Portraits of Hollywood

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Hollywood.

Peachanda DuBose

My struggles have varied from extreme periods of homelessness, my strong convictions regarding social issues, in a world (where difference of insight) is not allowed or supported…to industry gatekeeping, mainstream dominance and the over saturation of independent filmmakers, with substandard quality and mass production. Read more>>

Arie Guo

I’m thankful that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse came out at that time. The film showed me the new possibilities in animation with its groundbreaking visuals, and the artists who worked on this film showed their passion for art as well, which reignited my passion for pursuing artistic dreams in the animation industry. Read more>>

Alan Zak

I’m a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and host of The Midnight Bar, a comedy podcast series. I was born and raised in West Hollywood, California. My family’s Ukrainian heritage shaped me. For most of my childhood, I was seen as the underdog; this perception came from my friends, role models, and peers. When dealing with this treatment, it gave me the sensation that I was being pushed out of social circles, which was my first indication that I was meant to follow my own path. Read more>>

Sara Carpenter

The answer, of course, was yes and that single question opened my world to infinite possibilities. I wrote a small book of poetry titled Stretching Small in partnership with Not A Cult Publishing (available everywhere books are sold). I began writing and sharing short films, proof-of-concepts, anything that felt like a story I had to tell. It was at that cafe that I also met my business partner and best friend, Tess Sullivan. Read more>>

Lillian Elliott

I have always loved stories.  Ever since I was a kid, my go-to place to find comfort was in books, music and movies.  I felt less alone reading/listening to others going through the same emotional struggles I did, whether they were real people or fictional characters.  Whenever I thought about what I wanted to do with my life, the answer was a given.  I wanted to give other people that same sense of peace, that same escape from loneliness.  So I decided to be a writer. Read more>>

Ron Blakely

Sure thing! My name is Ron Blakely. I’m a musical artist and singer-songwriter born and raised in Southern California. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is being 7 years old, belting the chorus of “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes alone in my room — over and over, because it was the only part I remembered — until my sister walked in on me and I stopped immediately out of embarrassment. I was incredibly shy as a kid, so looking back, I think singing was a therapeutic outlet for me, a way to express emotions I didn’t yet have the language for. Read more>>

Laura Wilhelm

My Hollywood publishers have always supported the talents that were supposed to have stayed in academia. I actually like being able to see short burn results and mingle with international celebrities rather than fight against time and space in the field of Russian literature where I started off. My international interests are at least as well served this way if not much more so since I work on projects from all over the world. Read more>>

Sara Banerjee

My path has never been linear, but it has always been rooted in a desire to understand people and to help them feel more connected to themselves. While many people first came to know me through my acting work, fitness has been an equally meaningful part of my life. I initially turned to training because it offered the flexibility I needed while auditioning, and it helped me stay physically prepared for the demands of my roles. Read more>>

Tim Ratcliff

During that time, his other business partner could not be in the US and was in Japan, he called me and asked to borrow some money, and I said yes not knowing what was going on. I then looked into everything and talked to the owner Takashi, and we decided it would be best for me to take over. We renamed the Restaurant to Shin Ramen in October of 2014. Read more>>

Aaniya Symone Hutchins

I write and perform my own music and plan to share my writing talents with upcoming and rising artist of today. I have been inspired by music since I was three years of age. I was born in Dallas, Texas.  I moved to Southern, California in 2014 at the age of twelve. I started writing my own music and rapping to different tunes at an early age. I have written over ten songs including the theme song (Don’t Embarrass Me), for the Netflix series starring Jamie Foxx called, “Dad Stop Embarrassing Me”. My goal is to release my own EP. Read more>>

Samuel C. Spitale

I began my professional career at Lucasfilm, where I grew from an assistant to coordinator to manager to eventually Senior Manager of Global Product Development, managing worldwide Star Wars and Indiana Jones collectibles. I also wrote for Star Wars Insider, doing quirky celebrity interviews and updates about the latest Star Wars products. Read more>>

Jericho Hatch

Eventually, I made the decision to fully pursue magic as a career. I built my brand, Jericho the Magnifico, from the ground up—performing at private events, corporate parties, weddings, and anywhere I could bring people joy. The more I performed, the more confident I became, and the more I saw the impact I could have on people. What began as a shy kid’s escape evolved into a professional career that now supports my family and gives me direction and purpose. Read more>>

Nora Bratteng Doench

I come from Storsteinnes, a cozy little town located way up in the northern part of Norway, where in the summers we have 24 hours of daylight and in the winter 24 hours of darkness. During the winter months, the sky fills itself with the glow of the green Northern Lights, and in the summer, when the sun lights the surroundings, one gets to enjoy the majestic mountains and fjords.
As a child growing up, I found myself gravitating towards anything artistic. Read more>>

Terrence Franklin

I was born in Chicago, but have lived in Los Angeles since I moved here after graduation from Harvard Law School in 1989 to join a big law firm. After a few years, I left the big firm for a smaller one specializing in trust and estate litigation. That means I help people fight in court over money and property held in trusts, or transferred on death by wills. Because of the high hourly rates, our firm can only work on cases involving disputes of substantial size (multiple millions of dollars.) When we challenge the validity of will in court, we call it a will contest. Read more>>

Kinnedy Storay

Those music video days eventually transitioned into full features. I taught myself editing, producing, screenwriting—everything I needed to take an idea from concept to completion. Over time, directing became my primary passion, and I went from shooting YouTube content to releasing multiple full-length films on major platforms. Read more>>

Valentina Martelli

Very early on, I understood that storytelling wasn’t just about reporting facts, it was about creating connection, opening doors, and giving people a reason to care. More than twenty years ago, I moved to Los Angeles first because of love, and then because I felt ready to challenge myself in a new world. That transition placed me right at the intersection of two cultures: Italian creativity and the global entertainment industry. It wasn’t always easy, but it pushed me to grow, reinvent myself, and think bigger. Read more>>

Blake Ridder

I did not grow up in filmmaking. I worked in a regular job for years until I hit a point where I realised I was building someone else’s dream and leaving my own untouched. I bought a cheap camera, shot a short film on weekends, and that small project changed everything. The moment I saw how an idea in my head could turn into something real, I decided to burn the safety net and go all in. Read more>>

Nargis Bahaduri

Growing up in an Afghan household, traditional career paths were often emphasized, and the world of social media, especially talent management, felt far outside the norm. Pursuing a career in such a new and unconventional industry wasn’t something I ever saw modeled around me. Yet, that upbringing combined with being raised by a strong, single mother taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community, all qualities that have shaped me into the manager I am today. Read more>>

Antalina Fed

I began my career in the financial world and later transitioned into global show business, working with celebrities and large-scale creative projects. This journey led me into the field of psychology, where I started exploring narrative design and developing immersive scripts that blend emotional depth with artistic expression. Read more>>

Joao Bosco

Keeping my business in London floating have been difficult . To manage a business from a distance is hard. But luckily I have a great team which I trust and count on – they are the best and I’m so lucky for having them working with me Read more>>

John Kayacan

Hello! My name is John Kayacan, I am a photographer based in Los Angeles. I have an extensive background in both documentary and fine art photography, which I have used in my own professional work. I use a documentary approach when capturing my client’s special day. Read more>>

Clare Margaret Donovan

I am a huge fan and lover of all things I see in this realm and otherwise)…I just think there should be room for new blood as well! We shouldn’t be scared to give opportunities to actors without huge credits or writers with brand new ideas. The paradox of having to be successful already to find success is a killer and I think we need to be brave as a community of artists to overcome that. Perhaps true independent filmmaking will have a huge surge? Can we all get behind that? I’m in!! Read more>>

Wellie Jackson

I was a Comedian with $2,500 in my account. All those years of people telling me I should do comedy, Well were about to see. fast forward Ive performed across North America including venues like; Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, and The Hard Rock Arena in Miami. I just wrapped on my first starring role in a movie called “Damn Knicks” and Co- Starring Roles on Hit Netflix shows like Orange Is The New Black and Girls5eva to name a few. Read more>>

Geoffrey Ciccarelli

It was a little turbulent post college. It took me 2 years to get my first job. I ended up re-inventing my demo reel in the process, to be as attractive to motion graphics studios as I could, even though character animation was my real goal. I ended up being able to segue into a strange niche of character animation FOR motion graphics but it took a while of shimmying around to different studios to get known as that kind of animator. Read more>>

Carly Reeves

It was hard for me to find a career other than acting that I loved. I resented my family for not helping more but I had to figure it out on my own. I felt alone a lot because I was not in a relationship for a lot of my life. Now I am in a healthy loving relationship and I respect and love myself. Read more>>

Maryna Moisieieva

In March 2022, I moved to Los Angeles straight from the war in Ukraine. It was rough and challenging at first, but three years later, I’m proud to say I’ve performed with Will Smith at the CONCACAF 2025 event at SoFi Stadium and choreographed and performed for Ukrainian superstar Tina Karol in Los Angeles and Chicago. These past few years have been intense and full of hard work, but I’m truly happy with the results.  Read more>>

Yufei Phoebe Fu

My journey has been anything but linear. I began as a student at the American Film Institute, where I discovered how deeply I’m drawn to stories about the marginalized and the unseen. My thesis film, The Witch Pricker and the Hare, became a defining project for me—not only because I handled every element of post-production, but because it taught me how powerful filmmaking can be when you use it to give voice to those who are often silenced. Read more>>

Shay Nir

Every tattoo is a personal journey, and I collaborate closely with my clients to bring their ideas to life. Through our joint effort, we create pieces that are precise, meaningful, and tailored to their story. With a specialization in various styles, I merge creativity and skill to ensure each tattoo not only looks great but also feels like a natural fit for the person wearing it. Read more>>

Brittney Day

Releasing that project was one of my greatest and proudest accomplishments. As many know, releasing a project is never easy and can take years. Since my EP release, life has led me down a few unexpected paths, relationships were destroyed, overthinking became an increasing norm, and, as always, my mental health was taking hits just trying to stay afloat. Fast-forward to the present day, and now my mental health is the best it’s ever been, the overthinking has turned into execution, and music is being made. Now I’m in planning mode for new releases to come in Q1 of 2026, and I can wait! Read more>>

Deví Deauville

I branched and started traveling often and modeling full-time. By 18 years old, I moved to Beverly Hills and started networking. I absolutely adored the modeling industry, but around 23 years old, I reduced the amount of modeling work I did due to the rampant sexual harassment I would face in the industry. Modeling may look simple and easy to other people, but it can also be dangerous. Many models feel too afraid to speak out about this, but it happens quite often. Read more>>

Chesley Cheese Allen

I’m a full time musician! Drummer I travel and play music all over the world for a living! I’m most proud that I never gave up on me and refuse to allow others dictate my career! What set me apart is that I’m gonna do what’s best for me always Read more>>

Angie Esparza

When I moved back to California, I became a licensed esthetician and fully committed to building my career. Since 2019, I’ve been offering eyelash extensions and aesthetic services, working with clients across Santa Barbara, Ventura County, and Los Angeles — including influencers and models in the LA area. Read more>>

Andrea Iwanejko

My fitness journey has taken me across continents, from the bustling streets of New York City to the vibrant community of Los Angeles. In 2008, fueled by an unwavering determination and the pursuit of “The American Dream,” I made the bold decision to leave behind familial ties and embark on a new chapter in Brooklyn. Read more>>

Nikhil Korula

Through those experiences, I was encouraged to study voice privately and so all my life, I’ve been working on singing. I sang on one of Danny Elfman’s early film scores and performed with the LA Philharmonic under conductors, Andre Previn and Esa Pekka Salonen and also performed with Yo Yo Ma. Read more>>

Chris Gees

My story starts in Tallahassee, Florida, where I graduated from Florida A&M University with a double major in Music and Theatre. In addition to performing, I worked heavily in costumes, hair, and makeup—often serving as the Costume Designer for productions at the Essential Theatre and helping my fellow FAMU Concert and Gospel Choir members get performance-ready. Read more>>

Stephanie cuevas

Stephanie Cuevas began her hospitality journey on the ground floor: bartending, serving, and managing in some of Los Angeles’ most dynamic venues. Early on, she noticed a clear disconnect between what venues offered, what clients envisioned, and what most operators believed was “impossible.” Stephanie built her career on bridging that gap—transforming ordinary spaces into high-performance venues and turning ambitious ideas into seamless, profitable realities. Read more>>

errol sack

I Owend my own Studio water truck company for a while also. All that was a great learning lesson for me as I would take my next step being a Producer and Director on my own films , At this point I have made over 50 short films and 3 mini series and I just finished my latest Movie TRCUKER coming in March 2026 , My other films that can be watch on lots of platform are NO NAME AND DYNAMITE, DIE FOR A DOLLAR, AND STATION 4. I am gearing up to do my 5th Feature film RUN GUN STEAL AND DEAL stay tuned for that one Read more>>

Leon Taylor

Now, I am gainfully and consistently employed with an online news publication that does PR work and produces two amazing award shows annually one called The Daytime Beauty Awards which honors the science behind beauty and cannabis. We just had our 7th DBAs and the other called The Hollywood Beauty Awards which honors the architects of beauty. So your hairstylists, makeup artists, stylists and photographers. Read more>>

Natalia Sanchez

Every summer I spent visiting family in Mexico connected me more to color, texture, and craft. Immersed in communities where artisans work with their hands and the tactility of materials, the storytelling element of textiles — those experiences rooted me in the idea that art can also be functional, and crucial to our day to day lives. That’s what ultimately pulled me toward textiles, especially woven ones, eventually developing a creative practice of my own in which I would experiment with natural dyes, printmaking, and fiber structures. Read more>>

Ebony Jeanette

I am an actress and multi-passionate entrepreneur with deep roots in heavy metal music. As a former music publicist and founder of heavy metal PR boutique, Ebony Jeanette PR (EJPR); I’ve proudly carved my name into the heart of the rock and metal world for over a decade. I’ve lead campaigns for Century Media and Prosthetic Records and landed coverage in publications like Rolling Stone, Billboard, NPR, Revolver, Guitar World and more. Read more>>

Christina Faith

The practical connection started very early. Around the age of six, I remember my grandfather taking me to Radio Shack to purchase his first video camera. Though it was nearly the size of my small body, he would let me run around and shoot with it at family gatherings. It was movies like “JoJo Dancer” that helped me understand my father who died of an overdose when I was nine years old. Read more>>

Lusha Li

Working on The Hallway brought back my earliest memories of creating stories and images. In elementary school, I was obsessed with Hong Kong period dramas and read millions of words of classic Chinese martial-arts epics. I even wrote and updated my own martial-arts stories in class and later online. After I got my first camcorder, I started recording everything around me. All these experiences eventually led me to film school in the United States, where I earned my cinematography degree. Read more>>

Katherine Connor Duff

It is a compulsion, a need, and a will. Mix that with a steady diet of classic noirs and musicals from Hollywood’s Golden Age, German Expressionist silents, and wild screwball comedies, and I became the monster you see today. My career began in San Francisco and New York with playwriting provocative think-pieces, feasting on art history at the Met, and acting in Sam Shepard plays. Theater was my first medium; it taught me language, tension, and how to captivate and immerse an audience. Read more>>

Austin Hayman

I consider myself a narrative figure painter. I love painting people but not just a portrait, I am really interested in setting a scene and quietly constructing a story within the work. It’s always interesting to hear how other perceive it, everyone does differently. The aspect of my work that I think its most unique is the color palette I use. I’ve gotten it fairly narrowed down and I think it makes the work recognizable and that’s an important aspect. Read more>>

Nicole Baroudi

I met collaborators who’ve become some of my closest friends, and it truly shaped the way I work today. Since then, I’ve designed several short films and contributed to many more across different roles in the art department. I’ve also worked as a graphic designer on five feature films, and I’m now a proud member of the Art Directors Guild, the British Film Designers Guild, and the Graphics Union UK. Read more>>

Adam Desure

Fueled by passion and an entrepreneurial vision, I established A/D Studio, eight years ago. It is here, I get to craft styles and foster connections with my clients in a space that’s all about the elevated experience. My studio isn’t just a work space – it’s where I bring transformations to life every single day. Read more>>

Rick Schirmer

I’ve built companies through economic downturns, algorithm changes, massive industry shifts, and the constant chaos of influencer culture. I’ve had partnerships fall apart, teams that weren’t the right fit, clients who didn’t see the vision yet, and more than a few “back to square one” moments. Every entrepreneur knows that feeling — the gut punch when you realize you’ve got to rebuild something you thought was solid. Read more>>

Pedro Cavaletti

I feel like professionally my journey has been pretty smooth so far, but I am mostly working on my own projects, which can be lonely sometimes. I am from Brazil, and moving to a new country has been a little challenging for me, and now that I am working with music, I might decide to come back. Read more>>

Matthew Pasterisa

Chasing Time” and more. They went on World Tour and Matt began to make his mark on the music industry. In between touring the world, In 2017, Pasterisa got nominated/won an MTV Video Music Award (Best Choreography), for the Kanye West music video “Fade” that featured Teyana Taylor. (Featured in Vogue magazine) Also, the music video received the “Best Performance” at the Soul Train Music Awards. Read more>>

Danielle Timmons

Realizing passion wasn’t enough, I educated myself on copyrights, licensing, and ownership, joined BMI, and partnered with La Kia A. Gooch to rebrand my artistry while studying entrepreneurship. This blend of creativity and business allowed me to build a sustainable career. Read more>>

Avery Davis

I think my journey really all began when I was just a little kid. I remember watching Transformers when it was released in theaters and thinking to myself how cool it would be to be in that movie. I’d come home from school and take all my toys and lay them out on the floor for one giant battle. Sometimes I’d record it. I always liked playing characters and in school people thought it was weird. Well a small referral to my mom and over a decade later and here I am being weird for a living. Read more>>

Svitlana Soroka

Looking back, I think my path began long before I ever picked up a camera. I was the kind of child who noticed everything: the way sunlight shifted across a wall, the patterns in bird feathers, the “ugly” stones that everyone else stepped over but that I found irresistibly beautiful. I loved the imperfect, the overlooked, the quiet details. I didn’t know it then, but I was already learning the essence of photography — to see what others pass by. Read more>>

Michael Myers

My story begins in 2009 in Hollywood, California. I had just graduated from Colorado State University and moved back home to Los Angeles. At the time, I was working at LA Fitness, freshly certified as a personal trainer, when I met celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins. Jeanette took me under her wing, showed me the ropes, and taught me how to build a credible and successful personal training business. From there, it was off to the races. Read more>>

Alex Mesrobian

I’ve loved comedy for as long as I can remember. I come from a big, sarcastic family, so there was always plenty of humor and silliness flying around the dinner table. In third grade I got “Best Sense of Humor,” which, granted, isn’t a Peabody or Mark Twain Prize, but it gave me just enough confidence to keep chasing laughs. Read more>>

Taylor Cole

Growing up, movement was a natural part of my life. My mom has always been naturally dedicated to fitness, no matter the length of her workday, she always made time to go to the gym or take a class to move her body. Eventually, she let me tag along, and that’s where my relationship with movement began. As I got older, that relationship became complicated. Through high school, college, and young adulthood, I struggled with body image and spent hours doing cardio and weight training, hoping to “feel better.” But instead of feeling energized, I felt drained and disconnected from my body. Read more>>

Peter Mackie

It was eye-opening to learn these things, to be able to put a label to them. Through CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), group therapy, psychedelics, journaling, antidepressants (which took some trial and error and a leap of faith), diet and exercise, and living a more conscious lifestyle, I’ve been able to drastically reduce the symptoms and daily struggles that comes with such debilitating terrain. (I also started acting in 2024 and that has been tremendously helpful for my self growth and personal/creative accountability.) Read more>>

Josh Rheault

I grew up in Massachusetts and got my start in the Boston music scene, playing in bands and learning the ropes of recording and playing live. That eventually led me to move to Los Angeles to study audio engineering. From there, I built a career as a touring musician, producer, songwriter, and tech. That path ultimately led to my current project Shell Pink and the work I’m doing today. Read more>>

Yash Kapoor

At Light Sonic Division, I learned how serious commercial music gets built: hours of vocal tracking, outboard integration, Melodyne edits that feel invisible, and mix-prep workflows meant for people who don’t tolerate mistakes. Supporting engineers tied to NAV, Belly, DaHeala, and DannyBoyStyles taught me how to deliver files that are not just “correct,” but industry-ready. Read more>>

Kri Peck

Looking back, those experiences were turning points for me. They helped me become more resourceful, more focused, and more intentional about the direction I wanted my career to go. I wouldn’t say it’s been perfect, but every challenge has given me something valuable that I carry with me today. I work extremely well under pressure because of those early challenges. Read more>>

Antonio Flores

I knew that I had found my choice industry: a well-paying and fun medium that could influence the masses, with opportunity to give accessibility to, and change the perceptions of, people who look like me. Little did I know that this would land me deeper into the music industry than sound engineering ever had, as I now have several platinum plaques as a result of marketing musicians from the visual side. Read more>>

Candiss Hart

That understanding is what really shaped me. I’ve always had a high standard for how I carry myself, not out of vanity, but because I believe in leading with intention. Fashion became my way of expressing that — of saying who I am without having to say anything at all. Read more>>

Jynafer Yanez

At the end of the day, I care about two things: great stories and the infrastructure that helps those stories reach the people who need them. And I love seeing a story go from someone’s brain to a book to a film to a hoodie in someone’s shopping cart. I don’t do fluff. I do legacy-building – on purpose, with purpose, and with just enough coffee to keep it all moving. Read more>>

Zhengzheng Zhao

I started editing in 2013 by making fan vids (using TV shows and movies to create music videos), something I still do every now and then. Those videos gained a surprising amount of popularity across multiple platforms, and the response pushed me from being just a fan into wanting to pursue filmmaking professionally. Read more>>

Dr. Keyon Anderson

I was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, and that experience shaped everything. School wasn’t easy. I had to learn how to self-advocate, how to adapt, and how to see my differences as strengths. That mindset guided me into education, social work, and eventually mental health, because I know what it feels like to be overlooked in systems that define success too narrowly. Read more>>

Qadada Lindsay

I started as a producer and working in sales, which led me to open my own studios. I shut my studios down to open a management company Quality Too Good which is now a national company with a HQ in Los Angeles, CA. Read more>>

Tamarrice Parker

I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, a place where creativity isn’t always treated like a real career, but storytelling has been in me since I was a kid. I used to make little videos on my phone, act out scenes, and dream about becoming Batman one day. I didn’t have a blueprint, I didn’t have connections, and I definitely didn’t have a roadmap. All I had was imagination, belief, and the feeling that I was meant to build something bigger than my circumstances. Read more>>

Polina Bakuleva

I met great friends and artists, learned my lessons, and developed resilience and dedication to my craft through constant work, auditions and rejections. Now that I am out “in the real world”, as they say, nothing helps me move forward like relying on the people around me, but also 100% committing to my craft and myself. Since graduation, I have booked multiple roles in WebSeries, was part of a SpecAd, and created everlasting connection. I am excited to see what the next stage of my journey will bring. Read more>>

Kyle Turner

Kyle Turner (Kteeeezy) is an independent recording artist from North Carolina. He started freestyling at a young age and progressively got better with time and dedication. Kyle performs live at venues across the world and aims to inspire and motivate others. Instagram and YouTube is where you can connect with Kyle and interact with his music and business endeavors. Read more>>

Colleen Quen

To find your foundation and inner strength and to listen to the voice within and act and create from it. Is fulfilling and courageous and somewhat mandatory to give service on this planet what I was suppose to do and be. Read more>>

Miranda Grace Massey

My name is Miranda Grace Massey, and honestly, I’ve known since I could talk that I was going to be an actress and a writer. I grew up in South Florida completely obsessed with movies—like, the kind of kid who would binge behind-the-scenes footage for fun and then put on full musical theatre productions in the living room. I was always writing stories, building worlds, and sketching characters, and before long those stories started turning into actual scripts. Read more>>

Ané Krutova

If the center of my story is art, then it has always been there. I remember drawing obsessively in vivid colors from day one. While people around me struggled to choose a career path, mine felt obvious. Yet, somehow, I still ended up moving through three different universities before graduating—first fine art, then architecture, and finally fashion design. Read more>>

Audra Skaates

My story begins with dance, my first love. Movement has always been the language through which I understood myself and the world. That passion carried me into a professional dance career, but over time it evolved into something bigger: a desire to create spaces where people could feel stronger, more connected, and be their best selves through movement. At the core of everything I’ve built is my why: impact. Read more>>

Matthew Quinn

Today, Combined Artform + Asylum continues to support artists, venues, festivals, and small businesses in both creative and operational ways. We produce festivals like HITFEST and 30 Minutes or Less Festival, consult on festival strategy, help design systems, and create opportunities for work to extend, tour, or transition into digital and film formats. Read more>>

Yijing Qiu

My journey of exploration expanded when I moved to Spain to study Musicology in Barcelona. Immersing myself in a new culture and language taught me how to see music through a wider lens. Later, an exchange program in Canada introduced me to North America. During that time, I traveled along the West Coast and visited Los Angeles for the first time. The city’s diversity, creative energy, and film culture captivated me instantly. I didn’t know it then, but that trip planted the first seed of my dream to become a film composer. Read more>>

Matthew Sese

I didn’t start in fitness. I started in hospitality — long hours, nonstop motion, and the proud Hawaiian spirit of taking care of people. Then COVID-19 hit, and the industry I’d built my life around collapsed. I needed a new direction, one that still let me serve people but in a way that felt meaningful. Read more>>

Jonny Truelove

I started my journey in 2012, designing custom jewelry and launching my first collection. While I was immersed in the nightlife scene, what people didn’t see behind the social media posts was the reality of working multiple jobs to fund my dream. By day, I was a respiratory therapist, and at night, I performed as a male exotic dancer, and even renowned sociak dynamics coach. I did whatever it took to pay the bills and invest in building something of my own. Read more>>

Christina Park

There, I worked directly under Emmy Award–winning animator, artist, and director Seung Eun Kim, contributing to cinematics from early development through final delivery. Leveraging my ability to also speak both Korean and English fluently, I effectively communicated across teams and supported production needs throughout the pipeline. Read more>>

Claire Bahn

I started my career in marketing and PR at Fortune 500 companies. A couple of years in, I decided I wanted to act. I had zero acting experience, but I did know how to build a brand. So I used marketing to position myself, made sure casting directors knew exactly who I was and what roles I was right for, and landed jobs because of that clarity. That turned into helping other actors build their brands. Read more>>

Keven LaCroix

Although the life of a teen in California can still be interesting, I was self aware enough to know mine wasn’t. But it was then where I found my home in the movie theaters. I would go see movies with my friends and family at the local Century Stadium 25 aka Cinemark Century Orange and looking back a lot of big moments in my life happened at that beautiful theater. It was at that theater after watching Reservoir Dogs that I was convinced that I could make a movie. But like all people I went through my own little crash course in what was movie making. Read more>>

Christina Iannuzzi

Christina Iannuzzi is the Chief Executive Officer at LEBUL with over 25 years of experience in the fashion, cosmetic, and entertainment industries. She has collaborated with some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including BMW, Porsche, Sony, Toshiba, and Microsoft. Her leadership and strategic vision have driven growth and innovation across high-profile roles. Read more>>

Lara Janicello

I began creating intentional, in-person experiences where people could actually meet face-to-face, talk, laugh, and feel comfortable being themselves. What started as a small passion project quickly grew into a real community. Every event reminded me why I started: because when you create the right environment, genuine connections do happen. Read more>>

Jalina Brown

I grew up with an art-teacher mom who let me try every creative outlet I wanted, and when I found out that being in movies was a real job, I knew there was no other path for me. Eventually I realized the chances of me being ‘discovered’ in a small town in Midcoast Maine were slim to none, so I decided to broaden my horizons. Read more>>

Maple Moriji

I worked as a software engineer for thirteen years until I lost my job in the Great Recession. After six months of no work, I decided to get a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. This was the best decision I’ve ever made. I learned all about different therapy modalities that I still use to this day. Read more>>