PROGRAM DIRECTOR, MENTOR AND BOARD MEMBER

Kassi Crews is an entertainment industry veteran and a consummate storyteller. She is a versatile & accomplished actor with a rich background in film, television, improvisation, stand-up comedy, and theatre. Crews was the youngest executive delivering SLAs worldwide for Canon Films with Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone.

She became an industry leader in Hollywood post-production as the Vice President of Digital Jungle where she oversaw the day-to-day operations and served as producer on an endless list of film and television projects. Most recently, Crews lead multiple post-production teams at Fox and Walt Disney Television, overseeing the workflows of all television for FX Networks including "The Americans," “Fargo" and “Pose" as well as a DI Producer for Apple, Netflix, CBS, CW, Starz & Paramount. She has produced and directed a variety of critically acclaimed independent projects, “Broken Memories,” Heart of Recovery”, “God’s Ears” and “A Better Place” as well as live shows for the theater. She is a member of ATAS, NAB, NAPTE, PROMAX and SAG; holds a Master of Arts from CSU Fullerton and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from UC Santa Cruz. 

MENTOR, INSTRUCTOR AND BOARD MEMBER

Joel’s musical talents developed at an early age and he continues to play keyboards with a longtime band for recreation. In Joel’s early career he began helping people as a vocational nurse focused in rehabilitation. He discovered his computer savvy soon led him to earn an engineering degree where his proficiency excelled in CAD engineering, programming, diagnostics calibration, infrastructure and security for multiple corporations.

Soon his extensive background in various academic studies and professional pursuits led him to lead a team in commercial property management which is still part of his diverse portfolio offering a robust skill set in conjunction with an unwavering work ethic which transitions seamlessly between projects and environments in marketing, customer relations, sales, logistics, growth strategies, project development, team building and adaptability.

Ross has an MBA with an unwavering work ethic and an extensive track record of success with a combination of positive attitude, tireless drive and commitment to the team functioning effectively individually as well as collaboratively based on integrity and personal responsibility.

MENTOR, INSTUCTOR AND BOARD MEMBER

Chuck is a lifelong musician and music producer who plays all instruments with a focus on guitar, bass and keyboards as well as sings.  He toured the world at a young age and found corporate finance was a more lucrative business until he found his true calling as a finishing editor for all the studios and networks. His finishing editing career spans over 30 years in technical online, color correction, creative editorial, VFX compositing and audio sweetening for promos, trailers, features, tv, social media and commercials.  He has multi-awards for his contributions and is a member of SMPTE.

His expertise in DaVinci Resolve, Flame, Avid and Pro Tools sets him up to be the perfect person to shepherd in the youth to understand the plethora of career opportunities as well as to mentor and instruct the entertainment technical classes to share his incredible knowledge of workflows that are at the core of this profession while platforms will continue to change.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

With over 19 years of marketing and public relations experience, W. Jason Grimley has helped promote CEOs, pharma gurus, philanthropists, authors, filmmakers, actors, Oscar-winning directors, FX artists, and a celebrity chef. Jason is an expert in media training, media relations, crisis communications, CEO or personality reputation management and event communications. As a PR consultant, he has placed influential stories featuring his clients in major media outlets that include The New York Times, NPR, Bloomberg Radio and CNN. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Rowan University.

Jason has a background in the performing arts with experience in improv, sketch, storytelling, stand-up comedy and theater. He has delighted (and sometimes disappointed) audiences all over the US. Comedy appearances include the Chicago Improv Festival, the Philadelphia Comedy Awards, and the Del Close Marathon. As an instructor at the Philly Improv Theater, he helped develop the curriculum and performed regularly. Nominated for an LA Weekly Theater Award for his work in When Tigers Smoked Long Pipes (written by The Walking Dead executive producer, Angela Kang).

MENTOR AND INSTRUCTOR

Christopher is as passionate for the broadcast industry as he is experienced. For over two decades, he has worked tirelessly as a quality control consultant to ensure error-free broadcast content for companies like Hallmark Channel, Comcast, CBS Studio City, Sony Studios, Fox Studios, TVG Network and Disney.  In addition to quality control, Redd has served as an operations manager, studio engineer and editor.

He prides himself on staying well versed in the ever-changing principles of Postproduction and Broadcast technologies and possesses the to work in an efficiently high-pressure live environment while maintaining an emphasis on quality and professionalism. He supports studio and live events through all phases of creation from reception to transmission ensuring all operational goals are met.

His training includes certifications in editing an post production software including Avid, Premiere editing software, Blackmagic Fusion and Davinci Resolve. Furthermore, Redd has certified training from Disney, EVS Broadcast Equipment, Seachange. Redd has completed professional programs from the Columbia School of Broadcasting and Weynard School of Video.

ADVISOR AND INSTRUCTOR

Melanie began working in healthcare in 2005 following a career in film/television post-production, inspired to make a difference in the lives of those in need by working with patients facing health challenges. She has been a licensed RN in California since 2013.

Melanie is passionate about education and has earned a BSN, BS in Kinesiology, and an ADN in Registered Nursing. Recognizing the life-changing effects of love, support, healing, and personal growth in her own journey, she is committed to working with the Our Common Unity to empower individuals in need to transform their lives through support, healing, and education – building strong, healthy, integrated communities along the way.

ADVISOR AND INSTRUCTOR

Born in Hoboken, NJ and raised in both The Bronx, NY and Puerto Rico, Abe Lopez is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran serving from 2005-2016. He was deployed overseas to Kuwait and also served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Endurance Freedom. He has received multiple Army commendations and achievement medals. 

He is married to a beautiful woman, Mileny an incredible mother and wife. Together they have three amazing children: Abe Jr., Aleny and Alany. His passion to bring family values back to the core of our culture shows in his commitment to them.

He is a multi-talented artist with focus in writing, acting and modeling. Abe has over 18 acting credits on IMDB as his career blossoms. He has four published books, two novels and two children's books.  Additionally, Mr. Lopez is an entrepreneur business owner branding his merchandise line LATINO AVE where fashion meets practically!

ADVISOR

Arielle is a published author and philanthropist. Over the last decade has worked on a diverse range of projects from charity galas to fundraisers to pop-ups with a focus on youth empowerment, homelessness, or mental well-being. As well as hosting the annual Global Youth Awards. 

She is also certified suicide Intervention coach. Recently, the Office Manager for SB Projects, a diversified entertainment and media company embedded in social impact and with the goal of inspiring the next generation. She is also the Founder of Mindful Living, where she uses social media to encourage corporations to integrate mindful practices in their everyday workflow as well incorporating sustainability in the office. 

ADVISOR

Raul speaks 4 languages, Spanish, English, French and Italian. He received his college degree in Argentina with a major in Finance working in the insurance industry before he became a professional rugby player for the Roma Rugby Club. After which he moved to the United States where he worked as an executive assistant for a legal firm, then transferred into hotel management, and acquired his realtor license focusing on commercial and international real-estate ventures.

Because of his love of travel, people and finances Raul developed strong relationships with international companies from USA, South/Central America, Europe, Oceania, Middle East, Asia and investors building businesses throughout the world. His success comes from focusing on being proactive with a strategic vision in training and developing individuals and teams to perform at their full potential with family values always at his core.