Speakers & Entertainment
2026 Speakers & Performers Line-Up
Kerron Andrews, Director, Writer, Cinematographer
Biography: Kerron Andrews is a Trinidadian-American director, TEDX Speaker and writer who transitioned into filmmaking after serving 13 years in the United States Navy. His work spans award-winning short films, commercials, and television, showcasing a versatile range of storytelling skills.
His short films Before It’s Too Late and Her Story have received festival recognition, while his commercial credits include projects for Reveel Entertainment and Premiere Boxing Channel (PBC), with campaigns airing on Amazon Prime Video to broad audiences. In television, Andrews has directed episodes of Hearts of Stars, collaborating with Hallmark Channel actors Andrew Walker and Cindy Busby. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Los Angeles Film School with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking.
Beyond filmmaking, Andrews is a passionate advocate for veterans. He has delivered a TED Talk on veteran suicide and transition, and continues to speak at military bases nationwide, using his platform to inspire and support those navigating life after service.
From the discipline of military service to the artistry of cinema, Kerron Andrews’ journey reflects his dedication, versatility, and passion for crafting narratives that resonate across both creative and human landscapes.
Dannella Burnett, Speaker, Entrepreneur, Coach
Colin Egglesfield, Actor | Producer | Author | Creative
Biography:
Colin Egglesfield is an acclaimed American actor, producer, author, and creative force in film and television, celebrated for his dynamic performances in projects such as Melrose Place, Something Borrowed, The Client List, and Rizzoli & Isles. He brings over two decades of industry experience, a passion for impactful storytelling, and a resilient, inspirational voice shaped by his work both on-screen and off, as a 3x cancer survivor, keynote speaker, and advocate for philanthropic causes.
Website: www.colinegglesfield.com
Facebook Pages: www.facebook.com/colinegglesfieldfanpage
David Fagen, PR Expert, Author & Talent Advocate
Aarti Garg, CPA & Autism Advocate
Biography: Aarti Garg, CPA is an Indian-American and Southern California native who appeared alongside her brother Subodh on the Emmy-winning docuseries “Love on the Spectrum” on Netflix. Aarti works with her family’s business as the Director of Operations at Insight Examination Services Inc. in Long Beach. Aarti is involved in autism advocacy around the country and supports Subodh in achieving his dreams while pursuing her own in the entertainment industry. She has appeared on two game shows, sung for audiences of thousands, and looks forward to seeing what opportunities come her way in the future. Her dream is to be on a singing competition show and make it past the first round.
Subodah Garg, Speaker & Reality TV Personality
Subodh Garg is an Indian-American living in Southern California. He was diagnosed with autism around 3 years old, and although he’s seen his fair share of challenges, nothing has stopped him from pursuing his dreams of gaining independence, finding love, and leading a fulfilling life. He was featured as a cast member on the Emmy-winning docuseries “Love on the Spectrum” on Netflix. As a public figure, Subodh has been an inspiration to millions around the world. As someone who was once non-verbal, he is a testament to the power of hard work and love. Subodh has spoken for live audiences, been on podcasts, presented awards, and is thrilled to be a part of Digifest this year. One day he hopes to appear on another show as he is still in search of his life partner – his idea is to start a show called The Bachelor on the Spectrum.
Bryan Giardinelli, Photographer, Videographer, Creative Director
Bryan Giardinelli is a highly experienced and versatile creative director, brand strategist, college teacher, and progressive thinker based in Temecula, California. With expertise in Adobe Creative Suite — including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign — along with a strong foundation in web design and logo design, he brings two decades of experience across industries such as politics, web development and design, film and television, education, and DTC design. His proficiency in graphic design, typography, image editing, and leadership enhances his ability to deliver compelling visual narratives and effectively manage creative teams.
He brings a diverse and impressive career track record, including work on major motion pictures, teaching thousands of college students, winning a $1,000,000 contract on ABC’s Shark Tank, and serving as the national Director of Photography for the Bernie Sanders 2020 Presidential campaign. His expertise spans multiple photography genres — including event photography, portrait photography, and photojournalism — and has been instrumental throughout his career. Additionally, his skills in video production, copywriting, problem solving, and communication have significantly contributed to his success in digital media and brand development.
His expertise lies in photography, videography, art direction, brand and identity strategy, and consulting, particularly within social-improvement and public-facing policy spaces. He is skilled in video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro, social media marketing, and collaborative teamwork — all essential in today’s digital landscape. He is currently seeking director-level roles in these fields and remains driven to continue building on his multifaceted career while making a meaningful impact in the engines of progress and creativity every day.
Rob Kutner, Writer-Producer
Biography: Rob Kutner is an Emmy, Peabody, Grammy and TCA-winning writer for late-night shows like THE DAILY SHOW and CONAN, and animation like TEEN TITANS GO! and BEN10. He is also the bestselling author of the books Apocalypse How: Turn the End Times into the Best of Times, Snot Goblins & Other Tasteless Tales, Look Out for the Little Guy, and The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting, and co-host of the Jewish men’s podcast “Mamas’ Boys.”
Instagram: @robkutner
Website: www.robkutner.com
Samuel Larsen, Actor/Musician
Biography: Samuel Larsen is an actor and musician from San Francisco, California. Larsen moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in both acting and music. Shortly after re-locating, he won the reality series “The Glee Project,” securing him his first role as Joe Hart on Fox TV show “Glee.” Since then Larsen has appeared in various projects such as starring as Zed Evans in the film adaption of the YA best selling series “After”, and “After We Collided” as well as “Hawaii Five-O,” “Recovery,” and Shoulder Dance.”
Larsen has also released solo music including the songs “Blue” and “You Should Know.” He is set to appear as Dallas in the upcoming film “Relapse,” as well as releasing more solo music under the moniker SEVEN LIIVES
Instagram: @samuellarsen
TikTok @Samuellarsen7
YouTube @samuellarsen7
Davin Lindwall, Photographer & Producer
Davin Lindwall an award-winning photographer turned producer, having work recognized in publications and media by brands like National Geographic, Delta and Architectural Digest. His deep understanding of producing narrative-driven, commercial imagery formed the foundation for his start as a producer and continues to influence his approach. GREEN AND GOLD (Craig T. Nelson, Brandon Sklenar, M. Emmet Walsh) was Davin’s debut film as a producer. It received Audience Choice Awards at two Academy Award Qualifying Film Festivals (Heartland International and Austin) and was released nationwide in theaters in 2025, leveraging partnerships with the Green Bay Packers and Culver’s Restaurants. Davin is currently developing three narrative features, two series and two feature documentaries.
Mario Ortiz, Director of Photography
Mario Ortiz is a multiple Emmy award winning director of photography with over 20 years of commercial, corporate and motion picture production experience. He has a passion for camera movement that is evident in the body of his work. As a certified Steadicam/Glidecam operator and Jib owner operator, Mario has much to offer his clients.
Kari Michaelson, Actor, Television Personality, Motivational Speaker
Kim Walsh Phillips, Founder & CEO of Powerful Professionals & Business Coach
Kim Walsh Phillips is Co-Founder of the Elite Speakers Network and the founder and CEO of Powerful Professionals, a business coaching and education company. She went from 32 clients to over 11,000 in less than a year, making this one of the fastest growing companies in America and was recently named #475 in the Inc 5000.
Named “a must to read by those in business” by Forbes Magazine, she is the bestselling author of multiple books including, “The Shift: Scale Your Business and Multiply Your Wealth without Sacrificing You,” “The Ultimate Guide to Instagram for Business” and “The No B.S. Guide To Direct Response Social Media Marketing,” co-authored with Dan Kennedy.
Get a copy of “The Shift,” and over $3,000 worth of bonuses here: https://www.theshiftbookbonus.com/
She co-hosts one of the top running business podcasts with American Idol Season One Alumni and 20 year entertainment veteran, Justin Guarini and has been featured on BRAVO’s Below Deck. She’s the behind-the-scenes secret weapon of some of the biggest names in business including Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank, Dan Kennedy, Profit First Author Mike Michalowicz, Harley-Davidson, Hilton Hotels and High Point University. Kim has spoken on stages around the world including Dubai, Moscow, London and across the US.
She resides just outside of Atlanta, GA where you can find her DJ-ing her daughters softball games and is fueled by faith, love, laughter, Titos and a lot of Starbucks.
Pryde Pierce, Freeland Filmmaker
Biography: Pryde Pierce is an award-winning independent filmmaker, actor, videographer, content creator and decorated Army infantry veteran. In his over 15 years of experience he has starred in productions of Shakespeare and worked with Fortune 500 companies (including Nike), and celebrities. Projects he is a part of can be seen on streaming sites such as Discovery+, Apple TV, and others.
He has won awards for his writing, directing, cinematography, acting, and editing; including winning an award when his short film “Hemorrhage” screened at the Directors Guild of America in the 48 Film Festival. The YouTube channel he created, Final Girlz, has over 30 thousand subscribers and is growing daily.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Cinematography and has taught filmmaking at multiple non-profits (including being the current Filmmaking Instructor at JDS Studios). He is a member of the Board of Directors for the non-profit Desert Empire Filmmaking Foundation, is on the Advisory Board for the Film, TV, and Media program at San Bernardino Valley College, and was previously a member of the Board of Directors for the Full Circle Theater Company in Riverside, CA.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PrydePierceFilms
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prydepiercefilms/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/prydepierce/
Website: https://prydepiercefilms.wixsite.com/prydepiercefilms
Timothy Rauch, Animation Creator/Director/Producer
Biography: Tim is a veteran creator, director and producer with experience founding and running a studio, working with Presidents and pop stars, leading large complex projects and teaching all over the world.
He co-created “StoryCorps: The Animated Series” (PBS), which tells the extraordinary stories of ordinary Americans. Over the course of five seasons and a primetime Thanksgiving special, the show earned a Peabody, duPont-Columbia Silver Baton, 4 Emmy & 2 Annie noms.
Success as an indie creator landed him at Netflix as Supervising Director on musical anthology series “We The People”, earning an Emmy, NAACP Image Award and GLAAD nom while working with President Barack Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama, H.E.R., Janelle Monae, Lin Manuel Miranda, Brandi Carlile and more.
Tim has done development for Netflix, Hello Sunshine, Invisible Universe, Stoopid Buddy, HBOMax & Atomic, directed on BoJack Horseman, created commissioned shorts for Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, CONACO and more.
An experienced educator, Tim has run workshops at The School of Visual Arts, Pratt & Jilin Animation Institute (China), taught classes at University of the Arts (Philadelphia), worked as a cultural ambassador on behalf of the State Department in Venezuela, and currently runs a Film Workshop class at the world-renowned California Institute of the Arts in Valencia.
He lives in Pasadena with his wife and two smiley boys.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_rauch/
Justine Reiss, Executive Producer, Director, Producer, Creative Director, Writer
Justine Reiss is an experienced voice-over talent and Coach with over 20 years experience in the business. She has recently finished 2 audiobooks on audible HOW TO MAKE A LIFE and CYCLE OF LIVES. She has made most of her money in commercial VO with numerous National and Regional Commercials airing regionally.
With a strong background in Theatre and a degree from Brandeis University Justine began her professional career doing regional theatre and Shakespeare which has given her a great ear for dialects and strong sense of performance only aiding her career in voiceover. Additionally Reiss has operated her own Marketing business in LA helping numerous businesses launch and increase their bottom line. Oh and did we mention that Reiss also performed stunts, high falls and leaping over small buildings with Disney and Universal Theme parks, high falls, fire burns etc… no big deal…
She has voiced numerous campaigns for Taco John’s, Starbucks, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Sonicare, Lexus, CA Oranges, Florida Tourism, and is a recognisable voice for Genie Bra and Cami Shaper. Reiss also has worked in Voice Casting for 20+ years.
Justine has done looping (post production voices) on numerous Film TV projects: Leverage, Private Practice, NCIS New Orleans and many more. Reiss has voiced many narrations for documentaries, Video Games and CD Roms and is thrilled to be part of the Such A Voice family sharing her love for the art of ‘voice acting’ and bringing the practical world of voice-over to the masses on a global level.
Joseph Russo, Executive Producer, Director, Producer, Creative Director, Writer
Joseph Russo is a seasoned and diverse executive producer, film director, creative director, and writer whose career spans advertising, live events, and films. As a partner of Make A Thing (makeathing.tv), he brings visionary leadership to his roles as an executive producer, director, cinematographer, and executive creative director, shaping the company’s reputation for delivering impactful and visually compelling advertising and film productions.
Joseph has written, produced, and directed award-winning, results-driven commercials for top brands such as Straight Talk, Samsung, Walmart, and Verizon. As a creative director, he has led teams and collaborated with leading agencies like Droga5, The Martin Agency, and TBWA. His expertise extends into live events, where he has directed and produced award-winning experiential activations for FX Networks, Fox, Nike and most recently, Scout Motors, a division of the Volkswagen Group.
Beyond his work for clients, Joseph channels his creativity into personal projects, including writing feature film scripts, directing music videos, and producing short films with his favorite collaborators—his friends and family. His dynamic career reflects a dedication to storytelling and innovation across every medium he touches.
Laura Summer, Veteran Voice Actress & Actor
Laura Summer is a classically trained actor, best known for originating the voices of Janine Melnitz on The Real Ghostbusters, twins Drusillia and Minerva on The Garfield Show, and Patamon for the Digimon franchise. She has voiced hundreds of hours of film and television for clients that include Disney, Apple TV, ABC, Warner Bros., Fox, Sony, Cartoon Network and Netflix.
Laura has appeared on-camera in more than 100 television commercials alongside Paul Newman, Luciano Pavarotti and Seth Green. On stage, she’s performed at The Actor’s Studio, ELT, Westbury Music Fair and West Bank Theater; made audiences laugh in appearances with Jean Smart, Bill Maher and Patton Oswalt; and helped bring Estelle Parson’s vision to life in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.
Having trained with Joan Darling, Michael Howard, and Susan Batson, Laura credits their influence for her discipline, professionalism, and joy she brings to all her work.
Judith Uttal, Founder of Autism In Entertainment
Biography: Judith Uttal is a longtime advocate for inclusion, access, and employment for autistic individuals in the entertainment industry. She is the Founder of Autism In Entertainment (AIE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness, education, and meaningful career pathways for autistic talent across film, television, and related creative fields.
Judith also served as President of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG) for ten years, where she led the organization through significant growth in programming, community engagement, and organizational infrastructure. During her tenure, OCASG expanded its educational offerings, social programming, and partnerships, supporting autistic individuals and families throughout Orange County.
A strong believer in the power of communication and self-advocacy, Judith is an accomplished Toastmasters leader, using public speaking as a tool to amplify autistic voices and foster understanding between neurodivergent individuals and industry professionals. Her work consistently bridges advocacy, workforce development, and storytelling—helping employers better understand autistic talent while empowering individuals to pursue sustainable creative careers.
At DigiFest, Judith will share the history and evolution of Autism In Entertainment, key accomplishments and lessons learned, and practical ways the entertainment community can play a role in building a more inclusive and innovative industry.
Website: www.autisminentertainment.org
Bill Walsh, Founder & CEO of PowerTeam International
Biography: Bill Walsh is a globally recognized business strategist, venture catalyst, and the Founder & CEO of Powerteam International (chatgpt://generic-entity?number=0), an international business development and entrepreneurial training organization dedicated to helping business owners accelerate growth, scale revenue, and expand their influence. With more than two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing strategy, and venture development, Walsh has worked with thousands of startups, small businesses, and growth-stage companies across diverse industries. His dynamic approach blends strategic partnerships, capital access, brand positioning, and high-impact live events to create measurable business transformation for entrepreneurs worldwide.
As a sought-after keynote speaker, advisor, and dealmaker, Walsh has shared stages with world-class thought leaders, celebrity entrepreneurs, and global experts while facilitating connections that have led to joint ventures, capital raises, and market expansion opportunities. Through Powerteam International’s ecosystem of conferences, mastermind programs, and executive experiences — including initiatives such as the Rainmaker Summit, Ultimate Wealth Camp, and the WIN Global Mastermind — he has built a powerful platform where entrepreneurs can gain education, exposure, and elite networking access. His work focuses on helping founders move from idea to execution and ultimately into scalable, profitable enterprises.
Beyond business growth, Walsh is deeply committed to community impact, leadership development, and philanthropic collaboration. He champions initiatives that bring entrepreneurs together with policy leaders, investors, and nonprofit organizations to create meaningful economic and social change. Known for his high energy, collaborative mindset, and passion for empowering others, Bill Walsh continues to inspire a global network of entrepreneurs to think bigger, build smarter, and step confidently into leadership roles within their industries and communities.
Curtis Young, Business Entrepreneur, Recording Artist, Conscious Lyricist, Executive Producer, Creative Composer
Biography: CURTIS YOUNG is a renowned leader, entrepreneur, recording artist, conscious lyricist, executive producer, creative composer, actor, and Founder of Young Monarchy Entertainment LLC. He supports artistically innovative advancements, and through humanitarian endeavors, Young is integrating sustainable creator economies cross-culturally for artists to thrive. He is the firstborn heir of hip-hop legend, Hall of Fame record producer, and entrepreneur Dr. Dre (aka Andre Young). CURTIS YOUNG is committed to continuing the legacy of the Young lineage. His inspirational artistry is captivating a consumer-based audience worldwide and redefining the beat of global music culture.
Website: http://www.youngmonarchyent.com
Instragam: @curtisyoungofficial
Dr. Judy Walsh, Founder and CEO of Own Your Health
John Williams, Content Creator
John Williams is a multiple Emmy winning Content Creator whose career spans nearly forty years generating media for companies across the United States. He is currently a producer at CBS8 in San Diego, and lives in Escondido with his wife Lisa and their two dogs Jethro and Amanda. His interests include photography, barbecue, HiFi, motorcycles, and travel.