Alison Sotomayor

Produced the multi-media campaign commemorating the anniversary of the 1970 National Chicano Moratorium and the death of prominent Los Angeles Times journalist and KMEX-TV News Director Ruben Salazar. Produced and/or supervised the following components of the initiative: 1) a two-hour live virtual film event comprising of a screening of the award-winning film Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle followed by a panel discussion with leading lawmakers, educators, activists and journalists, 2) a companion podcast featuring artists, activists and journalists, 3) a first-of-its kind mural painted on a building in East Los Angeles commemorating the moratorium and Salazar, 4) a billboard in East Los Angeles celebrating Salazar’s life and legacy, 5) an educational curriculum for high school students aligned with Common Core standards, 6) a series of TV specials, podcasts, radio programs, and PSA’s produced in conjunction with Univision/KMEX-TV Los Angeles, and 7) a website to house all campaign elements, including educational resources. • Sole fundraiser for the project, working with large media companies and educational institutions to become current and future partners; secured Univision/KMEX as the event’s media sponsor; was the sole liaison between KMEX and the news team, assisting to book guests and provide content for segments; located/hired muralists; booked and worked with guests to provide answers for podcasts; supervised the curriculum revision/creation; and assisted in developing the website.

Co-produced the three-hour online event which not only showcased the extraordinary work, stories and unique products of Latina-owned small businesses in the U.S., but also featured inspirational celebrity speakers, a spoken word poet, conversations on black and brown unit,y and voter suppression. LatinaFest, in partnership with the Amazon Prime documentary All In: The Fight for Democracy, presented EntrepreneurFest. • Assisted in fundraising for the project, creating new and future partners for LatinaFest; assisted in securing ABC7 Los Angeles as the event’s media sponsor; booked celebrity/inspirational speakers and ensured delivery of their media files; wrote and/or edited various documentation during the production process such as the sponsorship deck, press release, letters of inquiry, etc.; and assisted in all aspects of logistical coordination of the event.

• Produced, researched and fundraised for The Rise and Fall of the Brown Buffalo, a national primetime, PBS documentary broadcasted in March 2018. • Currently managing film festival submissions locally and abroad, and ensuring all deliverables are delivered on schedule. PRODUCTION: o Controlled every aspect of research, production and post-production on a day-to-day basis, including developing story into a production-feasible, fully planned project. o Was primary point of contact for all positions (cast and crew) associated with the film. o Assembled and hired diverse members of the cast and crew and negotiated salaries. o Acquired all camera and audio equipment and transportation for production. o Secured locations of shoot, responsible for all logistics of shoots including creating and completing call sheets and releases, managing cast and crew on the set, being the main point of contact for any concerns and questions during set production, and paid all salaries. o Conducted all archival footage and stills in the film, negotiated rates with vendors and artists, and secured licensing rights of all visuals as all media, worldwide, in perpetuity. o Gained extraordinary access to untouched photographic archives vital to the film, elevating its content and storyline. o Negotiated with attorneys to bring on board Academy Award-winning actor Benicio del Toro as executive producer, as well as former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and current California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as cast members. o Worked closely with the casting agency to supply quality auditions to the director on schedule and became the main point of contact for all things project related after they were casted. o Wrote and delivered all press releases, funding proposals, and production reports. o Worked closely with accountant, supplying accurate information for cost reports. o Worked closely with the attorney to ensure archival used within the Fair Use doctrine was approved. o Partnered with various community organizations whose mission and vision complement the film’s themes in order to have them assist in promotion of the film’s release and screenings. o Secured additional financing for the project and completed all documentation necessary for grant receival and completion. o Responsible for completing and negotiating all insurance contracts, licenses, contracts and other documentation needed for production. POST-PRODUCTION: o Solely oversaw all aspects of the post-production process, maintaining clarity of information and good communication between the director, sound editor, re-recording sound mixer, narrator, graphic artists, composers, other crew members and outside facilities companies. o Solely oversaw, managed and supervised the work of the entire post-production team to ensure content matches the project’s vision and is delivered on time and within budget. o Responsible for hiring the post-production team and negotiating salaries. o Responsible for completing the credits list and working with PBS for final approval. o Responsible for producing various promos for the film, working collaboratively with the narrator, editor, post-production facility and PBS for final approval. o Solely oversaw an extremely comprehensive community engagement campaign including organizing dozens of local and national screenings of the film. o Worked closely with the social media producer to ensure a comprehensive and strategic social media plan was developed, bringing in new Latinx viewers to PBS, as well as young viewers to the national broadcast. o Located and managed the work of several muralists in various, targeted cities creating and installing artwork that promoted the main character and themes focused in the film. o Managed the creation of the DVD and its content/artwork o Worked closely with the web designer to complete and continually update the film’s extensive website. o Responsible for supervising and completing two versions of the film (director’s cut and the PBS/FCC-actional words removed). o Wrote, organized and delivered all written, audio, video and technical deliverables to the major funders and the national distributor (PBS), including final and self-evaluation reports. o Was the key liaison between the project and PBS and CPB executives and directors. o Managed billing, invoices and a wide assortment of other project related paperwork. o Ensured the entire production was completed on time and stayed within budget.

• Reported directly to the president and served as an integral member of the core team • Developed and implemented strategic communication plans to advance the organization’s brand identity, broadened awareness of its programs and priorities, and increased the visibility of its workforce programs and events across key stakeholder audiences • Proven track record of leadership, people development, and relationship management experience in an activist, fast-paced, nonprofit setting • Developed key messages, wrote and distributed press releases and alerts to proactively address public policy and other issues significant to the organization • Researched, wrote and produced short films/videos focusing on the civil rights/media advocacy work of the organization and the work of community leaders, organizations or companies who have helped advance and elevate the Latino community • Strong track record of and unwavering commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in both organizational operations and programs • Demonstrated strong analytical skills, accurately collected, managed and analyzed data, identified issues, offered recommendations and potential consequences, and mitigated risks • Possessed a strong understanding of the current political, social and public policy environment • Built strong collaborative relationships with a diverse range of targeted, high-level external audiences, including funders, partners, key influencers, and media reporters • Proven ability to think ahead, problem solve, engage proactively, and take initiative • Assisted in the production and organization of the organization’s fundraising events and awards ceremonies, including overseeing and managing the red-carpet activities • Wrote and managed content/updates on website, including creating graphic content, and ensuring consistent information (article links, stories, events, press releases) are posted regularly • Worked closely with the organization’s attorneys to disseminate accurate communications on policy and telecommunications issues that impact the Latino community and other marginalized communities of color • Excellent persuasive writing and copy editing, defining issues and arguments accurately and timely • Responsible for writing comprehensive media and public policy-focused fundraising proposals, as well as writing and distributing e-newsletters, print publications and other electronic letters and correspondence of organizational importance • Strong creative and graphic design, publication and layout, including designing event sponsorship decks and other graphics • Supervised the graphic designer in all creative design work for web, social media, and print materials, as well as media walls, banners and event signage • Met deadlines and empowered teams to do their best work • Implemented new, innovative strategies and managed the organization’s first successful Giving Tuesday campaign on the website, on social media and via direct messaging • Possessed energy, maturity, and leadership and served as a force to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels • Possessed a sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters • Proven self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial • Worked closely with the social media manager to ensure content is disseminated in a timely manner • Created and maintained media contact lists • Served as a spokesperson for an official response to media inquiries when needed • Proficiency in Google Suite, Constant Contact, and WordPress

• Produced short documentaries, social change/community projects, fundraising and lifetime achievement award films for the Mexican American Opportunities Foundation, Maravilla Foundation, National Hispanic Media Coalition and other Latino non-profit/for-profit organizations. • Researched visuals for the national PBS documentary, ¿MásBebés?, directed by Academy-Award nominated filmmaker Renee Tajima-Peña (2011) • Researched content and visuals for a documentary on former Los Angeles County Supervisor Ed Edelman, The Passions and Politics of Ed Edelman (2011)