Mentorship Program

MentorshipProgram

In keeping with our mission of “Connecting the dots across kids and family media,” CMA is thrilled to offer the 2024 Mentorship Program dedicated to further helping our members lead, innovate, and shape the future of children’s media! Through this program, CMA fosters greater connections and opportunities within its membership community as well as across the greater childrens & family media industry.

As we gear up for the 2024 program, we’re excited to introduce two dynamic styles of mentorship, catering to diverse preferences.

Our application window is now closed for the 2024 Mentoring Program.

Aspiring Mentees:

Applications are now closed for our 2024 Mentoring Program. Please stay tuned for information about our 2025 Mentoring Program early next year.
 

Seeking Mentors:

Our Mentoring program owes its success to the remarkable Mentors who generously share their knowledge, expertise, and experience.

 

If YOU would like to sign up to be a Mentor for the 2024 program please click on the link below. 

The CMA Mentorship Program aims to:

Help mentees establish meaningful professional relationships with leading children’s media professionals, helping them to grow in their careers and achieve their long-term goals.

Encourages reciprocal mentorship where it is understood that both mentors and mentees have something invaluable to offer one another regardless if they are an established professional, just beginning their career in children’s media, or anywhere in between.

Seeks to help diversify the industry by formalizing the process of sharing our community’s wealth of experience with those who can benefit from it, especially those who have not historically been afforded such resources, and thereby bringing more diverse voices to children’s media. Mentoring programs boost promotion and retention rates among women and underrepresented groups from 15% to 38%, and increase minority representation at the management level from 9% to 24.

2024 CMA Mentors

 

Check out this year’s talented mentors with expertise across the spectrum of the children’s media industry:


Aaron Behl
VP, Originals, Atomic Cartoons
Adam Wade
Storytelling Instructor, Magnet Theater, NYC
Alex Breen
Executive Producer | Writer | Creative & Interactive Consultant, Breenscreen LLC
Alex Mitnick
Composer/Producer, TBM Productions (True Blue Media)
Alison Wallach
Senior Manager, Children’s Brand & Consumer Insights, Penguin Random House
Amanda Gummer
CEO, FUNdamentally Children
Amy Kraft
Children’s Media Strategist and Writer, Self Employed
Anna Jordan-Douglass
Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Makefully
Ariel Alexander
Music Director, Self employed
Ash Beecher
Sr Production Manager and Producer, Realm (formally Pinna)
Ashley Moulton
Educational Consultant, Freelance
Benjamin Weiner
Freelance Writer
Betsy Bozdech
Editorial Director, Head of Ratings and Reviews, Common Sense Media
Bob Mittenthal
Writer-Producer, Flying Mallet inc.
Brad Birch
Showrunner/E.P./Writer, Killer b Content, LLC.
Brian Newlin
Writer, Self, Pocket FM
Brittany Sommer Katzin
Chief of Programs and Partnerships, Sparkler Learning
Brett Sylvia
CEO, Self Employed
Caitlin Burns
Senior Director of Story, Candy Digital
Caitlin Tew
Marketing Consultant, Self-Employed
Carly Ciarrocchi
Freelance host/writer, Various
Catherine Campion
Union voice talent, director & coach
Cathryn Asip
Associate Director, Content, PBS KIDS
Cathy Tran
UX Research & Content Strategy
Charley Thomas
Senior Series Producer, Brown Bag Films/9 Story Media Group
Dan Bennett
Director, Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival
Danny Friedman
Writer/Developer/Producer, MoonShoes Productions
Danny LaBrecque
Creator and Host of Danny Joe’s Tree House
Darnell Walker
Freelance Writer, Darnell Lamont Walker
Dave Peth
Founder/Series Creator/Showrunner, Mighty Picnic
David Colicchio
Senior Producer / YouTube Channel Lead, Paramount / Nick Jr.
Donna Friedman Meir
Founder & CEO, WOW Explorations
Deb Frank
Executive Producer, Radio Flyer Studios
Dayna Gonzalez
Creative Arts Professional, Self-Employed
Donna Friedman Meir
CEO/Founder, WOW Explorations
Ed Kulzer
Senior Editor, Sesame Workshop
Edward Kulzer
Senior Editor, Sesame Workshop
Emily Rukobo
AVP, Content Development, LearningMate
Erica Rabner
Songwriter
Evren Yigit
Co-founder/Chief Content Officer, Mako Kids
Garrett Beltis
Senior Producer, Nickelodeon
Greg Alkalay
CEO and Founder, batteryPOP
Heiko Martens
Freelancer, Author & Dramaturg, Production Companys, Public Funders, Authors
Idris Goodwin
Artistic Director / Playwright / Author, Seattle Children’s Theatre
Jackie Payton
Post Production Supervisor, Augenblick Studios
Jacquelyn Fishman
Consultant
Jamie Krenn
Guest Faculty, Adjunct Associate Professor, Consultant, Sarah Lawrence, Teachers College
Jason Spencer
Director of PBS KIDS Original Productions, PBS
Javier Navarro
Production Coordinator, Fred Rogers Productions
Jennifer Treuting
Supervising Producer, Nickelodeon
Jessica deMonsabert
Director of Research and Curriculum, 9 Story Media
Jill Cozza-Turner
Freelance Writer, Development
Jodie Morris
Independent consultant, Self employed
Joey Egger
Exec Director Games and Emerging Technology, DEPT® APAC
Jonathan Sunshine
Production Manager, OddBot Animation
Jordyn Curley
Producer/Owner, Tuttle Twins LLC/Elephant Season
Josh Fisher
Creator/producer/consultant
Justine Gunn
Screenwriter, Hershend Entertainment Studios
Kait Boss
Children’s Television Executive, The Jim Henson Company
Kayla Skipper
Freelance Writer, Moonbug – Vida The Vet
Kellian Pletcher
Director of GLAM innovation, FableVision Studios
Kerron Stark
CEO, Dreams V Reality
Kristen McGregor
Writer, Idea Farmer
Kyrsten Novak
Sr User Researcher, Amazon Kids
Laurie Rabin
Executive/Supervising Producer, Mighty Picnic
Livia Beasley
Creator/Owner, Pixel & Pebble | Development Exec/EP, Minno | Founder, CMA, Pixel and Pebble
Liza Wyles
Writer & Creative Consultant, AMC Networks (through Black Spot New York Production Company)
Lynn Kestin-Sessler
Senior Creative Director, Nickelodeon, Paramount Global
Lynne McVeigh
Associate Professor, New York University
Magda Liolis
Freelance writer/producer, Self Employed
Marc Hecht
Writer/Producer, Nickelodeon
Marc Cantone
VP, Preschool Digital Content, Nickelodeon
Mark Purdy
Creator/EP/Writer, WILDBRAIN
Mariana Diaz-Wionczek
EP, Rosie’s Rules; Principal, MDW Consulting, 9 Story Media; MDW Consulting
Marlene Hochman
President & Founder, The Toy Museum of NY
Marlene Hochman
Founder & President of The Toy Museum of NY
Melanie Harke
Interactive Producer, Fred Rogers Productions
Natalie Engel
Founder & Producer, Trees in the Breeze LLC
Noelle Scindian
Noelle Wright
Writer/Story Editor/Developer/Producer
Noriko Louison
Research & Curriculum, Freelance
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Author
Pammy Salmon
Story Editor, Head Writer & Consultant, TV/Media/EdTech, Freelance
Peter Stidwill
Executive Producer, FableVision Studios
Phoebe Jiang
Early Learning Manager, PBS SoCal
Polly Conway
Head of TV, Common Sense Media
Priya Desai
Producer
Rachel Abeshouse
Producer, Nickelodeon
Rachel Graham
Freelance Writer
Rachel Reade Marcus
Vice President, Development, FableVision
Rossanna Wright
Music Director, Rosin and Bow
Rick Deutsch
VP/Creative Director, Paramount Global / Paramount Kids and Family Marketing
Sacha Kyle
Creative Director and Producer, BBC/CBeebies/Curious Dreamers
Sam Levine
CoFounder/Exec Prod/VP of Partnerships
Sara Karimipour
Staff Writer – Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, DreamWorks
Sarah Wallendjack
Senior Director, Content Development, PBS KIDS
Scott Kraft
Independent on a non-exclusive OAD at Netflix Animation (Preschool), Self and Netflix
Susan Scheiner
Director of Content, Sesame Workshop
Stuart Friedel
Writer/producer
Shane Lindley
VP, Product & Programming, Slumberkins
Sherri Hope Culver
Associate professor and Director of Center for Media & Information Literacy, Temple University
Sonia Tiwari
Adjunct Professor, Penn State University
Steve Altiere
Executive Producer, Nickelodeon
Steve Sandberg
Self-employed composer/performer
Stuart Friedel
Writer/Producer
Tanya Roitman
Creative Lead, BrainPOP
Ted Nitschke
Creative Executive, Brands, Moonbug Entertainment
Tracy Liu
Associate Creative Producer, Noggin
Toby Cochran
Director / Founder, Big Grin Productions
Valerie Humbard
Talent & Brand Manager
Wendy Bronfin
Founder, Wen + Y
Yasmeen Alkooheji
Channel Operations Coordinator, Nickelodeon
Yesim Kunter
Play Expert and a Futurist, yesimkunter ltd.
Zachary Stuckelman
Head of Research and Curriculum Development, Tiny Souls Media

 

2023 CMA Mentors

 

 

Check out last year’s talented mentors with expertise across the spectrum of the children’s media industry:


Aaron Behl
VP, Originals, Atomic Cartoons
Adam Wade
Storytelling Instructor, Magnet Theater, NYC
Alex Breen
Executive Producer | Writer | Creative & Interactive Consultant, Breenscreen LLC
Alex Mitnick
Composer/Producer, TBM Productions (True Blue Media)
Alison Wallach
Senior Manager, Children’s Brand & Consumer Insights, Penguin Random House
Amanda Gummer
CEO, FUNdamentally Children
Amy Kraft
Children’s Media Strategist and Writer, Self Employed
Anna Jordan-Douglass
Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Makefully
Ariel Alexander
Music Director, Self employed
Ash Beecher
Sr Production Manager and Producer, Realm (formally Pinna)
Ashley Moulton
Educational Consultant, Freelance
Benjamin Weiner
Freelance Writer
Betsy Bozdech
Editorial Director, Head of Ratings and Reviews, Common Sense Media
Bob Mittenthal
Writer-Producer, Flying Mallet inc.
Brad Birch
Showrunner/E.P./Writer, Killer b Content, LLC.
Brian Newlin
Writer, Self, Pocket FM
Brittany Sommer Katzin
Chief of Programs and Partnerships, Sparkler Learning
Brett Sylvia
CEO, Self Employed
Caitlin Burns
Senior Director of Story, Candy Digital
Caitlin Tew
Marketing Consultant, Self-Employed
Carly Ciarrocchi
Freelance host/writer, Various
Catherine Campion
Union voice talent, director & coach
Cathryn Asip
Associate Director, Content, PBS KIDS
Cathy Tran
UX Research & Content Strategy
Charley Thomas
Senior Series Producer, Brown Bag Films/9 Story Media Group
Dan Bennett
Director, Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival
Danny Friedman
Writer/Developer/Producer, MoonShoes Productions
Danny LaBrecque
Creator and Host of Danny Joe’s Tree House
Darnell Walker
Freelance Writer, Darnell Lamont Walker
Dave Peth
Founder/Series Creator/Showrunner, Mighty Picnic
David Colicchio
Senior Producer / YouTube Channel Lead, Paramount / Nick Jr.
Donna Friedman Meir
Founder & CEO, WOW Explorations
Deb Frank
Executive Producer, Radio Flyer Studios
Dayna Gonzalez
Creative Arts Professional, Self-Employed
Donna Friedman Meir
CEO/Founder, WOW Explorations
Ed Kulzer
Senior Editor, Sesame Workshop
Edward Kulzer
Senior Editor, Sesame Workshop
Emily Rukobo
AVP, Content Development, LearningMate
Erica Rabner
Songwriter
Evren Yigit
Co-founder/Chief Content Officer, Mako Kids
Garrett Beltis
Senior Producer, Nickelodeon
Greg Alkalay
CEO and Founder, batteryPOP
Heiko Martens
Freelancer, Author & Dramaturg, Production Companys, Public Funders, Authors
Idris Goodwin
Artistic Director / Playwright / Author, Seattle Children’s Theatre
Jackie Payton
Post Production Supervisor, Augenblick Studios
Jacquelyn Fishman
Consultant
Jamie Krenn
Guest Faculty, Adjunct Associate Professor, Consultant, Sarah Lawrence, Teachers College
Jason Spencer
Director of PBS KIDS Original Productions, PBS
Javier Navarro
Production Coordinator, Fred Rogers Productions
Jennifer Treuting
Supervising Producer, Nickelodeon
Jessica deMonsabert
Director of Research and Curriculum, 9 Story Media
Jill Cozza-Turner
Freelance Writer, Development
Jodie Morris
Independent consultant, Self employed
Joey Egger
Exec Director Games and Emerging Technology, DEPT® APAC
Jonathan Sunshine
Production Manager, OddBot Animation
Jordyn Curley
Producer/Owner, Tuttle Twins LLC/Elephant Season
Josh Fisher
Creator/producer/consultant
Justine Gunn
Screenwriter, Hershend Entertainment Studios
Kait Boss
Children’s Television Executive, The Jim Henson Company
Kayla Skipper
Freelance Writer, Moonbug – Vida The Vet
Kellian Pletcher
Director of GLAM innovation, FableVision Studios
Kerron Stark
CEO, Dreams V Reality
Kristen McGregor
Writer, Idea Farmer
Kyrsten Novak
Sr User Researcher, Amazon Kids
Laurie Rabin
Executive/Supervising Producer, Mighty Picnic
Livia Beasley
Creator/Owner, Pixel & Pebble | Development Exec/EP, Minno | Founder, CMA, Pixel and Pebble
Liza Wyles
Writer & Creative Consultant, AMC Networks (through Black Spot New York Production Company)
Lynn Kestin-Sessler
Senior Creative Director, Nickelodeon, Paramount Global
Lynne McVeigh
Associate Professor, New York University
Magda Liolis
Freelance writer/producer, Self Employed
Marc Hecht
Writer/Producer, Nickelodeon
Marc Cantone
VP, Preschool Digital Content, Nickelodeon
Mark Purdy
Creator/EP/Writer, WILDBRAIN
Mariana Diaz-Wionczek
EP, Rosie’s Rules; Principal, MDW Consulting, 9 Story Media; MDW Consulting
Marlene Hochman
President & Founder, The Toy Museum of NY
Marlene Hochman
Founder & President of The Toy Museum of NY
Melanie Harke
Interactive Producer, Fred Rogers Productions
Natalie Engel
Founder & Producer, Trees in the Breeze LLC
Noelle Scindian
Noelle Wright
Writer/Story Editor/Developer/Producer
Noriko Louison
Research & Curriculum, Freelance
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Author
Pammy Salmon
Story Editor, Head Writer & Consultant, TV/Media/EdTech, Freelance
Peter Stidwill
Executive Producer, FableVision Studios
Phoebe Jiang
Early Learning Manager, PBS SoCal
Polly Conway
Head of TV, Common Sense Media
Priya Desai
Producer
Rachel Abeshouse
Producer, Nickelodeon
Rachel Graham
Freelance Writer
Rachel Reade Marcus
Vice President, Development, FableVision
Rossanna Wright
Music Director, Rosin and Bow
Rick Deutsch
VP/Creative Director, Paramount Global / Paramount Kids and Family Marketing
Sacha Kyle
Creative Director and Producer, BBC/CBeebies/Curious Dreamers
Sam Levine
CoFounder/Exec Prod/VP of Partnerships
Sara Karimipour
Staff Writer – Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, DreamWorks
Sarah Wallendjack
Senior Director, Content Development, PBS KIDS
Scott Kraft
Independent on a non-exclusive OAD at Netflix Animation (Preschool), Self and Netflix
Susan Scheiner
Director of Content, Sesame Workshop
Stuart Friedel
Writer/producer
Shane Lindley
VP, Product & Programming, Slumberkins
Sherri Hope Culver
Associate professor and Director of Center for Media & Information Literacy, Temple University
Sonia Tiwari
Adjunct Professor, Penn State University
Steve Altiere
Executive Producer, Nickelodeon
Steve Sandberg
Self-employed composer/performer
Stuart Friedel
Writer/Producer
Tanya Roitman
Creative Lead, BrainPOP
Ted Nitschke
Creative Executive, Brands, Moonbug Entertainment
Tracy Liu
Associate Creative Producer, Noggin
Toby Cochran
Director / Founder, Big Grin Productions
Valerie Humbard
Talent & Brand Manager
Wendy Bronfin
Founder, Wen + Y
Yasmeen Alkooheji
Channel Operations Coordinator, Nickelodeon
Yesim Kunter
Play Expert and a Futurist, yesimkunter ltd.
Zachary Stuckelman
Head of Research and Curriculum Development, Tiny Souls Media

 

 

The CMA Mentorship Committee

Corey Nascenzi, Director of Mentorship
Kazmuir Long, Mentorship Manager
Payal Arora, Coordinator

 

We’re here to help, so if you have any questions, please e-mail us any time at mentorship@childrensmediaassociation.org.