JILL SANFORD is a versatile exec and producer in the kid's space, having worked on some of the biggest franchises and most-watched kids and family properties in the last 20 years. Jill is currently producing, consulting, and writing on series and movies for companies such as Sony Pictures Animation, Disney, Wonder Worldwide, Hello Sunshine, Harper Collins, Moonbug, and Mattel. Previously Jill was a content executive for Netflix, Nickelodeon, and Disney, developing and overseeing hit award-winning animated series such as Carmen Sandiego, Last Kids on Earth, GoGo Cory Carson, The Loud House, Mickey Mouse, and Phineas and Ferb. At Disney, she also helped develop the live-action series Hannah Montana, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Wizards of Waverly Place. \ Jill was the Children’s Programming Governor for the Television Academy 2018-2022, and in 2016 she wrote the Lifetime movie Tiny House of Terror starring Francia Raisa. She is a Senior Media Advisor for the UCLA Center for Scholars and Storytellers and a proud UCLA alum. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, son and two cats.

As an artist, ALLISON MANN always knew she wanted to work in Animation. She began her career at Nickelodeon Animation Studio as a finance department intern while attending Columbia College Chicago. After graduating, she was offered the amazing opportunity to continue working with Nickelodeon/MTV as their Recruiter/ Coordinator of Talent Relations. Through her 20 years in the industry, she gained experience in TV, Film and Gaming while working at Walt Disney Animation Studio, Zynga, Disney Interactive, Paramount Pictures Animation, Illumination Entertainment and Sony Pictures Animation. Mann is the co-founder of the BRIC Foundation, an organization set up to solve how to create new access points for women and people from underrepresented groups so they can excel at creative leadership and to enable culture change through engaging and empowering talent. As a creative and supporter of talent, Mann is passionate about storytelling and identifying and working with inspiring creators that can continue to elevate the animation industry.

PAULA HAIFLEY has worked in the film and television industry for over a decade, specializing in animation. She most recently produced Marvel’s MODOK, Fox’s Central Park, and DC Super Hero Girls, one of the first action shows made by a major studio for girls. She cut her teeth in indie horror, and watching, reading, and creating horror is still her favorite pastime. She loves vintage clothing, werewolves, nachos, and making short films on the weekends.

TOBY COCHRAN is the founder and creative force behind Big Grin Productions, with 20 years of experience in animation and production. He has served as a story artist, writer, and director, consistently infusing his projects with heart and thorough research. Toby has led teams in games, commercials, live-action, and animated series, and he is dedicated to crafting original stories that bring a big grin to everyone's face. Toby's career includes collaborations with the Discovery Channel, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nestlé, Lego Universe, Netflix, Disney, SoftBank Robotics, Marvel, ReelFX, and Kuku Studios. He has also worked on his award-winning short film LUKi & the Lights, currently in the festival circuit. He is currently in the festival circuit with his short film LUKi & the Lights. His work stands as a testament to unwavering dedication, integrating research-driven authenticity and heartfelt storytelling into every endeavor.

KATIE MATTILA is a comedy writer based in Los Angeles. She has written for numerous television series spanning multiple genres at Amazon studios, Disney, DreamWorks, HBO Max, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Submarine, and Warner Bros. Animation. Katie got her start on the Peabody Award-winning Avatar: The Last Airbender. Her credits include Harvey Beaks, Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, The Legend of Korra, 100 Things to Do Before High School, Little Big Awesome, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh, Archibald’s Next Big Thing, Unikitty!, The Casagrandes, The Loud House, Bugs Bunny Builders, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, for which she was nominated for an Annie Award. When she's not writing, Katie can be found rewatching Dr. Katz, making up songs about her dog Cuma, traveling and connecting with people around the world, hiking in Griffith Park and marching for women's rights and climate justice.

CYNTHIA FUREY is a former food writer, restaurant critic and recipe developer for The Orange County Register, the ZAGAT Restaurant Guides and Google. Since switching to screenwriting, Cynthia has earned fellowships in the Sesame Street Writers Room and the CBS Diversity Writers Program (now Paramount). Her writing credits include Disney's THE GHOST AND MOLLY MCGEE, Apple TV's HELLO JACK: THE KINDNESS SHOW with Jack McBrayer, UNLIMITED SQUIRRELS with Mo Willems, MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN for HBOMax, and Nickelodeon's THE TINY CHEF SHOW. Cynthia is a fan of dumplings, underdogs, and the NES Classic. She is a culinary school survivor.

JIM PICARIELLO - Jim Picariello is an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker breaking into Hollywood from rural, coastal Maine. It's a surefire plan! His animated family feature, "Igor and Frankie," is ranked in the Top 1% and is #15 of all Family Screenplays on the screenplay ranking website Coverfly. Jim's scripts have been recognized in prestigious contests such as The Black List, The Nicholl Fellowship, Stowe Story Labs, The Austin Film Festival, and many others. His short films have been selected by numerous distinguished film festivals and have collectively won 15 top awards. His first absurdist kids' film, "This Time It's Shopping," was selected by 18 festivals and won 5 top awards. This achievement caught the attention of Sesame Street, leading to a request for him to create a short film for the show. Currently, Jim has been hired to write and direct the toddler-targeted TV show "Fairy's House," which is scheduled to start shooting in October 2024.