Executive Committee
Executive Team
President
Treasurer & Co-Founder
Secretary & Founder
Artistic Director
Advisory Board
Sarina Tomel
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Sarina is a Leadership/Mindset Coach and HR/Talent Management Consultant. She is the Advisory Board Co-Chair of the North Fork TV festival. Previously, she had a career as a strategic HR Business Partner for a global pharmaceuticals company. She has been featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, and Fitness Magazine. She is developing one of her stories as a TV project from her memoir-in-progress. Sarina is an ICF-accredited Coach who earned her BA in Psychology from Long Island University/CW Post Campus and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Hofstra University. She’s a mentor and speaker for Half Hollow Hills School to Business Partnership and a former Crisis Hotline Counselor for Long Island Crisis Center (LICC). When she’s not speaking or coaching leaders, you can find her running and hiking to summits around the world.
Programming Committee
Neena Beber
Programming Subcommittee Chair
Neena has written extensively for TV and film with credits including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Imposters, Ballers, and numerous pilots. Her adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear garnered Emmy and Ace Award nominations. Her play A MOTHER, co-conceived with Jessica Hecht, premiered at Baryshnikov Arts this spring. She wrote the book for the musical RUTKA, which premiered at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park last fall, and is currently writing lyrics for a musical about Frida Kahlo. Other plays: Jump/Cut (Obie Grant Award), A Common Vision, Tomorrowland, Misreadings, published by Concord Theatricals/Samuel French; she is adapting her play KATE SUSPENDED (The O’Neill Center National Playwrights Conference) to TV. Screenplays: HOW TO DEAL, BAD DATES, and currently in development FRIENDS FOR LIFE (co-writer with Annabelle Gurwitch). Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Neena holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A from N.Y.U.'s Tisch School of the Arts (Paulette Goddard Fellow; Distinguished Alumni Award). An alumna of New Dramatists, Neena teaches on the MFA program at Columbia University and sits on the Advisory Board of The Orchard Project.
Jessica Daniels
Programming
Jessica Daniels is the owner and founder of Jessica Daniels Casting, and an Emmy and Artios Award-winning casting director for television and film. A New York native, her credits include Dying for Sex (FX), Will Trent (ABC), Single Drunk Female (20th Television), Deadbeat (Hulu/Artios Award), Helpsters (Apple TV+), Benders (IFC), The Carrie Diaries (CW), and 30 Rock (NBC/Emmy Award). She cast for 20th Television across six consecutive pilot seasons before serving as VP of Casting in New York for Walt Disney Television Studios from 2019 to 2023. Additional work includes The Dropout (Hulu), The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+), The People v. O.J. Simpson (FX), and Genius: Einstein (FX). Jessica is a member of the Television Academy, Film Independent, and the Casting Society, where she served on the board for 12 years. She holds an MFA in Film from Columbia University.
Kyle Luker
Programming
Partner - Industry Entertainment, Talent Manager, and Producer. Born and raised in New Jersey, Kyle graduated from Desales University and then spent three years as a cruise director with Holland America sailing around Europe and the Baltic before starting his career as a talent manager and producer. Joining Industry Entertainment in 2015, Kyle's clients include Krysten Ritter, Michelle Gomez, Michelle Visage, Vella Lovell, Kelly AuCoin, Lisa Rinna, Genevieve Angelson and Christopher Briney. Kyle is known for his keen eye for talent, taste and creative vision, and lasting relationships within the entertainment industry. As a producer Kyle has produced Sundance Film Festival entry Loggerheads, Slamdance Film Festival entry Find Love, as well as additional film and theater projects including Sweet Land, Loggerheads, Mentor, and benefits for the 24 Hour Plays and The It Gets Better Project. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Kyle is an advocate and activist for the LGBTQ+ community, was on the board of the 24 Hour Plays for six years, and is also the creator of the popular Instagram account started during the pandemic - @traderjoeslineuws. Married to Chef Ash Fulk since 2018, Kyle lives on the Upper West Side and loves spending time with his family and friends.
PJ Posner
Programming
Director: Last Breath – A thriller starring Luke Perry (Beverly Hills 90210, Riverdale) about a man desperate to find a transplant donor for his dying wife. Premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival. "A solid, thoughtful little thriller... [that] keeps you guessing right until the end and even past it."-- Variety The Next Big Thing – A light-hearted satire of the art world. "A deftly satisfying, comically coherent sendup of the world of art... that does with a lighter hand for art what The Producers does for show business.” – The New York Times Writer: Getting In – A dark comedy/thriller satirizing the cutthroat competition for admission to medical school, marked the directorial debut of Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow). Executive Producer: Secretary – An offbeat love story starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal. "Secretary is just too original to be ignored.” – USA TODAY The Dying Gaul – Written and directed by renowned playwright Craig Lucas. "It proves Lucas, the noted playwright, to be a born filmmaker." – Entertainment Weekly
Tom Russo
Programming
Tom Russo is the Head of Film and Television for Kelsey Grammer’s Grammnet NH Productions. He is a Peabody Award winner and an Emmy-nominated producer. Tom previously developed the Emmy award-winning comedy Black-Ish for ABC as Head of Laurence Fishburne’s Cinema Gypsy Productions. He also served as Senior Vice President of Current Programming for Paramount Network Television, supervising all scripted comedy and drama series. Tom oversaw series including NCIS, Frasier, Deadwood, and Girlfriends as well as its spin-off The Game. Additional series-producing credits of his include Hulu’s Light as a Feather, the Paramount+ revival of The Game, and Amazon Prime Video’s Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip-Hop Comedy. Tom is currently serving as Executive Producer for the Frasier series revival and for the upcoming Fox Nation docuseries Blood on the Bridge: The Battle of Lexington & Concord. Prior to this, he was Executive Producer for the Lifetime holiday movie The Twelve Days of Christmas Eve and for the Fox Nation docuseries George: Rise of a Revolutionary. Tom is a native New Yorker, an Honors Graduate of Brown University, and resides in Los Angeles and New York.
JT Tsou
Programming
JT Tsou is the Co-Founder of Left No Ring Productions (LNR) with her producing partner and dear friend, Raye Levine Spielberg. LNR produces and amplifies original stories through TV/Film and Theater. LNR is currently co-producing the hit Broadway comedy musical, Operation Mincemeat, at the John Golden Theater (winner of the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical on the West End). JT is an award-winning writer, producer, and director across TV/Film, Theater, and Creative Marketing. Her credits span across Netflix, PBS, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Peacock, and Disney. Her play "Of You," that she wrote and directed, recently premiered Off-Broadway at the Chain Theater to sold out audiences. A proud member of the Roundabout Theater Company’s Ambassador Council, JT is a creative committed to increasing access for and championing voices of women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and the underdogs.
David Vaccari
Programming
David Vaccari is an independent casting director celebrating thirty years of working on film, television and theater and his film projects include “Respect” with Jennifer Hudson, “The Intern” with Robert DeNiro, “Focus” with Will Smith, “Restless”, “Paranoid Park” and Finding Forrester with Gus Van Sant, “Rachel Getting Married” with Jonathan Demme, as well as “Friends With Kids”, “Howl”, "Keane", “Jonah Hex”, "Then She Found Me”, “Across the Universe”, “Ira and Abby”, "Carlito's Way: Rise to Power", “The Bone Collector” and “Pieces of April”, which garnered an Oscar nomination for Patricia Clarkson. His TV projects include “This Is Us”, “I’m Dying Up Here", "Little America", "Penny Dreadful”, “Nightcap”, “A Gifted Man”, "House of Cards”, "NOS4A2" and "Time After Time” for director Marcos Siega. His theater projects include working with David Mamet on “GlenGarry GlenRoss” and “The Cryptogram”, Eric Bogosian on “Humpty Dumpty” and “Talk Radio”, Woody Allen on “A Second Hand Memory” and “Writer’s Block” and Estelle Parsons and Al Pacino on “Salome” as well as the original production of “Rent” with Jonathan Larson.
Adrienne Rose White
Programming
Adrienne Rose White is an actress and screenwriter. She stars alongside Amy Adams in the feature film Nightbitch, now streaming on Hulu. Described as a “force of nature” by Dan Buffa of the Critic’s Choice Association, Adrienne has built her career on captivating stories that mix surreal magic, subversive social commentary, and genuine, heartfelt comedy. Adrienne led the bittersweet romance After We're Over, which won the Audience Award at STLIFF, an Academy Award qualifying festival. She also plays the trusted best friend in Another Girl (Showtime), and the know-it-all with magical powers in the thriller The Witch Files (Amazon), alongside Holly Taylor (The Americans). As a screenwriter, Adrienne’s shows - including Safe Space at Lakeshore Entertainment and How to Be a White Guy at CBS Network (executive produced by Cedric the Entertainer) - have received industry recognition and coverage in Deadline and Variety. Elizabeth Banks’ WhoHaha named her a comedienne to watch in their Comedy Call-Out. Committed to fostering new voices, Adrienne also designed a creative development program to help emerging creatives navigate the complexities of developing, packaging, and selling their unique stories. Her mentorship has helped others secure meetings with top showrunners and get yeses from industry giants like Netflix and Paramount.
Partnership Committee
Samid (Sam) Hussain – Partnership Subcommittee Chair
Sam Hussain is a Senior Partner at a business litigation firm. His focus is antitrust, competition, consumer fraud, product liability, discrimination, affirmative action, and consumer welfare. He is also interested in legal reform issues around the world. Sam also serves on the firm’s executive committee and its conflict resolution committee. Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) has recommended Dr. Hussain as a leading competition economist and consulting expert in the competition field. He is on the board of Art Shield, a foundation dedicated to helping dissident artists around the world. Sam also has prior experience working at the World Bank. He has taught courses as a visiting lecturer at Stanford University and instructor at Cornell University. Sam holds a Master’s degree and PhD from Cornell University.
Andrew Caravella
Partnership
Andrew Caravella is a creative producer, marketing and partnerships executive and brand advisor. For more than 20 years across agency, tech and startup environments, he’s utilized smart, creative storytelling and the power of human connection to build brands and engage communities. Andrew made his producing debut in 2023, co-producing the groundbreaking Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio and producing the film, Moment to Moment: The Making of The Violet Hour Studio Cast Recording. Up next, he’s co-producing the Off-Broadway bound comedy Ginger Twinsies. He is committed to projects that speak to our modern world, resonate intergenerationally, provoke thought and bring joy. Andrew is the former head of marketing and global partnerships at Sprout Social, where he oversaw official relations and joint product development with major platforms including Google, Meta and TikTok. In nearly a decade at Sprout, Andrew set the brand trajectory and built an integrated team, supporting Sprout’s early growth stages through its 2019 IPO and beyond. Andrew proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Point Foundation, the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ scholarship fund, in the Angel Circle of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and as an Advisory Board member of the North Fork TV Festival. An active citizen, tennis fanatic, classically trained violinist and increasingly accomplished home cook, he earned a master’s degree from Northwestern University and bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Andrew lives in New York City.
Donna Drake
Partnership
Donna Drake is an internationally recognized creative artist, writer, producer, SAG actor, and influencer known for her work in entertainment and media. She is the creator and host of the award-winning talk series The Donna Drake Show: Live It Up!, which has been running for 17 years and features over 1,540 episodes and 18,000 interviews. The show focuses on empowering conversations about hope and resilience, reaching audiences across the U.S. and in 25 countries. Donna's contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of LIBN's Top 50 Most Influential Business Women. Drake is the owner of Drake Media Studios and NY State Qualified Grid-Lit facility.
Cynthia Drivas
Partnership
Cynthia Drivas is a partnerships and business development senior executive at Hearst Media Production Group. She is responsible for the development and funding of original, mission driven (E/I) programming for ABC, NBC & CBS and social and streaming platforms. She is the architect and consulting producer of the Telly, Gracie, Webby award-winning and Emmy nominated Mission Unstoppable with Miranda Cosgrove on CBS as well as consulting producer for Lucky Dog, the #1 pet show on TV. Cynthia has launched new networks and brands at Viacom including Noggin and the N, a new business unit for Clear Channel; and a Disney backed family mobile app. She has activated events such as the Super Bowl and Latin Grammys, and works with foundations, corporations and non-profits to increase their brand and social impact and revenue.
Ryan Ferguson
Partnership
Ryan J. Ferguson is a seasoned professional serving as the Chief of Staff for the 1st Legislature District of Suffolk County, NY. With a distinguished background, Ryan is a proud graduate of Stony Brook University's School of Journalism, where he honed his exceptional communication skills. His passion for community service blossomed at a young age when he cultivated a deep knowledge of horticulture while working at a local garden center. This expertise propelled him to become the youngest Vocational Supervisor at the esteemed non-profit organization, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE). Demonstrating remarkable dedication, Ryan partnered with Jim McCann of 1-800 Flowers and their non-profit Smile Farms, successfully raising substantial funds to transform the program into a self-sufficient farm, benefiting communities in need. Building on his diverse experiences, Ryan transitioned to the Suffolk County Department of Social Services, where he excelled in the eligibility and emergency needs units before making a seamless transition to the administration unit. Simultaneously, Ryan showcased his talent as a digital content producer, working with prominent companies and events such as New York Cancer and Blood Specialists and the Hamptons Jewelry Show. Fueled by his unwavering commitment to making a difference, Ryan found his true calling in the Suffolk County Legislature. Now as Chief of Staff, he skillfully manages grants and funding for community events and organizations, ensuring their success and positive impact.
Gerard McGeary
Partnership
Gerard McGeary is a business development and strategy professional whose work spans the social impact and tech sectors. He advises foundations, investors, and nonprofit leaders on strategic partnerships, impact investing, and development strategy, with a focus on scaling inclusive economic opportunity. Most recently, Gerard has led philanthropic partnerships to expand workforce development access for low-income New Yorkers at Pursuit and supported nonprofit capacity building through corporate social impact initiatives at Catchafire. His career has also included roles at early-stage startups, J.P. Morgan, and Boston Consulting Group. Outside of his professional work, Gerard serves on the Advisory Board of the North Fork TV Festival. He is a lifelong devotee of film and television and shares an annual “Best of the Year” media roundup that his friends await with greater anticipation than the critics do. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. Gerard lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Sarah, and their Australian Labradoodle, Brisket.
Community Relations Committee
David Gamberg– Community Relations Subcommittee Chair
Community Relations
David A. Gamberg is a retired School Superintendent. He served for 12 years in Southold UFSD, and as a shared superintendent in Southold and Greenport UFSD (a neighboring district on Long Island in New York) for six of those years. He has served as an Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, an Elementary School Principal and a teacher. David has worked in school systems in California and New York, and he is passionate about reimagining education which supports student engagement that is authentic and purposeful. He is currently working with schools to develop Student TV Broadcasting programs and is the founder and Executive Producer of BASH (Broadcast Awards for Senior High), the largest event of its kind in the New York Metro area.
Alicia Carlson
Community Relations
Alicia Carlson is a dynamic professional with a diverse background in real estate, marketing, and consulting. Passionate about people, Alicia thrives in roles that bring individuals together and foster connection. Of her many areas of expertise, she is particularly drawn to event planning, whether it’s curating intimate gatherings or orchestrating large corporate events. Alicia finds joy in creating memorable experiences that allow people to celebrate, network, and build lasting relationships. Originally from the Midwest, Alicia has lived in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City, where she has cultivated meaningful connections across industries nationwide. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Linda Kessler
Community Relations
A proud mother of two successful daughters, grandmother, and wife of 55 years, Linda Kessler has called the North Fork home since 1985 and has been an active part of the Greenport business community since 1999. She is the owner of KESSIE, a beloved boutique in Greenport that has evolved into a thoughtfully curated collection of clothing, gifts, and accessories. Deeply invested in the local community, she has served on the Greenport Business Improvement District (BID) Board since 2014 and currently acts as Secretary. She has also been a dedicated member of the North Fork TV Festival Advisory Board since its inception. A past board member and Lifetime Admiral at the East End Seaport Museum, she co-chaired and organized the Maritime Festival from 2014–2021 and was a member of the steering committee for Greenport Tall Ships 2015.
Finances & Budgeting Committee
Rebecca Shoval - Finances/Budgeting Subcommittee Chair
Finances & Budgeting
Rebecca Shoval is a professional investor specializing in wholly owned real estate and a financial educator. She founded Welcome Financial Education, which individually curates financial education programs for alumni organizations and social clubs and runs financial education seminars. In addition to being a member of our Advisory Board, Rebecca serves on the board of Spotlight PA, independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania, and The Cornell Daily Sun. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
Lina Catalfamo Plath
Finances & Budgeting
Lina Catalfamo Plath is the co-founder and partner at FRANK PR, a leading entertainment public relations firm based in New York that serves prestigious clients in film and television since 2008. Lina specializes in strategic business development, marketing, public relations, financial and M&A consulting and advisory work. Her expertise ranges from festival publicity, awards/consumer campaigns, and crisis management, to executing impactful PR initiatives across regional, national, and international stages. With more than two decades of experiIf ence, Lina has honed her skills in overseeing PR efforts for film teams through awards circuits, from acquisition to release. She and her team spearhead tailored corporate strategies and collaborations for major industry platforms such as Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix, HBO, Hulu, YouTube, and more. Lina's management of high-profile events—including premieres, junkets, and press tours has solidified FRANK PR’s reputation as a premier destination for entertainment publicity. She is passionate about continuing to shape the strategic direction of storytelling, brands and clients in an ever-evolving media landscape.
Michaela Qvale
Finances & Budgeting
Michaela is currently Director of TV Development at Miramax, covering shows in every stage of development. She was previously the point executive on the Issa Rae reboot of PROJECT GREENLIGHT (MAX) and a contributing executive on Guy Ritchie’s THE GENTLEMEN (Netflix) and THE TURKISH DETECTIVE (BBC). Michaela first started her career in event producing, working with events such as the George Motz’s Hamburger America, the McDonald’s B-Boy Royale, North Fork TV Festival, the Food Film Festival, and the MTV VMAs. After shifting into Development, Michaela worked at The Gersh Agency under the head of International TV and Packaging, and at CBS TV Studios in Streaming and Cable Current series on a slate that included DEAD TO ME (Netflix) and UNBELIEVABLE (Netflix), among other shows. She’s a graduate of Columbia University with a BA in Film and Business Management.
Brent Pelton
Finances & Budgeting
Brent Pelton is the owner and founder of American Beech Hospitality, a boutique hospitality group based in New York. With a passion for design, community, and experiential travel, Brent has helped to redevelop The American Beech Hotel, located in Greenport, NY, into a vibrant destination. Under Brent’s leadership, American Beech Hospitality has become a hallmark of coastal chic and laid-back elegance, drawing acclaim from both travelers and the design world alike, with American Beech Hotel, Black Llama Bar, Aqua by American Beech and The Pink Palm Hotel. He continues to shape the future of hospitality in the region with a focus on sustainability, community engagement, and timeless style within a growing portfolio of stylish restaurants, bars, and retail concepts. A licensed attorney, Brent founded and continues to lead Pelton Graham LLC, a law firm focusing on representing workers in unpaid prevailing wage, overtime, minimum wage, discrimination and whistleblower matters with offices in New York and California. Pelton Graham LLC helps workers recover unpaid prevailing wages, minimum wage and overtime while assisting relators in Qui Tam and other whistleblower matters.
