My first documentary began as an unexpected work assignment, but it quickly revealed a path. When the film won an Emmy, I recognized not just a knack for the craft, but a way to engage deeply with people and issues that mattered. I’ve been telling stories ever since.

So I followed that pull and went back to school, earning a master’s in documentary film from Stanford University. Soon after, I landed at Lucasfilm, where I helped craft an ambitious 100-part documentary series exploring the arc of 20th-century global history and culture.

My journey has taken me across continents and platforms. I spent four years living and working in South Africa—first as a Fulbright fellow making independent films, and later as a professor at the University of Cape Town, where I helped build one of the country’s first post-apartheid film programs. That experience sparked a love of teaching and deepened my commitment to inclusive storytelling, ethics, and collaboration—values that continue to guide both my creative work and my pedagogy. Since then, I’ve become a tenured professor at Columbia College Chicago, taught Harvard Law students how to use documentary to shape public discourse, and trained PBS producers across the country in adapting their storytelling for the digital era.

Since 2015, I’ve found a filmmaking home at Kindling Group, where I’ve led the creation of award-winning documentaries designed for social impact. As the field has shifted, I’ve developed a unique fluency in digital distribution—learning how to reach new audiences through online platforms, algorithmic storytelling, and targeted impact campaigns. I’ve consulted widely with filmmakers and public media organizations and I’ve been invited to speak on the future of documentary at venues including the International Documentary Association’s Getting Real conference, the YouTube Producers Academy, and the Istanbul Cinema Network.

At the heart of everything I do is a belief in the power of story—and a passion for helping others use it wisely, courageously, and creatively.