the team

Reel Families for Change is powered by a “tiny but mighty” team of part-time contractors and zealous volunteers, committed to elevating care for America’s screenworkers (i.e., film, TV, and video games).

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Administrative Leadership

Akima A. Brown

Founder & Executive Director

Akima A. Brown

Akima A. Brown is a long-time disruptor. Her work of nearly twenty years spans the public and private sectors, centering on systemic solutions-building around equity, inclusion, and access needs.

As Founder and Executive Director of Reel Families, their role centers on archtecting work-life solutions that ensure career access and advancement for other caregiving filmmakers.
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Sarah Lutot

Associate,
Communications & Outreach

Sarah Lutot

Since starting with RFC in Spring 2022, Sarah has supported the publicity, outreach, and relationship building efforts for a broad range of initiatives including the Delaware Collective for Creative Economy, the Work-Life Sustainability Summit, the bi-weekly newsletter, and several articles and press releases.
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Regional Services

Linia Hardy

Public Ambassador,
Pacific Region

Linia Hardy

Meet Linia Hardy, our Pacific Region Public Ambassador. She’s worked in the LA film and television community for the past six years and is a member of the Art Directors Guild Local 800. She says, “As a future caregiver, I want to be part of building something better; a world where people can work in the screen industry and commit to their families.”
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Ali Hopson

Public Ambassador,
Southern Region

Ali Hopson

Ali Hopson is a filmmaker, activist, and mother. As our Southern Regional Ambassador, she's helping us change the way we support film families in and around Texas.
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Janae Smith

Public Ambassador
DelMarVa Region

Janae Smith

Janae Smith is a Delaware-based artist and filmmaker. She's the newest member of the Reel Families for Change team; joining the Community Support Team. Janae serves as a local leader in the DelMarva region where RFC is working to support the development of equitable new production hubs. Janae says, "I believe RFC will help me reach my goal of helping others in this industry."
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Board of Directors

Dinah J. Louissaint

President

Dinah J. Louissaint

Dinah J. Louissaint is a long-time advocate of mothers, children, and families. From her work in the NYC Dept. of Health and Human Services to volunteering with employer-supported re-entry programs for workers returning from family leave.

As RFC's Board President, Dinah leads efforts to teach creative industry employers how to support vulnerable workers as they provide care/age.
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alex-riera

Alex Riera

Secretary

Alex Riera

Alex Riera is a careered professional with a desire to give-back. Through her volunteer work, she aims to help families and children.

As a member of RFC's Board of Directors, Alex desires to elevate care within the creative industries and normalize childcare solutions for working parents.
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Rayne Marcus

Treasurer

Rayne Marcus

Rayne Marcus is a 25+ year film industry veteran with work sites spanning New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Atlanta. She also serves Board of Directors for Reel Families for Change, currently as Treasurer, where she supports the organization's public awareness campaigns, coalition building initiatives, and sustainability and succession planning efforts.
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al-hopson

Ali D. Hopson

Director

Ali D. Hopson

Ali has been in the film locations, production, events & film industry for over a decade. Growing up in a family of media professionals, photographers, and activists, from a young age, she's always dabbled in writing, filming, and photography.

Now, as a mother-filmmaker, she strives to build sustainable support channels that allow her and her peers to thrive.
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kim-rohrer

Kim Rohrer

Director

Kim Rohrer

Kim firmly believes that working families deserve better, on and behind the screen.

She’s a 15+ year HR veteran, building progressive people practices with a focus on values-led behaviors and inclusive policies. She’s also a parent, a fierce advocate for creating better workplaces for caregivers, and a writer committed to telling more inclusive stories about our real, lived experiences.
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Advisory Council

Sharmina Ellis

Nanci Kaiser

Denise Murray

Samantha Panchèvre

Melanie Perez