Talent + Education Day
Replay the live sessions below!
Talent + Education Day at the BRIC Summit is an all-virtual day focused on career development, entrepreneurship, education, and recruitment across entertainment, media, and tech. We offer resources, trainings, insights, portfolio reviews, and networking opportunities for rising creatives, educators, and industry professionals.
Education Stage
9am - 10am (PT)
Welcome + Opening Keynote→Rewatch
10am - 11:30am (PT)
How to Inspire the Next Generation of Storytellers→Rewatch
11:30am - 1pm (PT)
Apprenticeships: Shaping the Future of the Workforce→Rewatch
1pm - 2:30pm (PT)
BRIC Digital Badges and How to Use Them→Rewatch
2:30pm - 4pm (PT)
Level Up: How Video Games Drive Career Readiness and Curricular Engagement→Rewatch
4pm - 5pm (PT)
AMA (Ask Me Anything): Creative Entrepreneurship→Rewatch
Industry Stage
10am - 11am (PT)
Environmental Sustainability Careers in Entertainment →Rewatch
11am - 12pm (PT)
Lemoncheeks Animation: Building a Co-op for Inclusive Storytelling→Rewatch
12pm - 1pm (PT)
Careers in Feature Film Animation at LAIKA→Rewatch
1pm - 3pm (PT)
Journeys to Becoming a Skydance Animation Artist→Rewatch
3pm - 4pm (PT)
Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Practical Strategies for Leaders→Rewatch
Entrepreneur Stage
10am - 12pm (PT)
Production Management Bootcamp
12pm - 1pm (PT)
Creative Worker Cooperatives→Rewatch
1pm - 2pm (PT)
The Importance of PR in Today’s Ever-Changing Industry→Rewatch
2pm - 3pm (PT)
Empowerment Through Money Management for Creatives→Rewatch (coming soon)
3pm - 4pm (PT)
Artists Roundtable: WACOM→Rewatch
Education Stage
Sunday, 9am - 10am (PT)
Welcome + Opening Keynote: Future of the Creative Economy
Join us for our opening Keynote conversation as we look at the future of the creative economy and how we can better prepare our workforce for entering the entertainment industry.
Speakers
Darlene Mortel Edouard | Director of Education, BRIC Foundation
Nicole Hendrix| Executive Director & Co-Founder of BRIC Foundation
Adam J. Fowler | Economist & Founding Partner of CVL Economics
Maureen Fan | CEO & Co-Founder of Baobab Studios
Arif Gursel | Founder & Managing Director of 8genC
Danny Lin| President of IATSE Local 839 The Animation Guild; Storyboard Artist & Director
Karla Ortiz | Concept Artist and Advocate
Industry Stage
Sunday, 10am - 11am (PT)
Environmental Sustainability Careers in Entertainment
How is Hollywood becoming more sustainable and what does that mean for the future of filmmaking? As the industry reckons with its environmental impact, productions are embracing clean energy, sustainable materials, and green production standards to reduce their carbon footprint. From industry-led initiatives to new incentives and resources, sustainability is no longer a side conversation but a growing force shaping how stories are made, funded, and produced.
Speakers
Melanie Peck| Chief Program Officer, USGBC-CA
Kent Hayward | Author, Green Filmmaking; Professor of Film Production, California State University Long Beach
Erica Elson | Co-Founder, Green Film School Alliance; Digital Course and Event Producer at Sundance Collab
Miranda Jackson | Senior Data Analyst, The Walt Disney Company
Amanda Kielian | Senior Manager, Sustainability, Fox Corporation
Education Stage
Sunday, 10am - 11:30am (PT)
How to Inspire the Next Generation of Storytellers
Please join educators Jonelle Pickett and Jamie Leduc as they discuss designing their award winning high schools Animation programs. They will be joined by alumni from their programs who will speak to the valuable lessons they learned and how they are applying them today in their education and careers.
Speakers
Carson Smith | Education Consultant, BRIC Foundation
Jonelle Thomas-Pickett | Lead Educator, Burbank High School Animation Program; Instructor, BHS Sculpture Program
Jamie Leduc | Co-Founder, CREATE Program; Animation, Film, and Game Design Educator, Sisler High School
Kara Vallega | Compositor, Sony Pictures Imageworks
Ruslana Yakovenko | Founder and President, UC San Diego’s first Animation Club
Entrepreneurship Stage
Sunday, 10am - 12pm (PT)
Production Management Bootcamp
Join BRIC Foundation as we learn how to breakdown a script, budget and schedule it. Ability to earn scheduling and budgeting badge!
Speakers
Melissa Vitello | Award-Winning Screenwriter and Director
Industry Stage
Sunday, 11am - 12pm (PT)
Lemoncheeks Animation: Building a Co-op for Inclusive Storytelling
At Lemoncheeks Animation Cooperative, we believe that how we work is just as important as the stories we tell. As a worker-owned cooperative of three California-based artists, we were inspired by the feeling that the stories closest to us deserve to be seen: our cultures, our lived experiences, and the places we’ve called home.Join us as we discuss the "why" and "how" behind building our indie cooperative from the ground up. We’ll also share progress on our current animated short film, which explores the tender complexities of bicultural identity and love between parent and child. Ultimately, we believe animation is a powerful and honest way to honor our histories, our communities, and our lives.
We’re so excited to share our journey with you!
🍋Follow us @lemoncheeks_animation 🍋
Speakers
Lauren Allex | Freelance Animator
Frank Liu | Freelance Illustrator
Jackie Allex | Creative Technologist and Pipeline TD / Technical Artist
Education Stage
Sunday, 11:30am - 1pm (PT)
Apprenticeships: Shaping the Future of the Workforce
Discover how creative apprenticeships are opening new pathways into careers across the arts, media, and entertainment industries. This panel brings together educators, workforce leaders, industry professionals, and apprentices to explore how earn-while-you-learn models expand access, strengthen talent pipelines, and support economic mobility for emerging creatives.
Speakers
Xochitl Torres | Director of Workforce, BRIC Foundation
Chloee Puckett | Program Coordinator, BRIC Foundation
Viviana Vazquez | Marketing Apprentice, Group Effort Initiative
Ajani Amiri | Director of the Center for Creative Workforce Equity, Venice Arts
Amaan Merchant | Content Programming & Scheduling Trainee, Pluto TV
Industry Stage
Sunday, 12pm - 1pm (PT)
Careers in Feature Film Animation at LAIKA
Meet LAIKA’s Lead Creative Recruiter, Tiffany Navarro-Purkeypile and learn about creative opportunities at LAIKA beyond stop motion. Our team will share insights on what our Recruiting team looks for in portfolios, tips, and advice on how to break into the industry.
Speakers
Tiffany Purkeypile | Lead Creative Recruiter, LAIKA
Entrepreneurship Stage
Sunday, 12pm - 1pm (PT)
Creative Worker Cooperatives
Ever dreamed about starting your own business with like-minded creators? A worker cooperative is a business that is owned and controlled by its workers. It is an underused model in the cultural industry that channels the creative power and freedom of the workers to build a world grounded in solidarity. Join us in this discussion on how Creative Workers Cooperatives function and how you can make one too!
Speakers
Nicole Hendrix | Executive Director & Co-Founder of BRIC Foundation
Leslie Ezeh | Founder, Legends Animated; Director of Operations, ASIFA-Hollywood
Nick Hayes | Co-Founder, Means TV
Eli Allen | Co-Founder & Studio Director at Wild Blue Studios
Allen Frimpong | Founder, ZEAL
Education Stage
Sunday, 1pm - 2:30pm (PT)
BRIC Digital Badges and How to Use Them
Ever wonder how the digital badges get assessed? Join us in this conversation with two of BRIC’s digital badge reviewers and learn what they look at when examining submitted portfolios. We’ll also take some time to look at how you can use the grading rubrics in your classroom to supplement what you are already teaching your students!
Speakers
Darlene Mortel Edouard | Director of Education, BRIC Foundation
Alison Mann | Talent Manager & President of Fourth Wall Animation, Co-Founder of BRIC Foundation
Sam Goff | Independent Talent Manager
Entrepreneurship Stage
Sunday, 1pm - 2pm (PT)
The Importance of PR in Today’s Ever-Changing Industry
PR is one of the most misunderstood tools in a creative's arsenal — yet mastering the art of how you present yourself and your work to the world is one of the most powerful moves you can make for your career. This panel demystifies the fundamentals of PR and personal branding, equipping creatives at every level with the tools to shape their own narrative and leverage their story across every stage of their career.
Speakers
Dana Green | PR Consultant
Gayle Khait| PR Consultant
Industry Stage
Sunday, 1pm - 3pm (PT)
Journeys to Becoming a Skydance Animation Artist
What does it take to build a career in animation? And what happens once you get there? In this candid conversation, several artists from Skydance Animation share their personal journeys into the industry, from early inspirations and education to breaking into their first roles. Panelists will also offer an inside look at life after landing the job, exploring the realities of studio work, creative collaboration, and how they continue to grow as artists. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step, this session offers an honest perspective on navigating a career in animation.
Speakers
Annwhitney McCombs | Director of Recruiting
Shelby Nicholas | Story Artist
Rayven Van Kalker| Story Artist
Kalina Murat | Visual Development Artist
Devonn Wilson | Character Designer
Victor Sampaio | Story Artist
Clarisse Chua | Story Artist
Entrepreneurship Stage
Sunday, 2pm - 3pm (PT)
Empowerment Through Money Management for Creatives
Join First Entertainment for a webinar covering the basics of budgeting and money management for creatives! Learn simple ways to track income and expenses, plan for irregular cash flow, and build financial habits that support your creative work. Whether you’re a freelancer, artist, designer, writer, or multi-hyphenate creative, this session will give you the tools to take control of your money so it stops being a source of stress and starts working for you.
Speakers
Carmi Gallardo | Sr. Community Growth Manager, First Entertainment Credit Union
Education Stage
Sunday, 2:30pm - 4pm (PT)
Level Up: How Video Games Drive Career Readiness and Curricular Engagement
Join Cleverlike Studios for an engaging one-hour session exploring the powerful intersection of video game platforms and Career and Technical Education (CTE). We will dive into how video games serve as more than just entertainment, playing a critical role in developing high-demand technical and soft skills with software tools that are driving competitive success across many different industries. Discover how to leverage students' passion for gaming toward the development of transferable skills that motivate more engaged learning in core subjects while preparing students for the modern workforce. You will learn about curriculum resources and professional development connected to CTE Industry Certifications. Cleverlike Studios is a Minecraft Global Training Partner and Gold-level Unreal Authorized Training Center focused on supporting educators and students.
Speakers
Brian Dickman | Founder & CEO, Cleverlike Studios, Inc.
Erik Leitner | Education Content Producer, Cleverlike Studios, Inc.
Ian Southwell | Creative Director, Cleverlike Studios, Inc.
Industry Stage
Sunday, 3pm - 4pm (PT)
Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Practical Strategies for Leaders
The most innovative teams are not built on sameness, but on difference. This presentation offers leaders a practical roadmap for creating workplaces where neurodivergent talent can truly thrive, pairing mindset shifts with simple, high-impact strategies that strengthen communication, collaboration, and overall performance. Participants are invited to rethink traditional ideas of professionalism and to measure success by results rather than social conformity.
Speakers
Lauren DeVillier | CEO, Exceptional Minds; Co-Founder, Struum
Katherine Wells | Career Advancement Manager, Exceptional Minds Training Academy
Ed Coleman | Vice President of Post Production & Media Operations, CBS Sports
Qam Hale | Instructor, Exceptional Minds; Storyboard Artist
Entrepreneurship Stage
Sunday, 3pm - 4pm (PT)
Artists Roundtable: WACOM
Join Wacom for their ‘Animation Round Table’ and gain an inside scoop on what it’s like getting started in the animation industry. Listen and learn from storyboard and animation professionals Raha Dabiri, Todd Hoppmeyer, and Vinod Krishnan, while they share their experiences and insights on what its like to work on projects both large and small, how to keep your portfolio up to date, and other helpful tips for artists at any stage in their career.
Speakers
Todd Hoppmeyer | Animation Storyboard Artist
Raha Dabiri | Storyboard Artist
Vinod Krishnan | Animation TD and Scene Planner, The Simpsons
Megan Davis | Sr. Manager Brand Marketing, Wacom
Education Stage
Sunday, 4pm - 5pm (PT)
AMA (Ask Me Anything): Creative Entrepreneurship
Have questions about building a creative career or running your own business? Join our Ask Me Anything to get honest, practical advice from industry experts on everything from production and career growth to legal and business essentials.
Speakers
Alison Mann | Talent Manager & President of Fourth Wall Animation; Co-Founder of BRIC Foundation
Kim Wright | Co-Founder, Double Take Casting and Consulting, LLC
Leah C. Stevenson, Esq. | Entertainment Attorney
Gladys Stennis-Mixon | Accountant & Audit Financial Expert
Michelle S. Duffie | CEO, D3 Entertainment Group