2024 Conference

Dani has over 20 years of experience, working with staff, managers, and executives at all levels to improve organizational performance and capacity.

As the Director of Organizational Effectiveness for Stanford University IT (UIT), her role spans coaching individuals and teams; to devising curricula for leadership/management competency development; to planning and facilitating workshops aimed at increasing alignment and identifying strategic direction for workgroups. Dani is the overall program lead for IDEAL IT, a system of DEIB programs that reflect Stanford IT’s commitment to providing opportunities where individuals with diverse backgrounds can collaborate, grow, and excel across different functions and disciplines.

Lauren is an autistic mom and Project Manager for Community for Ubisoft, as well as working in the Neurodiversity Employee Resource Group (ERG) as a co-lead focusing primarily on North America. Lauren is currently from Atlanta, GA, where she resides with her wife and menagerie of cats and dogs. During her time at Ubisoft, Lauren has working in Community on titles such as Far Cry, The Crew Motorfest, Rocksmith+, and more. Moving into Project Management, she has worked on numerous projects improving not only efficiency, but the quality of life of the Community department. With the ERG, Lauren has worked on projects such as building trainings for leadership on how to best support their neurodivergent employees. Due to being late-diagnosed, Lauren takes a dedicated approach to not only advocating for existing neurodiverse employees, but also creating a safe and encouraging environment for those that may not know they’re neurodiverse yet.

Connect with Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-a-alexander/

Matthew Asner, son of actor Ed Asner, was immersed in the entertainment world from a young age, growing up on sets like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” His passion for the arts led him to a career in entertainment, starting as a musician at 15 and later transitioning into acting. Asner then moved behind the camera, producing and directing award-winning documentaries and TV shows, including “100 Voices: A Journey Home” “Season of The Samurai” and “Hiroshima.”

His documentary work has taken him around the world, interviewing figures like President Bill Clinton and world leaders. In 2008, a pivotal moment came with his son Will’s autism diagnosis, leading Asner to focus on autism advocacy. He worked for both Autism Speaks and Autism Society in national roles and created highly impactful campaigns for both organizations.

In 2016, Asner co-founded, with Navah Paskowitz-Asner, The Ed Asner Family Center, dedicated to arts enrichment and mental health initiatives for special needs individuals and their families.

Connect with Matthew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-asner-8130912/

Zhara Astra is a film and television writer, producer, as well as a professor where she developed the first course in the world on understanding neurodivergent women at Arizona State University.

After discovering in adulthood that she was on the spectrum with ADHD, Zhara set out on a mission to change the way women are viewed, treated, and diagnosed in the medical world (and how they’re depicted in film and tv) while also aiming to help women and girls better understand their own brains.

She is an international public speaker and has written articles about this for Scientific American Magazine as well as other publications, that have helped change the game for women worldwide.

Connect with Zhara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zharaastra/

Alex is a visual artist based out of Orange County, California. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of. Alex was told that he’d never be able to hold a job as an adult. 24 years later, Alex has won numerous awards and has garnered nationwide praise for his documentary films.

Finding film has helped Alex realize his purpose in life. Whereas he struggled in other areas of life due to his disability, film always remained a constant source of joy and inspiration. His affinity for serving the autism community that helped him achieve success led to the creation of Blu Star Productions LLC. With Blu Star Productions, Alex hopes to usher in a new age of original content through empowering those gifted with a disability.

Connect with Alex:
Email: alex@blustarproductions.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blustarproductions/

A man of many faces, Chris Bartlett has been a professional actor for 18 years. He’s known for featured and main characters in the Star Wars Disney+ universe: The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka as well as LegoMasters, The Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel and The Orville.

His most notable character is the iconic C-3PO, originally played by Anthony Daniels.

Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Bartlett first performed onstage as an actor, and a musician.

As an adult, he built a career in video games as a User Experience Director in such games as Gears of War, Call of Duty, Tomb Raiser as well as several Star Wars projects.

He has four children.

Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbartlett1/

Rebecca Beam is Founder and CEO of Zavikon. Prior to launching Zavikon she was a founding advisory team member launching MindSpark, Inc. whose mission was to train and employ adults on the autism spectrum in technology careers. After MindSpark’s acquisition by auticon, Rebecca became President of the US operations leading the US expansion and driving growth.

As a veteran of the tech sector, Rebecca’s career has included senior leadership roles sourcing and developing human capital with high-demand skill sets for the area’s leading tech firms, including Fortune 100 and 500 brands. Rebecca believes there is a job out there for everyone to apply their talents and skills in a meaningful way and she is dedicated to being a bridge to an inclusive working world. She is passionate about opening doors for all individuals with disabilities or those who are neurodivergent to achieve career success. In 2019, Rebecca won the prestigious Milestones Visionary Employer Award.

Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccabeam/

Tyler Berman is a professional voiceover actor on the Autism Spectrum. Growing up with countless animated movies, cartoons and video games, he has developed both original voices and impressions of characters that have shown his interest in voiceover. Tyler has trained under his mentor Cathy McAuley for nearly 4 years and has gone through the levels of Spectrum Laboratory’s voiceover department and encourages all on the spectrum interested in voiceover to follow suit. Gigs Tyler has booked include Sundance Film Festival, the ongoing father in Speech Kingdom E-Learning App, the voiceover announcer for the Autism in Entertainment Conference and a few others. Tyler hopes to go into voiceover for animation and video games full time with his character voices expertise. To hear his demo reels, read more about him or to reach out, visit www.tauTYlogies.com.

Connect with Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerbermanvoactor/

Raised on a steady diet of Marvel Comics, Science Fiction, Musical Theater, and Action Movies from the 80s and 90s, Andrew Bowen is a multi-talented actor, writer, director, and father of three – and whose infectious passion for cinema, comedy, and character – driven storytelling has been the driving force behind his two decades of work in the film and television industry. After his hilarious debut as Jack Freemont in Capcom’s live-action “Fox Hunt” game, Bowen became a series regular on Fox’s comedy series Mad TV, where his impressions of Keanu Reeves and Nicolas Cage are legendary. Bowen continued to find success as an actor appearing in dozens of TV series, independent films, and over 150 national commercials, working with industry legends from Gale Anne Hurd (Aliens, The Walking Dead), James Mangold (Logan, Ford VS Ferrari), Lasse Hallström (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape) Uma Thurman and more. Some notable film credits include: roles in Blumhouse’s horror anthology Holidays, All for Nikki, Conjurer, Rock Jocks, and The Work & The Glory (parts 1 and 2), guest starring roles on shows from NCIS to Shameless, and recurring roles in serveral series, including Magic City and ER.

An accomplished voice-over talent, Bowen has lent his voice to brands including Lexus, Jeep, NAVY, and McDonald’s – and been featured in some of the most successful video game titles of all time, including Star Wars: The Old Republic, Saints Row, and hig hugely popular work voicing Johnny Cage in Warner Bros global franchise Mortal Kombat X, MK11, and MK1. As a screenwriter and director, Bowen made his directorial debut with the independent feature Along The Way. A haunting portrait of American youth in the late 90s, the film was an award-winning festival darling that enjoyed a successful limited theatrical run and DVD release in 2007. Bowen got back behind the camera in 2018, making the wildly fun, sci-fi, action-adventure short The 716th. Written, directed, produced, edited, production designed, and starring Bowen. The short World Premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to rave reviews and was released later that year on Amazon Prime, where the crowd-pleasing short has enjoyed over 2 millions views to date, and has built a large and enthusiastic fan base across the globe. In 2023, Brown formed Anatomic Pictures, a production banner with fellow The 716th executive producer Daniel C. Allison and VFX supervisor/producer Jon Alvord. AP is developing a large and dynamic slate of film & TV projects including the psychological horror thriller Scent (which Bowen is attached to direct), and an expanded Film and TV Universe based on the hugely popular The 716th. Later this year, AP will be releasing a director’s cut of Bowen’s debut feature Along The Way. Digitally remastered in 4K from its original 35mm negative for its Streaming debut, the film will represent the definitive version of Bowen’s poignant and haunting love letter to Generation X.

Connect with Andrew: https://www.facebook.com/andrewsbowen

Dani Bowman—who is on the autism spectrum founded her company, DaniMation Entertainment, at age 14 in 2009 and launched DaniMation UK in 2019. She graduated with a BFA in Animation in 2018 and an MBA in Global Strategy and Leadership in 2020. Dani has premiered 14 animated short films, a PSA, and a music at San Diego Comic Con.

Over the next 14 years, Dani has led summer animation camps and around the country, initially with Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films, and then expanding out on her own, adding programs at the University of South Florida, Plymouth University and Brunel University London in England, teaching over 2500 youth with autism and other different abilities. In 2020, Dani pivoted to teaching animation from in person with 1-Week Animation Workshops and One-on-One classes.

In addition to teaching animation, Dani works with her students as a role model and mentor, encouraging them to follow their dreams. In 2021, Dani and her team participated in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, where she won for “Best Editor” with her film “The Home Office”.

Dani is currently working on getting a Ph.D with a thesis on how much impact her program has had in the autism community.

Connect with Dani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-bowman/

Kyle Boyd is an Artist Manager at Disney TV Animation, he oversees the Designers, Storyboard Artists, Directors, Art Directors, in addition to the Summer Internship Program each Summer. Kyle has been at the studio for over 13 years where he’s worked in Production Management, Recruitment, and Artist Management. Before Disney TV Animation, he worked as Storyboard Artist and Character Designer at a variety of animation studios in New York City and Los Angeles.

Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleboyd/

Melissa Berger Brennan, Vice President of Emerging Talent, has been an agent for Theatrical (Film and Television) since 2002 and is Senior Vice President of the Young Talent Voiceover Department at Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty (CESD), a talent agency with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Founded in 1967, CESD is one of the most prestigious and popular agencies for commercial and voice over talents as well as a pioneer in the theatrical representation of talent in all areas of the entertainment industry.

As a VoiceOver Agent, she has placed clients in leading and supporting roles in animated feature films, series and games and audiobooks. As a Talent Agent, her clients have worked in some of the most loved and critically acclaimed series and feature films duing her tenure at the company.

Melissa studied theatre and acting at the University of Michigan and holds an MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts, which gives her great empathy and understanding for the Actors’ creative process and challenges.

Connect with Melissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-berger-brennan-10a0ab12/

Domonique (“Dom”) Brown, age 26, is currently honing his acting, theatrical, voiceover and musical skills with various performing arts programs such as Spectrum Laboratory, the Miracle Project and Jazz Hands for Autism. Domonique is mostly known for his recurring role as Jasper in seasons 2, 3 and 4 of Netflix’s Atypical. Dom appeared in other roles such as Francis on 911, himself in the movie Please Stand By, Andre in the short film Bat Boy, various Easterseals challenges and many stage productions. In addition to acting, Dom loves singing, playing guitar, writing, dancing and ventriloquy. Dom is looking forward to other great roles in the near future.

Connect with Dom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domonique-brown-4b18727a/

Susan Capps is a business executive focused on social impact strategies as part of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) efforts. She is currently Head of Market Access at Invitae Corp., a genetic testing company. Her experience includes building a new corporate initiative to address equitable access of medicines for low and lower-middle income patients across the globe. Additionally, her work with the US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Initiative on Health and the Economy focuses on investing in resilient health systems for economic growth and positive social impact. This work includes private business partnering with other stakeholders, such as the public sector, to develop health solutions. Susan is also the parent of Carter Capps, an adult on the autism spectrum, who is a past graduate and current part-time animator with Exceptional Minds. Susan’s 25+ years in business (Amgen, Eli Lilly & Co, and IMS Health) plus her direct experience with an animation artist on the autism spectrum provides her with a unique perspective to support the growth of the Exceptional Minds organization.

Connect with Susan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-capps/

Johnna Cho spent 20+ years in Legal & Business Affairs at Warner Bros., handling an array of legal and commerial matters relating to all aspects of home video, digital distribution, games and anime production, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. She served for several years as the Executive Sponsor for Network for Asian Pacific Americans (NAPA), the business resource group for Asians and Pacific Islander employees at Warner Bros. She is currently Vice Chair of Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC) and has been on its Board of Directors since 2009. She received her B.A. from Wellesley College and her J.D. from UCLA. Johnna is a yoga enthusiast, certified yoga instructor (RYT-500) and yoga therapist.

Connect with Johnna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnacho/

Warren Davis began his videogame career at Gottlieb where he developed the hugely successful arcade classic. Q*bert. This was followed by a sci-fi themed laserdisc game, Us Vs. Them, which features scenes of live actors integrated with gameplay.

At Williams, he contributed to Joust 2 and helped develop the system that became NARC. He was part of the team that created Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Revolution X featuring Aerosmith. He also created the digitizing system that Williams/Bally/Midway used for many of their games of the 1990s including Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam, as well as the aforementioned T2 and Rev X.

During a hiatus from Williams, he created a surreal and unusual Exterminator. In the mid-1990s, Warren left the arcade industry and worked on a variety of home games for Disney and other companies. He was, for a short time, a Disney imagineer and has also worked for Industrial Light and Magic.

In 2018, he was inducted into the International Video Game Hall of Fame. Last year, his memoir about his years in the coin-op industry – Creating Q*bert and Other Classic Arcade Games – was published by Santa Monica Press and is now available worldwide.

Connect with Warren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviswarren/

Stephen is the Program Executive for the Wells Fargo Neurodiversity Program. The program has successfully created nearly 300 meaningful employment opportunities for a deeply underserved community through the creation of an accessible, skills-based selection process, and innovative sourcing, selection, and onboarding practices. Stephen has led in the delivery of a standardized neurodiversity education for managers. HR professionals, and mentors throughout the company, with the goal creating a truly neuroinclusive workplace and strong support structures that foster well-being, enhanced accomodations, equity, and inclusion.

Stephen is a member of the National Board of Directors for the Autism Society of America, where he co-chairs the Employment Taskforce and he also serves as an advisor to the Mayor’s Office “NYC at Work” jobs initiative. He is also a US Marine Corps combat veteran with service-connected disabilities.

Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-de/

Steff Farrar has enjoyed a career as a versatile animator, as the owner of her own boutique animation studio and as an educator, providing training for several dozens of artists across Canada. Her passion for teaching allowed her the opportunity to design and deliver animation curricula for the DaVinci Institute in Halifax, NS and Okanagan College in Vancouver, BC. Aside from playing a significant and pioneering role developing the local talent pool in Halifax, NS, Steff was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Young Entrepreneurs.

Her combined experiences have led her to secure fulfilling roles at Exceptional Minds, where she pivoted from Head of Career Services, helping students and grads prepare for and find career opportunities as the, to her current role as Director of Studio Programs for Animation where she now enjoys being dedicated to leveraging the talents of EM graduates, fostering diversity, and accommodating individual artist needs.

Connect with Steff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steff-farrar-70a19b24/

Autistic HMMA Award-winning film and television composer John Frizzell, born in New York City, began his music career early, singing in the chorus of the Paris Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera Company. This experience led to his formal musical education at USC and the Manhattan School of Music.

After college , Frizzell collaborated with renowned composers Ryuichi Sakamoto for “Wild Palms” and James Newton Howard for “Dante’s Peak” before branching out on his own. His many credits include Jean Pierre Jeunet’s “Alien Resurrection,” Mark Rydell’s “James Dean,” and Mike Judge’s cult classic “Office Space.”

Frizzell’s collaboration with Mike Judge has spanned over 25 years, including the 1997 smash hit “Beavis and Butt-head Do America” and 2022’s critically acclaimed “Beavis and Butt-head Do the Universe.”

His television credits include “King of the Hill,” “The Following,” “Tell Me a Story,” and Season 2 of the Netflix Original Series “Space Force.”

Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-frizzell-4b97667/

Emmy and Annie Award-winning Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director. A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. Gutierrez was Director & Co-Writer of the Guillermo del Toro produced animated feature The Book of Life, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe Award nomination. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series Maya and the Three for Netflix which won 2 Annie Awards, and won 4 Emmys. Gutierrez is currently writing/directing a Netflix animated feature named I, Chihuahua with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.

Elaine Hall, Founder of The Miracle Project and star of HBO’s Emmy Winning film Autism: The Musical, is internationally recognized for using the arts to enhance quality of life for neurodivergent individuals, and is one of Hollywood’s first Access Coordinators. Featured in The New York Times, WSJ, Boston Globe, on CNN, CBS, OWN, NPR among others, Elaine has worked as technical advisor, script consultant, content developer, on-set coach, and/or casting consultant for Netflix, Shondaland, Amazon, Hulu, Disney, Sony Pictures including – appearing in Love on the Spectrum and Jason Katim’s As We See It. Recently, Elaine consulted on the film EZRA, starring a twelve-year-old autistic boy along with Robert De Nero. She has spoken at the United Nations several times. Co-founder of the Hollywood advocacy group, 1IN4, she was the Access Coordinator at the BARBIE Premiere. Elaine identifies as neurodivergent, and has an adult autistic son who communicates with AAC. Together they are committed to changing the media’s representation of disability – moving from ‘inclusion’ to ‘belonging.’ They are both featured in Scott Steindorff’s new film, Understanding Autism. Elaine’s memoir, Now I See the Moon, an official selection by the United Nations, is in development for a limited TV series.

Connect with Elaine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-hall-0493b718/
www.Elaine-hall.com

Paul Hemstreet is an experienced and accomplished creative leader with a proven history of planning and executing high-profile, globally distributed projects for major Hollywood productions that have included the Harry Potter, Matrix, and Lord of the Rings franchises. He has served as Executive Producer and Head of Production at Warner Bros. to create special features to accompany home entertainment releases. His experience includes the development and production of short and long-form documentaries, as well as story-driven content to support and promote major film and original series releases.

Connect with Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulhemstreet/

Garth Herberg has been a performing musician since high school and a music educator for nearly 20 years. He’s continually learning and developing his career from what started as a recording and performing musician to a composer, music director, non-profit administrator and now studio owner. He’s worked with autism and neurodivergent communities in Los Angeles since 2007, having the good fortune to serve many wonderful schools and organizations (Bridges Academy, Tree Academy, The Miracle Project, Spectrum Laboratory, Camp Ed). He began Spectrum Laboratory (Spec Labs) in 2015 alongside Jason Weissbrod, to create a creative community that would uplift many neurodiverse artists in mediums I love to work in myself, especially music. At Spec Labs he’s seen many prior students and aspiring artists evolve to the point of becoming working professionals and have proudly been able to hire them at his organization.

Connect with Garth: https://www.facebook.com/garth.herberg

Jasmin Hernandez cut her professional teeth in British animation (POSTMAN PAT: The MOVIE, Paul McCartney’s HIGH IN THE CLOUDS) and has chomped (Pac-Man-style, but gently) through the game-driven entertainment business. Post Brexit, Jasmin next took a bite outta the Sonic the Hedgehog universe and has not stopped in nearly nine years. At SEGA, she has helped to spearhead a successful Sonic the Hedgehog animated shorts program. She’s a regular guest (and fan favorite) on the official Sonic livestreams, and her handmade creations – tiny SANIC paintings and real-life renditions of the Sonic and Tails dolls – have left a hugely colorful and memorable impact on the world of the Blue Blur.

Connect to Jasmin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminmhernandez/

Susette Hsiung is the executive vice president of Studio Production and Network Programming Operations at Disney Branded Television. In this role, she oversees the workflow of production for premium original content for kids and families on Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior, including the Emmy Award-winning music special, “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium,” and the next installments in the hit “Descendants” and “Zombies” franchises. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked on iconic Disney titles like “High School Musical,” “Hannah Montana” and “Phineas and Ferb,” and championed diversity and inclusion efforts across Disney, serving on the Diversity and Inclusion Council and supporting initiatives for women and underrepresented groups. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cornell University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, residing in Los Angeles with her family.

Connect with Susette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susette-hsiung-30890411/

Jessica “Jess” Jerome is an animator, illustrator, and visual artist with over 15+ years of experience in the entertainment industry. One of their passions is for storytelling. Jess loves to tell a story in any way that she can. Jess has a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts/Animation and got her start in the video game industry. She also has an art wall at “The Hive Gallery” in Downtown Los Angeles and joins in their art shows frequently. Jess started working at Exceptional Minds in 2013, only two years after it first opened its doors. Since working there, she has helped produce a total of 6 short films and believes Exceptional Minds is one of the best and most rewarding jobs she’s ever had.

Connect with Jess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajerome/

With over 25 years of diverse professional experience, Jamie brings a well-rounded expertise in management, data and business analysis, and game design. Jamie’s journey is marked by a unique perspective shaped by personal experiences, including navigating the professional world with a disability. This journey led Jamie to find a fulfilling role at Game Gen.

Currently serving as the Director of Operations at Game Gen, Jamie is streamlining operational managment, enhancing processes, and fostering robust relationships with various Regional Centers with Partners. He proudly works alongside incredible Game Gen Staff as they infuse the workplace with a deep understanding of diversity and inclusivity and amazing Mentors who seek to improve each Student’s experience and help foster their skills forward in the hope of gaining meaningful employment.

This mission is driven by Jamie’s personal commitment to creating opportunities where every individual, regardless of their challenges, can thrive and find meaningful career paths in the gaming industry.

Connect with Jamie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jderosajohnson/

Kate Jorgensen is a Bay Area native who packed up, moved to LA, and dropped out of art school. In 2019, she was hired out of the Exceptional Minds animation program as a production assistant for Nickelodeon. She was promoted to coordinator in less than a year, and spent the next 4 mastering the animation pipeline.

Now, she’s returned to EM as the studio production manager, and while she’s still early in her career as a Production Wizard, she feels grateful to be in a field she loves, doing work she is confident in, with a community of people just like her (especially since she was sure she was going to fail Algebra 1 and thus doomed to a life of misery). She is ready to open the gates to the industry by shining a light on more artists with ASD.

Connect with Kate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katevjorgensen/

Liz Kelly is Director of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion at Disney Entertainment Television. In this role, she works with the network and studio to staff writers and directors across ABC, ABC Signature, Freeform, Disney Channel, 20th TV, FX, Nat Geo, Disney+ and Hulu’s scripted television shows. She runs the industry-leading Disney Writing Program and Disney Directing Program. She has staffed talent on THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE ROOKIE, A MILLION LITTLE THINGS, DAVE, HOW I MET YOUR FATHER, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, THE GOLDBERGS, STATION 19, RAVEN’S HOME, and BLACK-ISH, among other scripted series. Prior to Disney, Kelly worked for 6 years at Fox, most recently as Associate Director of Production and Development Labs – Film & TV, for 21CF Global Inclusion. Kelly staffed writers and directors on FOX’s scripted television shows, including THE GIFTED, THE COOL KIDS, LUCIFER, LAST MAN ON EARTH, THE EXORCIST, THE RESIDENT, and LETHAL WEAPON, among others. She managed the Fox Writers Lab, Fox Directors Lab, Fox DP Lab, and Fox Filmmakers Lab, tracked and maintained network diversity statistics regarding on-air and behind-the-camera creative talent, and managed the department’s partnerships and sponsorships with non-profits and film and TV festivals.

Kelly has been a judge, script reader, or panelist for numerous film and TV festivals across the country, including the Tribeca Film Festival, New York Television Festival, Austin Film Festival, ATX Television Festival, SeriesFest Denver, CAAMFest San Francisco, San Diego Latino Film Festival, NALIP Media Summit, LA Skins Fest, Outfest, BlackStar Philadelphia Film Festival, and Humanitas New Voices. In 2017, she was invited to be part of Creative Artists Agency’s “Amplify: Next Gen” group of up-and-coming entertainment artists, agents, and executives.

Kelly is a member of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society. She has a BA from UCLA and is a graduate of UCLA School of Theater Film & Television’s graduate-level Professional Program in Screenwriting.

Connect with Liz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-kelly-1a5093159/

Hilary Kokenda is the Chief Operating Officer, (COO), of Zavikon. Prior to becoming a founding member of Zavikon, she spent 10 years at The Walt Disney Company as a technologist supporting business solutions and processes. Hilary’s primary role throughout her career has been to bridge the communication gap between technology resources and the businesses they support at Fortune 500 companies.

Hilary’s career has required her to work with individuals at all levels and drive change across all types of departments. Through her wealth of experience in the corporate environment, she has recognized the need for and benefits of diversity, and she is passionate about being a bridge to an inclusive working world. Hilary holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Applied Sciences from UCLA.

Connect with Hilary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarykokenda/

Rachel Kopito is a traditional and digital artist with a passion for all things weird and fantastical. She graduated summa cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in animation and specific focus on storyboarding and character animation. Currently, she is working as a production instructor and supervising director at Brainstorm Productions, overseeing illustration and animation projects within the studio while teaching a variety of software skills. Her interests include disability advocacy, marine biology, comics, sci-fi, and creatures both real and imaginary.

Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-kopito/

Carolyn Lertzman has over 15 years of experience working at the heart of making content, products & experiences inclusive, intersectional, and accessible. Carolyn is part of the Disney Enterprise DEI team focused on Inclusive Strategies, Partnerships, & Integration – leading inclusion strategies & building relationships with community organizations whose work helps drive brand relevance across Disney’s content, products, an experiences. She also co-leads internal workgroups with Disability Inclusion practitioners and Inclusive Content leaders. She began her Disney career as a broadcast log coordinator in Standards & Practices, growing her role in the department to lead the synergy between content review, inclusive content integration, and social responsibility for Disney Branded Television and Disney Entertainment Television.

She holds a master’s in public health (MPH) degree from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, focused on children’s health and media – with research at Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital. She attended UC San Diego as an undergrad, majoring in linguistics – the science of language. Carolyn also identifies as neurodivergent and twice-exceptional.

She resides in Los Angeles and enjoys cooking, hiking around LA, yoga, and crocheting in her free time.

Connect with Carolyn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynlp/

Dr. Lauren Libero is the Autism Specialist at the California Department of Developmental Services, where she oversees the Autism Services Branch and statewide programs and services associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her work leverages data and research related to autism to develop and implement statewide policy in the provision of effective, quality services and supports for individuals with autism of all ages statewide. Prior to her work at DDS, Lauren was a UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the UC Davis MIND Institute, where she conducted research on brain development in autism. She also serves the autism community through volunteer service, including organizing a social support group for women on the autism spectrum in Sacramento.

Connect with Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-libero-phd-7a6a2730/

Jimmy Lifton is an award winning Film and Television Producer, Educator and Supervising Sound Editor. He is credited on more than 500 TV and Feature Film productions and has won 2 Emmys and 5 Golden Reels. Lifton is also the founder of award winning training operations for Autistic adults and disabled Veterans. Currently, Jimmy is spearheading the Artificial Intelligence and Animation training operation, Visual Arts Academy.

Connect with Jimmy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-lifton-3a8a4a171/

Michael Luna joined the Department of Developmental Services in June 2018 as the Chief of the Work Services Section.

Michael began his career in the field of disabilities as an advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community with a focus on supporting parents with Individual Education Plans for their children. He then moved to the Department of Social Services managing the Reasonable Accommodation unit then as the Manager of the Deaf Access Program.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Studies from the California State University, Northridge.

Michael is dedicated to increasing employment outcomes for individuals who have intellectual/developmental disabilities and broadening the industry options for enhanced career choices.

Maria Mayenzet’s career has spanned over forty years working in regional theatre, film and television. She is a professional actor, director, playwright and short film director and producer. She has a B.A. in Drama from University of California, Irvine (2002) and an M.F.A in Acting and Directing from California State University, Long Beach (2005).

She was an Associate Faculty member of California State University, Long Beach, teaching in the Theatre Arts department from 2006-2011. In 2011, she became a full-time Faculty member in the Cinema Television and Radio Department at Saddleback College. In 2016, her book on screen acting, entitled Focal Length of Performance was published. In 2018 she sponsored LOFI, Ladies of Film Industry for the women, LGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse filmmakers in Saddleback film.

In Fall 2019, she was on the Screen Actors Guild Nomination Committee. In 2021, her book entitled Acting for New Media was published.

Connect with Maria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-mayenzet-664984140/

Cathy McAuley is a Clio award winning actor and head of Voice Acting for Spectrum Laboratory. Cathy’s career as a professional actor spans over 3 decades. She considers herself a journeyman actor as she has been able to successfully weave theater, television, film and voiceover into her ever-evolving body of work. McAuley also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Hawaii. She has appeared in over 200 television & radio commercials, and has guest starred on many episodic television series. One of her more notable roles was her recurring character on Night Court where she played “Wanda the Matchmaker,” becoming Bull’s Television Wife. Cathy has countless professional theater credits including 6 Broadway National Tours co-starring with the legendary Tim Conway. Cathy is Co-Founder of The Harvest Theatre Company.

But McAuley is over the moon with pride in what she has been gifted to create and Head the Spectrum Laboratory’s Voiceover department – to build a bridge with all abilities that houses talent, training and supports these artists need for full inclusion in the entertainment field. They all had me at Hello! Cathy believes, “What you rehearse is what you will do!” May we all rehearse tolerance, acceptance, and kindness to whomever may cross our life’s stage! I am grateful to be a part of the Voiceover Panel for Autism in Entertainment.

Connect with Cathy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-mcauley-55144949/

Maureen McIntryre is the Regional Director of the Van Nuys Foothill District of the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Her district provides vocational rehabilitation services in the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Monrovia, Altadena and Alhambra, plus the Antelope Valley area. She has over 40 years of experience working with people with disabilities, primarily serving the disability community in the South L.A. area serving monolingual Spanish-speaking consumers, justice-involved youth and adults, foster youth, and individuals who were catastrophically injured. At DOR she has served as a Senior Vocation Rehabilitation Counselor, Team Manager, and Customer Service Chief. Maureen also has experience as a business owner/employer running a custom cabinet shop with her husband. Prior to her tenure with DOR, she worked with foster youth and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities teaching activities of daily living skills. Maureen earned a BA from Loyola Marymount and an MS from San Diego State.

Connect with Maureen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-mcintyre-ms-crc-0ab6b484/

Aubry Mintz has worked as a feature animator (ILM, Square USA) and directed projects for Smimoff, McDonalds, MuchMusic and General Mills and the Canadian rock band Rush. His short-animated film “Nothing to Say” narrated by celebrity Danny Aiello screened at 41 festivals around the globe and won awards at Australia Independent Film Festival, Arctic Film Festival ( a United Nations SDB Initiative), Palm Springs International Animation Festival, Anchorage Film Festival, NFMLA, and Canada Shorts.

Co-author for the book “Ideas for the Animated Short 2nd Edition” and writer for Cartoon Brew, Animation Magazine, AnimationScoop.com and IndieWire.com, Mintz presented at Disney Feature Animation, Blue Sky Animation Studios and DreamWorks Animation, San Diego Comic Con, SIGGRAPH and CTNX. Aubry was also guest host on TV’s Turner Classic Movies (TCM) for a 4-hour program on the animated short films from the National Film Board of Canada, and he was featured in the documentary “Autism Goes to College” Mintz is a full professor of Animation at California State University Long Beach and is also the Interim Executive Director of ASIFA-Hollywood.

Connect with Aubry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrymintz/

Jamell is responsible for establishing and leveraging relationship that unlock the value that exists within talent in organizations. He oversees the strategic orchestration of driving awareness, activation securing talent and identifying inclusive learning opportunities. He manages teams across the Americas and has worked to drive global adoption of inclusive sourcing, scaling, and sustaining efforts. He has developed training procedures, analyzed budget reports and implemented best practices within and outside of the space of Neurodiversity that impact the eSg agenda.

Jamell’s experience relative to market trend analysis and business strategies spans over two decades. He is often called upon to share EY’s journey at conferences which often challenges organizations to consider cognitive diversity as a competitive advantage to further drive business solutions. He is a leader who adapts to various cultural, linguistic, and personal styles. Jamell believes that these styles are drivers that promote inclusive teaming. His leadership creates a culture in which timely consistent coaching is provided while demonstrating a passion in promoting strategy, service delivery, belonging and core values.

Jamell sits on the Board of Trustees for Hill-Top Preparatory School in Rosemont PA and Landmark College in Putney VT. He has an MBA with specific focus on Leadership on Finance from Walden University, Minneapolis and holds a B5 in Criminal Justice Administration and Planning from John Jay College in New York. He is also a CNP (Certified Neurodiversity Professional) via IBCCESS University.

Samples of media coverage of Jamell are as follows (additional comments are available on request):

MediaVillage.com: Expands-Boundaries-of-Inclusion-To-Be-Honored-During-CES/ (11/16/17)

ServiceNow: employee-engagement/autism-in-the-workplace/ (6/24/19)

Work Opportunities: success-story-jordan-b/ (3/11/20)

Leaders Edge: Beautiful-minds (3/20/21)

Connect with Jamell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamell-g-mitchell-043a1939/

Tania serves as the Deputy Director of Planning and Regional Office Operations at the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Tania also works as a national consultant on disability employment issues and the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Prior to these roles she served as Illinois Department of Human Services’ Statewide Employment First Manager. Her workforce development experience for persons who have disabilities spans 20 years and includes provider transformation, marketing, employer outreach/education, assessment, placement and job coaching. Tania is certified in employment facilitation and is a recipient of the National Certificate of Achievement in Employment Services.

Connect with Tania: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-morawiec-111671144/

Dale is the Executive Director at Inclusion Films Workshop, Bakersfield. Dale started his career as a magician and escape artist. Shortly after, he joined The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute to learn acting. He now works directly with students with special needs to teach them the film industry. He teaches acting, film theory and stunt fighting. He enjoys seeing the students evolve under his tutelage and helping them unlock talents they didn’t even know they had.

Connect with Dale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-oprandy-1133082a/

Silvia Owens is a beacon of empowerment, dedicating over two decades to championing the professional journeys of young adults with Autism and other disabling conditions. With a heart fueled by passion and a mind fortified with expertise, Sylvia has become a guiding light for those navigating the path to gainful employment.

Armed with a teaching credential in Career Technical Education from UCLA and certification as a Supported Employment Specialist from North Texas University, Sylvia possesses a formidable arsenal of knowledge and skills. Her journey began in the trenches, where she honed her craft in management roles, imparting invaluable lessons in self-advocacy and employment skills to countless individuals on the spectrum and finding successful employment for many.

Since 2019 Sylvia’s role as the Program Coordinator for Brainstorm Productions’ Animation Training Academy stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to fostering opportunities for clients. With each passing year, her impact continues to reverberate, touching the lives of those she serves and opening doors to new possibilities.

Beyond her impressive credentials, Sylvia’s warmth and compassion are what truly set her apart. She approaches each interaction with genuine care and empathy, instilling confidence and hope in those she mentors. Her ability to inspire and uplift is unmatched, ingiting a sense of purpose and determination in all who cross her path.

In Sylvia Owens, we find not just a professional, but a true advocate and ally. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and unwavering dedication. As she continues to pave the way for others, Sylvia’s legacy of empowerment will endure, lighting the way for generations to come.

Cami Patton is a multiple Emmy and Artios award winning Casting Director, as well as a Producer. Her career highlights include JUSTIFIED and THE AMERICANS (pilot) for FX and Graham Yost, ENLIGHTENED for Mike White and HBO, PUSHING DAISIES for Bryan Fuller and ABC, THE UNITED STATES OF TARA for Diablo Cody and Showtime, as well as PARENTHOOD (NBC) and the recent AS WE SEE IT (Amazon) for Jason Katims. Alongside her former partner, Meg Liberman, her two Emmy awards were for the miniseries BAND OF BROTHERS and THE PACIFIC for HBO, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and frequent collaborator Graham Yost. Cami is currently casting SILO for Garham Yost and Apple+. She recently wrapped casting and producing the limited series JUSTIFIED: CITY PRIMEVAL for FX. She also served as producer for the final two seasons of the original JUSTIFIED series.

Connect with Cami: https://www.facebook.com/chandler.patton.56

Kristin is a seasoned industry professional with over 18 years of experience in animation and casting. She has worked for The Walt Disney Company, lending her skills to numerous animated TV shows and movies on various plaforms, such as Disney Channel, Disney+, Marvel, Lucas, and Pixar. Some of her notable credits include Hamster and Gretel, Phineas and Ferb the Movie, Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Big Hero 6: The Series, and Amphibia. Kristin is also the founder of Paiva Productions, a company that offers Casting, Dialogue Directing, and Voice Over Coaching services. Kristin is passionate about helping aspiring talent achieve their dreams and goals. Paiva Production reflects her dedication and enthusiam for supporting the next generation of animation stars.

Connect with Kristin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinpaiva/

Britton Payne is an attorney at Nickelodeon/Paramount, focusing on animation, talent, artificial intelligence, and DEI matters. He regularly presents at comic cons across the country, including his panel “Autism in Comic Books” at the Los Angeles Comic Con in December. He is an active community member of the inclusion model WISH Elementary School in Westchester, the award-winning non-profit charter school that believes important academic, social, and ethical skills and attitudes are developed when students with various strengths, needs, and backgrounds, learn together.

Connect with Britton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittonpayne/

Jonathan Posell began his work in Hollywood on the reality TV show, ‘COPS.’ He soon became an Assistant Editor on ‘Star Trek: Deep Space 9, ‘Tales From The Crypt,” and others. His editing career took off with a series called ‘Time of Your Life,’ starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. Jonathan has edited multiple pilots and shows. A short list includes JAG, ICarly, and Desperate Housewives.

He earned an Emmy Nomination for his work on ‘Desperate Housewives’ in 2004. Most recently, he has edited VFX-heavy, live-action shows for Nickelodeon.

Jonathan Posell is a member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild and American Cinema Editors.

Connect with Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanposell-editor/

Genna Rosenberg is a 30-year toy, licensing and entertainment industry executive, focused on Social Impact, Consumer Products and Business Strategy. Named License! Global Magazine’s Inaugural Catalyst for Change, she has been focused on empowerment, diversity, inclusion, disability, social responsibility and social innovation in myriad ways. Her Design Your Career in Toys, Entertainment and Licensing coursework has been attracting young people into diverse career paths into the $38 billion entertainment-driven US Toy Industry, with over 300 employers in Southern California alone. Rosenberg has served in executive roles at publicity-traded and private toy companies and agencies, and has run her global agency GennComm for the past 12 years. GennComm has been retained by top manufacturers, entertainment companies and gaming studios in the world, promoting global entertainment brands, video game titles and beloved toys, ranging from Subway Surfers and Pac-Man to Care Bears, SpongeBob SquarePants and more.

Connect with Genna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gennarosenberg/

After falling in love with acting in school musicals, Naomi Rubin began her professional acting career in 2018 when she was cast in the Netflix original series “Atypical” where she recurred as Noelle for three seasons. Following “Atypical”, Naomi worked on Disney’s “A Girl” pilot, and recurred as Ellie on Jason Katims’ Amazon Prime Series “As We See it.” She’s completed several short films, most recently as Yael in Allison Norlian’s award winning “Thirteen” which premieres in 2024.

Naomi is actively involved in live theater in Los Angeles, and recently completed a 3 month run of the world premiere of “Bisexual Sadness” at the Road Theater, where she is a company member. She’s also had the opportunity to work with giants such as Stephen Schwartz on Broadway and played opposite Jason Sudeikis as Violet in a streamed live reading of the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

An LA native who began performing at the age of 8, Naomi is on the autism spectrum and credits her neurodiverse thinking for the ability to imagine characters, and animate their emotional universe. She is unafraid of exploring themes of vulnerability and awkwardness in her work. When she’s not acting or singing, Naomi can be found volunteering with rescue cats at Perry’s Place, practicing martial arts, or writing fan fiction.

Mike is a seasoned Producer / Production Manager with 13 plus years experience between animation and Visual Effects. Mike spent a season working at CoSA VFX on shows including Lethal Weapon, The Walking Dead, and Agents of Shield. This experience led to a Production Manager role at Netflix for the NetFX team, at first coordinating projects including A Series of Unfortunate Events S3, The OA S2, and Bird Box. Mike eventually transitioned to creating scalable production / operational systems for NetFX.

Arriving at Exceptional Minds, Mike jumped into process creation and management of ongoing production work. However, his main focus has been on creating a positive, growth environment for his artists including regular feedback, clear understanding of expectations, and sharing his experience while allowing the artists to make their own mistakes. He’s excited to be a part of this conference.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-schmueck-a191268b/

Marlene Sharp is a creative and business-savvy entertainment multi-hyphenate who originally hails from New Orleans but is now a (San Fernando) Valley girl. Firmly ensconced in LA life, Marlene is top dawg at Pink Poodle Productions and Executive Producer of Rainshine Entertainment’s forthcoming animated feature film trilogy YOUNG CAPTAIN NEMO. Noteworthy clients and collaborators include Neko Productions, Austism in Entertainment Conference 2024, LAPMF, and The Center of Learning Unlimited/Brainstorm Productions. Prior to Pink Poodle and Rainshine, Marlene served as Director, Production at LEVEL-5 abby, home of YO-KAI WATCH and other Japanese hit video game-based franchises.

Formerly, as Producer, TV Series, at Sega of America, Marlene worked on much more than Teen Choice Award-nominated Cartoon Network series SONIC BOOM. For example, her extensive Hedgehog duties took her to the heights of nerd-dom as an official San Diego Comic-Con 2017 panelist. She also contributed significantly to the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog feature film.

As a freelance journalist, Marlene concentrates on pop culture for noteworthy outlets, such as GlobalToyNews.com, GameDeveloper.com, DOGTV, Geekified.net, and CultureSonar.com. As a short film auteur, she has snagged recognition at La Femme Film Fest, Autism Comedy Film Festival, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, Canine Film Festival, and San Luis Obispo Film Festival. Marlene is a proud winner of the LA Shorts International Film Fest Script Competition (an Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying fest), at which her backdoor sitcom pilot received a staged reading courtesy of The Groundings.

Connect with Marlene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlenesharp/

David Siegel, CEO of Exceptional Minds, has overseen significant growth and success since taking the helm in 2020. Under his leadership, the organization was recognized as the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2023 midsize Nonprofit of the Year. During his tenure, the operating budget doubled, enrollment increased by 20%, and graduate job placements rose by 50%. Siegel’s fundraising and impact consistently surpassed goals, earning him recognition on Variety’s list of 100 Champions for Change in their Inclusion Impact Report in 2022.

Recently, Siegel secured transformational grants from partners like Disney and formed collaborations with companies including Apple, Mattel, NBCU, and Paramount. These partnerships help Exceptional Minds develop a skilled and diverse workforce while assisting corporations in expanding their inclusive hiring practices.

Siegel’s career includes roles in talent representation, film production, and marketing, notably at Disney. His philanthropic efforts with his middle child have raised over a million dollars for research on a rare genetic disease.

Siegel lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons.

Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidesiegel/

Stephen is responsible for the visual character development and design of some of animation’s most iconic shows; including Disney’s Kim Possible, Nickelodeon’s Danny Phantom, and Disney’s Clerks: The Animated Series, to name a few.

He developed intellectual properties for some of the largest media companies in the world; such as Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Sony, MAD Magazine, Reel FX, Bento box, Hasbro, Universal, DreamWorks, and more.

Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-silver-1b1bb23/

Scott Steindorff is an acclaimed film producer, known for his dedication to creating impactful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. He has produced or executive produced Chef, Jane Got a Gun, Las Vegas, The Lincoln Lawyer, Penelope, Empire Falls, The Human Stain, Love in the Time of Cholera, and other works.

One of the hallmarks of his career has been his focus on producing films that explore and raise awareness about mental health issues, particularly Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordrer (ADHD) and Autism. His work in these areas has been celebrated for its sensitivity and authenticity, offering viewers a naunced understanding of these conditions. Steindorff’s films on ADHD and Autism stand out for their storytelling quality and commitment to portraying the experiences of individuals living with these conditions with accuracy and empathy. His productions have contributed significantly to public discourse, helping to destigmatize mental health issues and promote a more inclusive understanding of neurodiversity. In addition to his filmmaking, Steindorff is actively involved in advocacy and suppot initiatives for Autism. His work extends beyond the screen, as he engages in various programs and collaborations aimed at providing support and resources to individuals with Autism and their families. This dual commitment to both artisitc expression and real-world impact reflects Steindorff’s dedication to using his platform to make a difference in society.

Connect with Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-steindorff-45428221/

Mindy Sterling is a 2017 two time Emmy Nominee for Best Actress in Short Form Comedy or Drama for her work on Con Man and Secs and Execs.

She is best known for her character portrayal of Frau Farbissina in all three Austin Powers Films.

She recently shot a guest star role on Grace and Frankie for Netflix and will be guest starring on Netflix’s The Series of Unfortunate Events second season.

Kids and parents know her from Disney’s Ant Form and I Carly. She is the voice of Lt. Lin Beifong on the Nickelodeon Animated Series Legend of Korra. She has voiced Pig Goat Banana Cricket, Scooby Doo, Chowder and many others.

She recured on Blackish, FX Legit and Desperate Housewives. Guest starred on 2 Broke Girls, Detour, Young and Hungry, Curb Your Enthusiasm, some of her memorable film credits are, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and Reno 911.

Connect with Mindy: https://www.facebook.com/mindy.sterling.7

Diane Strand is an award-winning Executive Producer at JDS Studios and the TV show Spirit of Innovation, the first Riverside County local news and information program. She is the majority owner of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc / JDS Actors Studio and the co-founder of the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy. She is also a bestselling author on entrepreneurship and breaking into the industry as an Actor. Diane provides pathways for career opportunities in the visual, performing, and digital arts. Her passion for Workforce Development in the arts led her to write two approved curriculums for video production. One is a Title 17 program designed for adults with developmental disabilities. The other is a California State-approved apprenticeship program for college graduates. These programs provide Hands-On training along with paid supported internship opportunities, designed to break down barriers to gainful employment in video production, post-production and acting. Diane’s prior career life includes credits from A-List shows like General Hospital, Friends, Veronica’s Closet, and building the high-def control room at Staples Center. For the last 20 years, Diane has been a successful entrepreneur of her own, a multi-award-winning production company, working with clients like Abbott Vascular, City of Temecula, Cal State San Marcos and United Healthcare Services to name a few. Diane has launched over 100 video and acting careers into the mainstream entertainment and video production industry. She intersects economic development, workforce development and the arts to level the playing field creating opportunities for all. As an award-winning marketer in multimedia and communications, Diane speaks and coaches on Being Seen in your Business, Turning your Passions into Profits, and Entrepreneurship – Packing your own Parachute.

Connect with Diane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianestrand/

With more than two decades of experience in producing animation, TV shows, films, music videos, and live events, Lirit Rosenzweig Topaz is a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry. She is the founder and executive producer of Neko Productions, a production company specializing in both animation and live-action based in Sherman Oaks, CA. Lirit is also the founder of FBF Animation, an online animation school that offers training to animators and concept artists across the globe. Driven by a profound love for her craft, Lirit’s primary focus is on providing her clients with peace of mind, maintaining transparent communication, and consistently delivering high-quality work with a smile. As the executive producer, Lirit has worked on a large variety of projects for big brands like Sonic the Hedgehog, Marvel Avengers, Harry Potter, Barbie, Facebook, Spielberg Foundation, Hulu, Dr Seuss, and The Tunies.

Dog lover and animal welfare advocate Christopher Tremmel is an accomplished creative director and game designer with three decades of hands-on experience leading multiple teams in shipping high-profile AAA titles that have gone on to sell over 14 million copies worldwide. Christopher has worked with multi-billion-dollar franchises such as The Lord of the Rings, Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, and more.

Currently the studio creative director at Rough House Games, Chris is helping pave the way with the latest technology in Web 3 and on-chain gaming, having already been awarded Web 3 Fighting Game of 2023.

Christopher’s interest in Neurodiversity started when he witnessed the positive impact and life-changing effect that gaming had on a younger autistic relative. Since then, Christopher has aspired to become a voice and advocate for individuals on the autism spectrum interested in breaking into the world of Video Game development.

Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctremmel/

Judi Uttal is vice president of Autism Society Orange County (Formerly The Orange County Asperger’s Support Group) a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. Judi Uttal is a member of the Competitive Integrated Employment Blueprint, Orange County Local Partnership Agreement (OCLPA) and the Thompson Policy Group Chapman University Transition Initiative. Judi founded OCASG Career Club, a holistic program providing training and support for college graduates with ASD to achieve short and long-term career success. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism In Entertainment Workgroup and is leading the Autism In Entertainment Conference to be held during Spring 2024.

Judi retired from a career as a high technology marketing executive. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Math/Computer Science from UCLA and an MBA from the Tepper School of Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Judi is married and is the mother of a 31-year-old son, Joshua, who was diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism at the age of three. Josh graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a major in Cinema and Television.

Connect with Judi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judiuttal/

By the age of 30, Viselman was responsible for over $2 billion in sales. By 40, skyrocketing to $12 billion. It’s now estimated he is associated with over US$27billion dollars in global success. Viselman, has created, produced, marketed and or consulted on 50+ projects. He is the producing partner for Teletubbies, credited as the genius behind the commercial success of Thomas the Tank Engine and the driving force behind the rebirth of family classics Eloise & Noddy.

Viselman’s itsy bitsy Entertainment, is one of the world’s most admired independent family entertainment companies. His brands are wildly successful both on and off the screen including top-selling numerous ancillary products.

Connect with Kenn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenn-viselman-0a2b8058/

Jason has a Bachelor’s degree in Directing and Acting for Film and Theatre and has directed, produced, written, edited and starred in many films, television shows, web series, commercials and theatre productions. Jason became involved with the neurodiverse and autism community over 15 yearsr ago through his work with The Miracle Project as their theatre director and leading acting coach. Over time many neurodivergent and autistic artists told Jason they wanted to make professional movies, record music and eventually work in the entertainment industry. This inspirerd Jason and co-founder, Garth Herberg, to created Spectrum Laboratory. Jason and Garth believe that teaming up neurodivergent artist along with entertainment professionals stimulates everyone’s creativity and talent. Jason says, “Show people what they can do and magic will ensue!” And it has! Jason feels blessed to be able to do what he loves each day and thanks to all who support Spec Labs! To learn more visit: speclabs.org.

Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonweissbrod/

Dr. Zeedyk an Associate Professor at California State University in Fullerton. Dr. Zeedyk’s research is mainly focused on the social and behavior skills of youth with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities across the course of development. She is interested in understanding how behavior problems and social skills relate to social, mental health, and academic outcomes for these youth, as well as how these skills impact their parents’ psychological well-being. Recently, she has begun to study postsecondary outcomes for youth with ASD who attend college.

Dr. Zeedyk earned her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She later started her career working with children and families as a second grade teacher. She received her Master’s in Elementary Education from The George Washington University and her Ph.D. in Special Education from UC Riverside. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Child and Adolescent Services Research Center in the UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Zeedyk is currently a Center Investigator at the CSUF Center for Autism.

Connect with Sasha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-zeedyk-0245a3121/