Our Team

Syrinthia Studer

President

Syrinthia Studer, a 25-year industry veteran, most recently served as Executive Vice President of International Productions and Republic Pictures at Paramount Global. In her dual role, Studer was responsible for content strategy, development and production of local language films including originals and culturally-specific remakes sourced from Paramount’s vast library in addition to serving as the senior creative executive for the studio’s distribution focused film label.

As part of Studer’s long career at Paramount Global, she served as EVP, Film for Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Live Action Studio and was responsible for all aspects of live action feature content for the Kids and Family unit, encompassing development, production, acquisitions, and co-financing. She also previously served as Paramount Pictures’ EVP, Worldwide Acquisitions, where she oversaw the global content acquisitions business, acquiring films for domestic and international theatrical release and distribution across multiple home entertainment platforms including streaming and digital VOD.

Studer’s expertise in identifying and nurturing films across various genres, along with her strategic approach to content partnerships, has been key in delivering diverse, engaging stories to global audiences.

Among her notable productions and acquisitions in these roles are Book Club, the $100M box office hit starring Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen; Richard Linklater’s Boyhood (in partnership with IFC Films); critically acclaimed teen comedy, Honor Society; Fantasy Football, produced in partnership with LeBron James’ Springhill Entertainment, Genius Entertainment, NFL Films, and EA Games in addition to recent festival favorites Rob Peace, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mother, Mother directed by K’Naan Warsame, and Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall directed by Tiffany Paulson and starring Jenna Ortega. Content partnerships nurtured during her tenure include CJ Entertainment,  IFC Films and others.

Prior to Paramount, Studer’s career included business development and promotional marketing roles with national theater circuit Loews Cineplex Entertainment and Fortune 500 companies including General Mills and IBM.

She is a current Board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters Los Angeles. And, she is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, newly serving as a member of the Executives Branch Executive Committee.

She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son and goldendoodle.

Margie Moreno

Executive Vice President

Moreno is a Senior Vice President of Current Series for Warner Bros Television where she serves as a creative executive on broadcast, pay cable and streaming scripted series produced by the studio. 

As an accomplished Media Executive, she has produced award winning shows (Scripted and Unscripted) for international and US markets. Most recently she was the Head of Latin American content for YouTube Originals, overseeing global series and events for the streamer. Previously, Margie served as the Vice President of Production and Development for NBC Universo, led the US division of International Production Company, Promofilm/Globomeda, and held various posts at such notable media companies as TBS Superstation, Lionsgate Television, and Mandalay Entertainment. As Former Chair of NALIP, Margie helped launch the Diverse Women In Media Initiative, was the Western Regional Board Vice Chair of Step Up Women’s Network (a non-profit that supports under-resourced teens to become successful professional women), is the Vice Chair of Colour Entertainment (an organization committed to advancing BIPOC entertainment executives), currently serves as the EVP Vice of WIF Board (Women In Film), has been recognized with Imagen’s “Influential Latino in Media” award 3 years in a row and received the 2024 Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Achievement Award.

Nicole Brown

Vice President

Before TriStar, Brown was an EVP at Good Universe, originally formed as Mandate Pictures, where she oversaw the development of the company’s slate of films. Movies she shepherded and helped produce during this time include NEIGHBORS, THIS IS THE END, LAST VEGAS, EVIL DEAD, the HAROLD AND KUMAR franchise, Independent Spirit Award-winning 50/50, NICK & NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST, THE POSSESSION, and WHIP IT. A Los Angeles native, Brown got her start interning at Miramax while attending Columbia University. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa, she was accepted into the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC, but instead chose to work for producer Marc Platt where she worked on projects such as the LEGALLY BLONDE franchise, HONEY, and the hit musical WICKED. Brown is an Academy member and a mentor for ReFrame Rise and Sony’s Mentorship Initiative.

Monica Levinson

Vice President

Monica Levinson is a prolific film and television producer with an expansive career of diverse projects. Working alongside top innovators in entertainment, she is frequently lauded for her passion to protect and further the creative aspects of filmmaking, with a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Her recent credits include: BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM (for which she won the 2021 Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and has been nominated by the Producers Guild for the PGA Awards’ Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures), Tara Miele’s WANDER DARKLY, David Oyelowo’s THE WATER MAN, Aaron Sorkin’s THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7, and “Women In Film: Make it Work!” (CW’s virtual benefit highlighting WIG’s #HireHerBack initiative).

Levinson served as President of Production of ShivHans Pictures from its inception in 2014 through 2019 and oversaw all aspects of film and television development, production, post-production, financing, and distribution turnover. There she produced a distinctive slate of projects including TRUMBO, CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, BEIRUT, THE POLKA KING, and BRIAN BANKS.

Before joining ShivHans, Levinson’s credits include BORAT, BRUNO, ZOOLANDER, DODGEBALL, and Larry David’s CLEAR HISTORY. Starting her career in broadcast news in her hometown of Washington, D.C., she made her transition into narrative storytelling working with visionary directors including Alan J. Pakula and Sidney Lumet.

Levinson is a member of AMPAS (Producers Branch), PGA, DGA, and on the leadership team for Women’s Production Society. On films she produces, she started a training program for underrepresented groups, is a founding member of INDIE (representing independent films in various endeavors), mentors young filmmakers, and often guest lectures at universities.

Jen Hollingsworth

Treasurer

Jen Hollingsworth is an accomplished executive and leader with a unique blend of expertise in both film and artificial intelligence domains. As Chief Commercial Officer at Flawless AI, she spearheads innovative strategies and drives revenue growth for emerging Gen-AI technology in the entertainment industry, working with industry executives and content creators to maximize scalable positive impact and expand partnerships for the firm. Jen is responsible for bringing Flawless’ transformative capabilities to Hollywood in a responsible way, working with the artistic community to revolutionize the content creation process and empower artists to capture a worldwide audience in a new way.

With an illustrious career in entertainment that spans over two decades, Jen’s journey began in the film world, where she flourished as a visionary leader and trailblazer. Prior to joining Flawless, Jen was Chief Operating Officer of the Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate, where she played an instrumental role in shaping the future of the $1.5Bn motion picture business. Her strategic acumen and keen understanding of the industry dynamics were vital in streamlining operations, optimizing processes, and fostering successful collaborations with key stakeholders. 

In her role as COO, she was responsible for overall business strategy, finance, and organizational design; she added or built teams to support transformation, data and intelligence, inclusive content, and global licensing for location based entertainment, gaming, and consumer products. Her strong financial discipline resulted in record profit margins for the film group during her tenure, and her deep expertise in deal-making was vital in closing the $412MM purchase of Summit Entertainment and the $56MM sale of Mandate Pictures, as well as over $3Bn of film financings, including the global blockbuster Hunger Games, Now You See Me, and John Wick franchises, and the Academy Award winning La La Land.

Jen is a passionate and insightful leader committed to developing people through coaching, mentoring and skills enhancement; and she is focused on cultural diversity and inclusion as business imperatives. At Lionsgate, she established the Culture Coalition, was a Founder and Executive Sponsor of the Women’s Empowerment Group, and Lead Sponsor of the MBA Internship Program. Jen joined Lionsgate in 2007 from Mandate Pictures where she was Vice President, Finance & Corporate Development responsible for all financial planning, cash management and film valuations.

Jen served on the Board of Atom Tickets, an innovative movie ticketing company, from 2016-2023. She co-founded the non-profit Female Executives in Media and Entertainment (FEME) in 2014 and continues to serve on its Advisory Board. She is a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where she serves as a mentor in the Academy Gold Program and serves on two Executive Committees. Additionally, Jen serves as a mentor for UCLA and University of Michigan students, and is a frequent guest lecturer at both schools. Hollingsworth is an avid athlete and fitness enthusiast having run several marathons and competed as a former professional football player in the National Women’s Football Association (NWFA). Hollingsworth holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Alumni Board of Governors, and a BS in Finance from Indiana University.

Eryn Brown

Secretary

Eryn Brown is a talent manager at Entertainment 360 and artist advocate who has helped build the careers of acclaimed writers, directors and actors from around the world.  As demonstrated through her clients’ work and her social activism, Eryn believes in the power of positive cultural change through art and representation.

Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams is a New York Times bestselling author, business owner and political leader whose innovative approach has continued to break barriers and support transformational progress. A prolific author, she has written award-winning political thrillers, children’s books, romantic suspense novels, and non-fiction books. She previously served as Minority Leader in the Georgia House of Representatives, and she was the first Black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in United States history. Abrams has launched multiple nonprofit organizations devoted to democracy protection, voting rights, tackling policy issues and building a more equitable future. She is also a serial entrepreneur and business advisor. In 2020, Abrams founded Sage Works Productions, Inc., a media company dedicated to leveraging the power of storytelling to craft creative solutions and engage.

Victoria Alonso

Victoria Alonso is a prominent film, TV, and Animation Producer in Hollywood. Alonso served as the President of Production & Animation at Marvel Studios for almost two decades and is recognized for her significant contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While at Marvel Studios, she produced over 35 blockbuster films, including the Academy Award-nominated BLACK PANTHER and 15 TV series for which she received 2 Emmys. In 2023, Alonso produced ARGENTINA, 1985 for AMAZON STUDIOS. This independent film received a Golden Globe, a Goya award, as well as a BAFTA and Academy Award nomination for best international film.Alonso’s expertise extends beyond producing, as she has championed diversity and inclusion in the film industry. She has been a vocal advocate for gender equality, diversity, and inclusion and has actively worked to increase representation both in front of and behind the camera. Additionally, Victoria Alonso has received several prestigious accolades for her work. She has been included in Variety’s top 100 Women in Entertainment for the last five years and Forbes Most Prominent Latin Personalities. Her dedication and accomplishments have made her a highly respected figure in the entertainment industry worldwide, and she continues to shape the landscape of blockbuster & indie filmmaking with her visionary approach and commitment to inclusivity.

Katie Aselton

Katie Aselton is an acclaimed actor and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. She is known for her starring role as ‘Jenny’ in the FX comedy show, “The League”. Her other TV credits include the FX series “Legion” created by Noah Hawley, HBO’s “Animals”, “Togetherness”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Veep”, “The Office”, “Room 104”, Hulu’s “Casual”, and Apple TV’s “Government Cheese”. In the feature space, her acting credits include Netflix’s “Old Dads”, the Paramount feature, “Book Club”, Warner Bros.’ “Father Figures”, Neon’s “She Dies Tomorrow”, “Synchronic”, and Lionsgate’s “Bombshell”. Katie’s breakout acting role was in the indie darling, “The Puffy Chair”, directed by Mark and Jay Duplass. The film was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards. Aselton made her directorial debut with “The Freebie”, in which she also stars with Dax Shepard. The film premiered to much critical acclaim at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Katie also directed and starred in the survivor thriller, “Black Rock”, opposite Kate Bosworth and Lake Bell, premiering at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. She directed the iconic Diane Keaton in “Mack & Rita” in 2022. Her fourth feature, “Magic Hour,” which she co-stars in with Daveed Diggs, is in theaters now, while her most recent feature, “Their Town,” just had its world premiere at SWSW 2026.

Amy Baer

Amy Baer is currently President, Film & Television for Artists Equity, the independent studio founded in 2022 by Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Previously, as Founder and President of Gidden Media, she produced several successful films, including “Last Vegas” (2013), “Mary Shelley” (2017), “Brian Banks” (2018), “Purple Hearts” (2022), and “Jerry & Marge Go Large” (2022). Her most recent film, “The Apprentice” (2024), an Official Selection for competition in the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and the 2024 Telluride Film Festival, garnered two 2025 Oscar nominations, as well as Independent Spirit, Golden Globe, SAG, IFTA and BAFTA nominations. Prior to Gidden Media, Baer was President/CEO of CBS Films, launching the division in 2007 for CBS Corp. She spent the previous 17 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, overseeing such films as “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997), “Adaptation” (2001), “Something’s Gotta Give” (2003), “The Holiday” (2006), and “Moneyball” (2011). Rejoining the WIF Board this year, Baer brings with her a wealth of institutional knowledge, having previously served as WIF Board President from 2018 to 2024.

Tara Duncan

President, Onyx Collective. In her first year at The Walt Disney Company as President of Freeform, Tara Duncan spearheaded the formation of Onyx Collective, a premium content brand focused on elevating artists of color and underrepresented voices. Onyx’s debut project, SUMMER OF SOUL (OR WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED), won numerous accolades, including the Academy Award®  for Best Documentary feature and was distributed theatrically and across Hulu, Disney+ and ABC.  The Onyx team quickly followed this success with the Emmy-award winning docuseries THE 1619 PROJECT in collaboration with Nikole Hannah Jones and the New York Times, Peabody award-winning documentary AFTERSHOCK directed by Tonya Lewis Lee and Paula Eiselt, scripted drama REASONABLE DOUBT and comedy series UNPRISONED starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo. 

Onyx Collective’s roster of prolific creative partners includes Ryan Coogler (BLACK PANTHER), Destin Daniel Cretton (SHANG-CHI and the LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS), Prentice Penny (INSECURE), and Yara Shahidi (GROWNISH) among others. 

Before her executive role at Disney, Duncan joined the company through an overall deal with her production company tetravision. She executive produced the docuseries Hair Tales, alongside Tracee Ellis Ross, Michaela Angela Davis and Oprah Winfrey, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL, an adaptation of Zakiya Dalila Harris’ acclaimed horror comedy novel and the limited series UNDER THE BRIDGE starring Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone. 

Her industry tenure includes roles as a senior creative executive at Netflix and a creative executive at AMC, beginning her career at Section Eight, the production company founded by George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh. Duncan has been recognized by Vanity Fair, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter for her impact on the industry, and last year, she received the prestigious Essence Black Women in Hollywood Award.

Jamila Hunter

Jamila Hunter is the Executive Vice President of Programming and Development at Freeform, Disney’s millennial and Gen Z network that connects to its audience with bold original programming. She returned to Disney in January of 2020 after acting as President of Khalabo Ink Society, Kenya Barris’ production company. Prior to this position, Hunter was Senior Vice President of ABC Comedy. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the development of all new network sitcoms. Under her leadership, ABC launched the highly rated reboot of “Roseanne” and “The Conners.” Before stepping into this position, Hunter was Vice President of ABC Comedy, where she worked on projects ranging from the Emmy-nominated “black-ish” to audience favorites “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Last Man Standing.” Hunter also developed short-form content for ABC’s digital initiative, abcd. Prior to joining ABC, she worked her way up the executive ranks through through various development roles in Comedy, Alternative, and Digital Programming at NBC, Bravo, OWN, and 20th Century Fox Television. Hunter started her career with NBC’s Olympic Division after graduating from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She resides in North Hollywood, CA with her husband and daughter.

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg is President of Distribution for Universal Pictures International (UPI), overseeing UPI’s and UIP’s operating companies, as well as its independent partners and sales agents. Based in Los Angeles, Kwan Vandenberg shepherds the theatrical distribution strategy for Universal Pictures, Focus Features as well as UPI’s international production and acquisition titles. Prior to joining Universal, Kwan Vandenberg served as President, International Distribution and Growth Initiatives at Warner Bros. In this role, she had oversight of international theatrical distribution activities, including local productions and a special focus on theatrical strategy and partnerships in China. Prior to that role, Kwan Vandenberg was President, Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros., where she helped realign the international and domestic distribution divisions. She also served as President of International Distribution for 15 years, overseeing all international sales and distribution matters. Kwan Vandenberg is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. With a strong belief in mentorship Kwan Vandenberg has been a two-time mentor in Women In Entertainment’s mentorship program with THR and BBBSLA, as well as mentoring young women throughout her career at WB and Universal. She earned her MBA from Loyola Marymount University, whereupon she worked as a research consultant for the German American Chamber of Commerce and published several articles in the German American Business Review.

Davida Lara

Davida Lara is the Executive Vice President of Payroll. With over 20 years of experience, Lara is recognized as a national thought leader and excels in taking action in payroll process implementation. She is a frequent speaker at many key global forums including ADP, KPMG, and PWC and has recently appeared at the C3 Convention, Human Resources Association Forum, the Association of Film Commissioners International Conference and the Hollywood IT Society Summit.

Lara has gained extensive expertise developing systems and process automation, and training personnel. She has been responsible for developing global mobility best practices and payroll shared services. Additionally, she has led initiatives involving international assignment policies and guiding state incentive policy guidelines.

Lara combines a high level of proficiency in business applications, process and organizational management in leading Entertainment Partners’ (EP’s) Payroll Services teams. Prior to joining EP, Lara was the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Payroll for The Blackstone Group, where she oversaw global payroll operations impacting over half a million employees. Prior to that, Lara was the head of Global HRIS and Payroll at Harman International Industries, directing system strategy and implementation for more than 23 countries.

Throughout her career, Lara has headed numerous diversity and inclusion initiatives, and continues to be a voice for empowering women. She sits on the Board of Directors for The Rowan Center: A Sexual Assault Resource Agency. Lara received a B.S. cum laude, from the School of Business at Albertus Magnus.

Michelle Lee

Michelle Lee is Director, Domestic Programming for Apple TV+. Joining Apple in 2017, Lee has creatively driven the Emmy, Critics Choice, and SAG Award-winning drama “The Morning Show” and Imagen Award-winning anthology series “Little America.” She is also shepherding upcoming series such as Nicole Kidman’s “Roar,” Rose Byrne’s “Physical,” Brie Larson’s “Lessons In Chemistry,” Joseph Gordon Levitt’s “Mr. Corman,” Nick Stoller’s “Platonic,” and the adaptation of the international bestseller Pachinko.

Prior to Apple, Lee served as the producing partner of Emmy Award-winning writer and showrunner Jason Katims (“Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”). At their prolific Universal Television-based company, True Jack Productions, Lee developed and produced a variety of projects, including Hulu’s critically-acclaimed Aaron Paul/Michelle Monaghan drama “The Path” and the Matt Reeves/Hilary Swank Netflix space drama “Away.” Prior to that, Lee spent two years as Vice President of Television at the production company of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (“Sleepy Hollow,” “Fringe,” and the “Star Trek” franchise). She began her career as a television executive at the Mark Gordon Company (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Criminal Minds,” “Ray Donovan”).

She is also a graduate of the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC’s School of Cinema and Television.

Bianca Levin

Bianca Levin is a partner at Beverly Hills-based Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, where she has practiced law for the past 19 years and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She represents emerging and established actors, writers, directors, producers, multi-hyphenates in their film and television deals, as well as branding and endorsement opportunities. With a background in corporate and financial transactions, she also structures “empire building” business ventures for clients to form companies and obtain ownership stakes through partnerships outside of the traditional  licensing model. She is on the board and executive committee of Baby2Baby, a non-profit that provides children living in poverty with the basic necessities that every child deserves. Bianca grew up in New York but now resides with her husband and daughter in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Yale with a B.A. in History, and holds a J.D. degree from Yale Law School. Before joining Gang Tyre, she practiced corporate law at Sullivan & Cromwell.

Sasha Lloyd

Sasha Lloyd is a current Partner and Head of Global Licensing and International at A24, where she leads strategic initiatives across content licensing, international expansion, and media rights monetization. With deep cross-functional expertise in media investing, business building, M&A, structured credit, IP licensing, content production, and global film distribution, Lloyd brings a uniquely integrated perspective to the evolving media landscape. Prior to joining A24, Lloyd worked in Structured Finance at Goldman Sachs, where she built and led a dedicated structured solutions platform tailored to the needs of media and entertainment clients.

Deborah McIntosh

Deborah McIntosh is the co-head of WME Independent, the sales group at leading talent agency WME, where she is also a Partner. In her role, McIntosh is focused on raising film financing and structuring distribution deals for client films, in addition to consulting for high-net-worth individuals and production companies looking to invest in entertainment and advising on building production and distribution plans. McIntosh has raised financing for and been involved in the sale of such notable films as the 2024 Sundance hit A Real Pain, for which Kieran Culkin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor; Maggie Gyllenhaal’s thrice Oscar nominated debut feature The Lost Daughter; Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman’s Sundance 2023 hit Theater Camp. McIntosh began her career at the William Morris Agency in 2007 after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with dual degrees in radio-TV-film and advertising.

Tracy McKnight

Tracy McKnight is an award-winning music supervisor, record producer, label co-founder, and former Head of Film Music for Lionsgate. She’s a triple-film nominee for the 2020 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards with 1091/CNN Films’ critically-acclaimed documentary HALSTON (winner), CBS Film’s box office hit FIVE FEET APART, and Netflix’s TALL GIRL. Tracy has recently music-supervised Ed Burns’ EPIX TV show “Bridge and Tunnel,” Mona Fastvold’s “The World to Come” and Pedro Kos’ REBEL HEARTS. 

Her resume of over 170 projects showcases a balance of studio films (A WRINKLE IN TIME, BAD SANTA 2, DRAFT DAY), acclaimed documentaries (FREE SOLO, SPACESHIP EARTH, MATANGI / MAYA/ M.I.A.), independent films (THE MESSENGER, OFF THE BLACK, COFFEE AND CIGARETTES), Television Series (HBO’s “The Vow”), and Netflix films (BABYSITTER 2: KILLER QUEEN, THE HALF OF IT, TALL GIRL).

Tracy co-runs Node Records, a boutique soundtrack label, recent releases include Academy Award-winner Rachel Portman’s solo album ask the river and multi-instrumentalist Ariel Marx’ solo album Luthier. As well as Daniel Blumberg’s score to THE WORLD TO COME, Nat Geo’s FREE SOLO Emmy-winning score composed by Marco Beltrami, and 1091/CNN Film’s HALSTON score composed by jazz legend Stanley Clarke.

Andrea Nelson Meigs

Andrea Nelson Meigs is a Partner/Agent in the Talent & Literary Departments at United Talent Agency (UTA), having built a clientele over 20 years that consists of actors, writers, producers, and directors. In addition to negotiating their deals in television, film, and theater, she has also secures multi-million dollar branding and book deals for them.

Nelson Meigs’ clients are ones that impact and influence pop culture all around the world. To name a few, she represents: Beyoncé Knowles Carter—multiple Grammy-winning artist, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, international superstar and icon; Roger Ross Williams—Oscar-winning short film director and Emmy-winning documentarian; Quvenzhané Wallis—the youngest actress to be nominated for an Oscar in the history of the Motion Picture Academy for her performance in BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD; Ellen Burstyn—the Tony, Emmy, Oscar, and Golden Globe-winning actress known for films such as THE EXORCIST, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, and ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE; Stefon Bristol—winner of Best First Screenplay at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards for SEE YOU YESTERDAY; and Aunjanue Ellis—nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Ava DuVernay’s limited series “When They See Us,” who most recently can be seen in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” and Lifetime’s “The Clark Sisters,” which were just nominated for Critics Choice Awards.

Nelson Meigs received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in Boston, her Juris Doctor degree from Duke University School of Law, and is a member of the California State Bar. Later, she worked with Congresswoman Maxine Waters and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, but then she decided to change paths and pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She left practice of law and started in the mailroom at Creative Artists Agency, and in a relatively short period of time, she worked her way up the ranks to become a Motion Picture Talent Agent (only the second African-American in the history of the agency). She has since become a dominant force in the entertainment business as a trailblazer—breaking ground for other young women and people of color to follow.

Nelson Meigs accepted membership with the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2016, is an establishing Board member for TIME’S UP, and in 2018 she joined the Board of Directors for WIF. Along with being a member of the Council of Motion Picture and Television Fund, she is a steering committee member of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), on the Advisory Committee for the Black Film Foundation (BFF), and is a new member of the Ebell Theater of Los Angeles.

Raamla Mohamed Hunter

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Raamla Mohamed Hunter is the Creator and Showrunner/Executive Producer for Onyx Collective’s first scripted drama series, “Reasonable Doubt,” in conjunction with ABC Signature. Season four of the hit drama is currently in production. Raamla signed her first overall deal with ABC Signature in 2018 and has been in the Disney

family since 2009, when she started as a PA on “Grey’s Anatomy”, followed by becoming a fellow in the Disney/ABC Writing program. She was a writer/co-executive producer on the Emmy-nominated “Little Fires Everywhere” for Hulu. Prior to that, she was a writer and producer on “Scandal”, where she penned eleven episodes for the series, including the seventh-season crossover episode with “How to Get Away with Murder”.

Shivani Rawat

Shivani Rawat is the Founder and CEO of ShivHans Pictures, a production and finance company that supports the visions of independent filmmakers while collaborating with creatives to produce dynamic and groundbreaking feature films outside the Hollywood studio model. Rawat’s recent films include WANDER DARKLY, THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7, the Academy Award-nominated TRUMBO, the Academy Award-nominated CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, DANNY COLLINS, BEIRUT, and THE POLKA KING. Her upcoming films include THE WATER MAN, BADMASH, and THE ICE ROAD. In 2019 Rawat’s ShivHans Pictures expanded into distribution, including a co-distribution deal with Bleecker Street for U.S. rights to HOTEL MUMBAI, followed by BRIAN BANKS, which ShivHans also produced.

Rawat is a Board member of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, as well as a member of the Producers Guild of America, WIF, and Film Independent. She is a supporter of various industry-related organizations including Time’s Up, the California Innocence Project, the Horizon Award, the Motion Picture & Television Fund, and in 2019 served as a sponsor for HUMANITAS, honoring film and television writing. She recently provided seed funding for WIF’s #HireHerBack initiative, which supports inclusive hiring in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ivette Rodriguez

Ivette Rodriguez is the founder of AEM, a marketing and strategy agency specializing in film distribution, publicity, multicultural marketing, and awards campaigns. With more than two decades of experience, Ivette advises studios, streamers, and independent producers on how to effectively position and market projects to diverse global audiences. She is passionate about advocating for storytellers and is widely recognized for her leadership in launching successful campaigns that elevate underrepresented voices—particularly Latino storytellers—helping shape the careers of some of the industry’s most acclaimed filmmakers and actors.  Ivette began her career at Arista Records, where she contributed to the release of Whitney Houston’s landmark sophomore album. Her transition into film included tenures at Columbia TriStar and LIVE Entertainment before founding AEM in 1997. Since then, she has led campaigns across every major release platform, known for delivering creative strategies that drive visibility, engagement, and awards recognition. A passionate advocate for equity and representation in media, Ivette is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she co-chaired the Academy’s Latino Affinity Group and contributed to the A2020 and A2025 inclusion initiatives. She also serves on the boards of A Sense of Home, the Latino Film Institute, and Women in Film, and is a member of the Television Academy. She is currently co-producing a feature film based on the life of civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, written by Barbara Martinez Jitner and Gregory Nava, who will also direct.

Rachel Rusch

Rachel Rusch is the Head of the Comedy Department and Co-Head of the Motion Picture Talent Department at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she also serves on the agency’s Board. Based in the Los Angeles office, Rusch represents many of the world’s most accomplished comedic talent. She joined CAA in 2010. Rusch graduated from University of Florida.

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett is an award-winning actress and activist of rare talent and conviction. Smollett can be seen starring in the Amazon MGM Studios legal drama THE BURIAL, alongside Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones, released in October 2023. Smollett is also featured in and executive produced the independent drama WE GROWN NOW, which was nominated for Best Feature at the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards. Up next she will be seen in the crime thriller THE ORDER, opposite Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult. The film premiered at Venice Film Festival and will be out in theaters on December 6th.

Smollett also leads the Netflix original thriller LOU, in which she stars and executive produces alongside Allison Janney. The film debuted at #1 on the platform upon its release in September 2022. She starred in the Netflix action film SPIDERHEAD that same year. In 2020, she played Black Canary in Warner Bros DC Universe’s BIRDS OF PREY.

Smollett is known for her role in J.J. Abrams, Jordan Peele and Misha Green’s critically acclaimed HBO drama series “Lovecraft Country”. Her performance earned a Critics Choice Super Award for “Best Actress in a Horror Series” and nominations for an Emmy Award, Critics Choice Award and NAACP Image Award for “Best Lead Actress in a Drama.”

Her breakthrough performance came at the age of 11, starring in EVE’S BAYOU opposite Samuel L. Jackson, for which she won the Broadcast Film Critics Award for Best Youth Performance. In 2018, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

Other film credits include THE GREAT DEBATERS with Forest Whitaker and Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry’s TEMPTATION, HANDS OF STONE opposite Robert DeNiro, GRIDIRON GANG, and BEAUTIFUL JOE. In addition to film, Smollett has had several television roles, including WGN’s critically acclaimed drama “Underground”, HBO’s cult classic “True Blood”, “Friday Night Lights”, “Parenthood,” “House”, ”NYPD Blue”, and “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Outside of acting, Smollett is an activist for HIV/AIDS causes. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Defense Fund.

Keleigh Thomas Morgan

Keleigh is Co-President of Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis. Since joining the company nearly 20 years ago, she has helped expand the firm from one office of eight people to a company of nearly 250 with seven offices worldwide. Though she has steadily worked on a variety of clients across brand, technology, non-profit and corporate, her first love is film. Over the last 20 years, she has worked on countless film festival and release campaigns alongside her team and had the opportunity to represent some of the most recognized talent in the industry including Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman, Malin Akerman, Jennifer Lawrence, Tyler Perry, and Salma Hayek Pinault. A storyteller at heart, a problem solver by nature and an intuitive thinker, she loves to reshape the narrative. In her free time, she serves on the board of Women In Film (WIF) and Baby2Baby, and chairs the Entertainment Leadership Board at Children’s Hospital. She is also an active investor and advisor to a variety of consumer brands. Prior to SSM&L, she worked in marketing and production at Miramax Films for five years where she worked on numerous award-winning films. She earned a B.S in marketing from Boston College.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson is a celebrated, award-winning actress with an extensive and diverse resume across film, television, and stage. Thompson has also cemented her status as a formidable producer by launching her production company, Viva Maude, in 2020. In 2019, Thompson graced the cover of TIME magazine as the Leader of the Next Generation.

Recently, Thompson starred in Netflix’s psychological thriller limited series, “His & Hers”, in which she is also an executive producer. The six-episode series, which was released on Netflix on January 8, 2026, was adapted from Alice Feeney’s novel of the same name. Thompson also starred in the titular role of ‘Hedda Gabler’ in Nia DaCosta’s film “Hedda” for MGM’s Orion Pictures and Plan B, and she also served as a producer under her Viva Maude label. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in theatres and on Prime Video in October 2025.

Thompson has received a Golden Globe Award nomination for “Best Actress, Motion Picture, Drama,” as well as a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for “Best Lead Performance” and a Gotham Award nomination for “Outstanding Lead Performance.” She has won “Best Actress” at the 2025 Black Film Critics Circle Awards, the “Actress Award” at the 8th Annual Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema and Television, the “Spotlight Award” at the 2025 Gotham Awards, the “Distinguished Performance Award” at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, and the “Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award” at the 2025 Newport Beach Film Festival. Thompson was also honored at the 2025 WIF Honors, alongside her “Hedda” colleagues, with “The Crystal Award for Advocacy in Film”, which recognizes outstanding individuals who are creating increased opportunities for the advancement of women in the screen industries.

Currently, Thompson made her Broadway debut in the play “The Fear of 13,” written by Lindsey Ferrentino and directed by David Cromer. The play, based on a 2015 documentary, tells the true story of Nick Yarris, who spent more than two decades in death row before being exonerated by DNA evidence. Thompson is also set to star in the upcoming suburban thriller series “Next Door,” created by Sam Boyd and A24. The series will air on Netflix and is a dark, comedic thriller about marriage and paranoia in modern American suburbs.

Talitha Watkins

Talitha Watkins is President and Head of ColorCreative Management—a management and production company. ColorCreative was founded by Issa Rae and Deniese Davis with the mission of delivering women and people-of-color creators best-in-class representation to build career-defining brands through ownership, commercial success, artistic fulfillment, and visibility amongst the multicultural community and industry at large.

Formerly a Motion Picture Agent and Cultural Executive at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Watkins is based in Los Angeles and represents producers, writers, directors, and actors. In addition, Watkins helps build out CAA’s multicultural business and capabilities including the multicultural leadership event CAA Amplify.

Previous to CAA, Watkins spent seven years as Vice President of Multicultural Marketing at Universal Pictures, where she worked across all marketing divisions, including publicity, media, digital, creative, research, and partnerships, to maximize the studio’s outreach efforts to African American audiences. While at Universal, she worked on numerous films, including the multicultural blockbusters FAST & FURIOUS 6, FURIOUS 7, and the record-breaking STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON. She was also instrumental in supporting the success of African American films, such as the box office hits THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY and RIDE ALONG.

Prior to Universal Pictures. Watkins was an Assistant General Manager with Telepictures Productions, Inc. and oversaw operations, sales, and marketing for five female-focused digital properties in the Warner Bros. portfolio, including Ellentv.com, Extratv.com, and TyraShow.com, as well as worked in a development capacity for Essence.com.

Watkins is a Board member of the WIF, Saturday Morning, and Made in Her Image organizations.

Ida Ziniti

Ida Ziniti is Co-Head of the Motion Picture Literary Department at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Ziniti works in the Los Angeles office and represents many of the world’s leading storytellers, including Margot Robbie, Julia Roberts, Emilia Clarke, Rachel Brosnahan, Matthew Heineman, Zazie Beetz, Ryan Gosling, Phil Johnston, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Cathy Yan, and Maggie Betts, among others.

Ziniti began her career at Paradigm Talent Agency. She joined CAA in 2014.

She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Journalism. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and toddler.

Lisa Callif

As a Founding Partner of Donaldson + Callif, Lisa Callif is the go-to attorney for all things clearance. With extensive experience in clearance, fair use, and copyright issues, she is a leader in overcoming legal hurdles, and is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards—among her many accolades are recognition as a Hollywood Reporter Power Lawyer and a Daily Journal Top Entertainment Lawyer, as well as her ranking by Variety on the Dealmakers Impact Report and the Best and Brightest list. Callif’s practice focuses on representing independent filmmakers in all aspects of their moviemaking, including financing, production, and distribution. She cuts through red tape for her clients, enabling films to be made and distributed, and works tirelessly to preserve artists’ voices so that they can shine a light on stories that otherwise might not be told.

In addition to representing filmmakers, Callif serves as counsel to multiple non-profit organizations, including Film Independent, which produces the LA Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards, and WIF, whose mission is to promote gender parity in all aspects of media. Callif is also one of the few attorneys in Los Angeles to represent live theaters—she represents the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, and other Los Angeles-based theater companies.

Along with partner Michael Donaldson, she has co-written two books: The American Bar Association’s Legal Guide to Independent Filmmaking and Clearance and Copyright, 4th Edition.

Callif regularly publishes articles about emerging issues in entertainment and copyright law, and is often quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Variety, Intellectual Property Magazine, and more. Callif and Donaldson were featured on the cover of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, for which they co-authored an article about fair use and its application in documentary films.

Callif graduated summa cum laude from New York University with a B.S. in Communications, and worked in the music industry in New York City and Los Angles before obtaining her J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law. She previously served as an adjunct professor at Southwestern, and is a frequent speaker at Film Independent, American Pavilion, the International Documentary Association, and UCLA, where she also teaches legal basics at the UCLA Summer Producer’s Workshop.

She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Dustin and her two children, Diggy and Liam.