FOUNDER
TICHI WILKERSON KASSEL(1926-2004)
An innovative businesswoman, Tichi Wilkerson Kassel was publisher emeritus of The Hollywood Reporter. As founder of The World Film Institute (formerly The Hollywood Reporter Industries Foundation), she distinguished herself with continued devotion and service to the entertainment industry. In founding Women In Film, Tichi’s intent was to aid women in the entertainment business by increasing their visibility, helping them to network with their peers, and unifying professional women in the industry. Benefits from the original concept are being enjoyed today by thousands of creative women nationally and in 20 countries around the world.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
CATHY SCHULMANPresident
Academy Award™ winning producer Cathy Schulman became President of Mandalay Pictures in January 2007, at which time she also established Mandalay Independent Pictures alongside Peter Guber. Her experience as both an executive and producer dates back to 1987.
As President of Mandalay Independent, Schulman is a part of an elite group of women who head self-financed production companies. She started Mandalay Independent in order to produce self-distinguished projects with a social conscience and youth awareness, in the hopes of illuminating stories of consequence not commonly exposed in film.
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HANNAH MINGHELLA
Executive Chair
Hannah Minghella, President of Production for Columbia Pictures, is responsible for the development and production of all films on the Columbia Pictures slate.
She most recently oversaw the production of CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, inspired by the children’s classic book by Ron and Judi Barrett. She is currently working on the live action/animated motion picture, THE SMURFS MOVIE, based on the iconic and loveable blue characters by Peyo; and HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, an animated family comedy. In partnership with Aardman Animation, SONY PICTURES ANIMATION is also in production on the cg animated movie, ARTHUR CHRISTMAS and stop-motion movie, PIRATES!
JANE FLEMING
President Emeritus
Ms. Fleming is a partner at Amber Entertainment which she founded in 2009 with fellow New Line Cinema veterans Ileen Maisel and Mark Ordesky,alongside renowned documentary and television producer Lawrence Elman. The company combines the acquisition of diverse intellectual property rights and their conversion into feature films, television, documentaries, interactive entertainment, publishing, direct-to-consumer platforms, and consumer products.
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BILL HARRIS
Chief Financial Officer
Bill Harris is President of Jess S. Morgan & Company, a firm specializing in full service business management, investment advisory, tax and consulting services. In 1996 he started his career as a Business Manager working with production companies and he now works with clients in all areas of the Entertainment Industry. He has been involved with some of the industry’s biggest names, guiding them through the financial aspects of both their professional and personal lives. Bill is committed to making sure that his clients receive the individualized support they need in order for them to “Sleep through the night”.
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VP, Marketing
Dawn Miller is a brand strategy and crisis PR specialist with more than 10 years experience serving clients ranging from global corporations to industry leaders and entertainment icons. As CEO and President of Miller PR, she oversees client strategy for the agency’s Corporate Entertainment, Lifestyle and Digital Media divisions as well as operations and business development. Miller PR employs a full time staff of ten with offices in Los Angeles and New York.
Miller has overseen PR campaigns for entertainment brands and personalities such as Paris Hilton, Stan Lee, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Peter Guber, Robert Evans, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, The Gersh Agency and litigation specialists Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert.
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IRIS GROSSMAN
VP, Fundraising
Beginning her career as an assistant at International Creative Management (ICM), Iris Grossman quickly climbed the ranks and was upped to talent agent. After several years with the agency, Grossman was given the opportunity to become the Senior Vice President of Talent and Casting for Turner Network Television (TNT). In that capacity, Grossman oversaw all talent and casting issues related to TNT Original films and series. She spent nine years at TNT, and in October 2001, Grossman returned to ICM as a talent agent.
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SARAH FINN
VP, Talent Relations
Sarah Finn has been a Casting Director for over 13 years, working in a broad range of films spanning every genre. In 2010 she was featured in Daily Variety’s first ever Below-the-Line report on individuals who made an extraordinary impact in the industry over the past year. She has also been recognized in the Hollywood Reporter and Backstage Magazine. Some of her credits include the Oscar winning CRASH, IRON MAN and Oliver Stone’s WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS.
GHEN LARAYA LONG
VP, Technology
Ghen Laraya Long is an experienced international technology and entertainment attorney. She specializes in transactional contracts for the creation, production and distribution of traditional media content over new media platforms. Most recently she was the Assistant General Counsel and Director of Mobile Partnerships for CBS Corporation where she served as the primary legal counsel for the mobile initiatives of CBS Corporation, its subsidiaries (including CBS Interactive) and its affiliates (including Simon & Schuster, Paramount Pictures Corporation and the CW). She worked on the distribution of video content, internet websites, mobile games, and applications for such content as Star Trek the Movie, Late Show with David Letterman, Survivor, the Amazing Race, Entertainment Tonight, Twilight Zone, CBS News, CBS Sports, 90210, Gossip Girl, Melrose Place, tv.com, cnet.com, GameSpot and Last.fm. She also worked on the interactive media campaign for Big Brother 8- America’s Player which was nominated for an Interactive Media Emmy.
BOARD of DIRECTORS
ORLY ADELSON
As President of dick clark productions (dcp), Orly Adelson oversees all aspects of the company’s development, production, distribution and network relationships on behalf of dcp’s titles, which include: “The Golden Globes,” “The American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” “The Academy of Country Music Awards” and the hit television series “So You Think You Can Dance.” Orly is committed to taking the iconic global brand and implementing new strategies to leverage and expand the company’s entertainment offerings in both traditional and new mediums. Currently, dcp has over 20 projects in production and active development in numerous areas of reality, scripted and award show programming. Adelson was recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role as an executive producer on the “2011 Golden Globe Awards.”
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ADRIANA ALBERGHETTI
Adriana Alberghetti is an agent at William Morris Entertainment in the Motion Picture Literary department. Her clients include writers and directors Shane Black (Iron Man 3); Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Day the Earth Stood Still); Mike Newell (Great Expectations); Michael Cuesta ("Homeland"); Gary Fleder (Runaway Jury, The Express); Rodrigo Garcia ("In Treatment", Mother and Child); Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island); Kevin Lima (Enchanted); Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland) Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger (Kung Fu Panda); Hossein Amini (Drive); Marti Noxon ("Mad Men", Fright Night); John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (Crazy Stupid Love) Josh Schwartz ("Gossip Girl”, “Chuck”); Stuart Blumberg (The Kids are Alright) and Jamie Vanderbilt (Zodiac, Spiderman).
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STEPHANIE ALLAIN
Stephanie Allain is a producer known for championing projects and talent that break the mold.
DARLA K. ANDERSON
Darla Anderson was born and raised in Glendale, CA. She studied environmental design at San Diego State University. Her career began at a San Diego based film and television productions firm. After that, Anderson became the executive producer for the Angel Studios’ commercial division in Carlsbad, CA. Anderson’s interest in CG animation started in the 1980′s while working at Angel Studios.
In the early 1990′s, she was the “only girl” at Siggraph, the then-small computer animation festival, where she first saw some of the short-form work (commercials and shorts) of John Lasseter. After hearing Lasseter talk and noticing how passionate he was about animation, Anderson knew she just had to work at Pixar. Anderson moved to Emeryville soon afterwards. After a year and a half of knocking on Pixar’s door and making phone calls, she joined Pixar in 1993. Before working on feature films, she was the executive producer of Pixar Animation Studios’ commercial group.
ROWENA ARGUELLES
Rowena Arguelles is a Motion Picture Literary agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), an entertainment and sports agency based in Los Angeles with offices in New York, London, Nashville, and Beijing. Arguelles, based in the Los Angeles office, represents clients including directors Catherine Hardwicke (RED RIDING HOOD; TWILIGHT; THIRTEEN), Justin Lin (FAST AND FURIOUS; BETTER LUCK TOMORROW), Robert Luketic (21; MONSTER-IN-LAW; LEGALLY BLONDE), John Madden (THE DEBT; SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE), John Moore (MAX PAYNE, BEHIND ENEMY LINES), Tom Vaughan (WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS; STARTER FOR TEN), Edgar Wright (SCOTT PILGRIM; SHAUN OF THE DEAD); screenwriters Charles Randolph (LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS; THE INTERPRETER), Erin Cressida Wilson (CHLOE; SECRETARY), Brian Nelson (30 DAYS OF NIGHT; HARD CANDY); writer/directors Sacha Gervasi (ANVIL; THE TERMINAL), Patty Jenkins (MONSTER), Rebecca Miller (THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE; PERSONAL VELOCITY), Michael Sucsy (THE VOW; GREY GARDENS); producers Bruce Cohen (MILK; AMERICAN BEAUTY), Paula Wagner (VALKYRIE; MISSION IMPOSSIBLE); and actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts.
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HOLLY BARRIO
Holly Bario is Co-President of Production at DreamWorks Studios where she oversees the company’s slate of films. She joined the company in 2008 as an Executive Vice President of Production.
Prior to DreamWorks, Bario was Executive Vice President, Production at Universal Pictures. She had been at the studio for over a decade as a production executive at Universal Pictures rising through the ranks as Director of Development, Vice President and Senior Vice President of Production.
read more...JANE BUCKINGHAM
As the founder and CEO of TRENDERA, Jane Buckingham is the leading expert on Generations X, Y, and V. Having studied these generations for over 20 years, she is able to help companies and individuals gain insights into these often inscrutable groups. Her services to clients combine sophisticated research tools with trend knowledge, helping companies to understand how consumers feel and to anticipate what trends will impact their businesses. Trendera produces the trend forecasting report “THE TRENDERA FILES” and works with clients including Facebook, Paramount, Fox, Target, L’Oreal, and many others.
At age 17 Buckingham wrote the book Teens Speak Out about her own generation, starting her quest to better understand and explain how young people feel. Buckingham pioneered the trend forecasting field by creating the marketing and consulting firm Youth Intelligence, which she sold to Creative Artists Agency in 2003...
JANET DAILY
Janet has been a marketing and publicity professional for over 20 years. She was a Publicity Consultant for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. In addition to the network launch she worked on programs including “Season 25: Oprah Behind The Scenes”, “Oprah Presents: Master Class and “Becoming Chaz”.
At Warner Bros. Studios Janet oversaw international publicity for series including “The Mentalist,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Chuck.” She also coordinated publicity for international field offices; arranged set visits for visiting foreign journalists, organized HFPA sessions for Simon Baker (“The Mentalist”) and the cast of “The Big Bang Theory”.
SUSANNE DANIELS
For the last three years, Susanne Daniels was President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks. In September 2008, she left her position as President to spend more time with her family and to work as a media consultant.
Daniels was responsible for all programming on Lifetime Television and Lifetime Movie Network, the two highest-rated women’s networks in cable television.
At Lifetime, Daniels was responsible for bringing an array of new programs to the network, including the critically acclaimed hit drama series “Army Wives,” the highest-rated series in the history of the Network, from producer Mark Gordon, starring Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell. In reality programming, “How to Look Good Naked,” hosted by Carson Kressley, premiered as Lifetime’s most successful unscripted series ever and is currently in its second season.
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VICKI DUMMER
Vicki Dummer oversees Alternative Series, Specials and Late Night for ABC Entertainment as senior vice president, and heads the department along with John Saade. She reports to Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment.
In this role, Ms. Dummer focuses on current and specials for ABC’s alternative series, along with development and late night, as well as the management of the Alternative Series staff and spearheading the creative efforts for upcoming projects.
MADELYN HAMMOND
Madelyn Hammond is owner and president of Madelyn Hammond and Associates, an entertainment marketing agency specializing in branding and promotions.
Hammond, most recently, was the Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for developing the global brand and marketing strategy for Daily Variety, Variety and Variety.com. Hammond expanded the group’s worldwide partnerships with advertisers and brand marketers, as well as oversaw Variety’s corporate communications, publicity and promotion, research and event marketing.
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DANICA KRISLOVICH
Guardian Productions, Inc. is a Los Angeles based independent branded entertainment Production Company that was founded in 1999 by Danica Krislovich. Completely immersed in the world of film and TV, Guardian Productions has produced high concept television: non-fiction and scripted series, specials, TV movies, and documentaries for broadcast, cable, digital, mobile, and international distribution. Drawing from over 20 years of producing, directing, and writing experience of its principals, Guardian Productions’ goal is to provide advertiser-supported, innovative, commercial, and quality entertainment in both traditional and new media.
DEBORAH LIEBLING
Deborah Liebling recently took on the role as President of Production at Universal Pictures in January, 2010 where she oversees all development and production. Prior to her move to Universal, Liebling worked at 20TH CENTURY FOX as their Executive Vice President of Production. To date she has developed and shepherded the creative direction of a large number of features including the Oscar- nominated BORAT! CULTURAL LEARNING OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN; the summer hit DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller; Betty Thomas' teen comedy JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE and the children's book film adaptation of BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE directed by Wayne Wang, and Mike Judge's cult comedy IDIOCRACY.
SUE NAEGLE
Sue Naegle was named president, HBO Entertainment, for Home Box Office, in April 2008. In this position, she is responsible for overseeing all original series programming and specials for the network.
Before joining HBO, Naegle was a partner and co-head of the television department at United Talent Agency. She became the youngest agent ever to make partner (at age 29), and in this role co-ran the television department and managed the training program. Naegle represented and developed close relationships with many notable writers and producers. She also oversaw the packaging of many successful television series such as HBO’s "Six Feet Under" and "True Blood". Since coming to HBO, Naegle has overseen the production of such series as "Hung", "Bored to Death", "How To Make It In America", "Treme", "Boardwalk Empire", "Game of Thrones" and the upcoming "Luck", "Enlightened", "Veep" and "Girls".
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KERI PUTNAM
Keri Putnam is the executive director of the nonprofit Sundance Institute whose mission is to discover and develop independent artists and introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute supports artists in feature film, documentary film, theatre, and film music through its labs and workshops, direct granting, and ongoing mentorship in the U.S. and around the world. The Institute also presents the annual Sundance Film Festival to provide a global platform for artists to share their stories. Since joining the Sundance Institute in 2010, Putnam has advanced the Institute’s international work, expanded its involvement in arts advocacy, and launched new programs to connect artists to audiences.
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MICHELLE RAIMO KOUYATE
Michelle Raimo Kouyate is president of production for Sony Pictures Animation and is responsible for overseeing the development and production of all films on the Sony Pictures Animation slate.
Under Raimo Kouyate the animation studio recently began production on Hotel Transylvania with Adam Sandler voicing the lead role of Dracula and Genndy Tartakovsky directing. She is overseeing the develop of other projects in Sony Picture Animation’s pipeline such as The Familiars, with executive producers Sam Raimi & Josh Donen, and director Doug Sweetland, the Academy Award®-nominated director of the 2008 Pixar short Presto; the sequels to The Smurfs and the 2009 hit Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs; Janet Foxley’s Muncle Trogg, the 2010 Times (of London)/Chicken House book prize winner; Popeye with executive producer Avi Arad; Kazorn and the Unicorn, a comedy fantasy also with executive producers Sam Raimi & Josh Donen.
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ELIZABETH RAPOSO
Elizabeth Raposo is Vice President of Production for Paramount Pictures. She joined the company in 2005 as a Director of Development. Raposo moved into her current position in 2009.
While at Paramount, Raposo has worked on such films as "Dreamgirls," "Star Trek," "Morning Glory," "The Last Airbender." She is currently in production on "Mission Impossible".
Prior to working at Paramount Pictures, Elizabeth was Director of Development for Protozoa Pictures, a New York-based production company founded in 1996 by director Darren Aronofsky and producing partner Eric Watson. She joined the company in 2001 as a director/producer’s assistant.
MARION ROSENBERG, O.B.E.
Marion Rosenberg graduated from the Universities of Manchester, England and Grenoble, France. She started her show business career in the Bands and Acts Department of MCA. From 1960 to 1976 she worked in production on both sides of the Atlantic, on such films as I COULD GO ON SINGING (Judy Garland), THE BEST MAN (Henry Fonda), WHERE EAGLES DARE (Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood) and THE MISSOURI BREAKS (Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson). In l976 she became head of EMI Films in Los Angeles, and set up such productions as THE DRIVER, CONVOY and THE DEERHUNTER, on which she served as Associate Producer.
RENA RONSON
Ronson, currently Co-Head of UTA’s Independent Film Group, is one of the pre-eminent packaging and finance executives in independent film, and brings with her 23 years of experience in the global marketplace, including a 12 year career in foreign sales, production and co-production where she cultivated and continues to nurture relationships with the top distributors overseas. Her extensive experience abroad and in the United States gives her powerful insight concerning the global film market and the expanding economics of this business, and has led her to put together some of the most important independent films of the last few years.
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NELL SCOVELL
Nell Scovell began her career as a sportswriter for The Boston Globe while still a senior in college. In 1986, she was the first staff writer hired at SPY magazine, the satirical New York monthly. A year later, she became a Contributing Editor at Vanity Fair and still contributes to the magazine and website. Since 2001 she has also been a contributing editor to the Style section at the New York Times Magazine.
While at Vanity Fair, an editor suggested she try television. Today, she is the only person who has written for late night variety ("Late Night With David Letterman"), animation ("The Simpsons"), sitcom ("Newhart", "Coach", Murphy Brown"), drama ("Monk", "N.C.I.S.", "Warehouse 13") and long-form. She created and executive produced the ABC show, "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch", which ran for seven seasons and is now in syndication. Her long-form work includes co-writing Disney’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, and writing and directing two movies for cable television.
SHELBY STONE
Shelby Stone is an award-winning producer whose works include HBO's Emmy, Golden Globe, and Image Award winning Lackawanna Blues, which premiered at Sundance 2005; and the critically acclaimed films Boycott, The Middle Passage, and Lumumba. Stone began her career as an independent film executive working in marketing, acquisitions, and finally production before launching her own production company with Drop Squad, a Spike Lee/40 Acres and a Mule production. Stone is now SVP of Production and Development for Flavor Unit Entertainment, the production company led by long standing partners Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere. Their working relationship began when Queen Latifah, Compere, and Stone teamed to produce Life Support in conjunction with Foxx/King Entertainment. The film which Nelson George wrote and directed and starred Queen Latifah, premiered at Sundance 2007 and was the closing night presentation. Stone is the 2007 recipient of the Black Women Film Network’s Trail Blazer Award. Flavor Unit is currently in post-production on their latest series Single Ladies, which debuts on July 2011. Single Ladies was recently picked up as VH1's inaugural foray into scripted episodic series. Flavor Unit also served as exec producer on BET's premiere scripted series Let's Stay Together which will debut January 2011.
MIKE TSCHIDA
Mike Tschida is the founder and president of Tschida Branded Entertainment (TBE) - a full-service branded entertainment marketing firm with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville.
TBE represents brands and pairs them with all things "Hollywood" by researching, negotiating, and securing the entertainment needs of corporate clients such as Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Movado, Revlon, Anya Hindmarch, Kwiat Diamonds, Pamela Dennis, and more.
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WINNIE WONG
Winnie Wong is the Vice President For Film & Television at Momentous Insurance Brokerage Inc., a full service company dedicated to providing the highest caliber of insurance and risk management consultation. They specialize in designing insurance programs for High Net Worth individuals, Film and TV productions, Music and Touring companies and artists, Life, Health, Disability and Employee Benefits, and Commercial Risks of all varieties.
MARY YOEL
Mary Phelan Yoel is Senior Vice President / Team Manager at City National Bank's Entertainment Division overseeing a group of 30 banking industry professionals. City National Bank (CNB) has more than $21 billion in assets and provides banking and wealth management services through 80 offices throughout California, Nevada, and New York City. Ms. Yoel has more than 25 years of entertainment banking experience and has been with City National Bank since 1987. CNB's Entertainment Division specializes in meeting the banking and investment needs of the entertainment industry with over 150 bankers located in Beverly Hills and Manhattan.
