We are lucky to have a group of industry-leading instructors and mentors who are committed to sharing their knowledge with the Jackson Wild Media Lab.
Core Instructors
Nate Dappen
Owner/Producer at Day’s Edge Productions
Nate Dappen is a biologist and award-winning photographer and filmmaker based in San Diego, CA. He earned his Ph.D. in Biology in 2012. He is a fellow of the Explorers Club and an affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Nate can’t get enough of surfing or IPAs. Nate co-founded Day’s Edge Productions with Neil Losin in 2012.
Owner/Producer at Day’s Edge Productions
Nate Dappen is a biologist and award-winning photographer and filmmaker based in San Diego, CA. He earned his Ph.D. in Biology in 2012. He is a fellow of the Explorers Club and an affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Nate can’t get enough of surfing or IPAs. Nate co-founded Day’s Edge Productions with Neil Losin in 2012.
Neil Losin
Owner/Producer at Day’s Edge Productions
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 lizard 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.
Owner/Producer at Day’s Edge Productions
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 lizard 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.
Mentors
Bill Gardner
Vice President, Programming and 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 a director, producer, writer and show runner 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 and 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 a director, producer, writer and show runner 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.
Mónica Feliú-Mójer
Science Communicator and Outreach Scientist at CienciaPR and iBiology
Mónica grew up in rural Puerto Rico, catching lizards and with a cow in her backyard, which sparked her interest in biology. She taps into her professional and cultural backgrounds, using storytelling, science communication, and community-building to make science more equitable and inclusive. She directs communications and outreach for CienciaPR, a global community democratizing science, supporting the career development of young scientists, and transforming science education in Puerto Rico. She also works with iBiology, leading science communication trainings and producing “Background to Breakthrough”, a collection of short films showcasing how scientists of color have succeeded because of their backgrounds.
Science Communicator and Outreach Scientist at CienciaPR and iBiology
Mónica grew up in rural Puerto Rico, catching lizards and with a cow in her backyard, which sparked her interest in biology. She taps into her professional and cultural backgrounds, using storytelling, science communication, and community-building to make science more equitable and inclusive. She directs communications and outreach for CienciaPR, a global community democratizing science, supporting the career development of young scientists, and transforming science education in Puerto Rico. She also works with iBiology, leading science communication trainings and producing “Background to Breakthrough”, a collection of short films showcasing how scientists of color have succeeded because of their backgrounds.
Janet Hess
Series Editor of NATURE on Channel THIRTEEN/WNET for PBS
Janet Hess 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 Hess 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.
Cody Westheimer
Composer and owner at New West Studios
When he’s not running, riding his bike or exploring the wilderness Cody Westheimer is racking up credits as diverse as they are interesting. To date, he's amassed well over 100 hours of music for feature films, documentary series and iconic sports themes. His IMAX credits include “Hidden Pacific,” “Titanosaur” and “Journey to Space.” He wrote the award winning score to the BBC/WNET co-production “H is for Hawk: The Next Chapter.” His homemade portable music studio was profiled by Outside Magazine. A multi-instrumentalist, Cody plays dozens of instruments including keys, low brass, the Japanese shakuhachi and 5 string banjo.
Composer and owner at New West Studios
When he’s not running, riding his bike or exploring the wilderness Cody Westheimer is racking up credits as diverse as they are interesting. To date, he's amassed well over 100 hours of music for feature films, documentary series and iconic sports themes. His IMAX credits include “Hidden Pacific,” “Titanosaur” and “Journey to Space.” He wrote the award winning score to the BBC/WNET co-production “H is for Hawk: The Next Chapter.” His homemade portable music studio was profiled by Outside Magazine. A multi-instrumentalist, Cody plays dozens of instruments including keys, low brass, the Japanese shakuhachi and 5 string banjo.
Rachel Link
Content Curator at National Geographic Short Film Showcase
Rachel Link curates National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase, a collection of exceptional non-fiction content from around the world. She began her career in film distribution before moving into educational video production. Now, both inform her multifaceted mission to provide a platform to emerging conservation filmmakers. She holds a BA in Media Studies from Scripps College. When she's not watching short films, Rachel loves self-guided walking tours where she can chart her own path.
Content Curator at National Geographic Short Film Showcase
Rachel Link curates National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase, a collection of exceptional non-fiction content from around the world. She began her career in film distribution before moving into educational video production. Now, both inform her multifaceted mission to provide a platform to emerging conservation filmmakers. She holds a BA in Media Studies from Scripps College. When she's not watching short films, Rachel loves self-guided walking tours where she can chart her own path.
Tria Thalman
Executive Producer for Natural History, Smithsonian Networks
I am one of the lucky ones… someone who knew early on what she wanted to do for a career and I’vebeen enjoying doing just that for 25 years. In my current role, I help develop and creatively oversee a broad slate of wildlife films for Smithsonian Channel and our international networks. I love working with production companies to help shape their films and am happy to get deep in the weeds with scriptwriting if needed. But, a producer at heart, I’m happiest when I’m in the field. Before joining Smithsonian Channel I worked as a freelance producer, creating films for National Geographic, Discovery, Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet. I have a bachelor and a masters degree in zoology from the University of Cambridge and then studied film at the University of Bristol before moving to the United States.
Executive Producer for Natural History, Smithsonian Networks
I am one of the lucky ones… someone who knew early on what she wanted to do for a career and I’vebeen enjoying doing just that for 25 years. In my current role, I help develop and creatively oversee a broad slate of wildlife films for Smithsonian Channel and our international networks. I love working with production companies to help shape their films and am happy to get deep in the weeds with scriptwriting if needed. But, a producer at heart, I’m happiest when I’m in the field. Before joining Smithsonian Channel I worked as a freelance producer, creating films for National Geographic, Discovery, Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet. I have a bachelor and a masters degree in zoology from the University of Cambridge and then studied film at the University of Bristol before moving to the United States.
Maryanne Culpepper
Maryanne Culpepper is an award-winning writer/filmmaker with extensive experience in developing, writing and producing documentary and nonfiction series. She is the former President of National Geographic Studios and served as the Executive Director of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital. Her specialty is writing and storytelling for film and video. She is currently developing creative content for UPROAR, (a global mobile media platform and community enabling individuals to make a difference in the world) and writing and producing for international science museum exhibitions. She teaches script and treatment writing at George Washington University’s Documentary Center, is an affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), and a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA).
Maryanne Culpepper is an award-winning writer/filmmaker with extensive experience in developing, writing and producing documentary and nonfiction series. She is the former President of National Geographic Studios and served as the Executive Director of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital. Her specialty is writing and storytelling for film and video. She is currently developing creative content for UPROAR, (a global mobile media platform and community enabling individuals to make a difference in the world) and writing and producing for international science museum exhibitions. She teaches script and treatment writing at George Washington University’s Documentary Center, is an affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), and a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA).
Janet Han Vissering
Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Nat Geo WILD
As senior vice president of development and production for Nat Geo WILD, Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 200 hours of programming commissioned each year for broadcast in 166 countries, 330 million homes and 34 languages worldwide. In her role, Vissering oversees the premium natural history and animal-focused slates for all of National Geographic’s global networks and SVOD platforms, which includes National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD and now Disney+. She closely manages WILD’s development team, working with the world’s leading independent producers, distributors, creative agencies and strategic broadcast partners to create the network’s signature series, specials and events. She also provides daily oversight of production to ensure creative continuity and that all network programming objectives are being met — from project conception through delivery. Previously, she was SVP of strategic development and co-finance for seven years. As part of her development role, she has been responsible for creating key programs such as The Incredible Dr. Pol, Cesar 911, Animal Fight Night, and Wild Brazil, among other highly rated shows.
Prior to acquiring her current position, Vissering served as vice president of international acquisitions at NGCI from August 1998 to March 2000. She joined NGCI from Discovery Networks International, where she was head of program acquisitions and development from 1995 to 1998, managing the acquisition and development of over 2,500 program hours annually. Vissering joined Discovery Communications Inc. as a regional marketing manager for The Learning Channel, affiliate sales and relations, in March 1993. Prior to this role, she was a public affairs specialist for the Department of the Navy, based in Sasebo, Japan.
A graduate of the University of Maryland in College Park, with a major in international relations/business, Vissering is a native of Korea and speaks Korean fluently.
Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Nat Geo WILD
As senior vice president of development and production for Nat Geo WILD, Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 200 hours of programming commissioned each year for broadcast in 166 countries, 330 million homes and 34 languages worldwide. In her role, Vissering oversees the premium natural history and animal-focused slates for all of National Geographic’s global networks and SVOD platforms, which includes National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD and now Disney+. She closely manages WILD’s development team, working with the world’s leading independent producers, distributors, creative agencies and strategic broadcast partners to create the network’s signature series, specials and events. She also provides daily oversight of production to ensure creative continuity and that all network programming objectives are being met — from project conception through delivery. Previously, she was SVP of strategic development and co-finance for seven years. As part of her development role, she has been responsible for creating key programs such as The Incredible Dr. Pol, Cesar 911, Animal Fight Night, and Wild Brazil, among other highly rated shows.
Prior to acquiring her current position, Vissering served as vice president of international acquisitions at NGCI from August 1998 to March 2000. She joined NGCI from Discovery Networks International, where she was head of program acquisitions and development from 1995 to 1998, managing the acquisition and development of over 2,500 program hours annually. Vissering joined Discovery Communications Inc. as a regional marketing manager for The Learning Channel, affiliate sales and relations, in March 1993. Prior to this role, she was a public affairs specialist for the Department of the Navy, based in Sasebo, Japan.
A graduate of the University of Maryland in College Park, with a major in international relations/business, Vissering is a native of Korea and speaks Korean fluently.
