LAunchpad Summit &
DMCT Awards guide
This is your chance to meet, learn from, and connect with many of the most exciting companies in entertainment, media, and sports—and their leaders. Get connected. Get inspired. And get started! This page is your go-to guide for every aspect of the LaunchPad Summit.
You’re in!
The Venue
The LaunchPad Summit takes place at CoCREATE, GE Appliances’ innovative facility and creative playground. Part makerspace, part experience and design center part custom fabrication facility and coffee spot, CoCreate offers a bit of something for everyone.
CoCREATE
47 John Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Parking: there is limited lot parking, and plentiful nearby street parking. There is also an event parking lot behind CoCREATE and accessible via Market Street.
Maximizing your experience
The more prepared you are for the Summit, the more you will get out of it. The day itself is zero pressure and every experience is completely elective. Here are some good ideas:
Read this entire guide 😉
Dress as business casual as possible. No need for a suit.
Bring resumes
Bring a fully charged mobile device and a charger if needed
Bring a note book and a pen
Read about the speakers and their companies BEFORE the Summit. Maybe look at their career page too!
The Plan
The full agenda for the day is below. When you arrive, grab a coffee, a bite to eat, and start making connections. The Headshot Lounge and Career Center will be open all day — stop by anytime. Get ready for a full lineup of inspiring panels, and be sure to take advantage of the breaks to network, meet new people, and make the most of your Summit experience.
Agenda
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Welcome to the LaunchPad Summit. During this time you can get some breakfast and get caffeinated. Network. Hit the Career Center for a headshot or mock interview. And get yourself ready for the day. Opening remarks will begin around 9:45 AM
DOORS OPEN // Registration // Breakfast
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
How to Get In - The Critical Playbooks, Strategies, and Tactics That Launch Careers
Breaking into the worlds of entertainment, media, and sports can feel impossible without the right roadmap — but it’s more possible than you think. In this session, top industry leaders will pull back the curtain on how they made their first moves, sharing the strategies, mindsets, and unconventional paths that helped them get a foot in the door. You'll leave with practical advice, real-world examples, and the confidence to start your own journey.
Former Head of Emerging Talent at Netflix
Corey Twitty
Award-winning Actress, Host, Producer, and Humanitarian
Monique coleman
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Fireside Chat with Kevin Nolan, CEO of GE Appliances
Kevin Nolan leads one of the world’s most iconic brands and has helped reshape GE Appliances through innovation, leadership, and culture. In this fireside chat, Kevin shares lessons from his journey, insights on navigating change, and advice for building a career with impact in today’s fast-moving world.
Kevin Nolan
CEO
GE Appliances
MAkeda Mays Green
SVP
Paramount Nickelodeon
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Navigating the Business of Entertainment & Sports
with special guest Rob Ninkovich
Behind every show, movie, album, team, or brand is a business; and understanding how it all works is key to building a real career. In this session, experts will break down the deals, structures, and financial dynamics that drive entertainment and sports today. You'll learn the basics early-career talent need to know to navigate contracts, ownership, rights, and the forces shaping the industry behind the scenes.
Sports & Entertainment Lawyer
FKKS
Ben Moskowitz
President
NFL Alumni Assc. CT
NIKO Koutivides
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Fireside Chat with Brent Montgomery and David George
Behind some of the biggest hits in television and digital media are leaders who started from scratch and built industry-leading companies. In this fireside chat, Brent Montgomery and David George share real-world lessons from their rise to the top of the industry — and how you can start your own journey. From getting your foot in the door to scaling ideas into major success stories, they'll reveal the strategies, mindsets, and moves that matter most in today’s fast-changing entertainment landscape.
CEO & Founder
Wheelhouse
Brent Montgomery
DAVID George
CEO
ITV America
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
LUNCH // Sponsored by uconn baseball
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM
LaunchPad President Jon Winkel will share exciting news and reveal what’s next for the organization.
The Future of LaunchPad
President
LaunchPad
JOn Winkel
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Today's entertainment leaders aren't just making content — they're creating culture. Courtney White and Makeda Mays Green will share how bold ideas, smart risk-taking, and authentic leadership have powered their careers. Learn what it takes to lead creatively, drive change, and build a career that leaves a real mark on the industry.
Fireside Chat with Courtney White and Makeda Mays Green
President
Wheelhouse Entertainment
Courtney WHite
MAkeda Mays Green
SVP
Paramount Nickelodeon
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
The entertainment and sports industries are evolving faster than ever — and the opportunities for young talent have never been greater. In this session, industry trailblazers will reveal where the next big shifts are happening and how emerging trends in media, tech, and fan engagement are creating new career paths. From the rise of digital content to the growth of esports and streaming, learn how to position yourself for success in the industries of tomorrow.
Media x Sports: Where Opportunity Lives
Ashley Battle
Scout & G-league AGM
Boston Celtics
VP
Wheelhouse Sports
Stan Kaufman
Amanda Castellano
VP
Alliance Bernstein
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Moving Up: Building a Career in Entertainment
The entertainment industry can seem impossible to crack—but with the right insights, strategies, and mindset, you can break through. In this session, top industry leaders will share how they got their start, the real challenges they faced, and the skills and moves that helped them grow lasting, successful careers. From landing that first opportunity to building a reputation that opens new doors, you’ll get actionable advice to navigate and thrive in a competitive field.
Rasheed J. Daniel
Founder & CEO
Team Sheed
Liz Fine
EVP
Wheelhouse Entertainment
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
BREAK
Get a stretch, coffee, or snack in!
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Breaking In: Building Careers in the Creator Economy
The creator economy is booming, but how do you get started — as a creator or on the business side? In this session, we’ll break down the pathways to success, whether you're building your own brand or working with talent, managers, and brands to drive big deals. Get the insider tips, skills, and strategies you need to enter and grow in one of the fastest-growing industries today.
Filmmaker &
Goldburg Family Foundation
Robert Goldburg
CEO & Founder / Creator
Monogram Mary
Brooke Shepard
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
The Journey Forward: Lessons in Resilience, Purpose, and Possibility
To close out an unforgettable day, Marysol Castro, the first female PA announcer in NY Mets history and a longtime TV journalist, joins Dr. Oscar Guerra, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and Associate Professor of Film and Video at UConn for an honest, uplifting conversation. They'll share the real lessons behind their success, the setbacks that shaped them, and the advice they have for the next generation. Whether you're just starting out or building your next move, this session will leave you inspired to take the next step with purpose and passion.
Marysol Castro
PA Announcer, NY Mets
Host, PIX11
Emmy® award-winning director, researcher, and educator
Oscar Guerra
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Break
You’re almost there!
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The DMCT Awards honors the brightest talent in Film, Video & Sound Production, Game & Interactive Media Design, and Motion Design & Animation—the core pillars of our manifesto. These awards recognize creativity, technical excellence, and innovation, spotlighting the next generation of digital media creators and the industry professionals who inspire them.
Digital Media CT Awards
Associate Director & Faculty - Digital Media & Design
University of Connecticut
