Jessie Graff is an American professional stuntwoman and television personality who gained fame after competing on the obstacle course show “American Ninja Warrior”. Graff was born in New York City, New York and by the time she was only six years old, she started taking circus classes. This led to her training and competing in gymnastics where she was a... read full bio
Dawn Porter is an attorney and filmmaker who is the founder of the production company, Trilogy Films. Porter has earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law School and is a trained attorney but moved her sights to filmmaking after working as an executive director for several films. As a producer, Porter has executive produced “Terra Antarctica, Re-Discovering the Seventh... read full bio
Reed Timmer is an American meteorologist and storm chase who is best known for his work with Discovery Channel reality series “Storm Chasers.” Timmer was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he found his love for weather at a young age after witnessing a severe thunderstorm. He went on to study meteorology at the University of Oklahoma and during that... read full bio
Linda Woolverton is an American writer who has penned some of the most critically acclaimed Disney films, as well as stage musicals. Linda was the first woman to write an animated feature, the legendary Beauty and the Beast. She’s a screenwriter, novelist, and playwright. Linda went to California State University in Long Beach, where she got a Bachelor of Fine... read full bio
Amy Schneider is the eleventh highest earning contestant of all time on Jeopardy!, for which she won 40 consecutive games from November 2021 to January 2022. This is the second longest win streak in the show’s history. That means she’s only beat by Ken Jennings, who has a streak of 74 straight games and has reached a sort of legendary... read full bio
In keynote speeches and discussions catered to each group, award-winning author, filmmaker and activist Marra B. Gad shares profound ideas on belonging, overcoming bias and finding unity. Gad is the author of THE COLOR OF LOVE: A Story of a Mixed-Race Jewish Girl, a moving autobiography that won the Midwest Book Award for autobiography and describes her journey as a transracial adoptee.... read full bio
The highly renowned American film producer, business pioneer, and novelist Howard Winchel "Hawk" Koch Jr. He has had an amazing career spanning several decades and has significantly impacted the film industry. Hawk Koch has held prestigious roles in the movie business, including president of the Producers Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His leadership and... read full bio
Working with his father Mike Holmes as a crew member on the popular TV show Holmes on Homes® gave Mike Holmes Jr. the opportunity to gain an education of a lifetime. Today, Mike Holmes Jr. is a professional contractor, television host, public speaker, educator and champion for healthy homes. Since that time, Mike Jr. has worked on Holmes in New Orleans, Holmes... read full bio
Director Jason Reitman, who was nominated for an Oscar, has made a name for himself as a unique, astute, and humorous storyteller who is well-known for his spot-on social commentary. Up in the Air, directed by Reitman, received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. George Clooney and Vera Farmiga are the main stars of the Reitman-written and -directed movie.... read full bio
Famie opened his own restaurant which was called Les Auteurs: an American Bistro, and in the same year was recognized in Food & Wine magazine. Famie and his VEP team have produced a wide range of primetime programs, in what has been referred to as the most important documentaries ever made. The programs delve into the stories of Detroit immigrants... read full bio
Doug Ellin, Creator and Executive Producer of Entourage moved to Hollywood from his native New York in 1990 to become a stand-up comedian. While working the circuit at comedy club mainstays including The Improv and The Comedy Store, Ellin took a position in the mailroom of New Line Cinema. It was through this connection to New Line Production Head, Michael... read full bio
Jamie Durie is one of the most well-renowned and sought-after landscape artists in the world, with a client roster that includes A-list celebrities and five-star hotels. As host of HGTV 's The Outdoor Room, Durie takes on tough projects with his demand for perfection. He also hosts PBS' series Victory Garden, where his background as a qualified horticulturist helps viewers... read full bio
Matthew Luhn is a renowned storyteller, educator, keynote speaker, and story consultant who has had a long-lasting impact on the motion picture business. He has inspired and trained experts in the technique of presenting gripping stories due to his passion for storytelling. Throughout his illustrious career, Matthew Luhn has trained CEOs, directors, and many others in the craft of storytelling for... read full bio
"Especially well known for his time on the hit TV show Say Yes To The Dress, Randy Fenoli works as the fashion director for Klienfield Bridal, a wedding dress store in New York. Randy’s love for fashion started at an early age. He learned how to sew at the young age of 9 years old. Later in life, he... read full bio
jD Shapiro is an award winning writer/director. He has sold over a dozen screenplays to almost every major studio, including Warner Brothers, Walt Disney, New Line, Miramax, and Twentieth Century Fox. He served as a creative consult on several movies that became major blockbusters. He's had TV deals with Fox, Big ticket and Spelling Entertainment. He... read full bio
Grace Helbig is a television and YouTube personality. She got her start as creator and host of the YouTube channel ‘it’sGrace’ along with podcast ‘Not Too Deep with Grace Helbig’. Her success with these channels led her to hosting My Damn Channel web series ‘Daily Grace’, act as a correspondent on G4 network tech series ‘Attach of the Show!’, act... read full bio
Amanda Seales is beyond a triple threat- she is a comedian, actress, content creator, and more. Her comedic lectures bring to light current issues- from sexism, to police brutality- Seales is a professional at making her lectures relatable. Her experience includes starring on FOX’s “Empire” Aftershow, directing, writing, creating, and starring in series “Get Your Life”, HBO’s “Insecure”, is the... read full bio
Candace Helson is a pastry chef and Food Network judge for series “Cupcake Wars” and “Sugar Rush”. Her store, ‘Sprinkles Cupcakes’, is noted for spurring a nationwide cupcake craze. Helson started baking at a young age. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Tante Marie’s Professional Pastry Program in San Francisco. Helson’s sophisticated take on the cupcake led her... read full bio
Louie Schwartzberg is an American film director and cinematographer from Brooklyn, New York. Schwartzberg is known for being the only cinematographer in the world who has shot time-lapse films 24 hours a day, 7 days a week continuously for decades. Schwartzberg’s work focuses on humans and their connections with nature and the environment. Some of Schwartzberg’s most recent work includes... read full bio
Mark Randolph Osborne is a New Jersey native who grew up in Woodstock, New Jersey. He studied Foundation Art at Pratt Institute in New York before he went on to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Experimental Animation at the California Institute of the Arts. His thesis, a film called Greener, went on to win many different awards... read full bio
