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
Barry Sonnenfeld started work as director of photography on the Oscar-nominated In Our Water. Afterwards, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen hired him for Blood Simple. This sparked the continued collaboration with the Coen Bros., who used him for their next two pictures, Raising Arizona and Miller's Crossing. He also worked with Danny DeVito on his Throw Momma from the Train... read full bio
Aviva Drescher is know for her two season stint on Bravo's hit series, The Real Housewives of New York City. As the only born and raised New Yorker on the show's history, this 5'10 stunner is elegant, intelligent and educated. When Aviva was six years-old, she was in an accident at a friend's upstate New York dairy farm, which left... read full bio
Mike deGruy has been filming in and on the ocean for three decades. Hes almost as famous for his speaking and storytelling as he is for his glorious, intimate visions of the sea and the creatures that live in it. For the last several years, in addition to filmmaking, Mike deGruy has become a speaker, master of ceremonies and interviewer/moderator... read full bio
Kelly Killoren Bensimon, no longer the newest Housewife, is known as one of New York City's major tastemakers. The mother of two daughters, Kelly is a model, equestrian, author, editor, and designer. Her latest jewelry collection 'Kelly by Kelly Killoren Bensimon' has been selling out at Intermix boutiques across the country. In addition to her own show on Plum TV... read full bio
Jenni Pulos, an Emmy nominated producer, is best known for her role on Bravos hit show Flipping Out, where she serves as an Executive Assistant to Jeff Lewis and for her role on its spinoff, Interior Therapy. Jenni has worked for Jeff for more than thirteen years and is currently filming Flipping Out, now in its ninth season, also serving... read full bio
Trista Sutter was the runner-up on the first season of The Bachelor. She was then chosen as the very first Bachelorette. After finding love with California fireman Ryan Sutter, the pair got married on a special ABC broadcast watched by 26 million people. Trista went on to write a book, Happily Ever After: The Life-Changing Power of a Grateful Heart.... read full bio
The proprietor of an exclusive wedding boutique in Atlanta, Georgia, Lori Allen is a well-known name in the bridal market. She has become a cherished TV personality on the hit TLC programs Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta and Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids thanks to her captivating demeanor and competence. Soon after graduating from college, Lori made the audacious... read full bio
Renowned film director/ producer F. Gary Grays films have grossed over $1 billion, with work including the biopic Straight Outta Compton, The Italian Job, and the era-defining comedy, Friday. Straight Outta Compton, chronicling the rise of iconic rap group NWA, was No. 1 at the box office for an impressive three straight weeks. Next, he is directing the latest Fast... read full bio
Monte Durham is the fashion director at Bridals by Lori, the venue for the TV series Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. Lori Allen, the owner of Bridals by Lori, is Montes best friend. Known as a southern-style gentleman with a kind demeanor and charming sense of humor, Monte is an acclaimed bridal image consultant. Monte has been featured for... read full bio
Gretta Monahan is a globally renowned fashion expert, stylist, boutique/spa owner, author, and television personality. Gretta is featured on the TLC show Brides Gone Styled, on which she helps brides step out of their style comforts zones into dresses that highlight their beauty so they can shine on their wedding day. Gretta has done over a thousand makeovers, and... read full bio
Joel H. Cohen is a Canadian writer for shows that include, Saturday Night Live, Suddenly Susan, and The Simpsons. Cohen went to school at the University of Alberta where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. Joel is the brother of Robert Cohen, who also wrote an episode for The Simpsons. In addition to writing for television series, he has... read full bio
Brent Ridge is a former doctor and vice president for healthy living at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Ridge along with his husband founded Beekman 1802, a company that doubles as a green lifestyle and goat farm. The duo have gone on to land their own reality show entitled The Fabulous Beekman Boys which caused them to gain popularity. Ridge and... read full bio
Clint Harp is the founder of Harp Design Co., an author, woodworker, and has been seen on the television series “Fixer Upper” as the go-to carpenter for Chip and Joanna Gaines which led him to his own television series, “Wood Work”. Harp and his wife started Harp Design Co. as a means to recycle wood from buildings, trees, scrap, etc.... read full bio
