Christina is a producer and co-founder of FilmUp (www.filmup.co), an inclusive digital platform where thousands of filmmakers go to connect, collaborate, and create. Prior to founding FilmUp, Christina was the Production Manager at Jay-Z’s full-service multimedia company, Scheme Engine. She was responsible for overseeing the end-to-end production process working for clients such as Apple, Adidas, Google and more. While producing a wide array of projects ranging from music videos to feature films, she found her personal mission: to create films that make a profound positive impact and ultimately leave the world a little better than she found it.
Founder of Audacious Philanthropy, Friedman advises philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, and impact investors on achieving the greatest value from their philanthropic resources. Friedman formerly served for 15 years as VP, Business and Legal Affairs at Saban Capital Group, counseling an affiliated group of public and private entities comprised of private equity and venture capital investment companies, private foundations, and a family office. Friedman maintains an active pro-bono practice, serving on the board of a number of nonprofits.
Aryeh is an entrepreneur in his own right. He has consulted with many startups in film and media, medical technology, and finance enterprise solution technology. He began his career as a Director for Channel G, a non-profit media company. He then served as Head of Business Development for Monitor Health, a medical resource company and has extensive experience with sales in the education technology space. Building upon his prior experience in media, business management, and motivated by his love of film, Aryeh co-founded FilmUp (www.filmup.co) to make the film industry a more inclusive and prosperous place for filmmakers around the world. His personal interest is to use his ambition and drive to solve some of the world’s toughest problems and help others to achieve their greatness.
Working at the intersection of the Entertainment and Technology, Klinenberg has 30 years experience in Operations and Finance management. Klinenberg’s experience spans from the introduction of interactive technology at Chiat/Day Advertising, to running agencies supporting major studios’ launch of DVD, Blu-ray, and mobile content. Steve Klinenberg is a strong supporter of charities working on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Diabetes and Autism and was also the co-founder and Executive Director of the National Association of College Broadcasters.
Wendy Kurtzman is an Emmy-nominated casting director who has helped launch the careers of many well-known actors including such notables as Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey and Evan Rachel Wood. She has more than 30 years of experience in feature films, movies for television, mini-series, and theater. Ms. Kurtzman has worked with many distinguished directors such as Paul Schrader, Diane Keaton, Sally Field, and Roland Emmerich, for whom she cast the blockbuster Independence Day. Prior, she was a casting executive at Lifetime and NBC. She began her career as an actress in musical theater and graduated with a degree in theater from UCLA.
As Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary, first black Dean of any Episcopal Seminary, Bill and Judith Moyers Professor of Theology at Union Theological Seminary, Canon theologian at Washington National Cathedral, widely published nationally and internally nationally, sought after speaker, lecturer. Author of several books in the field of womanist theology, racial reconciliation, social justice and sexuality and the Black church. Her books include the widely used book Sexuality and The Black Church: A Womanist Perspective (1999) the first to address the issue of homophobia within the black church, Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (2015), and her most recent Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter which was recently announced as the 2023 Grawemeyer Award winner one of the most prestigious prizes in religion.
As Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary, first black Dean of any Episcopal Seminary, Bill and Judith Moyers Professor of Theology at Union Theological Seminary, Canon theologian at Washington National Cathedral, widely published nationally and internally nationally, sought after speaker, lecturer. Author of several books in the field of womanist theology, racial reconciliation, social justice and sexuality and the Black church. Her books include the widely used book Sexuality and The Black Church: A Womanist Perspective (1999) the first to address the issue of homophobia within the black church, Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (2015), and her most recent Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter which was recently announced as the 2023 Grawemeyer Award winner one of the most prestigious prizes in religion.
A voracious reader and former practicing attorney, Ellen Lowey has a proven eye for identifying entertaining and impactful content, as evidenced in the books PhilmCo is developing into features and series. Her tenacious attention and uplifting perspectives and ideas have enabled PhilmCo to close our deals with agents, managers and talent. With more than twenty years of experience as a skilled fundraiser and project manager, Lowey is deeply involved in community and non-profit work, primarily in the world of education, youth development, health, and equality. Lowey serves as an activist, board member, fundraiser, and volunteer for a number of philanthropic and charitable organizations.
Dawn C. Mallory is a big picture thinker who has honed her creative skills over 20 years. She Co-Produced the award winning “Family Reunion”, a Netflix original sitcom. She is currently a Development Executive with PhilmCo Media exploring her passion for social impact film and television projects.
Dawn uses her collaborative leadership talents to help writers and directors break through and move toward their project vision. A NJ native, Dawn is a graduate of West Virginia University, and holds her Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall Law School.
Jackson Prince grew up "on location" as the only child of an actress and a showrunner. He graduated from Duke University in May 2019, where he explored passions for film and television, straight-plays and musical theatre, journalism and documentary. He also prioritized giving back to his community through the connective power of the arts. Jackson’s time is currently split between his role at PhilmCo as a researcher / consultant / producer / dutiful son to the President, and his own creative development as a writer, director, journalist, and actor.
A Hollywood hyphenate, Prince has written/produced/ directed over 250 television episodes, TV movies, and feature films including his Emmy-winning NBC drama American Dreams. Prince’s groundbreaking work in branded integration includes unique partnerships with Ford, GM, Campbell’s Soup, Walmart, Clorox and Facebook. Prince’s philanthropic passions have always been children and public education, serving on numerous nonprofit boards and co-founding the Water Buffalo Club.
Ric Robertson’s three-decades+ career at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, primarily leading day-to-day operations, gives him unparalleled insights into the inner workings of the entertainment industry. Notably, there aren’t many leadership, communications or management challenges he hasn’t faced and dealt with effectively. Respected by top figures – and the rank-and-file – in the entertainment business, Ric has insights that produce the desired results. In 2015, he partnered with veteran entertainment journalist and PR executive Jonathan Taylor to form Robertson Taylor Partners. Their complementary blend of experience and skills provides PhilmCo much-needed counsel and guidance. Through PhilmCo, Ric is able to continue his commitment to public education, social justice and the lives of our nation’s military veterans.
Respected serial pro-social entrepreneur, Samuelson has produced 26 motion pictures and founded five impactful charities including Starlight Children’s Foundation, delivering happiness to seriously ill kids, First Star, supporting foster youth transitioning to higher education, and EDAR, providing mobile shelters for the homeless population. Samuelson’s films include The Return of the Pink Panther, Revenge of the Nerds, Tom & Viv, Wilde, Arlington Road. He served on the founding Board of Participant Media for seven years.
Jonathan Taylor had a 20+ year career in entertainment journalism, with senior positions at the LA Times, Variety and Deadline.com, followed by a successful PR career, including VP of Publicity and Corporate Communications at Starz Entertainment. He brings a strategic vision and skill for finding and creating opportunities in frequently unexpected ways. In 2015, Jonathan partnered with longtime Motion Picture Academy senior executive Ric Robertson to form Robertson Taylor Partners. Their complementary blend of experience and skills provides PhilmCo and other clients with vital counsel and guidance. With the launch of PhilmCo, Jonathan is pursuing his passions for fostering education, racial and ethnic justice, full inclusion in all aspects of society and preserving and healing our planet.
Over her 30+ year career since graduating from Harvard University, Diane has worked as a studio executive, production company executive and producer of critically acclaimed film and television. Because of her ability to discover, develop and curate exceptional “raw materials,” a majority of Diane’s projects are based on underlying IP. They encompass all genres and most are based on true stories that shift the paradigm. As a producer, she focuses on diversity, transformational stories and ordinary people overcoming insurmountable odds. Diane is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, BAFTA and the Producers Guild of America. Her philanthropic interests include: arts education, youth development, diversity/inclusion, climate change and global health. She serves on the ADTC Health Board, Documenting Hope Board and is Vice President of the Harvardwood Board.
Lucy Golub graduated (from her bedroom) from Harvard in 2020, where she studied Social Studies and Theater, Dance, and Media. On campus, she could typically be found in an audience of a musical, in the rehearsal room, or teaching theater to kids in Boston. Since graduating, she’s worked on the Freedom Fundraiser Collective, a network of artists and activists that empowers creative voices to mobilize, organize, and fundraise for Black queer and trans liberation and all intersecting political projects, and at the American Repertory Theater helping with their online events. A NYC Native, Lucy is excited to translate her theatrical experience into more accessible film with a mission at PhilmCo.
Joshua Montrel is an alumnus of Howard University, where he studied Political Science and Film. He is also a current graduate student at Tulane University. He has great passions for storytelling in all its mediums and a great passion for public service. He aspires to become a filmmaker that develops socially conscious albeit entertaining and accessible projects that can connect with a wide audience… which is why he calls working at at PhilmCo “a great privilege” that not only develops him as a storyteller, but also teaches him how to make the greatest social impact with his work.
Having studied both Film and Anthropology at Washington University in Saint Louis, Andrew Fleck has a demonstrated interest in people focused storytelling. With a passion for all things film and television, Andrew is working his way towards writing and producing content for an ever-changing media landscape. He is a stand-up comedy fanatic and spends a large portion of his free time in New York’s comedy clubs. Fleck has contributed to numerous nonprofits, including helping organize an annual ALS benefit, as well as tutoring in underprivileged communities. He hopes to make the world a better place through storytelling and believes entertainment forges common ground.
Brett Austin Johnson (he/him) is a multifaceted content creator who never lets the grass grow under his feet. Walking a “tightrope” between content development and performance his career spans over two decades in the entertainment industry. Beginning as a child actor in 1999, Johnson grew up watching the storytelling industry learn, change, and evolve. Before college, he lived between parents in Harlem, NYC and D.C. This offered diverse engagement with both non-profit organizations and federal agencies. As a 2020 graduate of Morehouse College, Johnson is passionate about creating even more space for LGBTQ+ youth. Brett Austin Johnson is aware of the privilege that is serving others through storytelling.