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The Force is Female: Archer Leadership Speaker Series

Our mission is to support and challenge young women to discover their passions and realize their true potential. The Archer Leadership Speaker Series provides the opportunity to connect with and learn from current industry leaders making an impact in the world around them, in a panel setting moderated by students, for students.

The need for exemplary female leadership is critical. The U.S. ranks 99th in the world for the number of women in national government with women accounting for only 12% of our state governors and a mere 22% of the mayors of the 100 largest cities in our country. And females represent only 6% of Fortune 500 CEOs. The Archer School for Girls has created a platform that both educates and inspires.

Leadership Speaker Series Panelists


Please see below for a list of panelists that have spoken in previous years.


    • Vanessa Anderson '03

      Owner and Senior Account Executive, AM PR Group
      Vanessa Anderson has propelled a wide range of clients to the national and international stage. Her client roster has included Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress Issa Rae, the City of Los Angeles via the Destination Crenshaw Project, and Warner Bros. She and her company have been committed to uplifting the stories and profiles of people of color.

    • Meridith Baer

      Founder, Meridith Baer Home
      Meridith Baer founded Meridith Baer Home, the premiere home staging company in the nation. Since 1998, she and her team have worked with homeowners and realtors to turn on-the-market houses into alluring homes that feel luxurious and desirable.




    • Tracey Briscoe Monroe

      Managing Director, RBC Global Asset Management
      Tracey Briscoe Monroe has been responsible for developing relationships and presenting investment strategies and solutions. Tracey has also served on the board of The Archer School for Girls and College Track Los Angeles, as well as serving as a Trustee for The Educators’ Institute for Human Rights.

    • Erinn Cawthon '07

      Entertainment Attorney and Former CNN Journalist
      As counsel in Business & Legal Affairs at RadicalMedia, Erinn Cawthon has advised on television shows, documentaries, and commercials. Ms. Cawthon is passionate about helping diverse stories come to life. Ms. Cawthon has also been involved with California’s Innocence Project since law school.

    • Josie Craven '12

      Senior Director of Development in the Film and Television, Hello Sunshine
      At Hello Sunshine, Josie Craven worked on projects such as adaptations of Daisy Jones and the Six starring Riley Keough and Sam Claflin (Amazon), The Last Thing He Told Me starring Jennifer Garner (Apple TV+), and the holiday romance Something From Tiffany’s starring Zoey Deutch (Amazon).



    • Aaron Gensler '04

      Architect, GenslerClipp
      A licensed architect, award-winning designer, educator, and thought leader, Aaron Gensler formed GenslerClipp, an architecture, design, and research practice based in California. She previously held design positions at a variety of firms around the world – from Los Angeles to Rwanda. She has served as adjunct faculty at Woodbury University in Burbank and Santa Monica College.



    • Frances Green

      Employment, Labor, and Workforce Management Lawyer, Epstein Becker Green (NYC)
      Frances Green has litigated on behalf of multinational corporations in state and federal courts and lectures frequently to corporate executives in the U.S. and abroad. In 2010, Frances joined Michelle Obama, Barbara Walters, Maya Angelou, and other women leaders as a contributor to The Goddess Shift: Women Leading for a Change, which USA Book News named as one of the best books of 2010.

    • Janice Hahn

      Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
      Janice Hahn has represented the 4th district of L.A. County. Supervisor Hahn has established herself as a leader in the struggle to end the current homelessness crisis, a champion for communities plagued by pollution and health problems, and a dynamic voice on the Metro Board of Directors.




    • Cindy Holland

      VP for Original Content, Netflix
      At Netflix, Cindy Holland has been responsible for acquiring and launching original series for the over 100 million Netflix global members. Under her purview, her team has launched award-winning projects that span genres. Previously, Ms. Holland oversaw domestic TV licensing for Netflix.





    • Ceci Kurzman

      Founder and CEO, Nexus Management Group
      An accomplished business leader, board director, and private investor, Ceci Kurzman founded, and has been serving as CEO of, Nexus Management Group, a private investment company dedicated to growth-stage businesses. She has also served on public, private, and nonprofit boards and is a Member of the Board of Directors for Revlon, Inc., Man Group, and Warner Music Group Group.

    • Alyssa Lanz '08

      Television Literary Agent, United Talent Agency
      Dedicated to fostering diverse voices and building multi-faceted careers for her clients, Alyssa Lanz has represented a host of influential actors, writers, and production companies. Alyssa has also spearheaded several external diversity and inclusion initiatives at UTA. Alyssa has also served on a number of boards, including the Archer Alumni Board, and has volunteered with the Lynwood’s Women’s Jail.

    • Kiesha Nix

      Vice President of Charitable Affairs & Executive Director, Lakers Youth Foundation
      Ms. Nix has overseen programming and funding priorities for the charitable arm of the Los Angeles Lakers, which supports over 100,000 youth. She helped to build 40+ basketball courts throughout Los Angeles and surrounding counties and 15+ Reading Rooms. Ms. Nix has served on several boards, worked with various non-profit organizations, and mentored youth throughout her community.

    • Marlene Tsuchii-Dalston

      Co-Head of International Touring & Music Agent, Creative Arts Agence
      Marlene Tsuchii has worked with many of today’s top artists, such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and H.E.R.. Ms. Tsuchii is passionate about using her work to further the influence, reach, and impact of Asian artists throughout the industry. Her daughter Aislinn graduated from Archer in 2020.


    • Janet McKillop

      Former Chief Development Officer, J. Paul Getty Trust
      At the J. Paul Getty Trust, Janet McKillop led all fundraising and advancement for the Getty and its programs. In 2023, Janet returned to JP Morgan as a managing director in the firm’s private bank. Janet has been a member of a number of boards and committees, including at The Archer School for Girls.


    • Lisa McKnight

      Senior Vice President and Global General Manager for Barbie, Mattel
      At Mattel, Lisa has led a global team focused on brand strategy, product development, and marketing execution for Barbie. In 2016, she was recognized as AdWeek's Brand Genius Award, and has served on the Boards of MAKERS Women and the Toy Industry Association Foundation.


    • Janice Min

      Strategist, Eldridge Industries LLC
      Before working at Eldridge Industries, LLC, Janice Min served as co-president and chief creative officer of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group and remains a part-owner of THR. An Emmy winner, Ms. Min led THR as it garnered two National Magazine Awards for General Excellence in the Special Interest category, and two nominations for Magazine of the Year.

    • Gregg Renfrew

      Founder and CEO, Beautycounter
      Since founding Beautycounter, Gregg Renfrew charted an innovative path for clean beauty. Gregg has continued to push the industry forward, testifying in front of Congress to advance legislative reform so that everyone has access to safer products. Gregg has served on the Board of Directors for Supernova Partners and The Nantucket Project.



    • Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i

      Executive Vice President, Entertainment Diversity, Inclusion & Communications, CBS Entertainment
      At CBS, Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i developed new programs that recruit and nurture diverse talent to work in front of and behind the camera. In 2009, Ms. Smith-Anoa'i created and launched "CBS On Tour," a community outreach program in which executives visit schools to educate and encourage students interested in entertainment careers.

    • Chelsea Thomas '05

      Senior Talent Publicist, The Lede Company
      Chelsea Thomas began working as an assistant for the head of the talent department at 42 West. She rose through the ranks and ultimately joined The Lede Company as a Senior Talent Publicist, where she has worked with a range of clients in film, television, music, and sports, including Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Lily Collins, and #MeToo founder and activist Tarana Burke.

    • Nichol Whiteman

      CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
      During Nichol Whiteman’s tenure, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation launched impactful programming including Dodgers RBI, which has served more than 10,000 youth. Ms. Whiteman was the first in her family to graduate from college and has a passion for education, equity, and diversity. In addition to her professional achievements, she mentors countless men and women, and serves on several boards.

  • Anni Baghdasarian, Chief Operating Officer, Edlio
  • Maia Barnett '14, CEO and Founder, maiorganization
  • Jenny Blumenfield '06, Artist, Designer, and Curator
  • Michelle Bohan, Partner, WME’s Motion Picture and TV Talent Department
  • Amber Buck Hamilton '04, Founder, Fig Leaf Development
  • Loren Castle, Entrepreneur
  • Allie Davis '07, Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Lydia DeCoud '11, Digital Media Agent, Creative Artists Agency
  • Vanessa Delgado, Founding Partner, Azure Development
  • Daisy Dennerline '10, Documentary and Scripted Television Producer, and Archivist, Pulse Films
  • Mercedes Elkoff ’07, Associate Therapist
  • Lucie Freeman ’15, Senior Financial Analyst, NBCUniversal
  • Una Fox, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Aristocrat Technologies
  • Chaitali Gala Mehta, Chief Operating Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) 
  • Lia Gardley, Project Manager, Marmol-Radziner
  • Ellyn Garofalo, Partner, DLA Piper
  • Nadia Ghassemi, Head of Audio Partnerships, Global Ads, Google
  • Diane Golden, Entertainment Lawyer Managing Partner, Katz Golden Rosenman LLP
  • Dominique Greene ’01, Consulting Partner Account Manager, Amazon Web Services
  • Dr. Christina Harris, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer, Cedars-Sinai
  • Stephanie Hobbs, Design Principal, Marmol-Radziner
  • Sabrina Jaglom '10, LA-Based Writer and Director
  • Dr. Sabrina Kay, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Chancellor, Fremont College
  • Jenna Landi '05, Head of Insights, Pinterest
  • Aisha Mainwaring '17, Founder, Main Design
  • Dr. Rachel Mandelbaum '08, Board-Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, LAC+USC Medical Center
  • Lori McCreary, CEO, Revelations Entertainment
  • Amity Millhiser, Chief Clients Officer, PwC
  • Dr. Linda Mirdamadi, Internist and Adjunct Instructor and Board Member, Keck School of Medicine of USC
  • Lauryn Morris, Head of Design for the Spectacles Team, Snap Inc.
  • Sofi Newmeyer '06, Founder and Designer, Ma'am Shoes
  • Hillary O’Connor ’15, Food Industry Professional
  • Jackie Park, Co-Managing Partner, DLA Piper
  • Saira Rahman, VP of New Investor Initiatives, Fundrise
  • Elizabeth Rahn, Client Advisor, JP Morgan’s Private Bank in Los Angeles
  • Dr. Vicki Rapaport, Dermatologist
  • Ivelisse Rodriguez Simon, Managing Partner, Avante Capital Partners
  • Debbie Saroufim, Body Acceptance Coach
  • Lauren Selig, Co-Founder and Producer, Shake and Bake Productions
  • Naomi Seligman, Co-Founder, Tower26.agency
  • Amy Smith, Studio Director Landscape Associate, Marmol-Radziner
  • Maddi Stein, Aeronautical Engineer, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works
  • Andrea Stern ’10, Social Media Manager, Crexi
  • Olivia Tiffany, Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Therapist, and Certified Life Coach for Girls
  • Adrienne Wilson '07, Founder, Feed Our Soul
The Archer School for Girls admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status in its hiring or in the administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions policies, financial aid programs or other school-administered programs. 

The Archer School for Girls’ mission is to educate students in an environment specifically designed for girls. As such, the school will consider any candidate for admission who identifies as a girl. Once admitted to Archer, all students in good academic standing who abide by Archer’s code of conduct and who meet requirements for graduation will be eligible to receive an Archer diploma, regardless of any change in sexual identity or other legally protected status.