Jennie is a Producer and Production Executive who has worked on such films as Napoleon Dynamite, Juno, and Harold and Kumar. She has also done a lot of work in digital content with PopSugar, Mattel and Lionsgate.
We talked about this new world of branded content, monetizing web content, and being your own advocate. And she has an announcement.
Taj is the VP of Documentary Films at Logo. She is an award-winning producer, writer and filmmaker. As one of few Black and openly LGBT film executives, Taj proudly stands on the front lines of diversity and representation.
She started on Wall Street and became a filmmaker and executive. Along the way she produced films, ran Forrest Whittaker’s company, wrote and sold a pilot, traveled, worked as a production executive, served on the Board for Outfest, and became a yoga teacher. As you do.
And from her bio, which I cannot state better: Taj interests lie at the intersections of art and social change. Her journey is filled with life lessons that cannot be confined to the boxes of gender, race and sexual orientation. She hopes her work will continue to shape the conversation around the kinds of stories we tell and that those stories become a tool for greater cultural understanding and cohesion.
We talked about loaves and fishes, redefining masculinity, and your gut perception of a woman as competent. And can we replace "minority" with "underrepresented?"
Kelli Konop is the EVP of Physical Production at Good Universe. Kelli jumped into this industry as a producer. Mostly because she read a book and knew she could. And she did. (Lean in, sisters!) Her credits include: Juno, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, the Harold and Kumar series, Whip It, The Switch...just to scrape the surface. She has produced all over the world and learned it all on the job - with the help of Lisa. Everyone needs a Lisa.
She also has a great story about becoming a mother.
Speaking of stories, she has some great Tales from the Trenches. Coming soon...
Lia is the COO of the newly formed company, Topspin Content. She is also the former SVP of Production at Discovery Studios. She steadily worked her way up in the business, learned how to negotiate on her own behalf, and recently took a giant leap of faith. And she did it while raising twins. No easy task.
We talked about her journey, the benefits of coming from a long line of badass women, and how most things circle back to the need to be liked. And this: She who is brave is free. That one got me. Tattoo worthy, don’t you think?