producer of MAD MEN

Semi Chellas wrote and directed the feature film AMERICAN WOMAN which premiered at the TriBeCa Film Festival this spring; was a gala presentation at The Toronto International Film Festival this fall; and won a Special…

Alison Lange Engel

Venture Partner at Greycroft

Alison Lange Engel is a Venture Partner at Greycroft. She works across the Greycroft portfolio, advising companies on go-to-market strategy and execution and sourcing new investments. Alison has 20+ years of experience leading, structuring, and…

Ellie Wen

Award-winning Filmmaker

Ellie Wen is an award-winning filmmaker from Hong Kong and Los Angeles. She began her career in Los Angeles where she produced numerous short films and narrative features. She has also worked at CAA, CBS…

Jo Ling Kent

Correspondent, NBC News

Jo Ling Kent is a correspondent at NBC News covering business, technology and the economy. In just the past months, Kent spoke with a former YouTube employee to reveal the secrets of the platform’s algorithm…

Mary DeChambres

Film & Television Film Editor

Mary DeChambres, ACE discovered editing while working as a public high school art teacher and her passion for it led to her to switch careers. Since then, Mary has won an Emmy Award for picture…

Ivy Kagan Bierman

Partner, Loeb & Loeb

Ivy Kagan Bierman’s practice includes the representation of entertainment and related companies in labor, production, distribution, technology and other business matters. She handles both transactional and litigation matters for clients. Ivy is one of a…

Karen Appleton Page

Investor, Advisor, Entrepreneur, & Board Member

Karen Appleton Page is an investor, advisor, entrepreneur, and board member. A respected operator, Karen worked at Apple on the enterprise team, leading the commercial channel, strategic partners, the Mobility Partner Program and the industry…

Maryann Brandon

Television & Film Editor

Maryann Brandon, ACE graduated from the prestigious NYU film school and began her career working on independent films and television series. Early on she landed a job with then up-and-coming writer/producer JJ Abrams for his…

Dana Belcastro

Executive Vice President, Feature Production at 20th Century Fox

Dana Belcastro has been working in the 3ilm industry since 1986. She has worked all over the world as a producer and executive on feature 3ilms. Her credits include over 60 3ilms such as Titanic,…

Isra Hirsi

Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the US Youth Climate Strike

Isra Hirsi is a 16 year old high school student from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a climate and racial justice advocate who is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the US Youth Climate Strike. She…

Yolanda T. Cochran

VP Production, Freeform

An experienced and skilled producer and consultant, YOLANDA T. COCHRAN currently serves as VP Production at Freeform (within the Walt Disney Television Group). In 2016, Cochran (USC alumna) produced a documentary short and podcast mini-series…

Sheléa Frazier

The Clark Sisters, Gospel Choir

With a voice that stirs the soul and hands that glide effortlessly over the keys, Sheléa represents a return to true artistry that has garnered attention and adoration from legends throughout the music industry. Her…

Dayna Lynne North

EP, Showrunner & Writer

Dayna Lynne North is an EP/Showrunner/writer, and a self-described “Delightful Disruptor of the status quo.” Dayna is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She began…

Cathy Repola

Executive Director, Motion Picture Editors Guild

Cathy Repola, has served as the National Executive Director of the Motion Picture Editors Guild since 2016, when the Board of Directors unanimously appointed her to the post. She had previously served as the Guild’s…

Alysia Reiner

Actress, "Orange Is the New Black"

Award winning ALYSIA REINER is best known as Natalie “Fig” Figueroa on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, for which she won a SAG award and you can see her in all 7 seasons. Reiner joined the cast…

Scout Durwood

Chanteuse/Comedienne

Scout Durwood is a Los Angeles based chanteuse/comedienne. Her debut studio album, TAKE ONE THING OFF, was released by Blue Élan Records in along with a twenty-two episode digital series of the same name, which…

Jennifer Pastiloff

National Bestseller Author

Jen Pastiloff is the author of the national bestseller “On Being Human.” She travels the world with her unique workshop “On Being Human,” a hybrid of yoga related movement, writing, sharing out loud, letting the…

Jeanette Volturno

Head of Physical Production, Blumhouse Productions

Jeanette Volturno is the head of physical production for Blumhouse Productions, the multimedia company is known for pioneering a new model of studio filmmaking: producing high-quality micro-budget films. Jeanette, who has more than 25 years…

Jasson Crocket

Manager, Economic Policy

Jasson Crockett joined Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Economic Development in 2016, where he liaises with the City’s Department of Cannabis Regulation and manages policy and business development in the life science and healthcare sectors,…

Sophia Rossi

Producer & Co-founder, HelloGiggles

Sophia Rossi is Co-founder of HelloGiggles and producer of “The Hills” and “Glee” and Nicole’s best friend.

Aimee Allison

Founder & President, She the People

Aimee Allison is the Founder and President of She the People, the national network elevating the political voice and power of women of color. By bringing together the nation’s top women of color candidates, strategists,…

Jay Roach

Director, Producer & Writer

Jay Roach is the director of “Bombshell,” written by Charles Randolph and starring Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and John Lithgow. Based on the real scandal, “Bombshell” is a revealing look inside the most…

Justice Singleton

Screenwriter, Director, Poet & stand-up Comedian

Justice Maya Singleton is a screenwriter, director, poet and stand-up comedian, born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Through her late father, director, John Singleton, Justice grew up observing filmmaking as a rigorous process of…

Angela Birchett

The Clark Sisters, Gospel Choir

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Angela embraced her calling to sing and act at an early age. She spent much of her formative years singing with her sisters in a trio, collectively known as “The…

Christina Bell

The Clark Sisters, Gospel Choir

Christina Bell, is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. Christina initially found success in the gospel music world as the lead singer of the Stellar- Award nominated super group Zie’l. Barely into her teens at the time, she spent…

Jennifer Maas

TV reporter, TheWrap

Jennifer Maas has been a TV reporter at TheWrap for two years. She covers TV industry news, which includes everything from casting and development to interviews with talent and showrunners. Jennifer graduated from New York…

Adrienne Becker

CEO and Co-Founder of Level Forward

Adrienne Becker is CEO and Co-Founder of Level Forward, an entertainment company developing, producing and financing stories for screens and stages of all sizes. Through its unique model, Level Forward works to extend the opportunity and…

Elisa Lees Muñoz

Executive Director of the International Women’s Media Foundation

Elisa Lees Muñoz is the executive director of the International Women’s Media Foundation; the only organization that provides safety training, byline opportunities, and emergency support tailored to female journalists and photographers around the world. She…

Beatrice Verhoeven

Senior Film Reporter, TheWrap

Beatrice Verhoeven is the senior film reporter at TheWrap and has been with the company for almost five years. She covers all things film, the industry, festivals and awards. Originally from Germany, she moved to…

Jeffrey Hirsch

President & CEO, Starz

Jeffrey A. Hirsch is President and Chief Executive Officer for Starz. As CEO, Hirsch will shape the overall business and programming strategy for Starz and oversee the continued evolution and expansion of the STARZ premium…

Jasmine Hill

Inequality Scholar, Stanford University & Advisor to Annenberg Foundation’s PledgeLA

Jasmine Hill is a mixed-methods researcher and scholar activist studying inequality in the workplace. As a National Policy Fellow at Stanford University, she’s published an anthology of the modern explanations of inequality for women and people…

Cassidy Lange

Co-President Production, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM)

As Co-President of Production at MGM, Cassidy Lange is responsible for growing the studio’s film slate and leveraging its storied library to expand MGM’s franchises and existing IP, as well as developing high-profile original productions….

Stephanie Allain

Founder, Homegrown Pictures

Stephanie Allain is one of the most prolific African-American film producers working today. Her award-winning films by writer/directors of color, make headlines, launch careers and shape the cultural landscape. Critical acclaim includes Oscars, Independent Spirit…

Dee Dee Myers

EVP, Worldwide Public Affairs, Warner Bros

Margaret Jane “Dee Dee” Myers is an American political analyst who served as the White House Press Secretary during the first two years of the Clinton administration. She was the first woman and the second-youngest…

Teri Schwartz

Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT)

Teri Schwartz is the Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT) where she has launched an exciting new vision and long-range plan that re-imagines entertainment and performing arts education as…

Melissa Silverstein

Founder, Women & Hollywood

Melissa Silverstein is a writer and speaker with an extensive expertise in the area of women and Hollywood. She is the founder and publisher of Women and Hollywood, one of the most respected sites for…

Beatriz Acevedo

Award Winning Media Executive, Entrepreneur & Social Impact Advocate

Beatriz Acevedo is a digital pioneer and veteran TV Producer with more than 20 years of entertainment experience, having created, developed and produced hundreds of original, primetime television shows and award-winning digital series in multiple…

Kelly McCreary

Actress

A natural talent with undeniable energy, Kelly McCreary continues to evolve her body of work with an array of emotionally searing roles across television, film, and theater. McCreary stars as ‘Dr. Maggie Pierce’ in…