MENTORSHIP | Womenwednesday

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We are excited to announce our new mentorship program for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) seeking the executive, producer, or representation track of the industry. This program is a Women Wednesday initiative but is open to BIPOC mentees of all gender identities.

Together, we can change the decision makers of Hollywood. From the Greenlight Committee to the Producers to the Representatives, let’s build the next geneneration of Hollywood.

The Mission

The BIPOC Next Gen Mentorship Program in association with Women Wednesday seeks to bolster Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) of all genders in the decision-making rooms of our industry. We want to focus on the people who will one day make the decision about who gets to make their art: the executives, producers, agents, and managers in film, television, and theater. We will match a BIPOC rising college senior or someone of any age recently entering the industry who is interested in development, production, or representation, with mentors of any identity who have been in the industry between 3 and 6 years. Mentors will serve as an ally and will ensure that their mentee is set up and equipped to succeed in this industry long term.

MEET OUR STEERING COMMITTEE

This program has been made possible through the combined effort and collaboration of our steering committee. As a committee, we will serve as a resource to all mentees and mentors to ensure that mentees are getting the most out of this program and that mentors have resources if they need it. Throughout the year, our steering committee will also provide occasional speakers and web seminars to offer additional tools and tips to succeeding and moving up in our own fields. Our steering committee includes people in both LA and New York.

Carly Kleinbart

is currently the Director of Development for Feature Films at Mandeville. Prior to joining Mandeville in 2019, Carly began her career at WME in the Motion Picture Literary and Business Affairs Department before moving into Development and Production at Pascal Pictures. She founded Women Wednesday and currently runs the Los Angeles chapter.

Gaby McCormick

is currently a Director of Development in Feature Films at Mandeville after working in production and development at Universal Pictures. Prior to her work in feature development, she began her career at WME working in both the Motion Picture Talent and Literary Departments during her tenure.

Bola Fapohunda

is currently a Creative Executive at Color Force. She’s had many jobs in her 6 years in the industry, but her most recent job was working on the Development Department team at Apple.

Halle Mariner

is currently an Agent in the Scripted Literary Department at APA. Previously, she worked in film sales for Shoreline Entertainment and Preferred Content. As a honoree of Colour Associates 2019 Next Up List, Halle’s goal is to advocate for writers and directors who are underrepresented in the film world.

Kaveh Veyssi

is a Creative Executive in Feature Films at Sugar23, a film and TV production company based in LA. He previously worked in film development at Sony Pictures after receiving his M.F.A. from USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program.

Ryan Lucas

is the Coordinator in UTA's Theatre Department. Outside of work, Ryan spends his time mentoring for Big Brother Big Sister, and worshipping Toni Morisson. Ryan was born and raised in the Chicagoland area, and a proud alum of The University of Michigan.

Lizzie Frieder

is currently a Development and Production Coordinator for Tina Fey's production company, Little Stranger. She previously worked in LA at United Talent Agency in the MP Talent department. She also runs the New York chapter of Women Wednesday.

Gabby Shepard

is currently a Creative Executive for feature film and television at Plan B Entertainment. She earned an MFA in Film and Television Producing at Chapman University after studying English Literature with a concentration in Africana Studies at Agnes Scott College. Gabby began her career at WME in the Motion Picture and Television departments.

Ali Bahrynian

is the Director of Development and Production at QC Entertainment. Previously she was a Motion Picture Literary Agent at WME. She worked her way up at WME, starting in the mailroom and working for various agents before becoming coordinator and getting promoted to agent.

Kate Oh

is currently assisting the Head of Original Drama Serier as HBO Max. Previously she supported two Talent and Literary Manager/ Producers at Anonymous Content and had her start in the industry at CAA in their Entertainment Marketing Department.

Maddie Breeland

is currently the Director of Development at Anvil Pictures. Prior to that she was a Development Coordinator in Live Action Features at Walt Disney Studios. She previously worked at Fox 2000 after she graduated from Emerson College. She’s also a passionate Diversity & Inclusion advocate and Group Fitness Instructor/Trainer.