Speakers & Entertainment
2025 Speakers & Performers Line-Up
Jorge R. Gutierrez, Writer/Director/Artist
Biography: Emmy-winning Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director. A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. Gutierrez was Director & Co-Writer of the Guillermo del Toro produced animated feature The Book of Life (2014), which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe Award nomination. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera (2007) for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series Maya and the Three (2021) for Netflix which won four Emmys. Gutierrez is currently writing/directing a Netflix animated feature named I, Chihuahua with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.
Website: https://linktr.ee/mexopolis
Instagram: @mexopolis
Juliet Landau, Actress/Director/Producer/ Writer
Biography: Juliet Landau played the iconic role Drusilla on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER & spin-off show ANGEL over the course of six seasons, co-starred in Tim Burton’s ED WOOD as Loretta King and starred opposite Whoopi Goldberg in THEODORE REX. Television recurring roles include Rita Tedesco on Amazon’s BOSCH, recurring again on BOSCH LEGACY (coming out March 2025) and Cordelia on TNT’s CLAWS. Juliet has become the go-to BUFFY cast member, with her recently launched SLAYIN IT, the first-ever BUFFY rewatch podcast with a cast member as the guide, starring as the “Big Bad” in AUDIBLE’s Original SLAYERS (last year), and as the face of the Official DISNEY-Licensed BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER makeup line (this year.) Juliet stars in BIG FINISH’s most epic production to date, VAM PD, an exciting, audiobook series, written expressly for her (Season 1 released October 31, 2024; Season 2 releases March 2025.) Juliet collaborated with BIG FINISH prior on DR WHO productions in conjunction with the BBC. Landau’s visionary, multi-award winning, feature film directorial debut, A PLACE AMONG THE DEAD had its Worldwide Blu-Ray and Streaming release (October, Friday the 13th 2024.) The cast includes Gary Oldman, Ron Perlman, Robert Patrick, Lance Henriksen and Anne Rice, appearing for the only time ever in a scripted movie. Mostly in the can is THE UNDEAD, the only documentary series to gather the A-list of the genre together. Every one of the talented artists in A PLACE AMONG THE DEAD came back to participate, as did Tim Burton, Willem Dafoe & many other notables. Other acting work includes starring in over 20 films, appearing in many more. In them, she’s played a Viennese movie star, an English missionary, a Russian mobster, a Bronx shut-in, a Polish sorceress, a Southern lawyer, a Cajun junkie, etc. She has guest-starred frequently on TV, voiced extensive animation, video games (including the Little Sisters in BIOSHOCK) and motion-capture. Ms. Landau has a vast roster of award-winning, Critic’s Pick, leading-roles in the theater. Two of her favorites: Roberta in DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA and Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Juliet previously directed two short subjects: TAKE FLIGHT with Gary Oldman and DREAM OUT LOUD with Guillermo del Toro, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rian Johnson. She’s a member of THE ACTORS STUDIO, WOMEN IN FILM, FILM INDEPENDENT, THE ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS, BAFTA and is an alum of SUNDANCE COLLAB.
Links:
X: @julietlandau
Instagram @juliet_landau
Facebook Pages:
https://www.facebook.com/juliet.landau
https://www.facebook.com/groups/julietlandau
https://www.facebook.com/julietlandauofficial
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/julietlandau.bsky.social
Flem, All Female Band
Biography: Flem is a young SoCal rock band with inspirations from a range of classic rock to pop rock. Beginning in January 2023, Flem is a 4 piece band consisting of Gracie Sanborn (Lead Vocals, Bass), Hannah Kohl (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals), Lulu Eliaba (Drums, Backing Vocals), and Mikayla Sanborn (Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals). Flem is the WCCMA Hot August Competition’s Band of the Year and performed at Rock The Oaks 2024 at Wilson Creek Winery. You can follow them on Instagram @Flemofficial_ to see what they’re up to! Enjoy their show of captivating harmonies and killer rock music.
Instagram: @Flemofficial_
Jay Kogen, Comedy Writer, Director, Producer
Biography: Jay Kogen, is a writer producer and director of some of the best television and movies in the last 20 years including The Simpsons, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, Malcolm In The Middle, Wendell & Vinnie, School of Rock, Nutty Professor, the Shrek & Austin Powers movies, Madagascar, Kubo & the Two Strings, and many others. He’s been nominated for a ton of awards and won 4 Emmy Awards, a WGA Award, a Humanitas Award, and his now cult classic movie, The Wrong Guy, won the HBO Comedy Festival. He hosts the award-winning podcast Don’t Be Alone with Jay Kogen and is currently developing several shows, movies, living with his wife and his son, and who are harshly judging everything he writes, including this bio.
Instagram: @JayKogen
Martin Pearson, Writer
Biography: Martin Pearson started his career as a journalist in his native London in the early 1990s, writing about pop culture of all kinds, on subjects as diverse as music, movies, crime and technology. He continued his career in Los Angeles in the middle of the decade, eventually transitioning to write and producer documentaries. He has recently co-authored a book based on his writings about hip hop in the mid-90s.
Deverill Weekes – Photographer, Cinematographer, Film Producer
Biography: Deverill Weekes (Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Stills Photographer). For years as a stills photographer Deverill photographed news, fashion and celebrity profiles. His photos have graced the covers and inside pages of international and national magazines. He has photographed the likes of Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Charleze Theron, Martin Scorcesse, and many more. The soon-to-be-released book, HIP HOP RISING features his images of Ice Tea, Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Snoop Dog and many others. As a cinematographer, he collaborated multiple times with Gary Oldman, including Oldman’s music videos, HEAVEN IN YOUR EYES and RED ROVER. He shot Rosanna Arquette’s documentary ALL WE ARE SAYING with Elton John, Iggy Pop, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, Gwen Stefani, Stevie Nicks, Peter Gabriel, Patti Smith, Yoko Ono and Laura Dern. Other documentary films include INSPIRED BY featuring John Carpenter and Malcolm McDowell. Dev is Co-Creator, Co-Producer and Co-Writer of Juliet Landau’s multi-award-winning, feature film, A PLACE AMONG THE DEAD. The movie stars Landau, Gary Oldman, Ron Perlman, Robert Patrick, Lance Henriksen and Anne Rice, the only time she ever acted in a narrative film. A PLACE AMONG THE DEAD had its Worldwide Streaming and Blu-Ray release last year. Weekes co-directed the multi-award-winning, short documentary, DREAM OUT LOUD with Guillermo del Toro, Rian Johnson and Joseph Gordon Levitt. He directed the multi-award-winning short films EULOGY, LIVING ON A PRAYER, FUNERAL PARTY and WAITING. He is also Co-Creator and Co-Producer of THE UNDEAD SERIES now in the works. The UNDEAD features all the talent from A PLACE AMONG THE DEAD, as well as Tim Burton, Willem Dafoe, Charlaine Harris (Creator of the best-selling books, which TRUE BLOOD was based on) and many others. Dev was born to a working-class family in Sidcup, has a degree from WESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY IN LONDON (which he attended on scholarship.) He is a member of FILM INDEPENDENT and a SUNDANCE COLLAB alum.
Denice Duff, Actress, Entrepreneur
Biography: Denice Duff, is a Award Winning Photographer, Director, Actress. She’s starred in dozens of national commercials and on shows from CSI Miami to The Young and Restless. She starred in, directed and produced a feature film that had coveted shelf space at Blockbuster and now streams online. She is also the star of a vampire series (Subspecies) that resurrected 2 years ago and filmed it’s 5th sequel 25yrs after that last one. Last year she co starred in a horror film (The Exorcists) acting along side Hellraiser himself Douglas Bradley. Both her recent films had theatrical releases, a first for Denice in all her years making a living as an actress and it wasn’t until her 50’s that two of her films hit the big screen proving one thing…dont ever give up. Denice Duff took everything she learned from her 4 generations of Italian women and combined it with her years in front of Hollywood make-up artists and dermatologists to create a luxe line of results driven all natural skincare. Denice’s skincare company has ranked #428 this past year on the INC5000’s fastest growing US companies. Putting it the 3rd fastest growing company in the skincare space. Primarily an E-commerce company Denice is constantly filming and editing her own videos, shooting all her companies product photography, and model shoots, and is at home selling live on all platforms including Tiktok. Whether Im doing acting role, a speaking gig, or crafting the next formula for my skincare company , I realized long ago that my purpose in life is To make people feel more alive. And that’s the intention that I imbue into every project I do!
Links:
Instagram: @deniceduff
Steve Rohr – Publicist, Author, Educator
Biography: He is founder of Lexicon Public Relations which represents actors, recording artists, and authors. The firm also produces film premieres for major studios. In addition, he worked behind-the-scenes at the Academy Awards for 12 consecutive years, culminating with his role as the Show Publicist. Steve is the co-author of the award-winning how-to book Scared Speechless: 9 Ways to Overcome Your Fears and Captivate Your Audience. As an adjunct professor, he has taught at several Southern California colleges and universities. Notably, Steve developed the curriculum for and currently teaches Entertainment Publicity at CSU Long Beach. He lives in Los Angeles.
Allie Bloyd – Marketing Consultant, Business Coach, High Level Expert
Biography: Allie Bloyd is a Leading Facebook ads expert, known for helping local and service-based businesses Increase sales, profit & efficiency by creating a predictable, automated customer acquisition system. After building a highly profitable multi-7-figure coaching business, she also began helping other educators do the same. She’s a homeschooling mom, farm owner, speaker and the host of the Marketing Ink podcast host.
Website: www.alliebloyd.com
Instragam: @alliebloydmedia
Jexzi, Bilingual Singer/Songwriter
Biography: Jexzi is a talented Chicana singer-songwriter from Southern California, known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. Bilingual in both English and Spanish, she effortlessly blends genres and cultural influences into her music. At just 24, she has already made her mark, performing on televised talent shows, gracing stadium stages, and opening for major artists. With new original music set for release this year, Jexzi is continuing to push boundaries and make waves in the music scene.
Instagram: @jexzimusic
David T. Fagan – Best-Selling Author, International Guest Lecturer, CEO of Top Talent
Biography: David T. Fagan is the former CEO of Guerrilla Marketing, which sold over 23 million books in 62 languages all over the world, as well as the former owner of LCO Communications, a Beverly Hills PR firm that represented 58 Academy Award Winners, 34 Grammy Winners, and 43 New York Times Best Sellers.
He has been featured on Fox & Friends, the Today Show, The Washington Post, Forbes, Investor’s Business Daily, Your World with Neil Cavuto, Fox’s The Five, and What’s Happening Now, to name a few. He’s won major awards for publicity and publishing, and even the Entrepreneur Educator of the Year Award from Inc 500 Keap, as well as the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House.
David is the best-selling author of several books, including Word Genius: What to Say and How to Say It, Guerrilla Parenting: How to Raise an Entrepreneur, Cracking the Icon Code: How to Become an Icon in Your Industry Through Your Advice, Image and Expertise, and Becoming Significant: How to Invoke Sacred Words that Unlock Real Power. He’s an International Speaker in places as far away as Dubai, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Australia. He has shared the stage with everyone from Former Secretary of Defense Dr. Bob Gates to Mark Victor Hansen.
Website: https://davidtfagan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.t.fagan
Instagram: @davidtfagan
Dannella Burnett – Event Producer and Speaker Strategist
Biography: Dannella Burnett is the owner of Encore Elite Events & Speakers NeedTo Speak, She’s acreative force with a passion for connecting experts to those they serve through speaking & events while generating profitable and impactful visibility! As seen in Entrepreneur.com Magazine, USA Today, LA Tribune and on hundreds of stages around the world, Dannella has grown her own 7figure business through speaking, events and publicity and helps her clients do the same. Through her connections, millions of dollars have been generated and tens of thousands oflives impacted through speaking and live events!
Justine Reiss – Voice Over Artist, Coach, Podcaster, Speaker, Author, Actress, Meditation Facilitator & Retreat Leader
Biography: With over two decades of experience, Justine Reiss is a seasoned Voice-over Artist, Coach, Podcaster, Speaker, Author, Actress, Meditation Facilitator, and Retreat Leader. From stunt work and cracking a bullwhip to narrating audiobooks and voicing commercials, she has lent her voice to renowned brands like Mitsubishi, Shiseido, Starbucks, Taco Bell, and Florida Tourism.
As a masterclass teacher with SUCH A VOICE, Reiss has helped hundreds of voiceover artists get their start in the business. After hearing countless people say they were “losing their voice,” Justine created the tool of Vocal Empowerment. She launched a program and wrote a book called RECLAIM YOUR VOICE, through which she teaches women, sales teams and corporate leaders to harness their authentic tone with power, presence, and connection.
Certified as a meditation facilitator through Justin Michael Williams and the Dream Bigger Foundation, Justine uses meditation to help others unlock the magic in their voices and reclaim what’s been there all along. She has added ‘Funcilitator’ to her resume, with Craig Shoemaker’s: Laughterworx, bringing laughitations into corporate wellness
But onw of her greatest achievements is humanitarian work in Tanzania—(where she traveled with her adult sons) promoting menstrual equity, empowering entrepreneurial women, and supporting early breast cancer detection—Global impact like this is at the center of her mission, ask her where you can join her next in the world on retreat!
Website: justinereissvoices.com
Instagram: @justineereiss
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/justine-reiss-773a895
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justine.reiss/
Tim Duffy – Producer & Director
Biography: Three-time startup founder and certified mindfulness coach Tim Duffy combines Fortune 500 leadership experience with award-winning content creation. His operational expertise in scaling high-growth companies includes managing $50M+ budgets and teams of 200+, generating over 250M views and 3.5B brand impressions. As a two-time Emmy Award winner with deep roots in both comedy and mindfulness, including 10,000+ hours of meditation practice and teaching, Duffy brings the perfect blend of business acumen and wellness expertise to scale Laughter Worx.
Instagram: @laughterworx @meditatingwithduffy
Steve Memel – High Performance Consultant and Coach, Actor, Director, Producer
Biography: Steven Memel is an internationally renowned High-Performance Consultant and Coach and Award-Winning Actor, Director, and Producer of Film, Television, Stage, and Music. Through his powerful Peak Performance program, The Science of Switching On, he has helped develop top performers ranging from the Silver Screen to the Corporate Boardroom. Clients include Grammy Award winners Adam Levine and Maroon 5, Academy Award nominee Drew Barrymore, actor Justin Long, Tony Award winner Lauren Bacall, as well as CEOs, entrepreneurs, professionals, and consultants. As a Keynote Speaker, Trainer, and Seminar Leader, Steven demonstrates a deep commitment and unshakeable belief that you are here to truly shine and manifest your own Personal Greatness.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenmemel
Instagram: @stevenmemel
Johnny V – Actor, Comedian & Entertainment Life Coach
Johnny Venokur is an Actor, Comedian, Speaker, Writer, Author, Producer, and Entertainment Life Coach. Venokur is best known for his sardonic wit and New York charm. Venokur serves as the brains and Executive Producer behind numerous celebreality series, features, and television projects. Johnny brought back stars from the 80’s; Baio, Bridges, Atkins, just to name a few. Plus, he produced and starred in VH1’s hit series, “Scott Baio is 45 and Single”. He most recently filmed in the Paramount Plus Mini-Series, “The Offer”. And previously filmed with Jon Voight on Showtime’s Ray Donovan, Melissa McCarthy on “Nobodies” for TV land, and as a principal sketch artist on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Venokur can be seen on Netflix, MGM Plus, HBO and Amazon Prime. Plus cult classics like American Vampire Story, Lord of Illusion, and Savage Streets …Just to name a few. His upcoming biopic “Famous In Las Vegas” TV Show, Live Show and Podcast are currently in production. As a motivational speaker and entertainment life coach, Venokur inspires people around the world to achieve their goals and reach their full potential by firing up their motivation and keeping it lit.
Instagram: Instagram.com/Crashinjohnnyv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EZ743z72P/
TikTok: tiktok.com/Crashinjohnnyv
YouTube: YouTube.com/creampie
Michael Silvers – Vice President of the Los Angeles Tribune
Michael Silvers, Vice President of The Los Angeles Tribune, is a visionary leader at the intersection of technology, AI, and media. With a career dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations, Michael has made a profound impact on the personal and professional lives of tens of thousands worldwide, helping them harness innovation to drive success and build lives of purpose.
Recognized as one of the most sought-after speakers and panel moderators, Michael has brought his expertise to high-profile stages, sharing insights alongside industry legends such as Tony Robbins, Jim Kwik, Joseph McClendon, Harv Eker, Les Brown, Gene Simmons, and President George Bush.
His work with The Los Angeles Tribune includes producing major technology-driven events such as the LA Leadership Week, LA Tech Week 2024, AI Symposium, and Neuroscience Summit, which together had a reach of nearly 2 million viewers. He founded The Podcast Network with the Tribune to form a community for podcasters to network, collaborate and support each other, while training the podcasters to speak and host Tribune events. Through these events, Michael championed advancements in technology and AI, bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and real-world applications.
Michael’s leadership in media and technology is evident in the more than 500 panels he has moderated, creating spaces for transformative conversations in both live and virtual formats. He has also trained top selling sales teams and he teaches them how to sustain sales and create higher revenue for their companies by genuinely connecting with their clients.
Michael is committed to fostering harmony and responsibility in his own personal life, which is further exemplified within the dynamic industries of media, AI and technology through his dedication to service and collective growth. Michael has a passion for serving others and one of his mottos is “one team; one family,” which he instills in his coaching businesses and masterminds where he emphasize loyalty, teamwork, and resilience, while enabling individuals and teams to navigate and succeed in a tech-driven world.
At his core, Michael is a man who leads with respect and integrity. He is a dedicated family man whose values of humility, gratitude, and dedication inspire his mission to make a positive impact. Through serving others, he empowers audiences to leverage technology and media to achieve personal and professional excellence, freedom and wealth.