A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS!

Former CAA Agent, Andrea Nelson-Meigs
with writer/comedian/whw
emcee, Paulara
Hawkins (who won an opportunity to meet with her privately) and literary manager,
Angela Cheng Caplan (©
HGEN) |

Panelists show appreciation for WHW Thank You gift bags
(© HGEN) |

Producer,
Bonnie Bruckheimer charms the crowd into singing
"Happy Birthday" to her
grandmother, which she happily videotapes (©
HGEN) |

WHW Members-Only
Pre-Luncheon networking Schmoozefest with
panelists (©
HGEN) |

Talent Agent & WHW member, Julie Wolf asks a question of the
esteemed panel (© HGEN) |

Attendee, Sunny Hilden a Grammy
Award-winning songwriter came prepared and shows
what it's all about -- networking! (©
HGEN) |

Then President of Mandalay Television/Exec VP Mandalay Pictures,
Elizabeth Guber Stephen chats with new "protégé" Joanne Watson who
won an opportunity to shadow her for one day (©
HGEN) |

Penney Finkelman-Cox, Co-Head of Sony
Animation poses with Deborah Wakeham, who won an
opportunity for a one-on-one private meeting with
the top exec (©
HGEN) |

Attendees network at their tables
over a delicious lunch (©
HGEN) |

Liz Sarnoff [R] (writer/Exec. producer,
Lost) chats with lucky attendee,
Stephanie Kwong [L]. Stephanie won an opportunity to
have a one-on-one private lunch wih Sarnoff (©
HGEN) |

(L-R) Music manager, Margaret
Locicero, Lucky Attendee, Danielle Dillard, who won
an opportunity to meet privately with Casting
Director/Producer, Kim Williams, and Capitol Records
executive, Laurel Stearns (©
HGEN) |

Talent and Literary Manager, Judy
Coppage chats with an attendee (©
HGEN) |

Attendees soak up all the panelists
have to offer
(©
HGEN) |

Nettwerk America Senior VP, Maria
Alonte McCoy chats with attendees (©
HGEN) |

Innovative Artists Agent, Nancy
Nigrosh [L] chats with an attendee(©
HGEN) |

Lucky Attendee Leslie Lehr [L] will
meet privately with producer, Bonnie Bruckheimer [R] (©
HGEN) |

Talent and Literary Manager, Judy
Coppage poses with Broocks Willich, the
actor/producer who will have a private meeting with
her (©
HGEN) |

Singer/songwriter/actor, Donny B.
Lord [L] shares a laugh with Brillstein-Grey
Entertainment manager/producers, Margaret Riley
[Center] and Kassie Evashevski [R] (©
HGEN) |

Erika Green, Former Director at Oxygen Media
[Center] (now writer on The Mentalist) chats with attendees (©
HGEN) |

They came in as strangers and left as
friends: L-R
Producer, Judy Johnson, Writer/Producer, Vickie
Jenkins and Actress, Rebecca Brunck found friendship
and collaborating opportunities (©
HGEN) |

Karen Sandler [L] will have a private
one-on-one meeting with Kassie Evashevski [R],
Manager/Producer at Brillstein Grey Entertainment (©
HGEN) |

Talent and Literary Manager, Judy
Coppage [R] chats with some male attendees (©
HGEN) |

Lucky Attendee, Jonna Tomases will
"do lunch" with Erika Green, former executive at Oxygen
Media (now writre on The Mentalist) (©
HGEN) |

Writer, Kimberly Seilhamer [L] will
have a private one-on-one meeting with Kassie
Evashevski [R], Manager/Producer at Brillstein Grey
Entertainment(©
HGEN) |

Nettwerk America Senior VP, Maria
Alonte McCoy [L]
poses with Grammy Award winning songwriter, Sunny
Hilden with whom she will take a private meeting.
(©
HGEN) |

ABC Family Executive, Brooke Bowman
will take a private one-on-one meeting with
actor/producer Christina Lemon (©
HGEN) |

Suzan Olson [L] with show-runner,
Nancy Miller [R] Suzan won an opportunity shadow
Nancy on the set of "Saving Grace" and got a
chance to write for the show! (©
HGEN) |

WHW Founder, Sandra Lord personally
welcomes attendees
(©
HGEN) |

Casting Director & Producer, Kim
Williams [R] chats with attendees (©
HGEN) |

HBO Executive, Jenni Sherwood [R]
chats with attendees (©
HGEN) |

Attendees network after check-in (©
HGEN) |
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SUZAN OLSON: Supervising Producer, Television
(new WHW member)
"WOMEN HELPING WOMEN is just an incredible organization. You
really feel the positive energy of other women who really want
to help you and I’m just so thrilled that I am a part of it now.
And, this is an organization that I've been looking for for
years! Thank God I've finally found it!"
UPDATE:
Through Women Helping Women, I was paired with Nancy Miller,
Executive Producer of "Saving Grace." I joined her in Canada to
work on the pilot. I'm very excited to report that I ended up
getting a writer-trainee position for the first seas and finally
got to WRITE A SCRIPT FOR THE SHOW!
NANCY NIGROSH: Former Agent, Innovative Artists & WHW Luncheon
Panelist
"I think the organization has an irresistible name for me, Women
Helping Women – that whole idea is something that’s incredibly
appealing. A lot of people helped me when I needed help, so I’m
glad that I was able to do that with this event. There were just
many ways that people communicated that back to me. That’s what
I think part of success is, to be able to give people
information in their journey to get to where they want to go.
This event has the possibility of accomplishing just what
it says. The mission statement that you have, the pledge,
I thought was wonderful. The fact that you named the tables also
-- the way you presented it in a very succinct, two or three
lines about the careers of women -- that made them very
inspiring. I felt instantly from the moment you sat down that
you were in a place of being inspired."
AMANDA BLUE:
Director/Producer (luncheon attendee)
"The important thing
is that while the Women Helping Women luncheons are elegant and
well-organized, they are not elitist. I like the fact that
people at all levels and all ethnicities are able and willing to
come together in this setting to really network, share and help
each other. I made some great connections...most rewarding
events I've attended."
SUNNY HILDEN:
Grammy Award Winning Songwriter (Luncheon Attendee)
"It was a wonderful
event. I loved the energy of so many women with similar dreams
in the same room. Thank you for creating these events. It was my
first and I'm sure I'll attend more in the future.
All the best.
SABRINA GENNARINO: Actress (luncheon attendee)
"This is actually amazing and brilliant. I don’t thinks that
there is any other place on the planet that you’re meeting
Bonnie Bruckheimer and Nancy Nigrosh, Nancy Miller
and people from Brillstein/Grey under one roof - - where
you can literally build and make the relationships that will
last a lifetime - - that are going to get you to the next level!
It’s not going to happen!!" I have one of those "Everything
happens the way its supposed to" success stories from previous
Women Helping Women luncheon. [See below.]
J.M. WOLFF:
Screenwriter (luncheon attendee)
I L-O-V-E-D the Women Helping Women luncheon. There are so many
people here in the industry that I wouldn’t have had the chance
to meet had I not come here. I love the fact that there are
people here who actually can help you. THIS IS A NETWORKING
EVENT!! It is not a place just to come and eat. There are people
here that you can actually connect and meet with.
TERRY WORHACH:
Talent Manager (luncheon attendee)
"Sandra, this is actually fabulous - - as always! It was even
like, beyond my expectations which were already high!"
KIM ESTES:
Actor (luncheon attendee -- male)
"Great event Sandra! From my perspective (as a male), I thought
that the insight I gained was invaluable. To get a glimpse of
some of the inner thought processes of casting directors, show
runners, agents, directors, producers and writers was truly
insightful. Powerful and positive messages from powerful people
in the industry. I recommend this event to all who care to get a
different perspective. I find it refreshing to hear and
understand more about the many facets of Hollywood and the
business of business. Thanks for pulling this event together…job
well done! All the best always."
BONNIE
BRUCKHEIMER: Producer & WHW Luncheon Panelist
"I had a wonderful
time and thought the women were terrific. Thanks for inviting
me."
ERIKA GREEN:
Director, Acquisitions & Development, OXYGEN MEDIA
& WHW Luncheon Panelist
"I had a great time interacting with everyone and I felt quite
honored to sit with such luminaries in the field on the panel.
The questions were varied and thoughtful and I came away from
the afternoon not only as someone imparting information, but as
a person who gained in knowledge from the experience of others.
You are doing great work!"
BRENDA MCCOY:
Screenwriter (new whw member & luncheon attendee)
"If you are going to
eat lunch anywhere in Hollywood, the 'Women Helping Women'
luncheon is the place to be! I liked the support, I liked the
openness. I liked the lack of ego in women sharing their
experiences and willing to help other people get ahead."
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LYNN SALVATORE:
Stunt Coordinator (whw member/luncheon attendee)
-- "Once again this was a wonderful, very informative event!" --
SHARON NASH: TV
Producer & Screenwriter (luncheon attendee)
"This is so fabulous
for women to come together like this! Also that we got to sit at
the table with the panelists. I sat right next to Penny
Finkelman Cox [Exec VP Sony Animation] and that was really a
blessing because I got to find out about her. Now I didn’t push
upon her right then, but I found out some information about her
that now I can have a way to approach her with what her
interests are and who she is as a person! Even though I didn’t
win the opportunity to meet with her one-on-one privately, I
still got a chance to meet her and have one-on-one time with
her. I was very happy about that, because sometimes you go to
panel discussions and you don’t really have access to them. This
one was great! A long time ago I went to one of your Breakfasts
[the Hollywood Networking Breakfast] and I met the VP of UPN. I
followed up with her and she referred me to a lot of people, so
it was a very good relationship. These are great opportunities,
but you have to put in, you can’t be a person that comes in and
sits like a ____ you know. You have to work it. And you have to
know how to do that. So I appreciate what you guys are doing!
Oh, and I went over and talked with Judy Coppage and I
told her about my screenplay and she said that I could sent her
a logline via e-mail and that she would take a look at the
logline. So that’s - - I mean that good. So you know just to
have access to these people is excellent!! "
VICKIE JENKINS: Writer/Producer (luncheon attendee)
"It
was great energy in the room. I don’t remember the last time I
was at an industry event where that many successful women were
all gathered in one place. So, the weight of the quality of
their work was overwhelming. So, I was very excited about that
and they were very open and accessible in sharing their stories
and it’s inspirational to me. I met a lot of people and had a
good time."
EUGENIA CARE: Actor, Singer, Voiceover Artist
(luncheon attendee)
"This
was my first event with Women Helping Women and I kind of
hesitated at first, but I’m so glad that I just took the plunge
anyway because I’ve met a lot of really wonderful, powerful
women and what was interesting to me is that I asked a question
that seemed to me just kind of ordinary, and I had four or five
women come up to me afterwards and go “Oh, gosh, that was so
great what you said and what you asked. Thank you for doing that
because I know there a lot of women in this room that are of an
age also - - that really - - you know - - you asked the
question, and thank you for doing that for us!” And I was like
“WHAT?” Whow, well okay! You’re welcome. You’re welcome. It was
great. And some people came up to me and said “You go for it
girl, you just go for it girl!” I got a lot of positive feed
back, reinforcement and encouragement. And that’s what this is
about, I do believe!
SANDRA GLUSCHANKOFF: Screenwriter
(new whw member & luncheon attendee)
"Today I really felt the Women Helping Women process ‘cause I
got to talk to a lot of the people that I wanted to and likewise
I got to talk to people who I was able to give some advice to so
I’m driving home really happy! It was actually
excellent!! It was amazing! I am amazed.
SEDA MELKONI: Producer, Journey Productions (luncheon
attendee)
"I enjoyed this luncheon very much. I thought it was an
incredible opportunity for different women from all parts of the
industry to come together not only to get advice and help from
the panelists, but from other people setting around you at the
different tables. So, it was definitely a very open and diverse
opportunity. As always, this was done very well...everyone was
involved. I liked very much the way that it was set up. You did
a great job putting it all together!!"
KIMBERLY SEILHAMER: Screenwriter & Founder, The Brass
Brad
(whw member & luncheon attendee)
"
Women Helping Women is a unique and phenomenal opportunity, in
an intimate setting, to meet like minded professional women, who
share the same creative passion. The panelists were remarkably
open and receptive...really looking to help other women in this
very difficult business...to embrace others and allow us to do
the same. We are all empowered!"
KRISTIE LATRAY: Actress, Writer, Producer (luncheon
attendee)
"I thought the luncheon today was absolutely wonderful. I
enjoyed how all of the women were very open. They answered each
and every question and afterward they even gave some of their
time to answer more questions. So it was really awesome and I
enjoyed it a lot...tremendously. I learned a lot also."
MITCH HARA:
Actor, Writer, Producer, Director (luncheon attendee)
"I love being surrounded by women. I love the energy of women
when I do surround myself in creative projects with women so
being in this forum, I totally support it."
WENDY L. KAYSING:
Screenwriter (luncheon attendee)
"Sandra, I also left
an abbreviated version of this message email on your voice mail.
As a writer, and one who lives outside of Los Angeles, I attend
many local and a few LA events, but so far I've found it
difficult to connect with those who can really give me a
"hand-up"--your event did just that.
I can honestly say I made some excellent connections--I
was able to submit my material directly to one of the
panelists. In addition, I met a manager/producer who
invited me to submit to her both a screenplay and a television
concept! I also connected with two independent producers
who requested my scripts and one is interested in having me
write a script. I appreciate your sincere desire to have the
"right people" connect with the "right people."
Over the last few years I have attended a number of breakfasts,
seminars, and networking opportunities, but I have to say this
luncheon was by far the best event (and best organized event!) I
have attended with regards to gaining access to the greatest
number of high level, high caliber people who have the ability
to further my career as a screenwriter. From the beautiful
setting, to the great food, to the presentations, to the
question and answer session, to the actual networking
opportunity...everything was there in one place. It was
excellent in every way. I also loved your emcee, Paulara -- I
thought she was wonderful. I highly recommend to anyone to
attend one of your luncheons. --I've already have told several
friends about Women Helping Women and I'm just very happy I
attended! Again, thank you for making real things happen for
women seeking to make the right connections. It was well worth
the money that I spent."
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JEFF GUND: Film
Composer (whw member and luncheon attendee)
"All I can say is that this event today was so
wonderful. The guest speakers were so well informed and so
knowledgeable -- just from their years of experience and being
at the top of the industry. And they were ever so willing to
share with everyone here today. Who can ask for more than
that!!"
DEBBIE LOLLIE:
Screenwriter (luncheon attendee)
"I came today hoping
to network. I networked and have had some success and most of
all I am really feeling empowered."
ELIZABETH GUBER
STEPHEN: Then President, Mandalay Television, Exec VP
Mandalay Pictures & WHW Luncheon Panelist
"Sandra, I just
wanted to drop you a note to thank you again for inviting me to
your terrific luncheon. I was so impressed with how well it was
coordinated and attended, and how gracious you and your whole
team were in accommodating everyone on the panel. It was great
to know that you are providing such a wonderful support group to
women in our business. All good wishes."
DEBORAH WAKEHAM:
Writer/Producer (luncheon attendee)
"I don’t think
there’s any stopping you, Sandra Lord. I think you’re a force of
nature and it’s going to be world domination next. In fact, I
think I’m going to vote for you if you go into politics. The
luncheon event was wonderful, absolutely wonderful and I want to
say it was very well organized. You had charming, funny,
fabulous women trying to put other charming, fabulous funny
women together and nobody was impatient. I love all the place
cards so I could read what everybody did before we sat down and
that broke the ice. And thank you for choosing me for [the
one-on-one private meeting with] Penney Finkelman Cox,
she’s sweet and kind and all of these women wanted to give
kindness -- kindness is better than art or kindness brings
patience too in art. So thank you so much for putting me
together with her as well."
MARIE PEDERSON:
Writer/Camera Person (luncheon attendee)
"I thought the luncheon was fabulous. The food was great, but
the women were even better! They were very articulate, very
helpful and direct -- and I think that’s what we need - - and
also supportive."
RACHEL ROBINSON:
Voice Actor (luncheon attendee)
"This is an amazing
opportunity - - not just to get more familiar with this
particular industry, but to look at other facets, meet the
amazing women who are at the top of their game, and get a chance
to connect with them. So this is a great opportunity for anybody
-- who’s not just looking to make it in Hollywood so to speak,
but to connect with some really interesting and smart people."
BROOCKS WILLICH:
Actor/Writer (luncheon attendee)
"I was gratefully chosen to meet with Judy Coppage,
one-on-one. We had a great meeting before hand -- we sat and
chat about a half an hour before the luncheon and we got to
catch up on what each other’s "up to." Judy iwants to see my
reel and read my scripts before we meet so that we can have an
intelligent conversation. So, I’m just going to go in and take
the meeting -- I’m not going to think of it beyond that. I got
to chat with people at my table and I met some others. I went
and spoke with a few of the panelists afterward, got their
business cards. So I met the [Grammy Award winning]
singer/songwriter. I met a couple of producers, I ran into some
friends. You sat me right next to someone who is near and ear to
my heart and you didn’t even know. And, coincidentally, you sat
the only other person she knew here next to her on her left.
Yeah. So that was kind of magical. Yes. So this was REALLY a
phenomenal experience and thank you again for selecting me to
meet with JUDY. I really appreciate it!"
ROSARIO
SCHULER-UKPABI:
Talent Agent (luncheon attendee)
"I am a talent agent. My agency is "Oh My Nappy Talent
Agency" on LaBrea. This is something that was more than needed
for me. I needed to be able to intermingle with other people in
this industry and this helps me a lot, because, you can see some
of the pitfalls and some of the problems - - and you can relate
to them -- so you know you’re not out there by yourself. I thank
you – thank you for doing this."
JUDITH JOHNSON:
Producer (whw member & luncheon attendee)
"Women Helping Women
-- such a fabulous luncheon and an event! It was so great to
work a room of accomplished women, get information from
panelists, be able to understand their challenges and how far
they have gone in their career and see the possibilities for
ourselves. I think a real key in Women Helping Women is not just
being able to get with those who have made it, but to be able to
network and start relationships with those who are still
striving to make it. Networking is truly about the
relationships, and, as the relationship grows, the networking
takes a different turn and grows to a different level.
JANICE KENNEDY:
Writer (luncheon attendee)
"The thing that I liked most about the Women Helping Women
luncheon was sitting with the speakers at the various tables. I
was placed with Nancy Miller. I’m a writer and I have a pilot
that is under consideration now at Touchstone Television. So it
was great to talk to her about her experiences in television and
I was really happy to be at her table."
MARSHALL FERGUSON:
Manager / Producer
(whw member & luncheon attendee)
"I’m with Journey
Productions. I just want Sandra to know that this was a
fantastic luncheon, like the others. Besides the food being
great, with a choice of salmon and chicken and whatever else you
want and the extremely delicious dessert, the panel was even
better than the food. They had some women here that knew
everything about anything and they freely shared their knowledge
and time with everyone. This is what we need -- to give the
young women and the young men encouragement and opportunity.
Women Helping Women presents real opportunity and I’m looking
forward to the next one in July, and the next one after that
one, and the next one after that one. It was a great day, and
I’m happy I came."
DAWN HOFFMAN:
Luncheon Attendee
"I thought the luncheon was great. I thought it was a nice forum
for people to ask their questions from professionals that have
walked in their shoes before."
PAMELA BEATY:
Writer (luncheon attendee)
"This was incredibly enlightening and informative and you were a
great host. It was wonderful and I think the most important
thing is that the women were actually interested in helping
women instead of pretending!!"
TYRA MASON:
Actress/Singer (luncheon attendee)
This is a thank you for the wonderful Women Helping Women
Luncheon last month. It was my first time attending and I
enjoyed it. I was amazed by the caliber of women that were there
ready, willing and able to answer all of the questions posed to
them.
I was particularly impressed with Ms. Erika Green
from Oxygen. She was amazing, poised, real, and very
gracious. I think she stayed longer than any other panelist
after the luncheon to speak with everyone who had questions. She
touched my heart so much that I just had to send her an email
not knowing that I would hear from her. To my surprise, she
responded to me very timely. That meant a lot to me. It shows
that the ladies Sandra invites to attend the luncheon are not
just women of notability, but are women with substance who are
passionate about reaching out to help other women.
Thanks for making this luncheon available. It is needed and
appreciated. I hope every women who's in the business or aspires
to be in the business will attend at least one of the luncheons.
This indeed is a valuable tool to help fortify, and empower us
to keep pressing on and not give up. By the way, the food was
delicious. I look forward to the next luncheon!
MAGGIE TERRYVIALE:
Producer, Screenwriter, Artist
(luncheon attendee)
"Thank you so much for putting on wonderful events like 'Women
Helping Women' and the Hollywood Networking Breakfast.
Fabulous!"
DARLENE K. MERCER:
Producer
(luncheon attendee)
Thanks for a
wonderful expererience. It was my first with this group and I
look forward to many more.
SABRINA GENNARINO:
Actress (luncheon attendee)
This is one of those "Everything happens the way its supposed
to" stories.
I signed up for the last "Women Helping Women" event and wasn't
able to make it. I had offered my seat to my friend Shana Sosin.
Shana and I are developing a film and we are both acting in it.
We knew what we wanted our story to be and we have a producer,
but we just didn't have time to write it nor felt qualified to,
given the story we wanted.
Shana attended the luncheon in my place and truly enjoyed it.
While there, she met a fantastic life coach. They agreed to do
some work together. During that time, Shana talked about our
project and that she needed a writer. The life coach suggested a
great one. Shana has since met the writer -- our producer has
since met him and now I have met him. He's our guy!! He's done a
fantastic job and we couldn't be more pleased and grateful. We
are shooting our trailer in a few months, then we will be in
Pre-pro for the feature.
Now the cool thing here is...I wouldn't even think of a life
coach who by the way is also helping my husband with his
business as a personal trainer, one of the best in LA) and we
never would've found our writer. Because of how open Shana was,
and where she was sitting, and because she went in my place, we
have an amazing future. And you put it there for the taking.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Sandra. To you and everyone who
works with you. [Note: Sabrina Gennarino also got
her agent from attending the Hollywood Networking Breakfast,
founded by Sandra Lord and produced in L.A. to benefit Changes
Images In America]
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