Leadership
STEVEN OLIKARA, PRESIDENT
Steven Olikara is a nationally recognized changemaker, political commentator, and entrepreneur. He serves as the President of Bridge Entertainment Labs (BEL), dedicated to harnessing the power of culture-shifting entertainment media to transform the divisions in America and create a healthier democracy. He is also the Founder & Former CEO of Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project), the largest nonpartisan organization of young elected leaders in the U.S. Steven’s political commentary and analysis have been featured on CNN, NBC News, Fox News, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, USA Today, and more. He recently made history as the first South Asian candidate for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin, garnering national attention for his debate performance and fresh approach to politics. Steven’s journey is featured in the documentary film, “The Reunited States,” on Amazon Prime and PBS.
Steven is a frequent speaker on leadership, democracy, and political bridge-building at venues such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, Harvard’s Institute of Politics, SXSW, the National Press Club, the Sundance Film Festival, the White House, and the United Nations. In 2018, he was invited to testify before Congress on issues facing young entrepreneurs and gig economy workers. He also hosted the podcast series, “Meeting in Middle America,” featuring guests such as Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley, former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, and Emmy-winning comedian Charlie Berens. An avid musician, Steven is a former radio DJ in his hometown of Milwaukee, WI, and co-author of the book, “JFK: The Last Speech,” on the role of artists in democracy.
Previously, Steven has advised two multi-platinum recording artists on youth empowerment and sustainable energy, including Akon Lighting Africa which electrified over 1 million homes in Africa with solar power. He serves on numerous boards and commissions focused on causes he is passionate about: human rights, democracy, national service, and the performing arts. A proud alum of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Steven has won numerous awards, including Forbes Magazine’s 2017 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy, the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper designation, and the Truman Scholarship.
Advisory Council
Sherry Lansing
CEO, The Sherry Lansing Foundation
Sherry Lansing
During almost 30 years in the motion picture business, Sherry Lansing was involved in the production, marketing, and distribution of more than 200 films, including Academy Award winners Forrest Gump, Braveheart, and Titanic. Throughout her film career, Lansing earned a reputation as a trailblazer, a visionary leader, and a creative filmmaker. In 1980, she became the first woman to head a major film studio when she was appointed President of 20th Century Fox. Later, as an independent producer, Lansing was responsible for such successful films as Fatal Attraction, The Accused, School Ties, Indecent Proposal, and Black Rain. Returning to the executive ranks in 1992, she was named Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures and began an unprecedented tenure that lasted more than 12 years (1992 – 2005).
The Sherry Lansing Foundation (SLF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer research, health, public education, and encore career opportunities, was formed in 2005. Among the SLF’s initiatives is the EnCorps STEM Teachers Program, founded by Lansing to transition retirees and career-changers into top quality California public school math and science teachers. Lansing is also a co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer, which enables scientific breakthroughs by funding collaborative, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional scientific cancer research teams and investigators.
In addition, she serves on the boards of the Broad Museum, the Carter Center, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the W.M. Keck Foundation, the Lasker Foundation, the Pacific Council on International Policy, and Scripps Research – as well as the Advisory Board of the Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. She is also a trustee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, where she co-founded the scholarship fund. Lansing served on the University of California Board of Regents from 1999 – 2022.
In recognition of her philanthropic endeavors, she received the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award; induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame; the American Association for Cancer Research Public Service Award, the Horatio Alger Humanitarian Award; the UCLA Women in Philanthropy Icon Award; and the Stem Cell Action Leadership Award, among numerous other honors.
Lansing graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwestern University in 1966.
Greg Propper
President, Propper Daley
Greg Propper
Greg Propper is President of Propper Daley. A social impact innovator, he has worked at the intersection of public policy, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and entertainment for over 25 years. Greg served as Executive Director of ServiceNation and Managing Director of Be the Change, Inc., leading the effort to pass the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act during the first 100 days of the Obama Administration — the largest expansion of national and community service since the Great Depression. As an advocate and organizer, Greg helped lead the “Save AmeriCorps” campaign of 2003 that successfully restored funding to the marquee national service program.
He is a member of the board of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University, LIFT Los Angeles, the New Politics Leadership Academy, and serves as a board member and President Emeritus of the Social Impact Fund. He holds a B.A. with high honors from Tufts University and a J.D. from Cardozo School of Law in New York City.
Dr. Dave Caplan, PhD
Writer & Executive Producer of ABC’s “The Conners”
Dr. Dave Caplan, PhD
Writer and Executive Producer Dave Caplan has enjoyed a career in network prime-time television and feature films that spans more than 30 years. He is currently writer/Executive Producer and co-showrunner of ABC’s “The Conners,” and previously served as writer and Co-Executive Producer on the acclaimed “Roseanne” revival. That show was the highest-rated scripted show in a decade.
Among ABC’s other shows that Caplan has written and executive produced are “George Lopez,” “The Drew Carey Show” (showrunner), “Norm,” starring Norm MacDonald, and the ‘90s cult hit “Dinosaurs.” He was also writer/Executive Producer/co-showrunner of the FX series “Anger Management.” His other notable shows include “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose” and TNT’s police/medical drama “Rizzoli and Isles.” Caplan has been signed to several exclusive talent deals with major studios, where he developed new shows and consulted on numerous others. He has won numerous awards, including the Humanitas certificate and Environmental Media Award. Caplan has been quoted in many national publications and blogs, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Entertainment Tonight Online, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, CinemaBlend, The Wrap, Refinery 29 and several others.
Caplan holds a PhD in Psychology, focusing on media-related issues, from Fielding Graduate University. Having conducted original research into story’s influence on audience empathy, he regularly speaks at schools and universities on topics ranging from media and news literacy to audience psychology and narrative persuasion. Caplan is an advisor to the Civic Health Project, which aims to decrease toxic partisanship and polarization.
Caplan is represented by management agency Odenkirk-Provissiero Entertainment.
Eric K. Ward
Executive Vice President, Race Forward, and Senior Advisor, Western States Center
Eric K. Ward
A nationally-recognized expert on the relationship between authoritarian movements, hate violence, and preserving inclusive democracy, Eric brings over 30 years of leadership in community organizing and philanthropy to his roles as Western States Center’s Executive Director and Senior Fellow with Southern Poverty Law Center and Race Forward. Since Eric took the helm in 2017, Western States Center has become a national hub for innovative responses to white nationalism, antisemitism, and structural inequality, towards a world where everyone can live, love, work, and worship free from bigotry and fear.
In his 30+ year civil rights career, Eric has worked with community groups, government and business leaders, human rights advocates, and philanthropy as an organizer, director, program officer, consultant, and board member. Currently Co-Chair for The Proteus Fund, Eric is a member of the Pop Culture Collaborative’s Pluralist Visionaries Program and the recipient of the Peabody-Facebook Futures Media Award. Eric is in high demand as a speaker and media source, and is the author of multiple written works credited with key narrative shifts, including “Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism.” He has been quoted in The New Yorker, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, ESPN, NPR, BBC, Rolling Stone and numerous other media outlets, and regularly publishes on Medium and The Oregon Way blog. Eric is working on a forthcoming documentary about whiteness and race in America and is an aspiring singer-songwriter under the name of Bulldog Shadow.
Rob Long
Writer & Producer, “Cheers”; Co-Founder, Ricochet
Rob Long
Rob Long is a writer and producer in Hollywood. He began his career writing and producing TV’s long-running “Cheers,” and served as co-executive producer in its final season. During his time on the series, “Cheers” received two Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe awards. Mr. Long has been twice nominated for an Emmy Award, and has received a Writers Guild of America award. He continues to work in film and television in Los Angeles and New York.
He is the co-founder of the podcast network Ricochet. Along with a series of podcasts that garner four to five million downloads per month, it’s alsonan online community for discussion and conversation from the center/right perspective.
His weekly podcast, Martini Shot, is available here and all podcast platforms. He writes regularly for The Washington Examiner and Commentary Magazine, and had been a Contributing Editor at National Review since 1993.
In recent years, he has been a columnist at The Spectator (London), The National (Abu Dhabi’s English-language newspaper), and The Observer.
His first book, Conversations with My Agent, chronicled his early career in television. It was published in the UK by Faber & Faber, in the US by Dutton, and in France by Actes Sud. His second book, Set Up, Joke, Set Up, Joke, was published in November 2005 by Bloomsbury.
His most recent book is Bigly: Donald Trump in Verse, published in October 2017 by Regnery.
Mr. Long graduated from Yale University, and spent two years at UCLA School of Film, Theater and Television, where he occasionally serves as an Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting. He serves as co-president on the Board of Directors of My Friend’s Place, an agency for homeless teens in Hollywood and is on the board of the American Cinema Foundation. He’s also an active and passionate member of the Southern Foodways Alliance.
On Twitter and Instagram, he’s rcbl.
Shamil Idriss
Chief Executive Officer, Search for Common Ground
Shamil Idriss
Shamil Idriss is CEO of Search for Common Ground (Search), an international non-profit organization whose mission is to transform the way the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches toward cooperative solutions. With over 1,000 staff working in 30 countries, Search is the largest dedicated peacebuilding NGO and was nominated by the Quakers for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. Understanding the power of media and narrative to amplify excluded perspectives and to influence social norms, Search produces hundreds of hours of dramatic and “reality” media programs through TV, radio and digital platforms each year, reaching tens of millions of people in conflict-affected societies. Prior to his current role, Idriss was the CEO of Soliya where he led a public-private sector coalition to establish the field of virtual exchanges. In 2005, he was appointed by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as Deputy Director of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. He served on the Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum’s Council of 100 Leaders and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders and recipient of the 2015 Open Society Foundation’s New Executive Award.
Riaz Patel
Executive Producer, Two-time Emmy and NAACP Image Award Nominee
Riaz Patel
Riaz Patel is an Executive Producer/Director of TV series & media projects that create ‘perspectiveshifting’ experiences for real people. He has been nominated for Two Emmy-Awards, an NAACP Image Award, a Women’s Image Network (WIN) Award for creatively leading shows like HOW DO I LOOK? forNBC/Universal, HOW TO LOOK GOOD NAKED for Lifetime, FAMILY SOS WITH JO FROST for TLC, RACE TO ESCAPE for Discovery and many others. His shows have been filmed in twenty-one countries and distributed worldwide by companies like Discovery, A&E, MTV, NBC/Universal, Hulu, & Netflix. His most recent project, “The RAD Impact Awards” featured Priyanka Chopra, Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron, Laverne Cox & Travis Scott and earned 138.4 million impressions online. He is represented worldwide by ICM Partners.
Beyond the “screen world,” Riaz has also created entertainment-based solutions for real world problems: immersive “perspective-shifting” experiences that can catalyze change very quickly with a completely unconventional approach.
The first of those projects is a ten-year collaboration with The Jenesse Center, a domestic violence shelter in Los Angeles, to offer authentic ‘Self-Esteem Makeovers’ for victims of domestic violence. For his creation of ‘The Style Center at Jenesse’ – a physical boutique/salon within the shelter itself, Riaz was awarded the Silver Rose Award from Halle Berry, a special commendation from the City of Los Angeles, and the project was recently featured in a pivotal scene of the hit Netflix scripted series, MAID, about domestic violence.
Working directly with HRH Princess Reema of Saudi Arabia (currently the Saudi Ambassador to the US), Riaz creates tv programs and interactive workshops for millions of women in her nation. His work is specifically focused on helping women develop their personal identity and sense of self as they begin pursuing new rights, opportunities, careers, and dreams as equal citizens.
In reaction to the growing “divide” in America – and our social media-induced communication crisis – Riaz created The EPIC System, a new framework that changes HOW we talk about divisive issues. Forbes describes EPIC as: “Refreshingly elegant and simple, but under-girded by sound behavioral science, The EPIC System is a game changer for those working to build bridges while breaking down walls.” Riaz & his EPIC System have been mentioned in Forbes, The Washington Post, CNN, The Blaze, The Daily Beast, and The Huffington Post. EPIC is currently taught at universities, high schools, companies, and places of worship.
After seven years of testing, in 2022 Riaz will launch ConnectEffect, a 60-minute in-person experience, that will take large groups of total strangers – from all sides – and quickly emotionally connect them to each other. Once “connected” the audience will have desperately-needed conversations with each other about the real issues that are dividing them – but with real connection, compassion & understanding.
S.J. Murray
Emmy-nominated Writer and Producer
S.J. Murray
SJ MURRAY (Ph.D., Princeton) is an Irish-born EMMY®-nominated writer and producer (IMDb), award-winning director, and author. She is known for Primary Concern (2013, for which she was nominated for an EMMY for writing and producing), the Netflix hit Liberated: The New Sexual Revolution(2017), The Need to Grow (2018), executive-produced with Rosario Dawson, Five Years North (2020, an intimate portrayal of U.S. immigration that won Grand Jury Prizes at the Academy-qualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival and DocNYC), and Palliative (“Dying in Her Mother’s Arms”), a viral NYT OpDoc that was nominated for a 2021 News & Documentary EMMY. Her writing, producing, and directing for short-form content has also been recognized with numerous international creative awards, including the Silver TELLY® for excellence in video and television, and Communicator Awards® of Excellence and Distinction from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts. In 2018, she was selected as one of the #50Women[who]Can change the media & entertainment industries, and in 2020 she was awarded the “Film in Action” achievement award from the Ouray International Film Festival. She is a tenured faculty member at Baylor University and lives in Austin, TX.
Dean Batali
Writer & Executive Producer “That 70s Show,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
Dean Batali
Dean Batali worked as a writer on “That 70s Show” for seven years, serving as an executive producer for the show’s final season. He wrote for the initial two seasons of “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer,” and has written for “Duckman,” “The Half-Hour News Hour,” and “The Adventures of Pete and Pete.” He was the head writer for the first season of the DisneyJr series “Puppy Dog Pals” and executive producer and showrunner for the third and fourth seasons of the Hallmark Channel’s “Good Witch.” Before coming to Los Angeles, Dean worked as an actor and playwright for Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle, Washington, and has written and produced numerous musical theater productions. He is a graduate of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and live in Los Angeles with his wife of 35 years, Beth. The have two daughters, Erin and Katharine.
Betsy Levy Paluck
Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs, Princeton University, Macarthur “Genius Award” winner
Betsy Levy Paluck
Betsy Levy Paluck is a Professor and Acting Chair in the Department of Psychology and in the Policy School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Her research is concerned with the reduction of prejudice and conflict, including ethnic and political conflict, youth conflict in schools, and violence against women. She uses large-scale field experiments to test interventions that target individuals’ perceived norms and behavior about conflict and tolerance, including mass media and peer-to-peer interventions. Professor Paluck is a 2017 Macarthur Fellow, and has been the recipient of the Princeton University Graduate Mentor award and the Cialdini Award for field research.
Jo Jensen
Co-Founder of Little Lion Impact
Jo Jensen
Jo Jensen is the Co-Founder of Little Lion Impact. As a serial entrepreneur, Jo has created three successful companies, led non-profits, produced award-winning films, and designed high-profile marketing campaigns. An invited speaker at the White House, Jo’s work has been featured in national news outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, IndieWire, and People Magazine. Jo specializes in impact production for documentaries and earned a Guinness World Record in 2012 for organizing the world’s largest movie premiere with 28,442 people in attendance.
Our Team
JEFFREY ABRAMSON
Deputy Director
JEFFREY ABRAMSON
Jeffrey Abramson has over 25 years of experience leading creative business teams at the intersection of storytelling, culture, technology, and brand marketing. He specializes in innovative creative strategies and guiding teams through uncharted territory.
Currently, he serves as Deputy Director of Bridge Entertainment Labs. Previously, he led partner product marketing for virtual events and audio storytelling at Meta and was the Head of Virtual Reality Content at Warner Bros. Discovery. He also led strategy for brand and strategic investments at Broad Green Pictures, and was an account director for entertainment communications firm Sunshine Sachs Morgan Lyllis.
Jeffrey has collaborated with numerous pioneering start-ups and blue chip companies on product and program launches through culture-driven campaigns, including Acura, American Express, Canon, Delta Air Lines, GATHR, Google, MySpace, REI, and Starbucks. As Co-President Gen Art (a member-supported arts organization turned experiential and content marketing firm), he was instrumental in creating some of the very first branded content and experiential activations for influencer audiences. Additionally, he served as Executive Director and lead programmer of the annual Gen Art Film Festival for over a decade.
He began his career in research at Miramax Films and trend forecasters The L Report and The Intelligence Group, a subsidiary of CAA.
Jeffrey is an advisor to the Recreate Responsibly Coalition and Climate Film Festival and a member of The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. He has previously been a mentor, juror or programmer for various festivals including SXSW, Sundance Film festival and Tribeca Festival.
Jeffrey lives in Los Angeles, by way of New York City, and originally “hails” from St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
KRISTIN HANSEN
Senior Advisor
KRISTIN HANSEN
Kristin is dedicated to accelerating the efforts of academics and practitioners who seek to reduce polarization and improve civil discourse in our citizenry, politics, and media.
In addition to her role at Bridge Entertainment Labs, Kristin serves on the advisory boards of AllSides, Business for America, and Listen First Project. She also serves as a year-round lecturer in Strategic Communications at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Prior to her current work in civil discourse, Kristin held senior executive roles at Intel, IBM, and multiple start-up software companies. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in International Policy Studies from Stanford University, and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
ROB ROMERO
Senior Advisor
ROB ROMERO
Rob Romero co-founded the Civic Health Project following the 2016 presidential election, acknowledging the dangerous reality that increasing animosity and disdain between political factions not only undermines the capacity of our democratic process to yield cooperative and constructive leaders but also, in a more severe scenario, could threaten the very existence of a united nation. Rob is a passionate advocate for research, insights, and tools that help human behavior & biases, social media, and democracy to “play better” together, reducing the corrosive forces of polarization.
Rob is currently the CEO of Connective Capital, an investor in emerging growth companies. Prior to launching Connective, Rob held leadership roles in marketing and engineering at Cisco Systems and various tech startups. Rob earned his BA in Economics, BS in Electrical Engineering, and MS in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University.
ANN REIDY
Director of Strategic Initatives
ANN REIDY
MARIA AGOSTINA BERNIA
Operations & Project Coordinator
MARIA AGOSTINA BERNIA
As the Operations & Project Coordinator at Bridge Entertainment Labs, Maria ensures efficient project management and office organization. She collaborates closely with leadership and stakeholders to oversee daily operations and ensure timely project delivery.
Maria holds a Master’s Degree in Digital Business from San Andrés University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Entertainment Management from Universidad Argentina de la Empresa in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before joining Bridge Entertainment Labs, she gained experience working at the Buenos Aires City Government as a Staff Manager, as well as holding roles in renowned companies such as EY, Paramount, and Warner Bros Discovery, focusing on project management and content development.
SOL MADERO
Research & Operations Assistant
SOL MADERO
Sol Madero holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Catholic University of Córdoba. With a strong background in managing social impact initiatives, she has expertise in project and operations management, fundraising, and strategic partnerships. Sol has successfully led various nonprofit projects, driving growth and fostering collaborative relationships across sectors.
CAMBRIA FINDLEY-GRUBB
Digital Marketing Manager
CAMBRIA FINDLEY-GRUBB
As the Social Media and Web Marketing Manager, Cambria amplifies the message of decreasing affective polarization through the organization’s social media and web presence.
Cambria has worked to leverage community members in volunteerism and civic engagement through the American Red Cross and UNICEF USA. In addition, Cambria completed a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in Nova Scotia, Canada, studying the impact of education policy on indigenous populations and examining issues of educational justice. Cambria holds a Triple BA in Political Science, Peace Studies, and Religious Studies from Chapman University, and a MA in Political Communication from the University of Florida.
Culture may be the last thing standing in this country that can bridge our divides.
Eric K Ward, Executive Director, Western States
Center and BEL Advisory Council Member
