Michael Pogarian

NBCUniversal

Michael Pogarian is an award winning producer and a Senior Manager on the TV Programming DEI team at NBCUniversal, also known as NBCU LAUNCH, where he helps oversee creative development programs for emerging TV writers, directors, and below-the-line talent. Prior to working at NBCUniversal, Michael was an Associate Creative Producer at Fullscreen where he co-created and lead the AT&T Hello Lab Mentorship Program, that brought together entertainment industry leaders including Common, Lena Waithe, Nina Yang Bongiovi, and Taika Waititi with filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to create their signature work. In the first two years of the program he developed, produced and distributed ten short films that premiered on DirecTV Now and were accepted to notable international film festivals including SXSW, Outfest, Calgary Film Festival, Maoriland Film Festival and many others. During his time at Fullscreen he also developed award winning interactive digital content and social media series for AT&T Hello Lab, a collection of original and immersive entertainment created by, for and with Millennial and Gen Z audiences. Before that, Michael worked in unscripted development and production at Magical Elves (Project Runway, Top Chef). In 2012, he graduated with a BA in Film and Television Production at Boston University. MORE

Nathan Varni

Executive Director of Current Programming, Disney-ABC

Nathan Varni is Executive Director of Current Programming, Disney-ABC Television Group, reporting to Vicki Dummer, Head of ABC Network Current Programming, Walt Disney Television. Mr. Varni oversees all creative and day-to-day management on ABC’s The Conners, Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19 as well as new projects including Rebel and Harlem’s Kitchen. In past seasons, Mr. Varni was the covering executive on Grand Hotel, How to Get Away with Murder, Once Upon A Time, Dr. Ken, Scandal, The Middle, Kevin Probably Saves the World, Roseanne and also oversaw over 2500 episodes of ABC’s long running daytime drama, General Hospital. Mr. Varni joined ABC in November, 2006 as an assistant in programming and development working on comedy and drama series including According to Jim, Samantha Who?, Better off Ted, Cougar Town, Castle, V, 666 Park Avenue and three seasons covering Happy Endings. Prior to joining ABC, Mr. Varni worked in series development at Regency Television (Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show). Prior to his time at Regency TV, Mr. Varni worked in reality series as a story assistant for series such as America’s Next Top Model, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, High School Reunion, For Love or Money and The Next Great Champ. Game show experience includes working on 65 episodes of GSN’s Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck. Mr. Varni served as a production assistant and then Exec Producers assistant on the CBS sitcoms Listen Up and How I Met Your Mother. Mr. Varni earned a bachelor of arts in television production/media management from California State University Northridge. MORE

Vicky Castro

ABC/Disney Fellow, THE GOLDBERGS, 1 Film

Vicky Castro is a TV writer. She was hired to write a feature that is currently in development and is also writing on a true crime comedy podcast and YouTube show produced by AudioBoom hosted by Bailey Sarian who has over 7.5 million subscribers on YouTube. She wrote on Sony/ABC's THE GOLDBERGS for three seasons. She was a 2020 Disney/ABC TV Program Writer. Before that, she was a Development Assistant at Montgomery Studios. Vicky became involved in The Second City and was a winner of the 2016 Outside the Box sketch competition. She also won a spot in Second City's Conservatory Program. She was a translator and international news PA for CNN Chile and worked in advertising at DigitasLBi, a global marketing and technology agency. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BS in Journalism and International Studies. MORE

Will Schnabel

WarnerMedia

Will Schnabel is a Programs Manager on the Warner Bros. Discovery Equity & Inclusion team. In this role he primarily helps facilitate submissions processes for the team’s many pipeline programs. Before working at Warner Bros. Discovery, Will was an Associate of Talent Development for NBCUniversal, encompassing television, film and streaming. In that role he worked closely on several NBC pipeline programs focused on discovering and developing underrepresented writers, comedians, directors, and below-the-line talent. Earlier in his career, Will worked for the Indiana Pacers before transitioning to Los Angeles as an NBC Page. Will holds a BS in Communication and Theatre from the University of Indianapolis. MORE