Master of Entertainment Industry Management - Student Bios

HEATH BOYLSTEIN
Undergraduate Education: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Communications Media, Media Production
Hometown: Vandergrift, PA
Favorite Film: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Area of Interest: Film and TV Development, Management

Heath is building on his foundation in media communications this Spring at Disney Entertainment Television, where he is working as a strategic communications intern. Previously, he completed a two-week intensive internship at the Cannes Film Festival with The American Pavilion, where he gained hands-on experience with film industry events and publicity in the heart of the global film marketplace. In the Fall, Heath worked with Aggregate Films as a development intern, where he gained valuable insight into the creative and strategic process of developing stories from concept to screen. He plans to continue his work in media communications following graduation.

Evelyn Chen
Undergraduate Education: NYU, Film and TV
Hometown: Beijing, China
Favorite Film: Alpha (2025)
Area of Interest: Film Development, Production, and Acquisitions

Evelyn earned her bachelor's degree in film & TV Production from New York University, where she developed a strong creative foundation in storytelling and visual media. Born and raised in Beijing before moving to the United States at 13, she brings a multicultural perspective to her work and a deep appreciation for stories that bridge cultures. She interned at the Production Operations department at NBCUniversal during the summer, and with a passion for film development, Evelyn interned at Zero Gravity Management and Voltage Pictures during the fall and will be interning with RelishMix during the spring. Evelyn hopes to combine her creative background with her growing business expertise to champion unique stories and bring impactful projects to global audiences.

Daniel Cortes Herrera
Undergraduate Education: Universidad Externado de Colombia, Finance
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favorite Band: Bombay Bicycle Club
Area of Interest: Music/Film/TV Finance and Business Strategy

Film, television, and music have shaped Daniel’s worldview for as long as he can remember. Trained in Finance and shaped by financial planning, and consulting experience in a Big Four firm, he has built his career around one clear goal: helping creative projects become financially sustainable and strategically scalable.

In Colombia, he worked closely with emerging artists as a music manager and later became Financial Lead at the country’s second-largest concert promoter, supporting major productions such as Core Medellín (co-produced with Tomorrowland) and Morat’s stadium tour.

His curiosity and ambition brought him to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University. During this time, he worked as a Finance & Strategy Intern at Immigration Records, helping international artists navigate and grow within the U.S. market, and now as an Executive Assistant Intern at Gold Pyramid, where he supports executive leadership and contributes to the strategic development of socially driven theater and television projects.

Daniel is passionate about connecting numbers with narrative, strategy with storytelling, and local talent with global opportunity.

Cara Flanery
Undergraduate Education: Washington and Lee University, Business Administration, East Asian Languages/Literature
Hometown: Elkview, WV
Favorite Film: Bridge of Spies (2015)
Area of Interest:Film Acquisitions and Distribution

Cara graduated from Washington and Lee University with a degree in Business Administration and East Asian Language/Literature, as well as a minor in Film. With her background, she brings a unique insight into the intersection of business and film, which has cultivated her interest in the entertainment industry. She is particularly drawn to how audience insights and industry trends can inform content strategy for film distribution, and she hopes to use those tools to bring more entertainment opportunities back to her home state of West Virginia. This summer, she worked with Ramo Law PC in packaging and sales, with Charles Ryan Associates in film production and editing, and at the Cannes Film Festival in database management and client relations. She is currently interning with Radial Entertainment in the digital distribution and sales department. 

Jinghong Gong
Undergraduate Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Music Technology
Hometown: Foshan, China
Favorite Artist: Tyler the Creator
Area of Interest: Music Distribution, Marketing, and Management

After four years of undergraduate training in music composition and technology, an internship at a Grammy-winning recording studio made Jinghong realize that success in the music industry is not determined by musical excellence alone but also requires strong business and management strategies. To further develop these skills, he joined the MEIM program at CMU's Heinz College.

Jinghong has explored many music-related roles: he interned at Bytedance, designed sound for VR games, scored short films, and continues to work on his own music releases. Currently interning at TikTok's live-streaming team, he has gained hands-on experience in content distribution, marketing, and programming, and contributed to the execution of the Next Up: LIVE Music competition in collaboration with iHeartMedia.

As he deepens his understanding of the entertainment industry, he aspires to help both himself and other creatives bridge the gap between artistic pursuits and commercial success.

SYDNEY HASSELL
Undergraduate Education: Dartmouth College, Mathematical Data Science, Theatre
Hometown: Bridgetown, Barbados
Favorite TV Show: The Bear
Area of Interest: Casting, Agency, and Development

A recent graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in Data Science and Theatre, Sydney decided to further her studies with a master's degree in entertainment. Passionate about collaboration, she has interned at Betty Mae Inc. in LA, PR Casting in Chicago, and Mosser Casting in Pittsburgh, where she learned about lead, featured, supporting, and background casting for major films, television series, and commercials. This spring, she is a voiceover intern at DDO Artists Agency and in production and management at Curate Management.

These experiences solidified her decision to pursue casting full-time. Her goal is to become a casting director, and she is grateful to the MEIM program for providing the opportunity and resources to achieve it.

Tim Herring
Undergraduate Education: The College of Wooster, English
Hometown: Leesburg, VA
Favorite Artist: Smino
Area of Interest: Music Publishing, Marketing

Born and raised in Leesburg, VA, Tim discovered his love of music after a helpful bit of peer pressure forced him into an impromptu performance at a high school basketball camp. After graduating from the College of Wooster with a degree in English and working several years in Chicago, he began merging his creative passions with his professional pursuits by joining the MEIM program in 2024. Since moving to Los Angeles in the summer of 2025, he has interned in artist management at Roc Nation and 72 Music Management and entertainment research with Relish Mix, and is currently serving as a Digital Marketing Intern at Fat Beats. Moving forward, he is excited to continue developing his knowledge and expertise in the MEIM program while beginning the transition into a full career in music.

Kerry (ZIJUN) Huang
Undergraduate Education: UCLA, Communication and Sociology, Minor - Film, TV & Digital Media
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Favorite TV Show: Hacks
Area of Interest: Talent Management, Film & TV Development

During her studies in the United States beginning in middle school, Kerry developed a deep passion for theater, actively participating in plays and musicals with a focus on technical and stage management. While at UCLA, that passion expanded into entertainment more broadly, where she became increasingly interested in combining meaningful narratives with the mediums of film and television to reach wider audiences.

Through invaluable mentorship during her internships, Kerry discovered her career path in representing talent from diverse backgrounds. She is particularly drawn to supporting stories with an international perspective that elevate distinct voices. Kerry is passionate about representation and finds great fulfillment in helping talents build meaningful and lasting careers. She is currently interning at FOX Entertainment with the Casting Department and in Creator Partnerships at Studio71. Moving forward, she hopes to leverage her diverse skill set across the entertainment landscape and contribute to its fast-evolving future. 

KRIPA JAIN
Undergraduate Education: University of Mumbai, Architecture
Hometown: Kolkata, India
Favorite Film: Before Sunrise (1995)
Area of interest: Brand Strategy, Entertainment Consulting

Kripa's journey into the entertainment industry is rooted in her background in architecture and her experience designing large-scale environments for films, commercials, and CGI brand collaborations. She has worked on productions such as The Archies, blending spatial design with storytelling to build immersive worlds that extend beyond the screen. Her curiosity soon expanded from creating those worlds to understanding how they are conceived, developed, and brought to audiences through a strategy that informs them.

This curiosity has led her to explore roles at the intersection of creative vision and strategic execution. Kripa spent the summer at Highland Film Group within the marketing and distribution department, where she developed social campaign strategies, conducted box office and media analytics, and generated marketing insights for domestic releases. She is continuing at Cosm through the fall, now taking a senior role in experience strategy and activations, having contributed to projects such as Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and now focusing on IP such as Mystere, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone. With a multidisciplinary background, Kripa is focused on driving business growth by helping brands scale impactful experiences through strategic partnerships and activations.

Arushi Kumar
Undergraduate Education: Babson College, Business Administration
Hometown: Dubai, UAE
Favorite Artist: AP Dhillon
Area of Interest: Music Supervision, Live Events

After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on entrepreneurship, Arushi began her career producing large-scale cultural and luxury events in Dubai, gaining hands-on experience in operations, partnerships, and live experiences. Her work in events sparked a transition into the music industry, where she has since developed expertise across distribution and streaming operations, digital marketing, and events planning and execution.

Arushi has held roles with Roc Nation, The Recording Academy, Position Music, and Dim Mak Records. Her current internships include Rostrum Pacific (SpaceHeater) and Red Light Management. Her professional interests include streaming operations, live event production, and music business affairs.

Christine Lee
Undergraduate Education: Ewha Womens University, English Language and Literature
Hometown: Columbus, OH/Seoul, South Korea
Favorite Film: Sentimental Value (2025)
Area of Interest: Film & TV Development, Acquisitions

Born in Columbus, OH, but having spent most of her life in Seoul, South Korea, Christine grew up with a passion for stories and their impact. After receiving her BA in English, she gained experience across several mediums, including global marketing for webtoons and assisting in Film/TV development at Showbox Entertainment, one of Korea's top film finance and distribution companies. 

Christine's ultimate goal is to bridge cultural gaps between mainstream Hollywood and the rest of the world, advocating for stories that highlight diverse cultures and their core values. Her path toward achieving this goal has been strengthened by internships at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, SK Global Entertainment, CJ ENM, Anton Corp., and Skybound Entertainment. Thanks to the eye-opening opportunities provided by the MEIM program, she hopes to continue forging a career in the entertainment industry through Film/TV Development and Acquisitions.

Helena Lent
Undergraduate Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Instrumental Performance (Saxophone), Minor in Film & Visual Media Studies
Hometown: Southampton, NY
Favorite Film: Little Women (2019)
Area of Interest: Music Publishing, Sync, Music Supervision

Prior to her graduate studies, Helena earned a BFA in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Film & Media Studies from Carnegie Mellon University. Her interest in the entertainment industry is rooted in a lifelong passion for music and a desire to remain deeply connected to the craft. This, paired with a growing interest in visual storytelling, has led Helena to explore the intersection of these creative fields through music supervision and sync licensing.

This past fall, Helena served as a Recording Studio Intern at Room Key Studios, where she prepared the studio for sessions and supported artists' needs. Simultaneously, she worked as a Sync Intern at Secret Road Music Services, assisting with metadata ingestion, music tagging, and contributing to briefs for music supervisors. This spring, Helena is continuing her professional development as a Sync Intern at Position Music.

ANGELA LIN
Undergraduate Education: Penn State University, Supply Chain & Information Systems
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Favorite Band: KATSEYE
Area of Interest: Marketing Analytics, Music Management, and Live Events

Angela graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Supply Chain & Information Systems, but soon realized she wanted to pursue her true passion in the entertainment industry. Growing up, she was an avid fan of the Asian entertainment scene, especially K-pop and dramas. As a superfan herself, Angela hopes to connect artists with audiences and turn listeners into lifelong fans. She has interned at California Pictures, Studio71 and now RelishMix, where she has gained hands-on experience in film and content creation. Moving forward, she aims to build a career in the entertainment industry where she can help connect both artists and filmmakers with audiences, bringing meaningful stories and experiences to fans. 

Minna Lingo
Undergraduate Education: University of Florida, English
Hometown: Celebration, FL
Favorite Film: Halloween (1978)
Area of Interest: Film Development

After studying English with a concentration in creative writing at the University of Florida, Minna knew she wanted to pursue graduate studies to further her education. With a lifelong passion for storytelling and creativity, choosing to focus on entertainment felt like a natural path. She has since complemented her creative background with quantitative studies at Carnegie Mellon, giving her a unique blend of analytical and imaginative skills that are essential in today’s film industry. She has interned at management/agency companies, such as Mosaic Media Group, Gersh, and now Select Management Group. Minna has also worked at Aggregate Films in development, and RelishMix in film data and analytics. 

These experiences have prepared her to approach film development and literary representation with both artistic vision and strategic insight. Minna is eager to be at the forefront of shaping which stories are told on screen and contributing to the industry she loves.

MATT LIPSCHITZ
Undergraduate Education: Pace University, Commercial Dance
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Favorite Film: Lion (2016)
Area of Interest: Agency

Matt Lipschitz is a storyteller with a deep love for both the art and business of entertainment. After earning his BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University (with a minor in Arts & Entertainment Management), he performed professionally with RWS Entertainment Group on two international cruise contracts.

Now pursuing his Master’s in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University, he has gained hands-on experience in film, music, and talent representation through internships at Aggregate Films, Parachute Recordings, AEFH Talent Agency, and 101 Studios.

Matt is passionate about building a career that lives between creation and advocacy—writing for television, film, and musical theatre while working to support and represent artists behind the scenes.

Erin Lopez Castelan
Undergraduate Education: Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo
Hometown: Hidalgo, Mexico
Favorite Film: Mamma Mia! (2018)
Area of Interest: TV and Film Development, Public Relations

Erin is a passionate storyteller and communications strategist with a deep love for entertainment and media. Growing up immersed in films, TV, books, and music, she discovered her calling not in the spotlight, but behind the scenes, where she shapes stories that connect and inspire. With a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and research experience analyzing media discourse, Erin has explored how narratives influence culture. Her experience spans Mexican television and leading a government communications team, where she built strong skills in media strategy, audience engagement, and storytelling.

Currently pursuing a Master in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University, Erin is refining her expertise in production, public relations, and media strategy, exploring how storytelling, music, and media intersect in film and television. This spring, she joined Sony Music Publishing as a Film & TV Intern, supporting sync licensing, music research for audiovisual media, and collaborating with the team on creative projects. 

Deeply committed to representation and advocacy, Erin believes in using media as a tool for meaningful change, driving conversations that matter, and building stories that resonate.

RYAN LUCHT
Undergraduate Education: Cleveland State University, Film and Media Arts
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Film: Jaws (1975)
Area of Interest: Film Development

Raised in Pittsburgh, Ryan developed a lifelong passion for storytelling and filmmaking, which led him to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Arts from Cleveland State University. There, he created multiple short films and completed two feature-length projects, deepening his understanding of the creative process.

Eager to bridge creativity with industry knowledge, Ryan joined Carnegie Mellon University’s MEIM program in 2025. He has since applied his skills across multiple internships, including Development at Aggregate Films, Management at Untitled Entertainment, Development Coordination at Blind Tiger Originals, and Television Creative Affairs at The Jim Henson Company. These experiences have reinforced his focus on development, blending creative storytelling with strategic industry insight. Ryan hopes to build a career in film development, leveraging his production experience and industry knowledge to craft compelling and impactful stories that resonate with audiences.

BRADY NOLIN
Undergraduate Education: Allegheny College, Computer Science and Economics
Hometown: Cumberland, Maine
Favorite Artist: Noah Kahan
Area of Interest: Sports Management, Research Analytics

Born and raised in Maine, Brady developed an analytical foundation through his undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Economics at Allegheny College. Drawn to the intersection of data and entertainment, he pursued Carnegie Mellon University's Master of Entertainment Industry Management program in 2024, where he co-founded the Sports Analytics Club to help build a community around data-driven thinking in sports. Brady is now applying his expertise to the fast-paced world of entertainment as an intern at NKSFB, bringing his data science and analytic skills to the industry's most prominent business management firm.

A lifelong sports enthusiast and athlete, Brady believes that the lessons learned on the field — teamwork, adaptability, and composure — are just as valuable as any technical skill. He looks forward to forging new paths where sports, technology, and management converge.

JESS (JESSICA) ORLOSKI
Undergraduate Education: University of Pittsburgh, Media and Professional Communications
Hometown: Harrison City, PA
Favorite Film: Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Area of Interest: Public Relations, Talent Agency, Digital Marketing

Jess Orloski grew up in a small town outside of Pittsburgh and proudly calls the city home. Drawn early to music, fashion, and the creator economy, she became captivated by how creativity and storytelling foster connection and cultural impact. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Professional Communications with a Certificate in Writing for the Professions from the University of Pittsburgh, where she developed a foundation in communications, storytelling, and narrative development.

Jess is now pursuing a Master of Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Through internships with Insomniac Events, Miller PR, and The Syndicate, she has gained hands-on experience in publicity, social media, and creative marketing. She also held a leadership role with the student-run organization she co-founded, Notes of Mellon. Jess is driven to help artists, brands, and creators build meaningful connections and lasting impact within the entertainment industry.

CHUY PADILLA MUNOZ
Undergraduate Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Film and Visual Media
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Movie: City of God (2002)
Area of Interest: Film Development / Producing

Chuy is a Los Angeles native and graduate student in Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Entertainment Industry Management program, where he is refining his focus on film development while interning with Keri Selig at Intuition Productions under Mandalay Entertainment Group. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon’s Film and Visual Media undergraduate program, he brings a foundation in film production and creative development, with hands-on experience spanning independent filmmaking, production financing, and post-production.

As he transitions into directing and cinematography, Chuy is committed to crafting visually compelling stories that authentically reflect diverse voices and cultures. His work is driven by a desire to create films that resonate both artistically and commercially, bridging community-centered storytelling with broad audience appeal.

NATASHA PAWAR
Undergraduate Education: University of California, Davis, Double Major in Psychology & Communications with a Minor in Human Development
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Favorite TV Show: Schitt's Creek
Areas of Interest: Consumer Insights & Analytics, Creative Development, Marketing Strategy and Content Acquisitions

Natasha’s interest in the entertainment industry began at a young age, sparked by seeing her favorite books adapted for film and television. Her love for storytelling led her to study disciplines centered on human behavior and decision-making during her undergraduate years. She wanted to understand the “why” behind people's choices, a foundation that proved invaluable during her time at Deloitte, where she worked with leading media conglomerates, sports franchises, and global production companies in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) sector.

Now as a graduate student, Natasha has continued to build on this foundation through internships in film and TV development at Aggregate Films and SK Global, multi-platform channel strategy at Studio71, research at RelishMix, and most recently in development and current programming at The Walt Disney Company (Hulu). She remains passionate about creating stories that resonate, whether through data-driven audience insight or helping bring a new series to life.

XIAOXIAO REN
Undergraduate Education: Beijing Normal—Hong Kong Baptist University, Public Relations & Advertising
Hometown: Beijing, China
Favorite Film: Coraline (2009)
Area of Interest: Entertainment Marketing & Social Media & Live Events

Expanding upon her background in Public Relations and Advertising from Beijing Normal Hong Kong Baptist University, Xiaoxiao Ren is now pursuing a Master in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University.

With a foundation in data-driven storytelling and large-scale live event execution, Xiaoxiao bridges creative vision and strategic thinking. Her early experience leading major campus productions as Head of the Stage and Events Department sparked her passion for the entertainment industry and shaped her belief in the power of shared experiences.

She has worked across global entertainment and digital media spaces, including The American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, Studio71 in Los Angeles, and currently Kling AI, where she supports creator ecosystem growth and product feedback strategy. Her work spans AI-driven content creation, influencer strategy, cross-platform analytics, and community building.

Xiaoxiao is particularly interested in how AI technologies reshape creative workflows, audience engagement, and the economics of entertainment. Her goal is to help build scalable, technology-enabled, and also cinematic storytelling ecosystems for the next generation of global creators.

JACK ROONEY
Undergraduate Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Film & Visual Media
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Film: Blade Runner (1982)
Area of Interest: Film Development, TV Development

An avid writer and storyteller, Jack is pursuing a career in development. Jack started his collegiate education as a computer engineering student. While at home for the COVID-19 lockdown, he decided that the field of computer engineering would do just fine without him. Looking for a new direction, Jack happened upon a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of The Mandalorian. He was instantly enthralled by the incredible number of considerations that go into a large-scale production. More importantly, he saw many crew members wearing Pittsburgh-related apparel. This made Jack realize that he too, could join the entertainment industry.

Jack then joined the Film & Visual Media program at CMU, where he would graduate with a minor in Creative Writing. During his studies, he wrote many stories and made several films. His favorite was a documentary called Pittsburgh Pierogi, which combined his passion for film with his love of cooking and food history. Jack has learned a great deal and had many incredible experiences through the MEIM Program. Since September, Jack has been working as a Development Intern for Sobini Films. Jack is eager to help develop the next generation of incredible stories.

NATALIE SCHMIDT
Undergraduate Education: Carnegie Mellon University, BXA in Dramaturgy and Professional Writing, Minor in Game Design
Hometown: Burbank, CA
Favorite Video Game: Red Dead Redemption (2010, Rockstar Games)
Area of Interest: Video Games, Location-Based/Themed Entertainment

As an LA native, Natalie grew up surrounded by storytellers of all kinds, which fostered a deep curiosity for how stories are made. This passion for narrative process led her to Carnegie Mellon, where she earned her Bachelor's in Dramaturgy/Professional Writing with a minor in Game Design. There, she dove into the practice of story production from all angles - from theater to video games to live exhibits/attractions to animated features. Having honed her knowledge of and love for production, Natalie is now building her business acumen with the MEIM program.

Over the summer, Natalie interned with theme park nonprofit Give Kids the World, where she developed video games and new shows for their resident fuzzy animatronic robots. Most recently, she developed a feature with Asians in Animation as a PA. This spring she’s at DreamWorks Animation as a Feature Production intern, leveraging her creative knowledge and production sensibilities to support the pipeline.

ALEXANN SHARP
Undergraduate Education: Lee University, Communications
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Favorite Film: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Area of Interest: Producing and Current Programming

Alexann is a creative producer-in-training with a diverse career path spanning events, radio, television, production, podcasting and talent management. After undergrad, she worked at Circle Media, Ryman and Grand Ole Opry’s country music television station, before starting freelance production in Nashville's music video industry with coordinator credits including CMA and ACM award-winning projects for artists such as Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Lainey Wilson.

Before attending Carnegie Mellon, Alexann spent two years at iHeartMedia as a podcast publishing coordinator overseeing the launch of over 150 podcasts for major brands like Bloomberg, NFL and Shondaland. Since starting the MEIM program, Alexann has held internships in development and talent management at Glass Entertainment Group, Fremantle, and Select Management Group and was a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Gold Rising Program this past summer. This spring, she is a part of Disney’s internship program as 20^th Television’s Production and Post Production intern. 

ISAIAH SMITH
Undergraduate Education: California State University, Los Angeles, Film & Media Studies with Production Concentration
Hometown: Pittsburgh PA
Favorite Artist: Stevie Wonder
Area of Interest: Music Supervision

Isaiah Smith, born in Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, lives by the philosophy: if you don’t quit, you win. In his first year of graduate school, he interned with Fred Rogers Productions in music licensing. That summer, he worked with Dr. Nadia Marie Sasso’s production company in Los Angeles and with the Center of Life, a Pittsburgh nonprofit with over 20 years of experience developing talent and releasing music.

As a singer, songwriter, and producer, Isaiah has signed both record and publishing deals, licensed original music for television sync opportunities, sold music to artists, and collaborated with a wide range of songwriters and producers. These experiences solidified his passion for working at the intersection of music and film/TV. Carnegie Mellon’s MEIM program has been a excellent fit, providing hands-on mentorship and a rigorous foundation in the industry’s past, present, and future.

In the fall, Isaiah joined Roc Nation as a music publishing intern. In spring 2026, he serves as a Creative A&R and Sync Intern at Laurel Krown Music, supporting and managing the catalog of a platinum-selling singer, songwriter, producer, and creative executive. Isaiah is excited to continue building on his artistic background and academic success as he looks ahead to graduation and actively seeks opportunities in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York City, and London.

ALON STEIN
Undergraduate Education: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Communications
Hometown: Newton, MA
Favorite Film: The Godfather (1972)
Area of Interest: TV/Film Development, Representation, Sports Management

After graduating from UMass Amherst with a degree in Communication during the 2023 Writers Guild strike, Alon looked for opportunities to pursue his passion for the entertainment industry. He has held internships at Creative Engine Entertainment, Untitled Management and 101 Studios, where he wrote script coverage, supported client servicing, and handled executive scheduling. Alon has also contributed to a variety of projects, including founding the Heinz Sports Analytics Club and leading a consulting team for the San Jose Sharks to develop a Gen Z content strategy. Alon is currently exploring his interest in sports by interning at an NBA agency called Glushon Sports Management. He hopes to become a TV/Film development executive or work for a professional sports team after graduation.

J.T. TAYLOR
Undergraduate Education: Point Park Film and Animation, Cinema Production with Concentration in Producing
Hometown: North Huntingdon, PA
Favorite Film: The Batman (2022)
Area of Interest: Market Research and Film Consultation

J.T. is a Pittsburgh-born filmmaker who fell in love with movies at the age of six after seeing Curious George at the local theater. In high school, after years of performing on stage, he began pursuing screenwriting and eventually produced and directed his first short film. That project sparked his journey into Point Park University's Film and Animation program in Pittsburgh, PA. 

Driven by a love of learning, he sought opportunities to expand his knowledge which led him to Carnegie Mellon's Master of Entertainment Industry Management program. While in the program, he interned with the Pittsburgh Film Office, Nancy Mosser Casting Agency, and California Pictures as a Sales Intern. For the Spring of 2026, he is working with RelishMix’s Entertainment Social Strategists and Content Curator’s team. He was also a recipient of the 2025 Steiner Film Fund. Upon completing his studies, J.T. aspires to pursue a career in management while continuing his independent film endeavors. Upon graduation, he hopes to continue working in the world of market research, as well as continue to grow his production and consultation company, Huntingdon Studios, LLC.

JAHIR VALENCIA
Undergraduate Education: Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology, Administration with Marketing specialization
Hometown: Mexico City
Favorite Film: The Godfather (1972)
Area of Interest: Agency / Management / Music

Jahir’s passion for entertainment started early, from designing band T-shirts to building a creative agency and a pop culture blog. By age 20, he was supporting live music concerts across logistics, hospitality, marketing, and PR.

Jahir later spent eight years in tech at Oracle and Salesforce in consulting and sales, specializing in Media & Entertainment accounts. While completing his master’s degree, he worked as an audio-video engineer for the School of Music, then moved to Los Angeles to intern in artist management and joined Live Nation as a tour booking coordinator.

Jahir blends creative vision, technical fluency, and commercial experience, bringing a unique perspective to the industry.

REBECA A. VARELA
Undergraduate Education: The City College of New York, Dual Major in Economics and Theatre with Minor in Creative Writing
Hometown: The Bronx, New York City
Favorite Film: Princess Mononoke (1997)
Area of Interest: Film Development, Acquisitions, Adaptations, and Marketing

Growing up in NYC, Rebeca has always been captivated by the stories taking place both around her and on the silver screen. After earning a dual degree in Economics and Theatre from The City College of New York, she pursued the Master of Entertainment Industry Management program at Carnegie Mellon University to combine her creative and analytical passions. Through internships with Magnus Media, The Adaptive Foundation, and The Global Institute of Data Science, Rebeca has deepened her understanding of the evolving media landscape and aims to help shape the next generation of storytellers and enduring works that stand the test of time.

YINQIN WANG
Undergraduate Education: Beijing Film Academy, Film Production and Marketing
Hometown: Beijing, China
Favorite Film: Underground (1995)
Area of Interest: Film Production, Film Marketing

Yinqin’s early interest began with film, and her growing love for cinema developed into a deep engagement with storytelling and entertainment. She pursued this passion at Beijing Film Academy, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film Production and Marketing. There, she worked on student film crews and commercials, directed her own short films, and interned at IMAX, contributing to the marketing of numerous Hollywood films in China. Building on this creative foundation, Yinqin has strengthened her business and analytical skills through Carnegie Mellon University’s MEIM program.

Now bringing a stronger international perspective to her work, Yinqin has focused on cross-cultural collaboration in the global entertainment industry. Through a summer internship at a film sales agency, she gained exposure to the international film market, which led to her role as an International Acquisition & Sales Assistant at EST N8, where she supported Asian film projects in global development and sales. In the spring, she further broadened her industry perspective through internships in music and venture-related sectors at JarjourCo Inc. Together, these experiences have strengthened her interest in building globally minded, culturally connected work across the entertainment landscape.

GRIFFIN WIRTH
Undergraduate Education: Allegheny College, Media and Visual Production and Minor in Theatre.
Hometown: Sewickley, PA/Portland, Maine
Favorite Video Game: Marvel Rivals
Area of Interest: Talent Representation and Film Production

After finishing his undergraduate degree, Griffin joined the MEIM program and wanted to build real experience before heading to Los Angeles. He started at the Pittsburgh Film Office, where he helped develop a city‑wide app designed to highlight Pittsburgh's past productions as a great place for film and TV productions.

This past summer, he interned with Anita McKorn at Eris Talent Agency, getting hands‑on with Actors Access and Casting Networks while learning how contracts and talent representation really work day‑to‑day. In the fall, he moved into the digital side of the industry, interning with Studio71’s Creative Gaming Partnerships team under Aaron Simonoff. There, he learned how streamers and gamers collaborate with brands and how to scout emerging talent.

Most recently, Griffin completed the WME NXT industry sessions, took part in an exclusive networking event through the program, and even worked on the iconic Stars Hollow set at Warner Bros. during the 25th anniversary celebration of Gilmore Girls. A full‑circle moment that deepened his excitement for the industry.

ASA ZHANG
Undergraduate Education: Berklee College of Music, Music Business
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Favorite Artist: Emotional Oranges
Area of Interest: Talent Management, Booking, and Artist Marketing

Asa Zhang is an entertainment professional with experience spanning talent support, media research, marketing, and creative storytelling. Currently, she works as an assistant to Lauren Evans, supporting day-to-day operations across talent management, artist relations, and industry coordination, while actively pursuing opportunities in talent management, venue booking, and artist marketing.

Previously, Asa supported global entertainment clients including Apple TV, Netflix, and Peacock at Screen Engine/ASI, where she analyzed audience sentiment and market trends to inform strategic decisions. She has also led digital campaigns at Shanghai Media Group reaching over 2 million viewers and managed social media strategy at Carnegie Mellon University to strengthen brand engagement.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a concentration in Music Business and Songwriting, Asa brings a strong blend of analytical thinking and creative insight. She is also a musician and digital content creator, with over 30,000 combined followers and likes across TikTok, YouTube, and RED, creating content that connects artists and audiences. Her passion lies in supporting artists, building meaningful careers, and crafting impactful entertainment experiences.