Meet the Team

CSS is proud to work with a passionate and diverse group of staff, fellows, interns, advisory council members, and collaborators with experience and expertise in media creation, research, consulting, and advocacy. Since our inception, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility has been at the forefront of everything we do. 42% of our current staff are BIPOC and 33% are LGBTQIA. Scroll through the below lists to learn more about the people working with CSS.

for art, science, and youth well-being

People with Passion

Staff

Founder & CEO

Yalda T. Uhls, PhD, MBA
Alisha J. Hines Director of Research UCLA Center for Scholars and Storytellers

Vice President of Research & Programs

Alisha J. Hines, PhD
Annie Meyers Director of Talent and Operations Center for Scholars and Storytellers

Senior Director of Talent & Operations

Annie Meyers

Senior Researcher

Matt Puretz, M.A.

Director of Special Projects

Nina Linhales Barker, M.A.

Senior Marketing & Development Manager

Haidy Mendez

Entertainment Partnerships + Advocacy Manager

Evadne Eddins

Youth Engagement Program Manager

Rebecca Benoit

Board of Directors

Creator & Host, Teenager Therapy Podcast

Gael Aitor

President and Chief Academic Officer, NROC Project

Ahrash Bissell

Founder & President, Red House Entertainment

Jennifer Blum

Executive & Professor, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Susanne Daniels

Executive Producer, Netflix - Kids & Family

Nancy Kanter

Actress & Social Justice Advocate

Navia Robinson

Advisory Council

Professor, Communication, University of San Diego

Bradley J. Bond

Principal, The Palo Alto Learning Group

Carrie Coltman

Co-Chairperson, HYFLA, Co-Founder, SPA 4 YASC

Iziaih Choquette

Non-Profit Leader, Strategist & Storyteller

Rachel Fleischer

Founder & CEO, The Gotham Group

Ellen Goldsmith

Impact Producer & Founder, Joy Coalition

Joy Gorman

Attorney & Consultant

Laura Gowen

Professor, UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television

George Huang

President, A Very Good Production

Jeff Kleeman

Writer, Producer - Kids & Family

Sascha Paladino

Senior Media Advisor

Jill Sanford

Non-Profit Administration, Legal

Louise Zeitzew

Board Member & Advisor, Early Childhood Education

Vicki Ariyasu

Lynnette Ramirez

Advisor for Strategic Initiatives; Systems Design Expert for Gov., Investors, & Philanthropy

Nancy Santiago

CEO, MAD COOL COMPANY

Jennifer Turner

Director, Center on Media & Human Development, Northwestern

Ellen A. Wartella