Anthony Grieco

Nicholl Fellow, BEST SELLERS (2021)

Anthony is a 2015 Nicholl Award winner for his script BEST SELLERS, which was released in 2021. The film stars Michael Caine, Aubrey Plaza, and Scott Speedman, and was produced by Cassian and Arielle Elwes. Anthony eagerly awaits the start of production on BUZZED, a Buzz Aldrin biopic to be directed by Marc Forster. He is also prepping his directorial debut with CIAO AMERICA, his script based on a true story about the world’s longest, craziest, casualty-free hijacking in 1969. Anthony has recently completed writing ONE CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, a political dramedy about Winston Churchill’s disruptive three-week stay at the White House in 1941 for ZQ Entertainment. In addition, Anthony has worked as a mentor for the Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest. He also co-wrote the screenwriting book The Pocket Screenwriting Guide: 120 Tips for Getting to Fade Out. Anthony attended the University of Toronto where he studied English and History. He later attended Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City and went on to act in over 50 television commercials and episodic programs. MORE

Grace Moss

WarnerMedia

Grace Moss is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Warner Bros. Discovery. In this role, she oversees the enterprise’s global efforts to expand the pool of historically-excluded talent and break down barriers through a comprehensive suite of pipeline programs and extensive engagements with prestigious film festivals and creative conferences. Prior to Warner Bros. Discovery, Grace served as the Head of Talent Development and Inclusion for NBC Entertainment, where she spearheaded multiple programs that focused on cultivating and showcasing talented writers and directors of diverse backgrounds. Before coming to NBC, Grace was a Development Executive at the Style Network, and prior to that a freelance reality Producer and Director on a plethora of unscripted shows on a variety of networks, including MTV, VH1, TLC and NBC. Her leadership training includes the Johnson and Johnson Corporate Athlete Training Program, Comcast’s Know Your Value initiative and Harvard Business School’s Leadership Consortium. Grace graduated from UCLA with a BA English and Minor in Asian American Studies. MORE

Julio Salgado

The Disruptors Fellowship

Julio Salgado is a multidisciplinary artist and the co-creator of The Disruptors Fellowship along with Joey Soloway (Showrunner & Creator, TRANSPARENT, I LOVE DICK). The annual fellowship is a program for emerging television writers of color who identify as undocumented/formerly undocumented immigrants, trans, nonbinary, or disabled. He is the co-founder of DreamersAdrift and the Migrant Storytelling Manager for The Center for Cultural Power. As an artist, Salgado's work has been displayed at the Oakland Museum, SFMOMA and Smithsonian. MORE

Liz Kelly

Disney

Liz Kelly is Director of Creative Talent Development and Inclusion at Disney Entertainment Television. In this role, she works with the network and studio to staff writers and directors across ABC, ABC Signature, Freeform, Disney Channel, 20th TV, FX, Nat Geo, Disney+ and Hulu’s scripted television shows. She runs the industry-leading Disney Writing Program and Disney Directing Program. She has staffed talent on THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE ROOKIE, A MILLION LITTLE THINGS, DAVE, HOW I MET YOUR FATHER, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, THE GOLDBERGS, STATION 19, RAVEN’S HOME, and BLACK-ISH, among other scripted series. Prior to Disney, Kelly worked for 6 years at Fox, most recently as Associate Director of Production and Development Labs – Film and TV, for 21CF Global Inclusion. Kelly staffed writers and directors on FOX's scripted television shows, including THE GIFTED, THE COOL KIDS, LUCIFER, LAST MAN ON EARTH, THE EXORCIST, THE RESIDENT, and LETHAL WEAPON, among others. She managed the Fox Writers Lab, Fox Directors Lab, Fox DP Lab, and Fox Filmmakers Lab, tracked and maintained network diversity statistics regarding on-air and behind-the-camera creative talent, and managed the department’s partnerships and sponsorships with non- profits and film and TV festivals. Kelly has been a judge, script reader, or panelist for numerous film and TV festivals across the country, including the Tribeca Film Festival, New York Television Festival, Austin Film Festival, ATX Television Festival, SeriesFest Denver, CAAMFest San Francisco, San Diego Latino Film Festival, NALIP Media Summit, LA Skins Fest, Outfest, BlackStar Philadelphia Film Festival, and Humanitas New Voices. In 2017, she was invited to be part of Creative Artists Agency’s “Amplify: Next Gen” group of up-and- coming entertainment artists, agents, and executives. Kelly is a member of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society. She has a BA from UCLA and is a graduate of UCLA School of Theater Film and Television’s graduate-level Professional Program in Screenwriting. MORE

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

Michael Svoboda

Hillman Grad

Michael Svoboda has been the director of the writing track for Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab since its inception in 2020. The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab provides opportunities for marginalized storytellers to connect, grow, and accelerate their career in television. Michael has also worked various positions on TV shows while making his way to Staff Writer. He's made numerous short films and developed television shows with major production companies. He is a proud member of the WGA. He has also been teaching screenwriting at the University of Nebraska since 2018. MORE