The Next List Industry

The inaugural Industry category of the Next List celebrates up and coming managers, agents, producers, and executives, who have been successful champions and genuine advocates of emerging + underrpresented voices, perspectives, and projects.

Tyler Erb

Tyler Erb

Sugar 23 | Creative Exec (TV)

Tyler Erb is the Creative Executive, Television at Sugar23 (13 REASONS WHY, MANIAC, THE OA, DICKINSON), where she sources, develops, and produces new series via the company’s overall deal with Netflix. She most recently worked in Scripted Television at MGM, supporting series including THE HANDMAID’S TALE, FARGO, VIKINGS: VALHALLA, and WEDNESDAY.

Tyler Erb is the Creative Executive, Television at Sugar23 (13 REASONS WHY, MANIAC, THE OA, DICKINSON), where she sources, develops, and produces new series via the company’s overall deal with Netflix. She most recently worked in Scripted Television at MGM, supporting series including THE HANDMAID’S TALE, FARGO, VIKINGS: VALHALLA, and WEDNESDAY.

Eliza Wheeler

Eliza Wheeler

The Gersh Agency | Literary Agent (TV)

As an Agent who grew up addicted to TV, Eliza Wheeler focuses on promoting content she didn't come across in her childhood watching, the underrepresented voices across all identities that haven't had their chance. She looks for "spinach in the pancake," where a writer or director successfully integrates new ideas or views in the fluff of an entertaining episode.

As an Agent who grew up addicted to TV, Eliza Wheeler focuses on promoting content she didn't come across in her childhood watching, the underrepresented voices across all identities that haven't had their chance. She looks for "spinach in the pancake," where a writer or director successfully integrates new ideas or views in the fluff of an entertaining episode.

Jason Fong

Jason Fong

Outlier Society Productions | Coordinator

Jason Fong is a Coordinator at Outlier Society where he works in development on their slate of film, television, and other media projects. Before joining Outlier, Jason has worked at Lucasfilm, Pixar, and received his BA in Economics from UCLA.

Jason Fong is a Coordinator at Outlier Society where he works in development on their slate of film, television, and other media projects. Before joining Outlier, Jason has worked at Lucasfilm, Pixar, and received his BA in Economics from UCLA.

Paris Herbert-Taylor

Paris Herbert-Taylor

Pride of Gypsies | Creative Exec

Paris Herbert-Taylor is an Australian Film and TV Executive working in Los Angeles. Raised between Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Sydney, Paris started her entertainment career in Toronto, and has a global storytelling perspective. She has produced numerous commercials, and most recently sold a Christmas project she is writing, to Reel One Entertainment.

Paris Herbert-Taylor is an Australian Film and TV Executive working in Los Angeles. Raised between Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Sydney, Paris started her entertainment career in Toronto, and has a global storytelling perspective. She has produced numerous commercials, and most recently sold a Christmas project she is writing, to Reel One Entertainment.

Jessica Zou

Jessica Zou

Verve | Agent

Born and raised in China, Jessica holds a Master in Communication Management from USC. During school years, she interned at Legendary and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. She soon started in the mailroom at UTA, moving on to assist agents in the Motion Picture Literary department who represent writers, directors, and producers. She also focuses on finding diverse voices and bridging different cultures within Hollywood. Earlier 2020, Jessica joined Verve where she continues to work in MP Lit as an agent.

Born and raised in China, Jessica holds a Master in Communication Management from USC. During school years, she interned at Legendary and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. She soon started in the mailroom at UTA, moving on to assist agents in the Motion Picture Literary department who represent writers, directors, and producers. She also focuses on finding diverse voices and bridging different cultures within Hollywood. Earlier 2020, Jessica joined Verve where she continues to work in MP Lit as an agent.

Davina Hefflin

Davina Hefflin

Verve | Agent

Hefflin started her career as an intern at Gersh, quickly climbing the ranks to agent before joining Verve’s television literary team in 2020. Hefflin has dedicated herself to identifying and protecting diverse and LGBTQ+ voices, building them up and guiding them as they tell new stories that she hopes will have a positive and lasting impact on the industry.

Hefflin started her career as an intern at Gersh, quickly climbing the ranks to agent before joining Verve’s television literary team in 2020. Hefflin has dedicated herself to identifying and protecting diverse and LGBTQ+ voices, building them up and guiding them as they tell new stories that she hopes will have a positive and lasting impact on the industry.

Lyra Tan

Lyra Tan

Gersh | TV Lit Coordinator

Born and raised in Hong Kong to a Filipino mom and a Chinese-Filipino dad, Lyra Tan has been a lifelong lover of stories and fantasy. Having risen the ranks from floater to assistant to coordinator in the TV Literary department at the Gersh Agency and currently on the agent track, Lyra's dream is to have the opportunity to champion diverse writers from all walks of life and discover stories for the screen that are both diverse and universal. While diversity is incredibly important, universality is even more so (and everything needs a little sprinkle of magic).

Born and raised in Hong Kong to a Filipino mom and a Chinese-Filipino dad, Lyra Tan has been a lifelong lover of stories and fantasy. Having risen the ranks from floater to assistant to coordinator in the TV Literary department at the Gersh Agency and currently on the agent track, Lyra's dream is to have the opportunity to champion diverse writers from all walks of life and discover stories for the screen that are both diverse and universal. While diversity is incredibly important, universality is even more so (and everything needs a little sprinkle of magic).

Lorelle Lynch

Lorelle Lynch

AGC | Manager

Lorelle's goal has always been to produce boundary-pushing Film and TV with diverse creatives at the helm. Now at AGC, she’s excited to expand her network of emerging creatives, with the goal to grow AGC’s slate of diverse projects in 2023 and beyond.

Lorelle's goal has always been to produce boundary-pushing Film and TV with diverse creatives at the helm. Now at AGC, she’s excited to expand her network of emerging creatives, with the goal to grow AGC’s slate of diverse projects in 2023 and beyond.

Dezi Gallegos

Dezi Gallegos

Proximity Media | Creative Exec

Dezi Gallegos has been with Proximity Media since it was founded -- starting as an assistant and later becoming a creative executive in film and television. Credits include Judas and the Black Messiah, Run, Space Jam: A New Legacy, and the upcoming Creed III.

Dezi Gallegos has been with Proximity Media since it was founded -- starting as an assistant and later becoming a creative executive in film and television. Credits include Judas and the Black Messiah, Run, Space Jam: A New Legacy, and the upcoming Creed III.

Siobhan Murphy

Siobhan Murphy

Gotham Group | Manager (Animation)

Siobhan Murphy (she/her) joined leading management/production company The Gotham Group in 2019 as an assistant and rose through the ranks to become a literary manager. She admires animation as a medium and is delighted to collaborate with diverse artists, writers and producers across genres and demographics.

Siobhan Murphy (she/her) joined leading management/production company The Gotham Group in 2019 as an assistant and rose through the ranks to become a literary manager. She admires animation as a medium and is delighted to collaborate with diverse artists, writers and producers across genres and demographics.

Nekia Fondren

Nekia Fondren

Buchwald | TV Lit Coordinator

Raised as a military kid, Nekia spent time finding solace in stories and characters grounded in comedy and horror. She hopes to represent unique and diverse voices in emerging writer and director clients. Nekia is currently a TV Lit Coordinator at Buchwald where she is also a part of the company's diversity programs including the multi-cultural and LGBTQ+ committees, two underrepresented groups of which she intends to champion.

Raised as a military kid, Nekia spent time finding solace in stories and characters grounded in comedy and horror. She hopes to represent unique and diverse voices in emerging writer and director clients. Nekia is currently a TV Lit Coordinator at Buchwald where she is also a part of the company's diversity programs including the multi-cultural and LGBTQ+ committees, two underrepresented groups of which she intends to champion.

Becca Rodriguez

Becca Rodriguez

Curate | Manager

A native to Santa Monica, CA. Rodriguez began her career as an assistant at Anonymous Content, then working in the talent, literary and media rights department. Before joining Curate, she was a manager in the book department at The Gotham Group. She looks for voices and authors who are incredibly unique and singular and endeavors to champion those who have been disproportionately excluded from mainstream discourse.

A native to Santa Monica, CA. Rodriguez began her career as an assistant at Anonymous Content, then working in the talent, literary and media rights department. Before joining Curate, she was a manager in the book department at The Gotham Group. She looks for voices and authors who are incredibly unique and singular and endeavors to champion those who have been disproportionately excluded from mainstream discourse.

AE Jones

AE Jones

Stagecoach | Manager

AE Jones is a literary manager at Stagecoach Entertainment, where they keep the rapidly shifting television market in constant perspective for clients, placing them on such shows as THE EQUALIZER (CBS), WALKER: INDEPENDENCE (CW), and BIG CITY GREENS (Disney). With over 15 years of experience spanning above and below-the-line representation, television production, and development, AE advises their clients on developing creative and business opportunities to grow their careers in pragmatic, equitable, and inclusive ways.

AE Jones is a literary manager at Stagecoach Entertainment, where they keep the rapidly shifting television market in constant perspective for clients, placing them on such shows as THE EQUALIZER (CBS), WALKER: INDEPENDENCE (CW), and BIG CITY GREENS (Disney). With over 15 years of experience spanning above and below-the-line representation, television production, and development, AE advises their clients on developing creative and business opportunities to grow their careers in pragmatic, equitable, and inclusive ways.

Dante DeSario

Dante DeSario

UTA | Agent

After graduating from Wesleyan University, Dante DeSario started his career in the mailroom at UTA, where he rose through the ranks of the MP Lit Department before being promoted in the Independent Film Group. He currently helps package, finance and sell independent films, supporting upcoming UTA sales titles like Randall Park's SHORTCOMINGS and Anthony Chen's DRIFT.

After graduating from Wesleyan University, Dante DeSario started his career in the mailroom at UTA, where he rose through the ranks of the MP Lit Department before being promoted in the Independent Film Group. He currently helps package, finance and sell independent films, supporting upcoming UTA sales titles like Randall Park's SHORTCOMINGS and Anthony Chen's DRIFT.

Nadya Panfilov

Nadya Panfilov

Writ Large | Manager

I’ve been Hollywood-pilled from the moment we got American cable in Uzbekistan, in the year of our lord 2000. Since then, film & tv have been my closest friends and I have been obsessed with figuring out how to expand the inclusive and, often times, therapeutic power of storytelling. As a manager I strive to find voices that can make any outcast from any part of the world feel seen and understood.

I’ve been Hollywood-pilled from the moment we got American cable in Uzbekistan, in the year of our lord 2000. Since then, film & tv have been my closest friends and I have been obsessed with figuring out how to expand the inclusive and, often times, therapeutic power of storytelling. As a manager I strive to find voices that can make any outcast from any part of the world feel seen and understood.

Alain Carles

Alain Carles

Range Media Partners | Manager

Alain is a Cuban-American born & raised in the swamps of Miami, Florida who got his start at ICM Partners after graduating from Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology & Brain Sciences. After ICM, Alain went on to Range Media Partners as an associate working directly under the CEO, Peter Micelli, and is now focused primarily on championing emerging & underrepresented writers and directors.

Alain is a Cuban-American born & raised in the swamps of Miami, Florida who got his start at ICM Partners after graduating from Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology & Brain Sciences. After ICM, Alain went on to Range Media Partners as an associate working directly under the CEO, Peter Micelli, and is now focused primarily on championing emerging & underrepresented writers and directors.

Casey Hodgkinson

Casey Hodgkinson

Apatow Productions | Creative Exec (TV)

Casey Hodgkinson is a Creative Executive at Apatow Productions, where she develops projects for both film and TV. She started her career in representation, most notably at 3 Arts Entertainment, where she worked closely with some of the top comedic talent in the world. She holds a BA in Cinema and Television Arts from Cal State Northridge.

Casey Hodgkinson is a Creative Executive at Apatow Productions, where she develops projects for both film and TV. She started her career in representation, most notably at 3 Arts Entertainment, where she worked closely with some of the top comedic talent in the world. She holds a BA in Cinema and Television Arts from Cal State Northridge.

Alex Barnes

Alex Barnes

Cavalry Media | Creative Exec

An Australian native, Alex is Director of Development at Dana Brunetti's Cavalry Media working across film, TV and podcasts and also serves on the board for HRTS Associates division. Prior to Cavalry, Alex worked at Relativity Media and Trigger Street Productions and has worked on productions ranging from HOUSE OF CARDS, the FIFTY SHADES trilogy, MANHUNT: UNABOMBER and Tim Winton's THE TURNING.

An Australian native, Alex is Director of Development at Dana Brunetti's Cavalry Media working across film, TV and podcasts and also serves on the board for HRTS Associates division. Prior to Cavalry, Alex worked at Relativity Media and Trigger Street Productions and has worked on productions ranging from HOUSE OF CARDS, the FIFTY SHADES trilogy, MANHUNT: UNABOMBER and Tim Winton's THE TURNING.

Gabrielle Utsey

Gabrielle Utsey

HBO Max, Original Drama Series | Manager

While at HBO Max Gabrielle has had the opportunity to work on such shows as The Flight Attendant, Raised By Wolves and Pennyworth. Gabrielle is currently working on Dune: Sisterhood (WT), The Girls On the Bus and is a mentor for HBO Max & Warner Media’s Animated Shorts Access Program.

While at HBO Max Gabrielle has had the opportunity to work on such shows as The Flight Attendant, Raised By Wolves and Pennyworth. Gabrielle is currently working on Dune: Sisterhood (WT), The Girls On the Bus and is a mentor for HBO Max & Warner Media’s Animated Shorts Access Program.

Kyle Castellanet

Kyle Castellanet

Echo Lake Productions | Creative Exec

After receiving his BFA in Film Production from Chapman University, Kyle started his career at Paradigm Talent Agency. Kyle joined Echo Lake in 2016 and has worked in both the talent and production departments. As the Director of Development and Production, Kyle manages the company's development and production efforts in both film and television. He also works directly with clients including Forbes Magazine and Spycraft Entertainment to help develop and produce projects.

After receiving his BFA in Film Production from Chapman University, Kyle started his career at Paradigm Talent Agency. Kyle joined Echo Lake in 2016 and has worked in both the talent and production departments. As the Director of Development and Production, Kyle manages the company's development and production efforts in both film and television. He also works directly with clients including Forbes Magazine and Spycraft Entertainment to help develop and produce projects.

Tyler Fredrickson

Tyler Fredrickson

All the King's Horses | Producer

A former NFL placekicker as well as cast member on season 30 of SURVIVOR, Fredrickson is a Peter Stark graduate from USC with previous stints at New Regency followed by two years at CAA. He is now in his third year spearheading development for All The King's Horses, Joey King's producing shingle, elevating historically marginalized stories and voices.

A former NFL placekicker as well as cast member on season 30 of SURVIVOR, Fredrickson is a Peter Stark graduate from USC with previous stints at New Regency followed by two years at CAA. He is now in his third year spearheading development for All The King's Horses, Joey King's producing shingle, elevating historically marginalized stories and voices.

Erick Mendoza

Erick Mendoza

Grandview | Manager

Erick Mendoza is a Literary Manager at Grandview. He represents writers and filmmakers across film & television. He previously worked at United Talent Agency.

Erick Mendoza is a Literary Manager at Grandview. He represents writers and filmmakers across film & television. He previously worked at United Talent Agency.

Rashonda Joplin

Rashonda Joplin

20th Century | Creative Exec

Rashonda Joplin is a development executive who aims to champion diverse voices across class and culture, shaping narratives across multiple verticals that can impact, engage and most importantly bring joy.

Rashonda Joplin is a development executive who aims to champion diverse voices across class and culture, shaping narratives across multiple verticals that can impact, engage and most importantly bring joy.

Jesse Bloch

Jesse Bloch

Industry Entertainment | Coordinator, Jr. Manager

Jesse Bloch is a TV Coordinator and Manager at Industry Entertainment.

Jesse Bloch is a TV Coordinator and Manager at Industry Entertainment.

Kathleen Dow

Kathleen Dow

Entertainment 360 | Manager

Kathleen Dow is a Manager at Entertainment 360

Kathleen Dow is a Manager at Entertainment 360

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