Production Team | SU2C.org Web Team | NFF Team | EIF Team | Marketing
Laura Ziskin, Executive Producer
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Louis J. Horvitz, Director
Emmy Award-winning director Louis J. Horvitz is one of the most accomplished and prolific directors in the rarified, top-gun field of live television event broadcasting.
Horvitz had the privilege of directing two Oscar® telecasts with Laura Ziskin.
Horvitz lost his closest friend Gretchen Weisel, age 51, to cancer. As well, cancer took the life on his father-in-law Captain Harold Leon Leaming (USAF retired).
"This is going to be one of the most profoundly important events I have ever directed," said Horvitz.
Pamela Oas Williams, Supervising Producer
Pamela has been Laura Ziskin's producing partner for the past eight years. Prior to that, Pamela ran George Clooney's television company and produced The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
As the producing partner and friend to a cancer survivor, she is inspired every day by Laura's indefatigable spirit to Stand Up To Cancer.
Michael B. Seligman, Producer
Michael has been Executive, Supervising, and Associate Producer for the "Academy Awards®," the "Kennedy Center Honors," the AFI Awards, "An American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre," and the Thelonious Monk Jazz shows.
Michael's brother-in-law passed very quickly with pancreatic cancer and his mother was a victim of breast cancer.
Katie Couric, Noreen Fraser, Woody Fraser, Sherry Lansing, Kathleen Lobb, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Ellen Ziffren, Co-Producers
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Jon Macks, Head Writer
Jon Macks has written for the Tonight Show, 12 Academy Awards®, The American Latino Media Awards, The Children's Defense Fund and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation Project.
Jon's mother is an ovarian and breast cancer survivor and Jon had a carcinoid tumor of the appendix removed in 2004.
Bedonna Smith, Creative Consultant
Bedonna devotes her energy to SU2C in memory of her dad, Gary, who died in 1987 from pancreatic cancer three weeks after diagnosis, in memory of her friends Hawthorne Hunt and Shelly Sippl and Jeff's mom Pam, and in tribute to our many friends who contend with cancer on an ongoing basis – and especially to all those who dedicate their daily lives to making these diseases a memory.
Julia Barry, Creative Consultant/Researcher
Witnessing her mother overcome breast cancer ignited Julia's interest in health advocacy. She is grateful to be able to combine her passion for advocacy and her belief in the power of media to help make history with SU2C.
Brian Stonestreet, Production Designer
Brian Stonestreet is an Emmy Award-winning production designer who has worked in television and live events for 15 years, having designed such shows as the Golden Globes, Grammy Awards, and Kennedy Center Honors.
His family is no stranger to cancer, with grandparents on both sides having battled prostrate, breast, and throat cancers.
J. Michael Riva, Design Consultant
J. Michael Riva is a successful Production Designer. Credits include, "The Color Purple," and "The Pursuit of Happyness;" his last film was "Iron Man." Michael has witnessed firsthand the tragic legacy of cancer.
He is married to another designer, Wendy Mickell, who lost her youngest sister to cancer when she was only 12. It changed the lives of her and her family forever.
Bob Dickinson, Lighting Designer
Bob Dickinson is one of the most recognized lighting designers in the entertainment industry. Credits include three Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Democratic Conventions, annual broadcasts of Academy Awards®, Grammy Awards®, Tony Awards®, Country Music Awards®, Emmy Awards®, Golden Globe Awards® and Kennedy Center Honors®.
Bob lost his maternal grandfather to stomach cancer and his father to lung cancer.
Jeff Werner, Film Maker & Editorial Supervisor
Jeff Werner is an award-winning filmmaker. His last film, Kicking It, premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
Jeff's long-time friend, mentor and colleague died of lung cancer in 2005, and his brother- in- law is currently fighting colon cancer.
Joanne Dillon, Associate Producer
Joanne has worked as a Line Producer, Associate Producer or Segment Producer on the Academy Awards®, Emmys, A Capitol Fourth, National Memorial Day Show and several other benefits including Mississippi Rising.
Her uncle and ex-husband both died of esophageal cancer in their early 50s.
Madeline W. Marotto, Associate Producer
Madeline Marotto first fell in love with stage at the age of twelve when she performed in the Santa Fe Opera. Since then, she's worked on the Vans Warped Tour, Lilith Fair, and the 74th and 79th Oscars®.
Cancer changed Madeline's life when she lost her grandfather to prostate cancer, followed by her aunt to renal cancer. Madeline's grandmother is a breast cancer survivor.
Danette Herman, Executive in Charge of Talent
A specialist in live and taped television specials and events, with numerous credits, Danette recently served as co-producer for the "79th Annual Academy Awards®" and for the "59th Primetime Emmy® Awards." She just completed her 30th year with "The Kennedy Center Honors" as coordinating producer.
All three of Danette's paternal aunts were diagnosed with various forms of cancer and lived very long lives despite that.
Caprise Arreola, Talent Manager
Caprise Arreola, specializes in live television, galas and music events.
Her credits include the 1995 Olympic Games, Academy Awards® Pre-Shows and the Kennedy Center Honors, to name a few.
Her father was diagnosed with colon cancer 3 years ago but has since been in remission and her great-grandmother died of lung cancer.
Susan Miller Carlson, Talent Consultant
Susan started her career in l982 at CAA and now runs her own consulting company.
Susan's father is a prostate cancer survivor and her grandmother died of breast cancer at a very young age. It was a surreal moment when the test came back positive for her father (you never think its going to happen to you) -- fortunately, radiation therapy and surgery saved his life.
Eric Carlson, Talent Consultant
Eric consults corporations and technologies on issues concerning entertainment and media.
He recently lost his mother to a rare form of bone cancer that went undetected until a few weeks before she died.
Kyle Cooper, Prologue FIlms
Kyle Cooper has directed over 100 film title sequences. Details magazine credits him with "Almost single-handedly revitalizing the main title sequence as an art form." He holds the honorary title of Royal Designer for Industry from the Royal Society of Arts in London. He founded Prologue Films in 2003 with his wife, Kimberly.
Cooper's grandmother, Sara Macleod, lost her life to Cancer three years before he was born.
Kimberly Cooper, Prologue FIlms
Kimberly Cooper is the Managing Director of Prologue Films and head of its broadcast design division. Her work on the Academy Awards® has been nominated for 3 Emmy Awards.
Her aunt is a cancer survivor, though she lost her great-grandfather to the disease.
Ian Dawson, Prologue FIlms
Ian Dawson, Executive Producer at Prologue Films, has earned numerous awards in broadcast marketing, branding and motion graphics during his 20 years of experience in the industry.
His grandfather, well known percussionist Lou Singer, died of colon cancer in 1975.
Tad Scripter, Engineer in Charge
Tad Scripter has been involved in live entertainment television for over 30 years, working with production facilities and providing engineering management for a variety of television events including, for the last 10 years, the live Academy Awards® telecast.
Like most of us, Tad has had many close friends and loved ones battle cancer and has supported them in their fight against the disease.
Stefani Ramirez, Finance Coordinator
Stefani has worked on various Academy Awards® shows, Super Bowl Half Time shows and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the XIX Olympic Winter Games.
Stefani's grandfather is a colon cancer survivor. She lost an uncle and a cousin to cancer.
Simbiat Hall, Research
Simbi has conducted research for the Academy Awards® shows and the Emmys. She was recently hired to write and co-executive produce a pilot for Lifetime.
Simbi supported a dear friend through breast cancer, and lost her beloved dog Tai to lymphoma.
Lynn Padilla, Office Manager
After stints at Disney and Paramount Vantage, Lynn is happy to be back at Sony, working to make sure her much loved baby daughter never faces a disease that took her grandmother and has affected her aunt, cousin and some very dear friends.
Ryan Behnke, Assistant to Laura Ziskin
Ryan Behnke began his career at DreamWorks Animation, spending five years working in a variety of production support positions on such films as The Prince Of Egypt, The Road To El Dorado and Sinbad. Ryan came to work for Laura Ziskin as her assistant on Spider-Man 2 in 2003.
Ryan continued to help Laura during her breast cancer treatment and eventual recovery.
Diane Panosian, Executive Assitant to Michael Seligman
Graduating from USC, Diane assisted on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as an NBC Page and assisted the producer on the 79th-80th Annual ®Academy Awards®.
Her father passed away in 1999 after battling for 2 years with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and brain cancer.
Ryan Rasmussen, Assistant to Pam Oas Williams
Stumbling into the office thinking he was working on the next blockbuster, he learned that something bigger was happening: SU2C. Ryan is honored to say he has joined the team after losing his grandmother to breast cancer after a 7-year battle.
Kristina Sorensen, Assistant to Pam Oas Williams
Kristina Sorensen works at Laura Ziskin Productions and has worked on Spider-Man 3, The 79th Academy Awards® and Celebration of Oscar® Fashion. She is a photographer in her spare time, and has had two gallery shows.
Kristina lost two of her grandparents to cancer.
Kamir Ainouz, Assistant to Madeline W. Marotto
Originally from France, Kamir worked in financial news at Bloomberg Television in New York and London. In 2006 she decided to pursue her passion for filmmaking and moved to Los Angeles. She immediately had the most Hollywood of experiences -interning for Laura Ziskin during the 79th Annual Academy Awards(R). She is proud to join this amazing team again to fight the disease that has affected so many families, including her own.
Dave Vorhes, Assistant
Dave is very excited that his first real job in LA is to cure cancer. In addition to clerical duties and courier runs, Dave also head-butts, scissor-kicks, and juno-chops cancer square in the face. He can't wait to finally rid the world of the cancer that is...
Bedonna Smith, SU2C.org Executive Producer
See Production
Julia Barry, Creative Consultant
See Production
Jules DiBiase, Editor-in-Chief
Jules is on hiatus from screenwriting in order to help the SU2C website. Before that she ran an Internet company, a collegiate rowing program, a non-profit, and a few triathlons. On behalf of too many family and friends who have been affected, Jules is proud to stand up against cancer so that, someday, we all won't have to.
Rain Breaw, Technical Supervisor
Rain is a film director with a penchant for web development, making her position at StandUp2Cancer.org highly satisfying. Since her early teens, Rain has donated her hair to Locks of Love almost every other year. Now, she is proud to be involved with SU2C, as cancer has directly impacted the lives of many she holds dear.
Dan Abramson, Web Content Manager
In Dan's high school yearbook, he was voted "Most Likely To Become a Web Content Manager at a Cancer Fighting Non Profit Organization That Will Air a Fundraiser in 8 Years". It seemed like an odd category at the time, but things have a way of working out.
Rachel Davidson, Producer, Video Content
Rachel wants her daughter to live in a world where the threat of cancer is a distant piece of history. Having worked as a producer in theater, television, film and the web, the lesson learned is that it does help if the work matters.
Eli Dansky, Editor, Online Magazine
Carol died from brain cancer. Jack died in the aftermath. Across the continent, dear friends survived cancer. Eli didn't see how common this was. He does now. Eli helped with SU2C.org during WGA's strike, waiting to "return." He couldn't leave.
Cat Vasco, Associate Editor
Cat Vasko is a freelance writer in LA. She's thrilled to be part of the SU2C team.
Lisa Petrazzolo, Online Marketing Campaign Manager
Lisa believes in movements. She is proud to be a part of the Stand Up To Cancer movement and brings public relations and marketing experience to SU2C.org. Lisa dedicates her involvement with this incredible force to her hero - her grandmother Mary Petrazzolo whom she lost to cancer.
Becky Wang, Research/Online Marketing
In her past life, Becky worked in marketing, web development, and finance. She also thought cancer was just an astrological sign. Today, she brings those skills in writing and production to help with SU2C.org in honor of her grandmother and aunt. She also knows now that cancer cures smoking, eventually.
Mollie Lief, Web Coordinator
Mollie's dream job: getting to stand up to cancer and steal paper clips…in one office. Really, losing an aunt to breast cancer and watching her grandfather overpower cancer four times is her inspiration. The honor of SU2C outweighs office supplies.
David Jacobson, Assistant Coordinator
As a recently graduated film student, David joined the Web Team and quickly jumped into assisting SU2C's high volume of content production and development. After seeing his Dad's best friend battle & overcome cancer he is stoked to be able to make cancer a thing of the past.
Yael Canavan
Yael is a proud member of the web team. Her background is as an Actress in Theatre and Directing thought provoking teens with Inside Out Community Arts Center. She is so happy that her first TV gig was of profound impact. She has witnessed first hand her dear friend Gary succumb to brain cancer. She looks forward to a world when cancer is something we speak of as a distance disease that we overcame, like the plague.
Angee Jenkins, Publicist
A veteran entertainment industry publicist who has worked on numerous notable landmark events, Angee is honored to be a part of the history making team who will bring together multiple industries, advocates and media, all who will stand, for the first time in history, united in the fight against cancer.
Dennis Lumpkin, Partner, New Light Concepts
A special events and marketing executive who has produced prominent high-profile entertainment industry events, Dennis is proud to play a strong and supportive team role in making a significant contribution to saving lives in the battle against cancer.
Jennifer Halliday, Partner, New Light Concepts
A luxury, lifestyle marketing and business development veteran who has worked with top luxury brands to develop long-term strategic partnerships, Jennifer is privileged to unite with a team that is dedicated to growing mass awareness and committed to generating historical support in the fight against cancer.
Michelle Meklir McBride, Esq., Consultant/Major Donor Coordinator
Michelle has lost several relatives to cancer, including her mother at a young age, and has inherited the BRCA2 mutation. She participates in several research studies and sits on the boards of two cancer research foundations. Michelle is proud to be a part of SU2C as we see cancer through to its end.
Michael Balaoing, Esq., Senior Vice President, Programs
"Cancer killed my grandmother in 6 months, but it never conquered her spirit of giving and her passion for living. We WILL find a cure together! Until then, let's be part of the healing through EIF & Stand Up to Cancer. With faith, hope and love…"
Rommel Hilario, Program Officer
"My mother is a breast cancer survivor for over 20 years. She was able to beat the disease because she was diagnosed early and received the necessary treatment. Today, she is stronger than ever. It is my family's sincere hope that Stand Up to Cancer will be a call to action for thousands of women who can prevent this deadly disease from being fatal through early detection and screening programs which save lives."
Seth Perlman, Esq., General Counsel
"I lost my mother at age 62, sister-in-law at age 39, first cousin at age 42 and one of my closest friends at age 50 - all to cancer. The disease has devastated the lives those near and dear to me and trampled my heart. For them, and all the others, I choose to STAND UP TO CANCER in my lifetime."
Tisha Fein, Producer
"Fashion Rocks, Movies Rock, Grammy Awards and Majority of Music, Variety and Charity event specials for the last 30 years. So many loved ones and people I've admired have passed on or are living with cancer, it's hard to single anyone out. Their courage, dignity and humor in dealing with this devastating disease have inspired me to be part of "Stand Up For Cancer" until we won't need to stand up anymore.
Stephan J. Ceryanek, Vice President and Controller
"My mother had lymphoma when I was a child in the 60s and I remember the trauma and shame she went through. Cancer just wasn't something one spoke of and it certainly frightened and confused me. After surgery and chemotherapy she was able to beat the disease and is alive and well today. Three years ago I lost a very dear aunt (and my mother's sister) to lung cancer. I have devoted the last 25 years of my life working for causes battling HIV and cancer. I am fortunate to work at EIF and honored to be a part of this fight."
Bobby Fergerstrom, Grants Manager
"Cancer has devastated so many lives and families. I have seen this happen to several family friends over the years, and through my work with EIF I have also been fortunate enough to meet so many survivors and warriors against this terrible disease. Through Stand Up to Cancer, we will continue the battle and I believe one day cancer will be defeated."
Judi Ketcik, Vice President, Communications
"My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 8 years old. That was during an era when people weren't comfortable talking about this disease. After surgery, doctors gave her 5 years, at best, to live. Fortunately for my family, my mom was a fighter and it took nearly 40 years for cancer to beat her. That diagnosis changed our lives forever. As a promise to my mom, I'm proud to be part of the EIF team to Stand Up To Cancer."
Arthur Nguyen, Communications Coordinator
"It is a great privilege to contribute to the Stand Up To Cancer campaign and help build a national movement in the fight against this disease. Through working on SU2C, I honor the memory of my aunt, who passed away from colon cancer in 2005."
Nontobeko Tsotetsi
"I witnessed cancer for the first time in ‘97 when my mom's best friend succumbed to leukemia. But, seeing my nana survive uterine cancer gives me hope that someday, this monster of a disease will be cured entirely. I am honored to be a part of EIF and only hope to give more to continue touching lives."
Bobby Dorrance, Data Services Coordinator
"In 2000, I lost a family member to pancreatic cancer. Since then, I have worked to educate and raise awareness about cancer prevention and treatment. I am proud to be part of such a groundbreaking campaign."
Rosie Richardson, Administrative Services Coordinator
"I have played the role of caretaker for my adopted mother, who was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. I know there is productive, quality life after a cancer diagnosis because progress is being made every day all around us and a cure is possible, so I am very happy to be a part of SU2C."
Michael Gentilucci, Communications Associate
"I am proud to be part of creating such an extraordinary event. Cancer is something that affects everyone, and the research we're supporting here has real chance to change the face of this disease, and save countless lives."
Camille Johnston, Public Relations Consultant
"Breast cancer, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, melanoma... my friends and family members have battled them all. I am proud to be working for EIF and SU2C to provide hope, treatments, and ultimately a cure to those who so desperately need them. "
Rick McQuiston, Creative Director
Rick is an award-winning Art Director and Creative Director who has worked on too many advertising accounts to name. He is the Emmy-winning co-creator of the iconic and long-running This is SportsCenter campaign for ESPN.
Rick lost his father to cancer and is himself a cancer survivor going on his 10th year of remission. He has also lost far too many good friends and relatives in the last few years to this terrible disease.
Janet Champ, Creative Director
Janet is a writer and author who, over the last twenty years, has worked on some of the biggest brands in the business. She is most proud of her seven years of groundbreaking ad campaigns for Nike Women's Fitness and her work for StandUpToCancer.
Janet devotes her memory and time on SU2C to her father who died of cancer at age 49; her only brother who she lost very quickly to mis-diagnosed lung cancer just three years ago; and her close friend and cousin Dana who died two years ago, just eight weeks after diagnosis of a brain tumor.
Dwight Caines, President Worldwide Digital Marketing - Sony Pictures Entertainment
Dwight oversees the creation of digital marketing campaigns that are intended to immerse, excite and influence moviegoers' purchase decisions. He is a board member of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Dwight has lost relatives to cancer and was therefore personally committed to make a stand against the disease.
Elias Plishner, Digital Media
Elias works for Sony Pictures overseeing Worldwide Digital Media for the Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group. Elias' good friend is a cancer survivor (almost 6 months now), and he had a grandmother who died of cancer in April of this year. Enough is enough, he's ready to Stand Up To Cancer NOW.
Hilary Meserole, SU2C Marketing
Hilary's father, a non-smoker, was 56 when he died of lung cancer. Clint Meserole's form of cancer remains as deadly in 2008 as it was in 1974. This is unacceptable. Hilary is proud to be standing up to cancer.
Nicole Onufrey, SU2C Marketing
In 2000, both of Nicole's parents were diagnosed with cancer six months apart - her mother with lymphoma and her father with throat cancer. Her father won the battle. This year marks round 2 of her mother's treatment - and year 8 that cancer is a reality in her family. She wants to stand up and scream, "ENOUGH!" It's time to Stand Up To Cancer.
Production Team | SU2C.org Web Team | NFF Team | EIF Team | Marketing
Stand Up To Cancer is a charitable services fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
