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Jared Ruga

Jared Ruga

Co-Founder & President

Founder + CEO

Jared Ruga is an Emmy-winning producer and Co-Founder/President of the Impact Guild, a nonprofit network elevating storytelling for social change. Working at the intersection of culture and capital, he leads the Guild’s efforts to connect and activate leaders across media, arts, and entertainment, while developing new financial infrastructure for impact media through Impact Guild Capital—an initiative advancing innovative financing models to unlock greater investment in narrative-driven projects. He is also Co-Founder of KaleidoCollective, which advances LGBTQ equality by expanding funding and career pathways for queer and trans creators. In parallel, Jared leads Vavani Productions, the socially conscious production company he founded in 2017, with credits including the Emmy-winning QUIET HEROES (Sundance premiere). He and his three wild pups split their time between Los Angeles and San Diego, where he is currently pursuing an M.A. in Social Innovation at the University of San Diego.

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Stéphane Glynn

Stéphane Glynn

Executive Vice President

Chief Operating Officer

Stéphane Glynn is Chief Operating Officer of Vavani Productions and Executive Vice President of the Impact Guild, where he leads operations across film production and nonprofit programming. Working at the intersection of creative execution and systems design, he oversees production, post-production, and organizational infrastructure, helping translate vision into scalable, high-functioning operations. He also manages operations for the Lightspark Foundation, supporting initiatives at the intersection of storytelling and civic engagement. In addition to his operational leadership, Stéphane is an editor, colorist, and filmmaker, and recently co-directed his first feature documentary, BAREFOOT BOY. His past work includes collaborations with ABC-Disney Television, PBS Utah, and Children’s Miracle Network. He holds an MFA in Film & Media Arts from the University of Utah, an MBA from Weber State University, and a BA in Media Studies and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

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Judy Friedman

Judy Friedman

General Counsel

Founder & Principal

Judy Friedman is the founder and principal of Audacious Philanthropy and a partner at Three Wealths Advisory, where she advises social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, foundations, and nonprofits on aligning capital for environmental, social, and financial impact. She also serves as General Counsel of the Impact Guild and Vice President and Board member of Safe Place for Youth, and sits on the advisory boards of American Impact Capital and the RAND Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy. Judy previously spent 15 years as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Saban Capital Group and continues to advise the Cheryl Saban Self-Worth Foundation for Women and Girls. She holds a J.D. from Loyola Law School and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in Legal Studies from the Wharton School, as well as an executive certification in Social Impact Strategy.

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Adam Parker

Adam Parker

VP, Programming

Writer

Adam Parker is an award-winning writer working across film, television, and literature, with a focus on character-driven storytelling that explores identity, history, and belonging. Their work spans screen and page, including the Disney+ short THE ROOF, which premiered at imagineNATIVE and won the Audience Choice Short Award. Adam’s debut novel The Wasteland received the American Fiction Award and the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in LGBTQ Fiction, with additional recognition from the International Book Awards and National Indie Excellence Awards. Their television pilot THE BARON was selected for both the GLAAD List and the Indigenous List, and their feature screenplay ROSALINE & JULIET is Recommended on The Black List. In parallel with their writing career, Adam serves as Vice President of Programming at the Impact Guild, where they help shape the Guild’s external convenings and thought leadership. They hold a B.A. in Film and Gender Studies from Harvard University and an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College.

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Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson

VP, Membership

Actor

Tyler Johnson is an actor and community builder based in Los Angeles, whose work is grounded in the belief that storytelling shapes culture and expands what’s possible. As Vice President of Membership at the Impact Guild, he leads efforts to cultivate a strong, engaged community—overseeing Peer and Affinity Groups, supporting member experience, and ensuring that members are connected, activated, and positioned to contribute meaningfully within the Guild’s ecosystem. In parallel with his work at the Guild, Tyler continues his acting career, bringing a commitment to authentic, character-driven storytelling that reflects a more inclusive and representative world. He holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Oklahoma.

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Blake Pickens

Blake Pickens

VP, Finance & Development

Head of Content

Blake Pickens is an Emmy-winning Chickasaw producer, writer, and comedian working across film, television, and branded content. His work centers on expanding representation and bringing Native and underrepresented voices into mainstream storytelling. He was selected for the Sundance Native Producing Lab, Producing Fellowship, and Indigenous Intensive, and produced the Sundance premieres THE LAND and WILD INDIAN. Blake’s producing work spans feature films, television, music videos, and advertising, including campaigns recognized with Cannes Lions Grand Prix awards and an Emmy for P&G’s THE TALK, as well as an MTV VMA for John Legend’s “SUREFIRE.” As a writer, he has contributed to projects for Nickelodeon and Netflix, and his pilot THE WILDEST WEST was selected for the Black List’s Indigenous List. In parallel with his screen work, Blake performs stand-up comedy in Los Angeles and is a member of A Tribe Called Sketch, the first all-Native American sketch show on a U.S. Second City stage. He holds an MBA from Loyola Marymount University and is a graduate of USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program.

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Shoshanna Samuel

Shoshanna Samuel

Executive Coordinator

Production Coordinator

Shoshanna Samuel is a production and operations professional working across film, television, and nonprofit programming. As Production Coordinator at Vavani Productions, she supports projects from development through delivery, helping translate creative vision into efficient, well-executed production. She also serves as Executive Coordinator at the Impact Guild, where she contributes to programming and organizational operations that advance storytelling for social change. Shoshanna began her career at CBS Studios and Network, supporting senior leadership in current programming and gaining a strong foundation in development, production workflows, and the pace of a major broadcaster.

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Peter Fajardo

Peter Fajardo

Marketing Coordinator

Creative Director

A seasoned designer with a passion for crafting compelling visual narratives, Peter joined Sentry in 2017. His role has evolved to encompass the strategic oversight of all creative initiatives, from brand development to marketing collateral, and ensuring brand consistency and visual excellence across Sentry’s affiliates and partners. His diverse background spanning from news graphics, healthcare, and local business advocacy, informs his innovative approach to marketing and branding. A graduate of UNLV with a BA in Graphic Design, he is deeply committed to aesthetic excellence and typography. When not immersed in the world of design, Peter enjoys indulging his creative side through drawing, enjoying the latest Drag Race episode, or hosting unforgettable karaoke dinner parties.

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Florian Alberge

Florian Alberge

Web Designer

Graphic & Web Designer

Florian Alberge joined Sentry in 2022, as a graphic and web designer. He works in collaboration with the Creative Director in developing concepts and marketing materials for Sentry Financial and its subsidiaries and portfolio companies. His portfolio ranges from performing arts to B2B product marketing and content creation. Florian holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Utah and a Maîtrise in Performing Arts from the University of Artois in France. The rest of his time is dedicated to his performing career: he is a member of Heartland Collective, a multi-disciplinary collective with collaborations in dance, visual arts, music and performance.

Leadership

Where leadership is shared—and ideas are advanced across the network.

Impact Guild operates through a hybrid model that combines centralized governance with distributed, network-based leadership.

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A core team of staff and a Board of Directors provide organizational direction and oversight, while Peer Group Leaders, Affinity Group Leaders, and Powered by Impact Guild participants extend leadership across the network, shaping programming, guiding collaboration, and advancing initiatives.

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All leadership roles within the Guild are volunteer or part-time, reflecting a shared commitment to building and sustaining the field of storytelling for social change.

Staff

Jared Ruga

Co-Founder & President

Founder + CEO

Stéphane Glynn

Executive Vice President

Chief Operating Officer

Judy Friedman

General Counsel

Founder & Principal

Adam Parker

VP, Programming

Writer

Tyler Johnson

VP, Membership

Actor

Blake Pickens

VP, Finance & Development

Head of Content

Shoshanna Samuel

Executive Coordinator

Production Coordinator

Peter Fajardo

Marketing Coordinator

Creative Director

Florian Alberge

Web Designer

Graphic & Web Designer

Board of Directors

AJ Christian

Professor

Northwestern University

Alan Gershenfeld

President & Co-Founder

E-Line Media

Ashlee Marie Preston

Co-Founder

KaleidoCollective

Beck Knows the Ground

Chair, Membership

Creative Development & Business Associate

Emblematic Pictures

Bonnie Abaunza

Founder

The Abaunza Group

Boodie

Founder

ConnectUp Media Agency

Caren Yanis

Board Vice Chair

Principal

Croland Consulting

Casey Acierno

Social Impact Lead

Spotify

Charlene Jimenez

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Cinereach

Desiree Flores

VP, Social Impact

United Talent Agency

Jeanine Abrams McLean

President

Fair Count

Lynn Hirshfield

Board Secretary

Executive Producer & Partnership Strategist

Meesha Brown

Board Chair

President

Rising Impact

Michael Fishman

Chief Executive Officer

Mclusive Media

Mohannad El-Khairy

Chair, Impact Guild Capital

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Tidal Impact

Nathaniel Lubin

Chair, Programming

Founder

Incite Studio

Sonya Lockett

Founder & Chief Impact Officer

Next Slate

Ted Richane

Board Treasurer & Chair, Finance

Co-Founder

Consequential

Tolu Olubunmi

Chair, Governance

Founder

Lions Write

Braintrust

Dan Green

Director, Global Content & Campaigns

Gates Foundation

Kristen Grimm

Founder and Strategist

Spitfire Strategies

Rene Jones

Partner & Chief of Social Impact

United Talent Agency

Peer Group Leaders

Adam Robinson

Social Impact Professionals

Global Social Impact Leader

Betsy Bozdech

Comms, Journalism & PR

Executive Editor, Ratings and Reviews

Common Sense

Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss

Funders

Executive Director

Mosaic: We Are Born to Learn

Bossi

Music, Performance & Fine Arts

Singer-Songwriter & Founder

House of Bossi

Carolina Torres

XR & Video Games

Senior Impact Producer

E-Line Media

Christopher Soto

Literary & Publishing

Executive Director

The Center for California Literature

Drew Brandon Jones

Film & TV

Managing Owner

Sad But Drew

Erica Rosenthal

Academics & Researchers

Director of Research

USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center

Julia Layman

Literary & Publishing

Founder and CEO

Synchronicity Collective

Kaitlin Funaro

Comms, Journalism & PR

Principal

Rally

Laurel Felt

Academics & Researchers

Research Director

ONG RAES

Liz Walsh

Social Impact Professionals

Co-Founder

The Atoll Society

Mark Kendall

Short-Form & Social Media

Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer

CoolCoolCool Productions

Meredith Goldberg-Morse

Film & TV

Director, Social Impact

Paramount Global

Mila Atmos

Audio, Radio & Podcasts

Executive Producer

Future Hindsight

Rekha Murthy

Audio, Radio & Podcasts

Podcast Strategist + Editor

Creator Slate

Rob Avruch

Funders

Director of Strategy & Practice

Harmony Labs

Suuvi Bacelar

Music, Performance & Fine Arts

Multidisciplinary Artist & Composer

Suuvi

Affinity Group Leaders

Evelyn Pérez-Verdía

Democracy

CEO

We Are Mas

Julie Hermelin

Democracy

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Gusty Media

Marcos Perez

LGBTQ Equality

Filmmaker & Strategic Content Partnerships, 100 Zeros

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