2023 DigiFest Temecula Speakers & Performers
Ryan O’Nan
Speaker
Ryan O’Nan is a TV writer, actor, producer, director and author. He’s currently a writer/Co-Executive Producer and actor on ABC’s Big Sky. Before that Ryan wrote on Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Queen of The South for USA, Tribes at SONY Crackle, FX/Marvel series Legion, and Skins for MTV. He recently sold a pilot to Disney+ /Amblin which Barry Sonnenfeld is directing. He also recently sold a series to Amazon Prime based of the hit graphic novel Dark Red. Ryan wrote the indie film Albion starring John Cleese, Stephen Dorff, and Debora Messing, and he wrote and directed the film Brooklyn brothers Beat the Best. In 2016 Ryan was selected for the Young and Hungry: Top 100 writers on the Verge. As an actor, Ryan played “Donno” on Big Sky, and “King George” on Queen of the South on USA. Other acting credits include, FX’s Fargo, Showtime’s Ray Donovan, Amazon’s The Last Tycoon, NBC’s Blacklist and CBS’s Person of Interest. He starred alongside Michael Shannon, Chris Evans and Winona Ryder in The Iceman, Robert De Niro and Forest Whitaker in Freelancers, Bruce Willis and Chris Meloni in Mauraders and Nicholas Cage and John Cusack in The Frozen Ground. And he recently finished filming the lead in Kevin Smith’s new film Killroy Was Here. Ryan’s debut novel “Winders” was released in 2021.
Eileen Grubba
Speaker
Eileen Grubba is an award-winning actress, writer, and producer. She serves on the PGEC committee of the Television Academy, is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio, and Brand Ambassador for Global Disability Inclusion.
Her TV appearances include HBO’s Watchmen, CBS’s CSI:Vegas, SWAT, ALL Rise, Criminal Minds, NBC’s New Amsterdam, This Is Us, Game Of Silence, Netflix’s The Politician, ABC’s Stumptown, FX’s Sons of Anarchy, Bones, Fear The Walking Dead, HBO’s Hung & Enlightened, Benched, Instant Mom, CSI: Miami, The Mentalist, Cold Case, Nip/Tuck, The Closer, Monk and more.
She has won over a dozen Best Actress awards. She won a $100,000 production package for a feature film in a pitch competition in 2021. Was honored with the WeSpark Award at Idyllwild Film Festival 2020 for social impact on the entertainment industry, Winner of the Mary Austin Excellence in Screenwriting Awards in 2019 and 2020, and Mary Austin Excellence in Producing Award in 2021, as well as more than 50 international awards for her disability-inclusive short films.
She is an advocate for the hiring of performers with disabilities in film, television and advertising, serves on the SAG/AFTRA National PWD Committee, and was selected for the 2020 CBS Leadership Pipeline for directing. She is a national public speaker for events supporting challenged patients, disability inclusion, eradicating bullying, and empowering women. In 2019 she went through training at the FBI’s Citizen Academy for community leaders and was keynote speaker for their graduation. Eileen is a staff writer on an animated series for Lego and has a feature film in development with Roserock Films on the WB lot.
Donna Maine
Emcee
Donna is an LA-based stand-up comedian, emcee, and comedy writer who performs across the country. From clean to more adult humor, her comedic insights run the gamut; including relationships, kids/grandkids, and being a former nurse. Donna has been bringing the laughter with her sassy and sarcastic wit to comedy clubs such as the Improv, the Comedy Store, the Ice House, casinos including Agua Caliente, and a multitude of corporate events and fundraisers. Always adding to her repertoire, Donna incorporates impressions and characters, sketch comedy, parody songs, is a Funniest Housewives Finalist, auctioneer, and voiceover artist.
Sammy Listoe
Entertainer
Sammy Listoe is a Montana born rock-country artist currently based in Oceanside. He grew up in an incredible family surrounded by music and began writing his own songs at 12 years old. Over the last 10 years, Sammy has performed all over the world, released several albums and singles, and recently began working with a very talented group of musicians that make up his band. This group brings the good times with energy, fun and emotion throughout their live shows. Sammy rocks the scene with his own original music and hit cover songs that span the decades.
Pryde Pierce
Directors Panel
Pryde Pierce is an award-winning independent filmmaker, actor, and videographer. He has starred in productions of Shakespeare and worked with Fortune 500 companies, and celebrities. He has been awarded for his writing, directing, cinematography, acting, and editing; including winning a “Best Actor” award when his short film “Hemorrhage” screened at the Directors Guild of America in the 48 Film Festival. Most recently, he worked on the upcoming film Shriver starring Michael Shannon and Kate Hudson, and appeared (uncredited) in the Sundance film “Pleasure” by Ninja Thyberg. He taught Digital Filmmaking to underprivileged students for the non-profit organization LJR Arts Academy. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Full Circle Players theater company in Riverside, and is on the Advisory Board for the film program at San Bernardino Valley College.
Alex Bram
Directors Panel
Award-Winning Director Alex Bram is on a mission to deliver maximum suspense to modern horror audiences. Bram’s most recent project, Geisting, has resulted in great career momentum. 2022 saw the paranormal, horror-comedy Geisting win “Best Director,” “Best Horror Short,” “Best TV Pilot,” “Best Horror Comedy,” “Standout Performance” for Renee Pezzotta” and “Best Visual FX” on the festival circuit.
Geisting was even listed as a Cannes Premiere title in the trades (The Hollywood Reporter; Variety and Screen International and in all Cannes listings and publications). The television market premiere of “Geisting” was at MIPCOM, October, 2021.
Bram currently lives with his beloved wife of many Hollywood years — actress Renee Pezzotta, along with a multitude of pets and woodland critters. They run Panic Attack Films – committed to creating new and original horror and genre content, with devotion to always maintaining high quality and making fun part of the picture.
Chris Nolan
Directors Panel
Chris Nolan is a multiple Emmy Award-winning director, creative director, marketing strategist, branding story expert and author. He brings 25 years of branding, writing, directing and production experience in both entertainment and marketing to his content production company, 90,000 Feet –– working for clients such Disney, Google and Toyota.
He recently directed and co-wrote with Mike Schindler, the documentary It’s VUCA: The Secret to Living in the 21st Century. Chris and Mike have followed up the film with a book and an extensive leadership and executive coaching program called VUCA MAX.
To preorder the book or for more information on the VUCA MAX program go to https://itsvuca.com or contact Chris at Chris@itsvuca.com.
Nasreen Alkhateeb
Directors Panel
Nasreen is an Emmy winning cinematographer whose work illuminates historically excluded voices. Utilizing a plethora of lenses, her ability to motivate audiences is a direct result of approaching story through multiple identities, including being a person with multiple Disabilities.
By illuminating racial injustice, disability inequity, marginalized youth, the first woman VP, and the largest telescope NASA has ever constructed, Nasreen thrives as a leader in content that shifts our culture. Her cinematography has been featured by Apple+, FX Networks, Kamala Harris’ successful Vice Presidential campaign, and Oprah’s EMMY winning series Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. Her directing credits include NASA, Kamala Harris, UN Women, Microsoft, the Women’s March, and Remedy Health Media.
Nasreen was recognized with the Wild Card award by her NASA peers, a Visions mentee of the American Society of Cinematographers, a fellow of Sundance’s Accessible Futures Intensive, and a fellow of the Ford Foundation’s Disability Futures. She helped lead the 2022 RespectAbility LAB, dedicated to introducing twenty Disabled writers, and directors to studios like Disney, Sony, Lionsgate, DreamWorks and Warner Brothers. Forbes described her as “breaking barriers.”
Bob Bergen
Voice Over Panel
Three-time Emmy nominated actor Bob Bergen announced to his parents when he was five he wanted to be Porky Pig. His mother replied, “Honey, you can’t be Porky Pig. You’re Jewish.” Despite this, he was determined. At fourteen he phoned Mel Blanc after researching a dozen or so phone books, crashed a recording session pretending to be Blanc’s assistant, and watched him in action. Realizing he needed training, and for his voice to change, he began studying voice-over with every vo coach LA had to offer. Combined with two years at a Meisner acting conservatory and three years of improv study with The Groundlings, he was able to secure an agent at eighteen and pursue his dream, while tour guiding at Universal Studios allowed him to eat. He’s performed in all aspects of on-camera television: from sitcoms to soaps to game shows – hosting Jep!, the kids’ version of Jeopardy! for Game Show Network.
His voice is heard in thousands of commercials, promos, games, animated series and specials. He’s voiced dozens of animated features, including Minions, Sing, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Wreck it Ralph, The Secret Life of Pets, Trolls, Tangled, Tinker Bell, Spirited Away, Cars, A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Iron Giant, The Emperor’s New Groove, WALL-E, Toy Story 2 & 3, and Up. For over 20 years he’s voiced Luke Skywalker in dozens of projects, from games to all three Robot Chicken: Star Wars specials. Recent series work includes Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Ridley Jones, Dew Drop Diaries, Oddballs, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Teen Titans Go, Animaniancs, It’s Pony, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Pretzel and the Puppies, I Am Groot. 2023 marks his 33rd year voicing Porky Pig. He currently stars as Porky in Bugs Bunny Builders and over 200 new Looney Tunes Cartoons shorts, both on HBOMax. Bob is also one of the most sought after coaches for animation voiceover.
Candi Milo
Voice Over Panel
Candi Milo is the busiest actress in voiceovers today and is honored to have taken the mantle from the legendary late June Foray as the voice of Granny for all of Warner Brothers Animation projects. You may know her as Granny from last year’s Space Jam 2: A New Legacy with LeBron James. Milo is a successful actor and Annie Award nominee best known for voicing Dexter in Dexter’s Laboratory and The Flea in Mucha LuchaM, along with literally thousands of other well-known characters. She’s probably the voice of your childhood. On stage, Milo starred with Jennifer Holliday in the first touring production of Dreamgirls, directed by the Michael Bennett.
Aside from her current daily voiceover work in countless film and television projects, and her on-camera commercials, her current gigs include voicing Granny and many other roles in Looney Tunes Cartoons and as one of the leads in the upcoming Pinocchio feature. Just check out her IMDb listing!
Candi Milo’s dark comedic memoir of her childhood, Surviving the Odd, was released last fall. The book offers a glimpse into her wildly inappropriate childhood seen through the eyes of a 7- year-old who unravels the story of how her once prominent-but-now-fading comedian/singer father, Tony, left show business in 1968 for a higher calling. That calling was opening one of the first board and care homes in California — Milo Arms, to care for and shelter the developmentally disabled and emotionally disturbed adults.
Kathryn Nicolai (she/her)
Podcast/Influencer Panel
Kathryn Nicolai is the creator of the enormously successful podcast Nothing Much Happens and the author of the book of the same name. Nothing Much Happens is consistently ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts in the world and has received over 90 million downloads. It has been recognized in many articles for its excellence, originality, and production design and Kathryn herself has become a leading voice in self-care, contributing to articles and op-eds about sleep, wellness, and bibliotherapy. She was a featured speaker at the Integrative Mental Health Summit in 2021 and 2022 and has appeared on countless wellness and personal interest podcasts sharing her techniques and insight for achieving better sleep and more mindful days.
As an architect of cozy, she leans on her years of experience as a yoga and meditation teacher to seamlessly blend storytelling with brain training methods that build better sleep habits over time. She lives in Michigan with her wife and two dogs.
Shamina Taylor
Wealth Expert and Mentor
Shamina Taylor, Attorney turned Wealth Expert and Mentor, helps high-achieving women level up in their personal lives and in their businesses by teaching them how to become the most powerful, fulfilled, wealthy, and successful version of themselves.
With over 20 years of experience, Shamina is a top industry leader and has helped hundreds of women build their businesses, both on- and offline. Her top clients are making up to $100k a month in recurring revenue and have multiple 7 figure businesses. Shamina herself has had a record-breaking year. Her business crossed the 7-figure cash received mark in less than 10 months. She’s also a recipient of the 2021 Two Comma Club Award for earning over one million with ClickFunnels.
Shamina is the Host of The Quantum Woman Podcast and has spoken at Unfair Advantage Life, The Intuitive Entrepreneur, and The Smarter Income Stream. She is also the creator of numerous online programs including Infinite Wealth, Accessing the Quantum, Magnetic Power, and a high-caliber Mastermind designed to move women to their next level fast. With a combined social media following of over 50k, Shamina has been featured in Fortune, Yahoo Finance, and Medium, and on CBS’s Virginia This Morning, Washington DC’s ABC7, and ABC Sacramento’s Your California Life.
Michael Unbroken
Coach Mentor & Educator
From homeless to hero, with an ACE Score of TEN, Michael Unbroken found his way from stuck, hurt, and broken to being THE HERO of his own story. Today, Michael has coached thousands of Trauma Warriors around the world to learn to love themselves, get unstuck and to BE UNBROKEN. Michael is the author of the best-selling book Think Unbroken and is a coach, mentor, and educator for adult survivors of child abuse. Michael spends his time helping other survivors get out of “The Vortex” to become the HERO of their story! Michael hosts The Think Unbroken Podcast, teaches at Think Unbroken Academy, and is on a mission to end generational trauma in his lifetime through education and information.
Byron Fry
Music Composition Workshop
Byron Fry is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, producer, studio musician and educator in the L.A. music industry. His credits span work in every genre with numerous #1-hit and grammy-winning artists and multi-platinum producers, over 2 dozen hours of footage scored for film and TV, arranging and playing on innumerable records, as well as touring through dozens of countries.
Trained in composing & arranging by Dick Grove and Sammy Nestico, he continues to get commissions to compose for orchestras and large ensembles, and produces artists in every genre on an ongoing, free-lance basis. As an educator, Byron has taught hundreds at schools and colleges as faculty, as a clinician, and as a Contract Artist for the State of California.
Diane Forster
Podcast/TV How to Produce Workshop
Diane is the 2021 Global Excellence Award Winner for America’s Most Inspiring Mindset Coach, and the 2020 Winner for Life Coach of the Year in California. She is an Executive Contributor for BRAINZ Magazine. She is a Certified Coach, Mentor, Mastermind Facilitator and NLP Practitioner, Certified Practitioner in Human Interaction Technology. She is the international best- selling author of “I HAVE TODAY: Find Your Passion, Purpose and Smile…Finally!” and “A BETTER TODAY.”
Her LIVE TV Show along her Podcast, “I HAVE TODAY with Diane Forster” and all her other products/programs help people live enriched, empowered, inspiring lives through their transitions, to reinvent themselves.
Sean O’Brien
Entertainer
Local artist returning to perform at DigiFest 2023. Sean has been playing locally since grade school and has quite the passion for the digital art medium.
Sean O’Brien is majoring in Audio Technology at Mt. San Jacinto College. He has been playing the piano since he was six and studied music theory and fundamentals. He loves to create, write and mix his music and is a member of the International Composers Community called the Young Composers Community.
Lee Coulter
Entertainer
Winner “Best Acoustic/Folk Song” 2021 San Diego Music Awards for Look Away
#1 Single on iTunes Australia and New Zealand with “We You Me (featuring Dixie
Maxwell)” – August 2018″
“The Discovery of the Year!” – Sirus XM Coffee House 2011
“The world needs more Lee Coulter songs.” – Martin Sexton
Lee Coulter and his music are a product of globalization in the 21st century – a multi- national, multi-racial artist existing between nations, cultures and belief systems attempting to bridge gaps and synchronize hearts through the uniting powers of words and music.
An Asian-Australian-American performing an easily palatable blend of folk, soul, rock, reggae, blues and jazz-pop gets told frequently, “you don’t look like you sound,” but that’s what made Coulter lean into his unique position to simultaneously bring good vibes and shift preconceptions – music always the catalyst.
Born and raised in Australia to a Vietnam-war-veteran father and a Thai-Indonesian
mother who survived an allied aided genocide (US/UK/AUS) in her hometown in the 60s, Lee grew up unwittingly navigating the contrast between the pleasant suburbs outside of Brisbane, Queensland and the complexities of political/war induced
generational trauma from both sides of the family tree.
Music became the critical outlet to shine a light on the present and the positive and bridging discrepancies between our mental health and reality became infused into his art and purpose decades before he understood why.
Adrian Paul
Speaker
Internationally recognized, Adrian has over 35 films and more than 200 hours of acting credits in over 25 years in the entertainment industry. Since starting as an actor in 1985, he has starred in three series, the most notable being the international hit series and film franchise Highlander, along with starring and acting in numerous action and drama films. He has also had success behind the camera as a director and producer. Having written several screenplays, in 2014 he became a freelance creative advisor for Lucky Coffee productions.
Since 1997, when Adrian founded his own charity, “The Peace Fund”, he has kept a hands-on approach, spearheading the Fund to projects in Haiti, Romania, Hungary, Thailand, Cambodia, Niger, Pakistan, El Salvador and the United States. In 2012, Adrian created and hosted Peace Fund Radio, alongside Ethan Dettanmeir, as a social networking site for charities with an audience of 1-2 million listeners a month. To date Peace Fund Radio has produced more than 600 hours of free content to help children in need.
In 2009, he founded his production company “Filmblips Inc.”, with partner Zoltan Furedi, developing and producing content with compelling stories backed by solid creative and financing packages. He is also a partner in Forma Filmz, a film servicing company in Budapest, Hungary which in 2023 is in the final stage of financing for 2 feature films, one of which Adrian penned and
is set to direct.
In 2016, while bouncing back and forth between his charity, acting, directing and producing projects, Adrian also founded a very successful event company, “The Sword Experience”. In approximately, the short space of seven hours Adrian teaches people sword basics, creates the choreography as part of a story, then films and produces the stories into short films. To date with
over 1300 attendees, The Sword Experience has produced over 130 events in thirteen countries.
Fiona Ma, CPA.
California State Treasurer
Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was first elected on November 6, 2018, with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state’s history and reelected on November 8, 2022. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position. The State Treasurer’s Office was created in the California Constitution in 1849. It provides financing for schools, roads, housing, recycling and waste management, hospitals, public facilities, and other crucial infrastructure projects that better the lives of residents. California become the world’s fourth-largest economy and Treasurer Ma is the state’s primary banker. Presently, her office processes more than $3 trillion in banking transactions. She provides transparency and oversight for the government’s investment portfolio and accounts, as well as for the state’s surplus funds. Treasurer Ma oversees an investment portfolio that currently averages over $200 billion—a significant portion of which is beneficially owned by more than 2,200 local governments in California. She serves as agent of sale for all State bonds and is trustee of billions of dollars of state indebtedness.