RE: CAREER
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION / AWARDS / ORGANIZATIONS
MEANINGFUL STORIES, L3C, February – June, 2022
Storytelling Strategist and Head of Production (consultant) for a new streaming service channel which will aggregate content of nonprofits to provide unprecedented reach to new audiences
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE, 2013 - 2022
Executive Producer for global humanitarian aid organization dedicated to helping people who have fled from conflict and natural disasters.
Created video unit from ground up including budget, structure, and creative strategy
In charge of all video content with products ranging from high production value fund-raising and marketing videos to social content and weekly news and field reports
Development, implementation, and management of award-winning initiatives such as World Refugee Day and Watchlist campaigns which increased visibility and revenue by at least 10% year over year
Created third party partnerships with organizations such as YouTube for World Refugee Day 2017—reaching more than 200 million worldwide
Responsible for traffic engagement, resulting in an 1000% increase on YouTube
Management of ever-expanding international roster of freelance production vendors
PBS/WNET, 2012 - 2013
Executive Producer/Producer/Writer, “American Graduate Day”, 9/22/2012, unprecedented seven hour live national outreach multi-platform event to raise awareness about the high school drop out crisis with anchors and journalists such as Juju Chang, Rehema Ellis, Maria Bartiromo, Ray Suarez, Rebecca Jarvis, Susie Gharib, Stone Phillips, and Bianna Golodryga. Developed new template for “American Graduate Day 2013”
Developed all content and format
Assembled and managed team
Managed all aspects from production to PR and promotion
Head writer
SAATCHI & SAATCHI, 2010-2012
Showrunner/Creative Consultant, for pet care clients. Executed brand vision and strategy across multiple platforms.
Defined editorial direction, supervised production company, and managed all client deliverables for “Eukanuba Extraordinary Dogs”, 13 x 30 global Branded Entertainment series on the science behind dog behavior. The series was a first for its time
Created additional digital content for the Eukanuba Facebook page
Conceptualized and instrumental in developing third party digital initiatives
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL, 2010
Producer/Writer, “Border Wars: Lost in the River”, series 2, ep 4, produced by NGTV
Created story arcs of border agents exploring the turbulent nature of a river as a border
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL, 2009
Executive Producer, Director/Co-Producer/Co-Writer, independent award-winning film, “Nature’s Greatest Defender”, profile of famed conservationist, Dr. George Schaller. Produced with The Really Interesting Picture Co.
Originated concept
Procured funding from NGC, NGTVI, ORF and The Panthera Foundation
Filming locations: Brazil, Rwanda, India, and Arctic
GAIAM, A Lifestyle Media Company, 2006-2008
Head of Original Programming, Created highly successful Wellness Media Division.
Executive Producer on a ten-part DVD retail series “Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions”
Initiated and negotiated partnership deal with The Mayo Clinic as content provider
Executive Produced other products such as a series on “Wellness with Dr. John Douillard” and “Strong Women with Dr. Miriam Nelson”
Instrumental in defining the creative direction of the online Yoga service with Rodney Yee and production of relevant media
E.I.C. for PBS Pledge show “Practical Power of Yoga”
DISCOVERY EDUCATION, 2006
Producer/Director/Writer, “Assignment Discovery: Careers in The Arts”, one episode of the series, produced by Tapestry International Productions.
Produced award-winning episode on young teens in the arts. Managed casting through post
COURT TV (currently named TruTV), 2003 - 2006
Executive Producer, Alternative and Original Programming, a start up division
Researched, developed, and managed multiple projects
Supervised all phases of development and production, working with Marketing, PR, Ad Sales, and programming.
A & E NETWORK, 2003
Producer/Director/Writer, “Peter Boyle, An Actor with Edge” “Biography” series, produced by CBS News Productions
RAINBOW MEDIA, 2001
Supervising Producer, “DESTINATION: NATURE”, VOD channel for “Mag Rack”, Rainbow Media’s VOD service
Conceptualized and supervised production of nature travel channel
TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, 1998 - 2001
Vice President Production, Executive Producer, “Wild! Life Adventures” international nature/adventure series, co-produced with The National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Productions
Directed all aspects from development through production and marketing/PR
Managed yearly budget of $6,000,000
Negotiated talent deals with celebrity hosts including Alicia Silverstone, Peter Fonda, and Jared Leto
TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, 1993 - 1999
Producer/Director/Writer, “Wild City” A “Wild!Life Adventure” with Isabella Rossellini exploring the wildlife in Central Park
Producer/Director, “The Hidden Zoo” One-hour special taking viewers behind the scenes of the National Zoo in Washington DC
Producer/Director/Writer, “Animal E.R.” One-hour special exploring the unique relationship between humans and animals at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Producer, “Idols of The Game, Part I” Two-hour biopic, profiling some of America’s greatest sports heroes: Jim Thorpe, Babe Ruth, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Arnold Palmer, and Mohammed Ali
Producer/Director, “Outlaws, Rebels and Rogues” One hour special on the legacy of the outlaw in the American West
MTV NETWORKS, INC., 1994 -1996
Supervising Producer, “Rockumentaries” and Creator and Series Producer of health show for teens “MTV Mega-Dose”, Producer/Director for News & Documentary Specials. Managed team of twenty to produce MTV’s top rated nonfiction programs
LIFETIME TELEVISION,1993
Development and Creative Consultant for morning and late-night programming
PBS, 1991-1992
Segment Producer, “Edge”, art/pop culture TV magazine, co-produced with BBC TV
WNET, 1990
Producer, “The Eleventh Hour”, half hour studio-based talk show with segment roll-ins
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION, New York Office, 1987 - 1990
Director/Producer, “Queen of Soul: Aretha Franklin”, Co-Pro with “American Masters,” PBS
Director, “The Apollo Story”, two-hour film for Arena
Producer/Reporter, “The Late Show”, “Behind the Beat”, “Reportage”, “Network East”, “Did You See”
Field Producer, “Breakfast Time”
EDUCATION
B.F.A., The Cooper Union, NYC, NY, Honors Graduate. Advanced film courses, NYU
AWARDS
Anthem Award (part of Webbys) 2021 – Gold in Awareness Categories, Best Strategy for Humanitarian Action & Services, “Refugees Are Courageous”
Anthem Award (part of Webbys) 2021 - Gold in Awareness Categories, Best Influencer Endorsement for Humanitarian Action & Services, “Leadership in Times of Crisis”
Webby Winner 2020 - Best Integrated Campaign (Judges and People's Choice) “Dear Refugees”
Shorty Social Good Winner 2019 - Best Multi-platform Campaign, “Dear Refugees”
Drum Social Purpose Winner 2019 - Best Integrated Marketing Campaign, “Dear Refugees”
Best in Nonprofit Campaign 2018, Refugee Resettlement, PRWeek
Gold Honor, Shorty Social Good Award 2017, Best business – NGO partnership for YouTube Campaign
Audience Award, Independent Film Festival of Boston 2017, “Zain’s Summer: From Refugee to American Boy”
Gold Medal in Society and Social Issues 2018 for "My Life Has Been Transformed" from New York Festival's World's Best TV & Films
Best Episode with a Social Theme 2015 for "Escaping Syria" from Social Good Awards by Cynopsis
Community Engagement Award 2013 from the NETA Awards which recognizes excellence in public broadcasting
Conservation Merit Award 2010 from International Wildlife Film Festival for “Nature’s Greatest Defender”
Children’s EMMY 2006, Assignment Discovery
ADDY Award 2006, NY for Urban Cat League campaign co-created with Y & R Advertising Agency
Commendation Award from the Genesis Award 1999, 2001, “Wild!Life Adventures”
Cine Golden Eagle; Int. Wildlife Film Festival, 1999 Best of in Environment for “Wild City”
ORGANIZATIONS
Member of PGA, NATAS
Co-founder Urban Cat League, nonprofit animal rescue group