Catherine Cerulli is an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) who combines legal, public health, and mental health perspectives to enhance the human rights of marginalized populations. As the former Director of the Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization and the UR Susan B. Anthony Center, she has promoted research in criminal justice, community, and health settings, including co-founding HEAL, an innovative medical-law program for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). A licensed attorney, Dr. Cerulli has worked directly with IPV victims since 1983 as a counselor, advocate, attorney, and researcher, conducting collaborative community studies in partnership with survivors. Her international work spans Russia, China, Mongolia, the Greater Mekong region, and India, supported by NIH Fogarty International Center, WHO, and the Fulbright Specialist Program. Currently, she focuses on breaking the cycle of incarceration and addressing child abuse through the TRANSFORM Center and Sustaining Change at the University of Rochester's Mt. Hope Family Center.

Matana LePlae is a strategic communications leader and advocate who bridges the gap between marginalized communities and corporate America, ensuring authentic representation and opportunities for underrepresented voices. As co-founder of Vytal, she pioneered an innovative platform that empowers young Black and Brown professionals from non-traditional backgrounds through mentorship and direct corporate engagement. Her decade-long commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives has transformed how organizations connect with and understand historically overlooked communities, particularly focusing on women and youth. Through Vytal's groundbreaking shadow program and community partnerships, she creates pathways for emerging leaders to shape brand narratives and corporate decisions that impact their communities. Matana combines deep audience insights with a passion for social impact, working to build a more inclusive and equitable business landscape that reflects and responds to diverse lived experiences.

Kate Costanza is a director / producer with experience in nonfiction features, narrative shorts and television. She has produced for clients such as ESPN and The Academy Awards and is a frequent collaborator at Emmy-nominated Words + Pictures. Her independent work has been featured in international film festivals, winning Best Documentary Film in Short Film Breaks (2022), and Audience Award at Nitehawk Shorts Festival (2023). From development at doc studios to leading interviews across subjects, she combines curiosity, empathy and operational expertise to realize the vision of each project she's a part of. She is a co-founder of Lotus Eater Productions. 

As a nonfiction filmmaker, Kate connects with resilient people willing to share their stories to better inform the world. Upon building relationships based in trust, as a director she believes her role is to discover narrative tools authentic to each story to foster connection between subject and audience. In doing so, she hopes to deconstructs the often didactic documentary format to reveal truth while innovating the form. 

Stephanie Batchelor, JD

NYS Defender’s Association

Diane Morse, MD

University of Rochester Medicine

Shea Davis

Reentry Consultant, Artist, Speaker and Monroe Community College

Alan Ross, JD

Criminal Defense, Civil Rights Attorney