See below for a full list of our 2020 Jackson Wild Media Lab instructors, mentors and commissioners.
2020 Instructors
Nate Dappen
Nate is a biologist, photographer, and filmmaker based in San Diego, CA. He studied sexual and ontogenetic color evolution the Ibiza Wall Lizard in grad school at the University of Miami, earning his Ph.D. in Biology in 2012. Since then, he’s been making science, natural history, and adventure documentaries full-time. Nate is a Fellow of the Explorers Club and an Affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He can’t get enough of surfing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or IPAs. Nate co-founded Day’s Edge Productions with Neil Losin in 2012.
Nate is a biologist, photographer, and filmmaker based in San Diego, CA. He studied sexual and ontogenetic color evolution the Ibiza Wall Lizard in grad school at the University of Miami, earning his Ph.D. in Biology in 2012. Since then, he’s been making science, natural history, and adventure documentaries full-time. Nate is a Fellow of the Explorers Club and an Affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He can’t get enough of surfing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or IPAs. Nate co-founded Day’s Edge Productions with Neil Losin in 2012.
Neil Losin
Neil Losin is a biologist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Miami, FL. He was named a National Geographic Young Explorer in 2009 while studying invasive lizards in Florida and Puerto Rico. Neil received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and earned his Ph.D. in UCLA’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in 2012. He’s an incorrigible birdwatcher and can juggle more objects than you’d think. Neil cofounded Day’s Edge Productions with Nate Dappen in 2012.
Neil Losin is a biologist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Miami, FL. He was named a National Geographic Young Explorer in 2009 while studying invasive lizards in Florida and Puerto Rico. Neil received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and earned his Ph.D. in UCLA’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in 2012. He’s an incorrigible birdwatcher and can juggle more objects than you’d think. Neil cofounded Day’s Edge Productions with Nate Dappen in 2012.
2020 Mentors
Meghan Cassin
Vice President of Development for National Geographic Channels
For National Geographic Channels, Meghan is responsible for animal specials and series across Wild, National Geographic, and the National Geographic Disney+ tile. She is also a co-creator of the Field Ready program which seeks to expand the field of filmmaking by increasing diversity and representation behind the lens through mentorship. Since joining the channel in 2014, Cassin has developed audience favorites such as “Heartland Docs, DVM”, “Alaska Animal Rescue”, “Critter Fixers”, “Dog Impossible”, and “Dead by Dawn”. Cassin has also executive produced the award-winning multiplatform series “Untamed with Filipe DeAndrade” and one of the highest rating SharkFest specials, “World’s Biggest Great White?” Previously, Cassin worked in development, strategy, and production roles at Digitas, Siskel/Jacobs Productions, Intersport, and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. She is a graduate of The George Washington University’s American studies program and holds a Master of Science in integrated marketing and communications from Northwestern University.
Vice President of Development for National Geographic Channels
For National Geographic Channels, Meghan is responsible for animal specials and series across Wild, National Geographic, and the National Geographic Disney+ tile. She is also a co-creator of the Field Ready program which seeks to expand the field of filmmaking by increasing diversity and representation behind the lens through mentorship. Since joining the channel in 2014, Cassin has developed audience favorites such as “Heartland Docs, DVM”, “Alaska Animal Rescue”, “Critter Fixers”, “Dog Impossible”, and “Dead by Dawn”. Cassin has also executive produced the award-winning multiplatform series “Untamed with Filipe DeAndrade” and one of the highest rating SharkFest specials, “World’s Biggest Great White?” Previously, Cassin worked in development, strategy, and production roles at Digitas, Siskel/Jacobs Productions, Intersport, and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. She is a graduate of The George Washington University’s American studies program and holds a Master of Science in integrated marketing and communications from Northwestern University.
Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer
Science Communicator & Outreach Scientist at CienciaPR and iBiology
Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer applies a cultural lens to storytelling and science communication to engage underserved communities with science, especially to Puerto Ricans and Latinxs. As a science communicator, she draws on her training (a PhD in neurobiology), personal background, and culture (a woman from rural Puerto Rico) to make science relevant and relatable to marginalized populations. She works with the non-profits Ciencia Puerto Rico and iBiology, where her efforts include: serving as editor-in-chief for the publication of more than 400 scientist-written popular science articles and op-eds in a major newspaper; co-editing the first collection of culturally relevant popular essays and stories about science and Puerto Rico; producing a series of short films changing the narrative about scientists of color; and training hundreds of scientists in culturally relevant science communication, among others. Dr. Feliú-Mójer obtained her B.S. in Human Biology at the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón and her Ph.D. in Neurobiology at Harvard University.
Science Communicator & Outreach Scientist at CienciaPR and iBiology
Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer applies a cultural lens to storytelling and science communication to engage underserved communities with science, especially to Puerto Ricans and Latinxs. As a science communicator, she draws on her training (a PhD in neurobiology), personal background, and culture (a woman from rural Puerto Rico) to make science relevant and relatable to marginalized populations. She works with the non-profits Ciencia Puerto Rico and iBiology, where her efforts include: serving as editor-in-chief for the publication of more than 400 scientist-written popular science articles and op-eds in a major newspaper; co-editing the first collection of culturally relevant popular essays and stories about science and Puerto Rico; producing a series of short films changing the narrative about scientists of color; and training hundreds of scientists in culturally relevant science communication, among others. Dr. Feliú-Mójer obtained her B.S. in Human Biology at the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón and her Ph.D. in Neurobiology at Harvard University.
Bill Gardner
Vice President, Programming & Development, PBS
Bill Gardner oversees content strategy, development and production for the PBS Primetime schedule in the genres of history, culture, natural history and science. During his time at PBS, projects he commissioned or oversaw have won three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Dupont-Columbia Award, an Imagen Award, an NAACP Image Award and numerous Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Wildscreen Awards. International co-productions he has developed or commissioned have also earned several BAFTA and Grierson Awards. Before joining PBS in 2012 Gardner spent over a decade in the independent production world, working as director, producer, writer and showrunner on projects for multiple global networks, with production experience in over 30 countries. Bill holds a Masters Degree in cultural anthropology and has taught university courses in Arkansas and Marrakech, Morocco.
Vice President, Programming & Development, PBS
Bill Gardner oversees content strategy, development and production for the PBS Primetime schedule in the genres of history, culture, natural history and science. During his time at PBS, projects he commissioned or oversaw have won three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Dupont-Columbia Award, an Imagen Award, an NAACP Image Award and numerous Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Wildscreen Awards. International co-productions he has developed or commissioned have also earned several BAFTA and Grierson Awards. Before joining PBS in 2012 Gardner spent over a decade in the independent production world, working as director, producer, writer and showrunner on projects for multiple global networks, with production experience in over 30 countries. Bill holds a Masters Degree in cultural anthropology and has taught university courses in Arkansas and Marrakech, Morocco.
Ben Hamilton
Creative Director, Wild Agency
Ben is an award winning conservation filmmaker and the owner of Wild Agency. For the past decade he has traveled the globe capturing stories for NGOs and companies like National Geographic, BBC, and Smithsonian. Today, at Wild Agency, he works to design innovative video campaigns that break through the noise online and move audiences to action. Ben is a recent father, an avid adventurer, and a filmmaker ready to follow stories to the edge of the planet while ensuring they deliver impact on screens at home.
Creative Director, Wild Agency
Ben is an award winning conservation filmmaker and the owner of Wild Agency. For the past decade he has traveled the globe capturing stories for NGOs and companies like National Geographic, BBC, and Smithsonian. Today, at Wild Agency, he works to design innovative video campaigns that break through the noise online and move audiences to action. Ben is a recent father, an avid adventurer, and a filmmaker ready to follow stories to the edge of the planet while ensuring they deliver impact on screens at home.
Morgan Heim
Co-Creator, Photographer Filmmaker
Morgan Heim — (MA) Journalism, (BS) Zoology — founded Neon Raven Story Labs, a storytelling and strategy platform for conservation, and co-launched Her Wild Vision Initiative, aimed at raising the voices of diverse women in the craft of visual storytelling. Morgan is a Senior Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, and is published in Smithsonian, Audubon and National Geographic. Her film collaborations “Deer 139” and “The End of Snow” toured in Banff, Telluride and Wild & Scenic. An especially proud moment for her was when “The Snow Guardian,” (made while at Day’s Edge Productions), went viral with over 11 million views. These days, you can find her looking for adventure in coastal Oregon.
Co-Creator, Photographer Filmmaker
Morgan Heim — (MA) Journalism, (BS) Zoology — founded Neon Raven Story Labs, a storytelling and strategy platform for conservation, and co-launched Her Wild Vision Initiative, aimed at raising the voices of diverse women in the craft of visual storytelling. Morgan is a Senior Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, and is published in Smithsonian, Audubon and National Geographic. Her film collaborations “Deer 139” and “The End of Snow” toured in Banff, Telluride and Wild & Scenic. An especially proud moment for her was when “The Snow Guardian,” (made while at Day’s Edge Productions), went viral with over 11 million views. These days, you can find her looking for adventure in coastal Oregon.
Janet Hess
Series Editor of NATURE on Channel THIRTEEN/WNET for PBS
Janet is the Series Editor of NATURE, the premier American natural history series from THIRTEEN/WNET for PBS. She develops new projects, shapes stories, and works with writers, producers, and editors to make strong narratives a part of the NATURE brand. Janet has written and produced many episodes for the series, among them Pale Male, for which she was awarded the 2004 News and Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Writing. Her script for An Original DUCKumentary was also nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy and for best writing at the 2013 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. Her work on the feature doc The Legend of Pale Male received the outstanding writing award at both the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival 2009 and at Wildscreen 2010. Janet is a graduate of Smith College and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Series Editor of NATURE on Channel THIRTEEN/WNET for PBS
Janet is the Series Editor of NATURE, the premier American natural history series from THIRTEEN/WNET for PBS. She develops new projects, shapes stories, and works with writers, producers, and editors to make strong narratives a part of the NATURE brand. Janet has written and produced many episodes for the series, among them Pale Male, for which she was awarded the 2004 News and Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Writing. Her script for An Original DUCKumentary was also nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy and for best writing at the 2013 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. Her work on the feature doc The Legend of Pale Male received the outstanding writing award at both the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival 2009 and at Wildscreen 2010. Janet is a graduate of Smith College and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Ann Johnson Prum
Ann Johnson Prum is an award-winning wildlife television executive, producer and cinematographer, and founder of Coneflower Studios. Ann combines her deep knowledge of the natural world with her skills as an expedition leader to bring immersive, surprising, deeply researched, and beautiful shows to her audiences. Ann recently Co-Executive Produced Born Wild: The Next Generation for National Geographic and ABC, and previously oversaw the landmark National Science Foundation funded three-part series, American Spring Live, for the PBS series Nature. Ann has produced numerous award winning wildlife shows including Sex, Lies and Butterflies, Super Hummingbirds, which won an Emmy for Best Cinematography, Animal Homes, a three part series that was nominated for 4 Emmys including Best Nature Program, An Original Duckumentary, which won an Emmy for Best Nature Program, and Magic in the Air, which was nominated for 2 Emmys including Best Nature Program. These programs have also received numerous international awards and festival prizes.
Ann Johnson Prum is an award-winning wildlife television executive, producer and cinematographer, and founder of Coneflower Studios. Ann combines her deep knowledge of the natural world with her skills as an expedition leader to bring immersive, surprising, deeply researched, and beautiful shows to her audiences. Ann recently Co-Executive Produced Born Wild: The Next Generation for National Geographic and ABC, and previously oversaw the landmark National Science Foundation funded three-part series, American Spring Live, for the PBS series Nature. Ann has produced numerous award winning wildlife shows including Sex, Lies and Butterflies, Super Hummingbirds, which won an Emmy for Best Cinematography, Animal Homes, a three part series that was nominated for 4 Emmys including Best Nature Program, An Original Duckumentary, which won an Emmy for Best Nature Program, and Magic in the Air, which was nominated for 2 Emmys including Best Nature Program. These programs have also received numerous international awards and festival prizes.
James Reed
James Reed is an award winning film maker who most recently directed the Netflix feature doc My Octopus Teacher. Previously James wrote and directed Rise of The Warrior Apes, produced with Keo Films for DNI, which has won awards for writing and animal behavior as well as the Golden Panda for best film at Wildscreen 2018. James also produced and directed the independently made film Jago: A Life Underwater, winner of the Panda award for Cinematography, Best Documentary at RTS and the Grand Teton for best in Festival at Jackson Hole 2015. Throughout his career the majority of films James has worked on (from researcher to executive producer) have been based on ideas he has created and developed himself, either as an independent producer or more recently through his own company, Underdog Films.
James Reed is an award winning film maker who most recently directed the Netflix feature doc My Octopus Teacher. Previously James wrote and directed Rise of The Warrior Apes, produced with Keo Films for DNI, which has won awards for writing and animal behavior as well as the Golden Panda for best film at Wildscreen 2018. James also produced and directed the independently made film Jago: A Life Underwater, winner of the Panda award for Cinematography, Best Documentary at RTS and the Grand Teton for best in Festival at Jackson Hole 2015. Throughout his career the majority of films James has worked on (from researcher to executive producer) have been based on ideas he has created and developed himself, either as an independent producer or more recently through his own company, Underdog Films.
Akanksha Sood Singh
Producer & Co-founder of The Gaia People
Akanksha Sood Singh is among India's premiere award winning natural history filmmakers. With two decades of work experience that covers the range and breadth of film production, she has developed and honed her skills, often in extremely high pressure – high demand settings which range from the jungles to tent pole feature films, crafting scripts to negotiating complex acquisition & co-productions and now to producing and directing her own films. Akanksha’s work has been televised across the globe on almost all major networks. Among the 200+ awards and nominations, she has won three National Film Awards given by the President of India, a UN Film Award, and recently, the World’s Emerging Documentarian Award. She is one of the Jurors for the International Emmy ® Awards – Documentary category.
Producer & Co-founder of The Gaia People
Akanksha Sood Singh is among India's premiere award winning natural history filmmakers. With two decades of work experience that covers the range and breadth of film production, she has developed and honed her skills, often in extremely high pressure – high demand settings which range from the jungles to tent pole feature films, crafting scripts to negotiating complex acquisition & co-productions and now to producing and directing her own films. Akanksha’s work has been televised across the globe on almost all major networks. Among the 200+ awards and nominations, she has won three National Film Awards given by the President of India, a UN Film Award, and recently, the World’s Emerging Documentarian Award. She is one of the Jurors for the International Emmy ® Awards – Documentary category.
Danni Washington
TV Host & Science Communicator
Danni is a TV host and science communicator who is also the first African-American woman to host her own science television series. Currently, Danni is featured as a correspondent on a weekly nationally syndicated CBS series called Mission Unstoppable. Danni has also hosted other STEM shows including Xploration Nature Knows Best on FOX, Science the $#!* Out Of It for Facebook Watch, Untamed Science for Pearson Publishing and Ocean GEMS. Danni also served as the 2018 spokesperson of the nation’s largest celebration of STEM at the USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington D.C. She is a graduate of the University of Miami with a BSc. degree in Marine Science & Biology and the co-founder of Big Blue & You.
TV Host & Science Communicator
Danni is a TV host and science communicator who is also the first African-American woman to host her own science television series. Currently, Danni is featured as a correspondent on a weekly nationally syndicated CBS series called Mission Unstoppable. Danni has also hosted other STEM shows including Xploration Nature Knows Best on FOX, Science the $#!* Out Of It for Facebook Watch, Untamed Science for Pearson Publishing and Ocean GEMS. Danni also served as the 2018 spokesperson of the nation’s largest celebration of STEM at the USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington D.C. She is a graduate of the University of Miami with a BSc. degree in Marine Science & Biology and the co-founder of Big Blue & You.
Eric Bendick
Eric Bendick is an Emmy-winning Storyteller, Director and Producer for Montana-based GRIZZLY CREEK FILMS. His work is motivated by an exploration of connectivity, conflict, intersection, and balance among the human and natural world. Credits include broadcast specials and series for National Geographic, Smithsonian, PBS, History Channel, Animal Planet, Microsoft, ABC, and the U.S. Department of Defense. His accolades include a Webby Award, a Wildscreen Panda Award and the Best Broadcast Feature Award from the International Wildlife Film Festival.
Eric Bendick is an Emmy-winning Storyteller, Director and Producer for Montana-based GRIZZLY CREEK FILMS. His work is motivated by an exploration of connectivity, conflict, intersection, and balance among the human and natural world. Credits include broadcast specials and series for National Geographic, Smithsonian, PBS, History Channel, Animal Planet, Microsoft, ABC, and the U.S. Department of Defense. His accolades include a Webby Award, a Wildscreen Panda Award and the Best Broadcast Feature Award from the International Wildlife Film Festival.
2020 Commissioners
Alison Barrat
Vice President of Production and Development for Love Nature
Alison Barrat is Vice President of production and development for Love Nature, a natural history channel that reaches 200 million households around the world. Alison works with production companies and coproduction partners to help shape and greenlight new projects for Love Nature. For more than two decades Alison has produced, written, and directed wildlife documentaries. Her work has been seen on PBS, National Geographic, The Smithsonian Channel, Discovery, and Animal Planet among others. She is an Emmy, and multi award-winning filmmaker. Alison has a B.Sc. in Zoology from Glasgow University, an M.A in film and documentary, and a certificate in Environmental Communication from Duke University.
Vice President of Production and Development for Love Nature
Alison Barrat is Vice President of production and development for Love Nature, a natural history channel that reaches 200 million households around the world. Alison works with production companies and coproduction partners to help shape and greenlight new projects for Love Nature. For more than two decades Alison has produced, written, and directed wildlife documentaries. Her work has been seen on PBS, National Geographic, The Smithsonian Channel, Discovery, and Animal Planet among others. She is an Emmy, and multi award-winning filmmaker. Alison has a B.Sc. in Zoology from Glasgow University, an M.A in film and documentary, and a certificate in Environmental Communication from Duke University.
Bill Gardner
Vice President, Programming & Development, PBS
Bill Gardner oversees content strategy, development and production for the PBS Primetime schedule in the genres of history, culture, natural history and science. During his time at PBS, projects he commissioned or oversaw have won three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Dupont-Columbia Award, an Imagen Award, an NAACP Image Award and numerous Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Wildscreen Awards. International co-productions he has developed or commissioned have also earned several BAFTA and Grierson Awards. Before joining PBS in 2012 Gardner spent over a decade in the independent production world, working as director, producer, writer and showrunner on projects for multiple global networks, with production experience in over 30 countries. Bill holds a Masters Degree in cultural anthropology and has taught university courses in Arkansas and Marrakech, Morocco.
Vice President, Programming & Development, PBS
Bill Gardner oversees content strategy, development and production for the PBS Primetime schedule in the genres of history, culture, natural history and science. During his time at PBS, projects he commissioned or oversaw have won three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Dupont-Columbia Award, an Imagen Award, an NAACP Image Award and numerous Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Wildscreen Awards. International co-productions he has developed or commissioned have also earned several BAFTA and Grierson Awards. Before joining PBS in 2012 Gardner spent over a decade in the independent production world, working as director, producer, writer and showrunner on projects for multiple global networks, with production experience in over 30 countries. Bill holds a Masters Degree in cultural anthropology and has taught university courses in Arkansas and Marrakech, Morocco.
Hélène Ganichaud
Deputy Head of the Specialist Factual Unit at ARTE
Hélène Ganichaud is the deputy head of the Specialist Factual Unit at ARTE France. She commissions natural history, history science, adventure and human interest programmes. Before that, she was a London-based freelance producer, writer and director for more than 10 years working mostly for the BBC in-house specialist factual unit. Her credits include: 700 Sharks for Arte and National Geographic, Lost Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs for Arte, Channel 4 and Discovery Science, Forces of Nature for BBC1, Wonders of life; Oceans and Trust Me I’m A Doctor for BBC2, Animal Fight Night for National Geographic and Supersized Earth for Discovery.
Deputy Head of the Specialist Factual Unit at ARTE
Hélène Ganichaud is the deputy head of the Specialist Factual Unit at ARTE France. She commissions natural history, history science, adventure and human interest programmes. Before that, she was a London-based freelance producer, writer and director for more than 10 years working mostly for the BBC in-house specialist factual unit. Her credits include: 700 Sharks for Arte and National Geographic, Lost Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs for Arte, Channel 4 and Discovery Science, Forces of Nature for BBC1, Wonders of life; Oceans and Trust Me I’m A Doctor for BBC2, Animal Fight Night for National Geographic and Supersized Earth for Discovery.
Jared Lipworth
Executive Producer & Head of Outreach & Impact for HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
As executive producer, Jared Lipworth oversees development and editorial on select films and series for HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, focusing on the power of storytelling to inspire interest in science. As head of outreach and impact, Lipworth develops and executes high-profile, long-term outreach initiatives, building strategic collaborations with mission-aligned partners to maximize the reach and impact of the studio’s projects. Lipworth is an Emmy-winning executive producer who has overseen hundreds of hours of science, history and natural history programs. He has deep industry experience as an editorially-focused production executive, writer, commissioning editor, and co-production partner. Prior to joining HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Lipworth was vice president of specials at National Geographic Studios, where he developed and ran the production of films for National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, PBS, NOVA and international broadcasters. Standouts include “Jane,” the award-winning feature documentary about Jane Goodall directed by Brett Morgen, and the Emmy-nominated “NOVA: Dawn of Humanity” and “Explorer: Warlords of Ivory.” Before National Geographic, Lipworth was director of science programs at WNET, New York’s flagship public media provider, where he ran the science unit and oversaw award-winning science, technology and history series and specials. Titles include “Secrets of the Dead,” “Innovation,” “The Human Spark with Alan Alda”—a AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award-winner, and the Emmy-winning “The Mysterious Human Heart.”
Executive Producer & Head of Outreach & Impact for HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
As executive producer, Jared Lipworth oversees development and editorial on select films and series for HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, focusing on the power of storytelling to inspire interest in science. As head of outreach and impact, Lipworth develops and executes high-profile, long-term outreach initiatives, building strategic collaborations with mission-aligned partners to maximize the reach and impact of the studio’s projects. Lipworth is an Emmy-winning executive producer who has overseen hundreds of hours of science, history and natural history programs. He has deep industry experience as an editorially-focused production executive, writer, commissioning editor, and co-production partner. Prior to joining HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Lipworth was vice president of specials at National Geographic Studios, where he developed and ran the production of films for National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, PBS, NOVA and international broadcasters. Standouts include “Jane,” the award-winning feature documentary about Jane Goodall directed by Brett Morgen, and the Emmy-nominated “NOVA: Dawn of Humanity” and “Explorer: Warlords of Ivory.” Before National Geographic, Lipworth was director of science programs at WNET, New York’s flagship public media provider, where he ran the science unit and oversaw award-winning science, technology and history series and specials. Titles include “Secrets of the Dead,” “Innovation,” “The Human Spark with Alan Alda”—a AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award-winner, and the Emmy-winning “The Mysterious Human Heart.”
Jorge Franzini
Director of Content and Development
Jorge Franzini serves as the Director of Content and Development for CuriosityStream’s original programming. His main duties are identifying potential series and one-offs for the service and its channels. As a member of the programming team, he is a liaison with outside production companies and partners. Prior to joining CuriosityStream, Franzini spent the early years of his career working on a variety of broadcast and commercial projects, and was a producer for one of the earliest digital media companies specializing in streaming content.
Director of Content and Development
Jorge Franzini serves as the Director of Content and Development for CuriosityStream’s original programming. His main duties are identifying potential series and one-offs for the service and its channels. As a member of the programming team, he is a liaison with outside production companies and partners. Prior to joining CuriosityStream, Franzini spent the early years of his career working on a variety of broadcast and commercial projects, and was a producer for one of the earliest digital media companies specializing in streaming content.
Meghan Cassin
Vice President of Development for National Geographic Channels
For National Geographic Channels, Meghan is responsible for animal specials and series across Wild, National Geographic, and the National Geographic Disney+ tile. She is also a co-creator of the Field Ready program which seeks to expand the field of filmmaking by increasing diversity and representation behind the lens through mentorship. Since joining the channel in 2014, Cassin has developed audience favorites such as “Heartland Docs, DVM”, “Alaska Animal Rescue”, “Critter Fixers”, “Dog Impossible”, and “Dead by Dawn”. Cassin has also executive produced the award-winning multiplatform series “Untamed with Filipe DeAndrade” and one of the highest rating SharkFest specials, “World’s Biggest Great White?” Previously, Cassin worked in development, strategy, and production roles at Digitas, Siskel/Jacobs Productions, Intersport, and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. She is a graduate of The George Washington University’s American studies program and holds a Master of Science in integrated marketing and communications from Northwestern University.
Vice President of Development for National Geographic Channels
For National Geographic Channels, Meghan is responsible for animal specials and series across Wild, National Geographic, and the National Geographic Disney+ tile. She is also a co-creator of the Field Ready program which seeks to expand the field of filmmaking by increasing diversity and representation behind the lens through mentorship. Since joining the channel in 2014, Cassin has developed audience favorites such as “Heartland Docs, DVM”, “Alaska Animal Rescue”, “Critter Fixers”, “Dog Impossible”, and “Dead by Dawn”. Cassin has also executive produced the award-winning multiplatform series “Untamed with Filipe DeAndrade” and one of the highest rating SharkFest specials, “World’s Biggest Great White?” Previously, Cassin worked in development, strategy, and production roles at Digitas, Siskel/Jacobs Productions, Intersport, and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. She is a graduate of The George Washington University’s American studies program and holds a Master of Science in integrated marketing and communications from Northwestern University.
Steven Bedard
Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of bioGraphic
Steven Bedard is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of bioGraphic, an editorially independent magazine that covers natural history, conservation, and sustainability stories from around the world. With more than 20 years of experience writing, producing, and editing science content, Bedard has written and produced immersive, multi-screen experiences, short- and long-form documentaries, interactive games and simulations, and hundreds of articles and essays on a wide variety of topics from astrophysics and archaeology to genetics, evolution, and public health. As a former field biologist who spent the early 90s studying spotted owls and northern goshawks in the Intermountain West, he has found his happiest place covering the natural world for bioGraphic.
Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of bioGraphic
Steven Bedard is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of bioGraphic, an editorially independent magazine that covers natural history, conservation, and sustainability stories from around the world. With more than 20 years of experience writing, producing, and editing science content, Bedard has written and produced immersive, multi-screen experiences, short- and long-form documentaries, interactive games and simulations, and hundreds of articles and essays on a wide variety of topics from astrophysics and archaeology to genetics, evolution, and public health. As a former field biologist who spent the early 90s studying spotted owls and northern goshawks in the Intermountain West, he has found his happiest place covering the natural world for bioGraphic.
Rob Whitehair
Co-founder and CEO of Mammalz
Rob is the Co-founder and CEO of Mammalz, a new global live streaming service for all things nature focusing on creative storytelling, presenter led streams, and IRL (in real life) experiences. He is an award-winning filmmaker, artist, ecologist, and storyteller whose work celebrates life and explores the connections between people and the Earth. His films have won multiple awards at international festivals, enjoyed theatrical release in the US and have been broadcast worldwide.
Co-founder and CEO of Mammalz
Rob is the Co-founder and CEO of Mammalz, a new global live streaming service for all things nature focusing on creative storytelling, presenter led streams, and IRL (in real life) experiences. He is an award-winning filmmaker, artist, ecologist, and storyteller whose work celebrates life and explores the connections between people and the Earth. His films have won multiple awards at international festivals, enjoyed theatrical release in the US and have been broadcast worldwide.
Stephanie Stone
Co-founder of bioGraphic
Stephanie Stone is the co-founder of bioGraphic, an editorially independent magazine that covers natural history and sustainability stories from around the world. She also serves on the board of SECORE, a coral reef conservation nonprofit. Formerly the Director of Communications and Content at the California Academy of Sciences (where she met some of her favorite scientists), Stone has more than 20 years of experience communicating scientific information to general audiences. In addition to her work at the Academy, Stone has also written about science for publications like Discover, Cosmos, and the San Francisco Chronicle, has lectured on science communication at Stanford University, and has executive produced a number of award-winning films. In 2019, Stone served as a judge for the International Wildlife Film Festival. She graduated with a degree in Anthropology from Harvard University, where she conducted her senior thesis research on ancient Mayan musical instruments.
Co-founder of bioGraphic
Stephanie Stone is the co-founder of bioGraphic, an editorially independent magazine that covers natural history and sustainability stories from around the world. She also serves on the board of SECORE, a coral reef conservation nonprofit. Formerly the Director of Communications and Content at the California Academy of Sciences (where she met some of her favorite scientists), Stone has more than 20 years of experience communicating scientific information to general audiences. In addition to her work at the Academy, Stone has also written about science for publications like Discover, Cosmos, and the San Francisco Chronicle, has lectured on science communication at Stanford University, and has executive produced a number of award-winning films. In 2019, Stone served as a judge for the International Wildlife Film Festival. She graduated with a degree in Anthropology from Harvard University, where she conducted her senior thesis research on ancient Mayan musical instruments.
Tria Thalman
Executive Producer for Natural History, Smithsonian Networks
Tria considers herself one of the lucky ones: someone who knew early in life what she wanted to do and has happily followed that path for 25 years. In her current role she helps develop and oversee a broad slate of wildlife films for Smithsonian Channel US and their international networks. She works with production companies to help shape their films through development and production, and gets deep in the weeds with script writing if needed. But, a producer at heart, she’s happiest when in the field. Before joining Smithsonian Channel she worked as a freelance producer creating content for National Geographic, Discovery, Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in zoology from the University of Cambridge and studied film at the University of Bristol before moving to the United States in 1995.
Executive Producer for Natural History, Smithsonian Networks
Tria considers herself one of the lucky ones: someone who knew early in life what she wanted to do and has happily followed that path for 25 years. In her current role she helps develop and oversee a broad slate of wildlife films for Smithsonian Channel US and their international networks. She works with production companies to help shape their films through development and production, and gets deep in the weeds with script writing if needed. But, a producer at heart, she’s happiest when in the field. Before joining Smithsonian Channel she worked as a freelance producer creating content for National Geographic, Discovery, Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in zoology from the University of Cambridge and studied film at the University of Bristol before moving to the United States in 1995.
