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CEG Leadership Program
2022Â Level 2 Cohort
Please join us in celebrating our Level Two cohort!
These 14Â individuals have been chosen as our class of 2022.
FARIDA ABDUL-WAHAB
Manager of TV Development and Production
Scott Free Productions
Farida Abdul-Wahab is a first generation Nigerian-American born, and raised in The Bronx, New York. Some of her earlier experience includes working in On-Air Promotions at A+E Networks, independent film production in New York City and a year working in commercial production in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2016, she moved to Los Angeles to pivot towards a career in scripted television and to attend graduate school at the University of Southern California. From there, she went on to assist Emmy award-winning producer Mike Tollin followed by an assistant position in the TV Literary department at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
In December of 2020, Farida joined Scott Free Productions as an Executive Assistant and was recently promoted to Manager of TV Development and Production. She is excited to continue honing her skills as a TV executive and is personally interested in the international landscape with an emphasis on the African market.
Her goal is to make the television industry more globally inclusive by amplifying culturally diverse voices from overlooked regions. Farida holds a B.S. degree from The Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College and an MFA from the prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. She is also a 2018 Women in Film Scholar.
RANARD CALDWELL
Head of Development, Film & TV
Sunny Hostin Productions
Ranard Caldwell is the Head of Development TV and Film for Sunny Hostin Productions. He manages a slate of diverse projects that center on women, people of color, and the LGBTQAI+ community in support of Sunny Hostin’s Disney/ABC first-look deal.
Prior to this role, Mr. Caldwell spent several years cultivating a career in development working for Martin Chase Productions at NBCUniversal, STX Entertainment in Television, and leading programs for Create the Writers Room (CTWR).
Previously, Ranard spent a decade with prestigious consulting firms leading large-scale organizational transformations for Fortune 100 companies globally. Notably, he serves on the Board of Directors for Outfest and is a 2021 Hillman Grad Lab alumni.
TYLER ERB
Creative Executive, Television
Sugar23
Tyler Erb is the Creative Executive for Television at Sugar23 (13 REASONS WHY, MANIAC, THE OA, DICKINSON), where she sources, develops, and produces new series via the company’s overall deal with Netflix. She previously worked in Scripted Television at MGM/UA TV, supporting current series including THE HANDMAID’S TALE, FARGO, VIKINGS: VALHALLA, and WEDNESDAY. Prior to MGM, she was an Agent Trainee at Paradigm Talent Agency in NYC, and she began her career at CAA.
ALISON FALZETTA
Manager of Development
Crooked Media
Alison is currently a manager of development at Crooked Media, where for the last three years she's been helping build a slate of TV projects as well as developing narrative docuseries podcasts for adaptation. She started her career as a page at NBC, and went on to work as an assistant in development at 20th. From there, she went on to work for the then co-head of television at Amazon Studios. Her mission in her career is to create fun, female-driven content from underrepresented voices, specifically with an eye toward diversifying the romcom & romance genres. Her current focus on the podcast adaptation space has fed her passion for IP, and she’s excited to continue to take work she loves and adapt it for new audiences.
ERIN JONES-WESLEY
Coordinator
Lionsgate
Erin Jones-Wesley is a development and production coordinator in the motion picture group at Lionsgate.
At Lionsgate, Erin works directly assisting the president of development and production. She graduated with her MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory as a Producing Fellow. The short film she produced, TIL LIFE DO US PART, premiered at the HollyShorts Film Festival and earned her the Best Producer award at the Indie Shorts Seoul Film Festival.
Before leaping into the film industry, the So Cal native co-founded The 42 Initiative, a 501c3 that supports bringing LA's youth from socioeconomic and ethnically diverse backgrounds together for sports and academic programming in honor of the friendship between Jackie Robinson and Ralph Branca. Club 42 was an idea that sparked her passion while working for Major League Baseball. Her initial career path in sports philanthropy followed an illustrious NCAA Division 1 softball career at Long Beach State, where Erin holds the career pitching records for strikeouts, wins, and appearances.
One of EJW's favorite quotes is by Dr. Maya Angelou, "My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and do so with some passion, compassion, humor, and style."
CHAVONNE LENOIR
Creative Executive
SpringHill Entertainment
Chavonne LeNoir is a Creative Executive at the SpringHill Company developing television and film content for iconic athletes and creatives. Chavonne most recently came from VICE Studios as Manager of Unscripted, working with A-list talent and producers across various genres including millennial finance, dating, social experiments, occu-dramas, and competition meets pop culture. Prior to VICE Studios, Chavonne worked at MGM where she supported the development of unscripted shows including ‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?’, ‘Eco Challenge: World’s Toughest Race’,‘ Unprotected Sets’ and more. She also provided development support on podcasts including ‘Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court’ and ‘Going to Bed with Garcelle’. She has held brief roles at CW and Warner Bros TV, where she supported on the development of scripted programming including ‘Black Lightning’ and ‘All American’, and Disney, where she helped manage major marketing campaigns and business partnerships for Disney’s Live Action and Animated Franchise films like ‘Jungle Book’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ and ‘Moana’. Chavonne was a past board member of Colour Entertainment's Associates Division as well as a mentor for the Young Storytellers Program at Walt Disney Elementary School, working with 5th graders to write their first script to then be performed by actors from the Disney Channel. She feels empowered to continue telling enlightening, authentic, and groundbreaking stories that highlight and uplift people of color. Chavonne LeNoir is a Los Angeles native and a graduate of UC Berkeley.
VIVIEN MAO
Coordinator
The Littlefield Company
Vivien Mao is a coordinator at The Littlefield Company, where she has worked on a number of award-winning shows such as The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo, Dopesick, and debuting this summer for FX, The Old Man. Prior to The Littlefield Company, Mao worked in both the Hong Kong and Los Angeles Fox Entertainment Government Relations divisions and helped film documentaries about life in rural China for IFChina Original Studios. Mao graduated with a Bachelor of Law and bachelor’s in social sciences from the University of Hong Kong and was a recipient of the Serena Yang Award for her active participation and academic excellence in foreign studies and exchange. Using her deep understanding of international relations, culture, and law, she strives to develop prestigious international content for a global audience.
SANTIAGO MARCOS
Senior Manager, Latin America and Spain
Gaumont Television
Having been born and raised in Mexico City, educated in both Mexico and the United States, fully fluent in both Spanish and English, Santiago brings a timely multicultural perspective to the industry and is passionate about bridging the gap between the US and international audiences. In 2012 he moved to the United States to study Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts majoring in Producing. There, he discovered his passion for producing and collaborating with talented artists. He produced multiple shorts that premiered in festivals like Munich Film School Festival, IVY Film Festival, and Riverrun Film Festival.
After college, Santiago moved to Los Angeles and began working as an executive assistant to Producers Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling, gaining experience as they produced two TV series for ABC Digital and a series for Go90. He then worked at Stampede Ventures, led by Greg Silverman, former President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production at Warner Bros. Pictures, where he was promoted to Manager of International Content. Santiago joined Stampede right at the start of their International Dept where he developed tv shows for more than 20 different countries that sold to studios and streamers. Most recently, he joined Gaumont Television as Senior Manager, where he develops tv shows and feature films for Latin America, Spain and US Latinx.
T'ESSENCE MINNITEE
Development & Current Programming Coordinator
OWN
Born and raised on the coast of California, T’Essence Minnitee knew from an early age that she wanted to be a storyteller. She understood the power of media and how it could either bridge or widen cultural gaps. After graduating Pepperdine University with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Film Studies, she decided to pursue Film/TV Development. She quickly realized the way to make the biggest impact on what and WHO we see on our screens was to not only be in the room where decisions were happening but to BE the person making the decisions. Thus, her aspiration to become a Development Executive was born. Minnitee started her career at Secret Hideout before joining the Development team at Gunpowder & Sky. Continuing her upward movement, Minnitee recently started as a Development & Current Programming Coordinator at OWN Network and is looking forward to creating premium content for Black women. Minnitee hopes to one day head a department as a Development Executive that focuses on multicultural stories and talent.
BRENDA SAUCEDO
Department Assistant
Netflix
Brenda Saucedo has been working in the industry for over 7 years. Shortly after graduating college, Brenda got a full-time job with Telemundo as a Talent Coordinator. She produced news segments, assisted with live TV productions, and helped bring in new talent. She spent a couple years there before transferring to Univision where she helped with marketing & promotions along with managing paid media accounts. After a few years of working in the news field Brenda wanted to jump into the film and series side.
She landed a job in the Diversity and Inclusion department at NBC Universal as a Coordinator. She helped with annual initiatives for diverse actors, directors, writers, and comedians. She also assisted in coordinating external events for NBC’s coalition partners such as NHMC, NALIP, CAPE and various Film Festivals. Three years later, Brenda landed a job at Netflix as a Department Assistant where she is currently working at. She helps assist several executives within production, development, and human resources. Brenda continues to work hard to reach her next goal. She is excited to see what the future holds.
VICTORIA VARGAS
Manager, Current Programming
ViacomCBS
Born in Texas, raised at CBS, Victoria Vargas began her career at CBS Entertainment as an intern, where she transitioned into a full-time position shortly after graduating. She is now a Manager of Current Programming at CBS Entertainment, overseeing shows including BLUE BLOODS, CSI:VEGAS, HOW WE ROLL, IN THE DARK, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, and TOM SWIFT. When she’s not reading scripts, Victoria enjoys hiking, baking treats, and reading books. Victoria is an alumna of The University of Texas and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
LUCY VIGIL
Development Coordinator
Rooster Teeth Studios
Lucy Vigil is currently a Development Coordinator at Rooster Teeth Studios in the Scripted department. Although she holds a Master in Public Health (Go Bruins!), Lucy credits her undying love of sci-fi and comic books for her shift into entertainment. Â She started as an assistant to David Alpert and Robert Kirkman at Skybound Entertainment and then moved to Verve Talent & Literary Agency to learn the ropes of literary representation. After 8 months on both TV and MP Lit desks, Lucy transitioned to Good Fear Content as an Executive Assistant to producer Chris Bender where she learned about development and production and also brought in two writers who were signed by managers. She is currently growing in the development space at Rooster Teeth Studios and also serves as co-President of JHRTS for 2022. In her free time, Lucy takes Zumba classes at her local gym and follows her favorites sports teams.
JIHAD WOMACK
Creative Executive
Grand Electric
Born and raised in New Jersey, Jihad Womack graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. He decided to forego attending medical school to explore a path in entertainment. Jihad started his career at WME in the Motion Picture Literary and Talent departments before segueing to a creative assistant role in the Original Studio Film group at Netflix. There, he worked on THE MIDNIGHT SKY, HUBIE HALLOWEEN, MOXIE, and the forthcoming SPIDERHEAD. In 2021, Jihad joined Eric Newman’s production company Grand Electric as a Creative Executive on the film side.
ILAYDA YIGIT
Manager, Scripted Television
MACRO
As Manager of Scripted Television Development & Production at MACRO Television Studios, Ilayda works to highlight emerging BIPOC talent and produce creative properties driven by people of color. In addition to her regular executive duties, she specializes in shepherding literary adaptations driven by authors and television writers of color for MACRO’s slate. Prior to starting at MACRO, Ilayda worked in the Literary Packaging department at WME, building out her expertise in tracking, acquiring, and adapting IP for television. She utilizes her background in working with literature & media rights at William Morris to source a variety of intellectual property for MACRO’s television slate. Her passion for progressing on-screen representation, especially for women of color, stems from her experience growing up as a first-generation Turkish American. As a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, she hopes to produce premium television for multicultural audiences.