JULIE WINOKUR, PRODUCER + DIRECTOR
Julie Winokur, Executive Director of Talking Eyes Media, has been a storyteller for over two decades, first as a magazine writer and then as a documentary filmmaker. She launched Talking Eyes in 2002 as a way to focus on creating visual media that catalyzes positive social change. Her work has appeared on PBS, the Documentary Channel, MediaStorm, National Geographic Magazine and Discovery online, as well as in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and MSNBC.com. Beyond broadcast and publication, Winokur works extensively with nonprofit organizations to develop their messages and put Talking Eyes' films to work at the grassroots level. She is also on the faculty of the International Center of Photography.
KATHY LEICHTER, OUTREACH PRODUCER
Kathy is an award-winning documentary producer, director, and impact producer with over twenty-five years of experience using media for social change. Her most recent film, Here One Day, was screened at some of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and is now the centerpiece of an international community screening initiative to reduce stigma around mental illness and suicide and improve mental health policy. Prior, Leichter was the Project Director of the Workfare Media Initiative, an audience engagement and media literacy project which trained welfare recipients to show Leichter’s award-winning PBS documentary, A Day’s Work, A Day’s Pay, and inspire action around economic justice. Leichter was also the producer and outreach consultant on Hidden Battles, about the psychological impact of killing on soldiers, and Mothers and Daughters: Mirrors That Bind, about women’s sexuality, body image, and self-esteem. As the Impact Producer on Bring It To The Table, Leichter is responsible for securing peak audience engagement through nationwide screenings, educational DVD sales, press, a strong social media and online presence, and foundation support. Contact Kathy at: Kathy@bringit2thetable.org for more information.
JESSEY DEARING, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Jessey is a photographer, cinematographer and editor. He also works with audio and motion graphics, amongst his many other technical skills. In his spare time he is working on a documentary film, SPILLING OVER, which examines the human consequences of BP’s oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2011, he graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in photojournalism.
ED KASHI, PHOTOGRAPHER + VIDEOGRAPHER
Ed Kashi is a photojournalist dedicated to documenting the social and political issues that define our times. A member of the prestigious photo agency VII, Kashi has been recognized with awards from World Press, Pictures of the Year International, UNICEF and the National Press Photographers Association. His work appears regularly in National Geographic Magazine, Time, Newsweek, and the New Yorker, as well as many international publications. Kashi has published five books of his photography and is on the faculty of the International Center of Photography.
ELISSA PELLEGRINO, PRODUCER
Elissa was at TEM from 2008-2014 as a producer and editor, and worked on various productions including Living Your Subjects, Photojournalisms, the Purpose Prize Awards, and the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, among others. Prior to working at Talking Eyes, Elissa was a production assistant at Public Policy Productions for award-winning producer/director Roger Weisberg. Elissa graduated in 2007 from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a concentration in international relations.
ANNE FAUSTIN, OUTREACH PRODUCER
Anne is a Strategic Development Consultant with over a decade of experience in strategic planning and development. As the Outreach Producer for Bring It to The Table she identifies and cultivates relationships with colleges, universities, prospect funders, and national organizations in the civil discourse space. She previously served as the Strategic Development Consultant for the Ciné Institute, a Consultant at the Clinton Global Initiative and has a Master of Public Health (MPH) from New York Medical College, a BA in Management from Manhattanville College and received her Certificate in Television and Film Producing from NYU.
JULIE TURKEWITZ, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Julie worked for Talking Eyes in 2011 and 2012. She is now a reporter for The New York Times, based in the newspaper's Denver bureau.
RACHEL DENNIS, PACKAGING DESIGN
Rachel joined Talking Eyes in January 2015 after spending two years with the PhotogenX Around the World Track. The Track took her to five continents and 15 countries in which she helped produce the book, Rags and Riches, and several short documentary videos profiling people affected by global poverty. In 2012 she graduated with a degree in Photojournalism and a minor in Hispanic Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she worked as a videographer on the award-winning Living Galapagos project.
MALLIKA VORA, WEB DESIGNER + COLORIST
Mallika is a Brooklyn-based documentary photographer, graphic designer and programmer. She is on the faculty of the Documentary Photography & Photojournalism program at the International Center of Photography, and holds a BFA in Photography & Imaging with a minor in Web Applications & Programming from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Mallika designed this website! ;)
ANDREW HIDA, PHOTOGRAPHER + VIDEOGRAPHER
Andrew is a filmmaker and video producer whose work focuses on issues of health, environment, and social justice. He works closely with corporate, non-profit and editorial clients to help realize their visions through filmmaking, consultation and good storytelling. He was born and raised in Honolulu, HI and now calls San Francisco, CA home.
KIMBERLY SOENEN, DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Kimberly Soenen is a creative, service-oriented leader with nearly 20 years of experience publicizing film, editorial and reportage. She has worked for NPR, Kartemquin Films and the Chicago Tribune. Her visual story-telling expertise includes work as producer and publicist on documentary films, multimedia features and editorial essays.
MICHAEL CURRY, COLORIST
Mike worked as Ed Kashi’s Retoucher/Digital Producer and Talking Eyes’ Colorist for seven years. His responsibilities included digital management of all photographs, color correction of video, photo / graphics coordination, photo calibration, printing, and assisting with all exhibition preparations and publication submissions. He continues to provide his imaging and technical expertise as a freelancer. Michael splits his time between the studio and his own pursuits in photography and art. He received a degree in Digital Arts from The College of New Jersey in 2005.
SASHA JIWANI, PRODUCTION + COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
Sasha was the Production/Communications Associate for Talking Eyes Media. Since graduating from Emory University with a BA in International Relations, Jiwani has worked on several projects related to raising awareness on pressing social issues. She also leads the initiative in a faith-based organization to launch educational and sports activities for youth in her community. She is currently working as a Project Manager for Pearson and working towards getting her MBA from Rutgers University.