Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, CEO & Co-Founder, Chocolate Tribe

An attorney, creative business entrepreneur and aspiring writer, Nosipho is a multi-potentialite that thrives in idea synthesis, rapid learning and adaptability. With a passion for storytelling and breathing life into concepts in visually realisttic ways, but also a passion for advocating strongly for creatives, Nosipho co-founded Chocolate tribe in 2014. Nosipho graduated with a master's in law and Political Justice at the University of London, Birkbeck College.

Nosipho has helped cultivate Chocolate Tribe into a professional Animation and VFX studio that not only produces work of the highest international standard, but with its over 25 years of industry experience; Chocolate Tribe is a studio that aspires to harness and develop the potential of young talent in the Animation and VFX industry.

As the owner and CEO of Chocolate Tribe, Nosipho continues to be an advocate for growth, training and development. Nosipho has been pivotal in brokering both local and international deals that has seen Chocolate Tribe increase its client base.

Nosipho is also the founder of AVIJOZI an animation, VFX and interactive event, that is meant to empower the youth to access opportunities in this industry.

Imke Fehrmann, Global Head of Production, RISE | Visual Effects Studios

Imke Fehrmann, Global Head of Production at RISE | Visual Effects Studios, has been producing Animation and Visual Effects for almost 30 years. She has been managing and producing innovative projects all around the world, building and leading creative teams.

Since the beginning of her career, she has been passionate about the art of VFX and animation, and the people who create it. Imke offers a wide range of global experience in animation and VFX production and has successfully worked in Producer roles for Animal Logic and Lucasfilm and as Executive VFX Producer for Framestore and Rodeo FX. 

Imke works as a mentor coach for WIA Women in Animation, and has been an active member of WIA and VES for years. In 2018, she was also a founding member of the German Initiative for Women in Animation, VFX and Visual Arts, and is member of the board of the Animation Association Germany as deputy chair. 

In 2016, Imke began collaborating with award winning filmmaker and journalist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, initially starting with mentoring and coaching of Waadi Animations team in Karachi, Pakistan. Imke has been Lead Producer on Sitara: Let Girls Dream, the first ever Pakistan animated short film that qualified for the Academy Awards.

Imke is also working as coach and recently began the process to be an ICF-certified coach to support diverse and creative teams globally and to help animation and VFX professionals to bring out their best selves while working, collaborating and communicating - with creativity and empathy.

Julie Ann Crommett, Founder & CEO, Collective Moxie

Julie Ann “JAC” Crommett (she/her/ella) has been working in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space for over fourteen years leading disruptive, systemic change across media and tech. As Founder and CEO of Collective Moxie, Julie Ann works with organizations large and small on revolutionizing their DEI strategies through inclusive storytelling practices, accountability, and internal/external community partnership. In partnership with The Black List and several organizations, Julie Ann spearheaded the creation of the first-ever GA List to amplify writers from and with strong affiliation to the state of Georgia.

Previously, she was Vice President of Multicultural Audience Engagement at The Walt Disney Studios spearheading efforts to diversify talent in front of and behind the camera, connect creative projects more closely to the communities they touch, and build a more inclusive culture within the Studios. Her team contributed to many projects including ENCANTO, SOUL, COCO, BLACK PANTHER, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON, and WEST SIDE STORY as well as launching the critically acclaimed Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator, an industry-leading program guaranteeing up to six directors from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to produce a short film for Disney+. Julie Ann was also instrumental in Disney's library review process leading to a revised content advisory and proactive resources for families to discuss negative stereotypes in media. In partnership with Disney CEO Bob Iger, she launched and co-chaired the company's first-ever Creative Inclusion Council dedicated to increasing inclusion and accountability in Disney's creative endeavors.

Before Disney she was Google’s Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief leading their efforts to shift and diversify on-screen perceptions of computer science through storytelling (a position she created) as well as having led Google’s DEI efforts in Latin America. She started her DEI career at NBCUniversal managing behind-the-camera diversity programs including Writers on the Verge and the Directing Fellowship.

Julie Ann has been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter’s 35 under 35, Women in Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA), the IMAGEN Foundation’s Influential Latinos in Entertainment list, and as an ADCOLOR Innovator. She was on the advisory council for the re-launch of Barbie, is a member of BAFTA and the Producers Guild of America, and serves on the boards for the Hispanic Federation, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Woodruff Arts Center (ATL), and Women in Animation. Julie Ann also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for Columbia University’s MFA film program and co-created a new mandatory course with her producing partner on inclusive storytelling.

A proud Puerto Rican and Cuban American, Julie Ann was raised in Atlanta, GA, and earned her BA in English at Harvard University. A true trivia nerd, she also competed on Jeopardy!