Women in Film & Video DC

Jacquie Greff has been involved in the production industry since 1990 when her husband, Kraig Greff, founded Tonal Vision, initially a music and audio production house.  In 2002, she accepted an early retirement package from Procter & Gamble and joined Tonal Vision full time.  The company chose to remain small to allow Kraig to continue his music career.  Currently, Jacquie is responsible for all aspects of video production, as well as managing and marketing the business, which has a staff of 4-6.

Prior to Procter & Gamble, Jacquie had her BA in Chemistry and an MBA.  She earned her law degree while working at P&G, where she worked in R&D Regular Affairs.  At Tonal Vision, Jacquie studied for her MA in Producing Film & Video at American University and volunteered for 6 years as President and Treasurer of TIVA, including the pivotal period when then ITVA split off from MCAI.

Jacquie’s work has helped Tonal Vision earn a series of Peer, Telly, and other awards, as well as many film festival appearances.

Send email to Jacquie Greff.

Robin Farmer is an author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and journalist. The narrative thread in all of her work focuses on magnifying the underexplored world of young female protagonists defying the odds.

Her Catholic upbringing in Philadelphia spurred tons of guilt and stories, including her debut YA novel, Malcolm and Me, adapted from her own screenplay. Her stories have earned her fellowships at WIFV, Stowe Story Labs and the University of Michigan as well as residencies that include Hedgebrook, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) and Djerassi. Her screenplay accolades include Nicholl Fellowships, the Athena Film Festival, PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and Roadmap Writers.

As Director of the Virginia Screenwriters Forum (VSF), which elevates the scripts of emerging and seasoned writers, Robin created a national screenplay contest (First Act, First Look) and launched an annual short film showcase to inspire members to produce and direct their own screenplays. The showcase inspired her to direct and produce two of her original shorts. Robin knew at the age of 8 she wanted to write. She is a former investigative journalist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and a general assignment reporter at The Hartford Courant.

She also serves on the James Branch Cabell Library Associates Board at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Fellows Council for VCCA and is a proud member of James River Writers. In her spare time she tries to roller skate backward with swagger.

Send email to Robin Farmer.

Carla Sandy has more than 14 years of experience in the audiovisual industry, serving as cofounder and CFO of Sandy Audio Visual. This award-winning company specializes in live event support, audiovisual consulting, and installation services, offering high-quality solutions for a range of clients. Carla is also a medical doctor, bringing a unique and valuable perspective to the AV industry, bridging the gap between technology and healthcare.

Carla’s involvement with WIFV includes serving as a workshop panelist, where she shares her extensive knowledge with fellow members, and actively participating in various programming activities. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science from Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL, in 1997, and she earned her Medical Doctor degree from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. Additionally, she holds a Certified Technology Specialist certificate, obtained in 2012, underscoring her commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and innovation. Carla’s diverse background and strong commitment to the WIFV community make her a valuable asset, poised to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s continued success and growth.

Sandra Brennan started her career as an intern at WTTG-TV, now FOX 5, and later, at WBUR-FM.  She likes news and storytelling, but found her producing niche in educational settings – first at Georgetown University, and later, at Fairfax County Public Schools, one of the largest public school systems in the nation. At FCPS, Sandra created videos and interactive, online courses for staff certification, parent outreach, teacher training and student enrichment. She enjoyed the challenge of using technology to support the needs of a diverse, multilingual audience as she crafted scripts, recorded videos, edited material, produced podcasts, and developed live, studio centered-programming. Autism awareness, language acquisition and waste water science are just a few of the topics she highlighted in the course of her work. Sandra was the recipient of numerous Telly and Communicator awards, as well as local Emmy nominations during this time period. Currently, Sandra is developing her own narrative scripts and documentary projects, after taking full advantage of WIFV resources, such as SCRIPTDC, and volunteering on short, locally produced films. Her non-media time includes a few mornings each month serving as a docent at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, facilitating brief talks about some very cool objects. Sandra is a graduate of Boston University

Connie St. John has been an industry executive for more than 30 years. She began her entertainment career in publicity at Columbia TriStar Television in Los Angeles. She then joined Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. in Atlanta, first in their TNT Originals division, then heading the PR department for Turner Program Services, the syndication division. Connie then joined Harpo Productions, managing PR for Oprah Winfrey. While there, she successfully pitched the idea for what would become Oprah’s Angel Network. She also oversaw the PR campaign for Oprah Runnin’ Wild with Tina, traveling on tour with Oprah and Tina Turner. Later, Connie joined the Public Responsibility department at Sara Lee Corporation, where she and her team addressed issues of concern for women and minorities on a local, national, and global scale.

In 1999, Connie returned to LA and founded her production company No Weapon Productions, which produces family friendly entertainment for the screen and stage. Her award-winning first short film, THE MESSAGE, screened in festivals around the country, as well as at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Her second short film, ASUNDER, was also screened at Cannes. In addition to writing shorts, television spec scripts, and full-length features, Connie has written and produced more than 100 stage plays and skits.

While in LA, Connie launched the marketing department of the Entertainment Industry Foundation and served as the executive director of various nonprofit companies, including the Neighborhood Music School.

After 20 years in California, Connie returned to Washington, DC in 2019. She re-launched No Weapon Productions, and established a consulting company, the St. John Consulting Group, through which she works with cultural influencers. She also serves on the executive board of the number one arts school in the country, L.A. County High School for the Arts.

Alison Bauer began acting in DC theater and film 12 years ago and recently wrapped up a 30-year career in the classroom. She is fresh off the set of Studio Theatre’s At the Wedding as an understudy for Holly Twyford and is currently understudying at Studio Theatre for Nancy Robinette in Problems with Sisters. She has performed in the DC Fringe Festival, Source Festival and for Peter’s Alley Theater. Using connections through WIFV members, Alison was able to integrate elements of documentary filmmaking and storytelling into mandated curricula to create high quality learning experiences for her students. As an actor and crew member, Alison has worked on many WIFV 48 Hour Film Projects. She is also a member of a remarkably creative team of filmmakers (connected through WIFV!) who have produced indie films using drama, magical realism and fantasy to examine issues of postpartum depression, body image, and the elusive balance between self, career, and family. These films have been official selections in film festivals worldwide.

Virginia Bertholet was raised in Staunton, VA where she attended girl schools, taking a film class, and falling in love with visual storytelling.  With a BS in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, she took off for New York, Los Angeles, etc.; eventually coming back home to Virginia to pursue her career path.

Virginia has worked in movie development, run a production company, and worked for the Virginia Film Office, but has concentrated mostly on commercials – including 8 years at the nationally known Martin Agency.  She’s also worked on long format: docs, short films, and development on a feature film.  And has received over 125 awards for work executed for others (as producers do!), as well as original work.  She has taught production and the business of filmmaking at VCU’s School of the Arts’ Cinema Program (and GMU) and continues to mentor former students as she pays it forward.

Candice Bloch is a creator. She has over a dozen years of experience as a Director of Digital Media, producing and editing both video productions and graphic exhibits that illustrate key aspects of auto safety defect litigation cases. Her work not only helps provide justice and compensation for victims of defective vehicle design, but has even been used to successfully lobby for improved safety standards. She believes in the power of using visual storytelling for advocacy and education as well as entertainment. In addition, Candice enjoys doing occasional freelance art production work for any variety of screen-based media, whether it be short or long format, episodic or stand-alone, documentary or narrative. She is also a producer and host of WIFV’s podcast, “MediaMaker Spotlight,” and enjoys interviewing industry professionals on the show and creating much of the podcast’s visual marketing materials.

She earned a degree in American Studies from the University of Maryland with concentrations in Media and Popular Culture. She has also studied film editing and production at Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. In addition to mediamaking, Candice is a visual artist and sculptor that specializes in three-dimensional mediums. She has studied art domestically and abroad, and continues to hone her craft, working and collaborating throughout the region. She is an ever-curious creative that wholly embraces the entirety of the quote, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

Alyscia Cunningham is a multifaceted artist, recognized as an award-winning author, filmmaker, tactile artist, and photographer. Her advocacy extends to ensuring her art is accessible for all to experience. Her work has graced esteemed platforms such as Smithsonian, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and AOL.

At the core of Alyscia’s artistic journey is a profound dedication to impactful storytelling through her documentaries and horror films. These works address pressing issues surrounding women’s beauty and health, portraying resilience and triumph over adversity, inspiring and challenging audiences alike.

Rooted in her identity as a first-generation Trinidadian American, Alyscia draws inspiration from Caribbean folklore and life lessons shared by her elders. This rich cultural heritage fuels her creative filmmaking endeavors.

As the founder of Her House Media, Alyscia is an advocate for women of color in film, championing their voices and stories. Her impactful contributions have earned recognition from prestigious platforms such as Forbes ‘The Next 1000’ and the American Express 100 for 100 Program. Additionally, Alyscia has lent her voice to important campaigns like Stop the Beauty Madness, aiming to transform beauty paradigms globally.

Alyscia’s commitment to community led to the founding of Brown Women in the Arts, nurturing BIPOC women in the arts, and co-organizing Reel Moms with Women in Film & Video, supporting working moms in film and TV. Her future goals include producing impactful films and photo books that challenge and inspire.

Sharon Derby is an accomplished communications professional with the ability to conceptualize, organize and implement complex campaigns for clients across a broad spectrum of industries including national retail chains, non-profit, and small businesses.

Born in Washington DC and raised with her parents and three sisters on the Eastern Shore surrounded by domestic animals, Sharon has lived in Pasadena for over twenty-five years and is active in multiple local dog training and rescue organizations. She spends her free time practicing yoga and dance, and enjoys travel, photography and boating with her husband, Robert Hayes who is the Technical Director at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore.

With a Bachelor of Science in Communications emphasizing Film Production from Towson State University, Sharon began her professional career as production assistant at Maryland Public Television. She then joined the studio crew of the News At Ten on WBFF. After that she was the Facility Coordinator at Flite Three Studios for three years before returning to WBFF as a commercial writer/director/producer. After two years there, Sharon was recruited by Horich Hector Lebow Advertising where she served as Executive Producer for seventeen years. She was an active member of WIFV Baltimore from 1990 until 1997 and served on board committees for two of those years.

In 2015 Sharon decided to expand her experiences by accepting the position of Director of Marketing at Solar Energy World where her retail promotion campaigns were often enhanced with lobbying for renewable energy incentives at the state level. When the company discontinued the in-house marketing department in 2019, she was hired as a part time employee by Jacquie Greff to manage the creation, design and copywriting of blog articles, press releases and digital assets to promote the professional services available at Tonal Vision. She continues to collaborate with Jacquie as a freelance videographer and director.

Since 2021 Sharon also works for TowBoatUS Baltimore/Annapolis by managing the company’s online presence through elevating website content and brand advancement, as well as assisting customers with on-the-water services and communications.

With more than 25years of communications experience, Sharon has earned a reputation for creative excellence and consistent completion of projects on time and within budget. Currently writing and developing fresh treatments for multiple projects, Sharon specializes in everything from live or taped studio and remote recordings to post-production for programs and advertising use in TV, print, radio and digital media.

Alan J. Field graduated from James Madison University’s School of Music and began his career as a jazz music orchestrator who aspired to be a film score composer. Now a managing member of ThrillRide Media, he has practiced law for twenty-five years, representing songwriters, indie film directors and producers along the way. Alan has also penned one novel, seven screenplays, and one pilot, and is co-producing his first feature film.

Alan has attended many WIFV events, including ScriptDC, since he first joined in 2018 and has recommended speakers for group webinars. He recently earned a senior-level Project Management certification while working for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This year, his feature film screenplay, a 2023 WIFV Fellowship selection, won the grand prize in Fade In’s True Story/Biopic Screenplay Contest.

Cadie Hopkins’ story is one of service, creativity, and storytelling in the national security space across the federal government, private sector, and as a woman founder and entrepreneur. She channels her experience as a former Intelligence Officer in her current role as Co-Founder of Iron Butterfly Media, a growing media platform that amplifies the voices of women in national security, sustainability, and other service-oriented careers through podcasts, film, and a nonprofit foundation.

Cadie is a builder of communities. Recognizing the need for greater support and visibility for women in national security, she has founded and led multiple organizations — including 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations — dedicated to mentorship, advocacy, and personal development. She has built and led the only community serving thousands of women intelligence officers, and she co-founded the Command Purpose Foundation, a non-profit supporting women veterans as they rediscover their purpose upon retirement from military service. Cadie hopes to shape the future by empowering the next generation of women storytellers and leaders.

Tara Jabbari graduated in 2011 from Bradley University with a B.A. in E.lectronic Media. She worked for nonprofits in their media department in the USA and New Zealand for a couple of years. She produced, edited, and marketed online videos for nonprofits on their missions. She also helped share stories such as people escaping religious persecution and teenagers building a better community throughout the globe.  She went on to get her M.A. in Communication, Culture & Technology from Georgetown University. Her research concentrated on two things: marketing in the digital age and how technology can be used as a productive tool for communication despite differences such as generational gaps and locations. She freelances with nonprofits, small businesses and influencers to help with their online presence. Her duties have included editing video, social media marketing and producing podcasts.  Some of her work included spearheading the first online campaign for GoodWeave, a nonprofit advocating for child labor-free products. Within her first week of working for them, their reach increased by 80% and their online audience has continued to steadily grow. She also worked on producing and marketing for the Lauren Ignited Podcast, contacting and scheduling potential guests to interview and participant for the podcasts 5,000+ listeners and online followers each week.  Jabbari serves as the WIFV Liaison with Women in Film and Television-US (WIFT-US).

Anna Jhirad was in a Ph.D. program in French and Italian, when she realized that her real love was film. She switched to earn a Masters in film production; launched her first documentaries (exploring the racial violence in Boston); and landed at WGBH, the local Boston PBS station. Since then, she has been a writer/producer on many films on topics from history/biography to science/environmental issues. She has worked with numerous PBS stations, but also with international IMAX Films and independent film producers on programs, a number of which have won significant awards (Emmy, Cine Golden Eagle, Dupont Columbia Award, among others). She has been active in WIFV as a workshop panelist/speaker and as program attendee. She served for a number of years on the Board of Directors for Docs in Progress in Silver Spring, MD, which supports experienced and emerging filmmakers. She is currently directing a historical film on Washington, D.C.’s struggle for representation in Congress.

Michelle Kim, freshly out of college, started as an intern and PA in 2002.  She quickly found her place at the edit desk and is currently the owner of the video production and photography company, We3Kims, LLC.  Through her company she has had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, keeping her days full of new and fascinating subjects.

She graduated with BA from Drexel University.  Through her 20 years in the industry she has received multiple awards for her work.

Michelle joined the WIFV podcast team as editor in 2024. She helped the team through the rebranding transition and is working to keep the show on schedule.  Go Team!

Susan Lutz is a multi-platform content creator, educator, and artist with over fifteen years of experience in the non-fiction space. She has produced over 300 hours of award-winning nonfiction programming for television cable networks including Food Network, HGTV, DIY, A&E, and History. She has served a variety of roles in the production world from art researcher to supervising producer and is currently a writer-producer for Wondrium, an online learning company best known for The Great Courses.

Susan is the recipient of two Cine Golden Eagle Awards, a 2023 Buzzie nomination for “Most Innovative Factual Program/Program of the Year” and a Parsons Fund Grant for Ethnography at the Library of Congress American Folklife Center. She has an MFA from Art Center College of Design and a BA from UVA.

For the past eight years, Susan has been a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a philanthropic organization of women in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, serving on the board of directors and chair of the Green Tables Committee from 2018—2019. She would love to have the opportunity of using her non-profit board experience to serve the WIFV community, which has been so kind to her on both a professional and personal level.

Shaunda Patterson-Strachan, a graduate of Hampton University and GW Law, is an attorney who, after nearly 20 years as a law firm partner, recently commenced a new journey as a member of the in-house legal team of a locally-based corporation. Known as a thought leader, she has presented at national legal and industry conferences, held leadership roles in law-focused organizations, and landed on the national “Best Lawyers” list for consecutive years. But her leadership extends beyond the law. Shaunda has, since 2012, served on and, since 2022, chaired the board of Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY), which serves some of the most vulnerable young people in the DC metropolitan area. Under her leadership, SBY’s board created an arts committee, which seeks to ensure SBY is deliberate about efforts to expose youth in its care to the arts, including film, and provide avenues for them to develop skills, whether in furtherance of passion or vocation. Shaunda is also privileged to be on the board for Video | Action, further allowing her to align her desire to serve with her interest in film and the industry. Finally, Shaunda has also enjoyed appearing in and supporting production on her daughter’s films.

Renata Phillippi will bring her background in user experience, storytelling, and systems design to support and strengthen this creative community. Though her career has spanned civic tech, digital transformation, and design strategy—from leading multimillion-dollar initiatives at Apple to spearheading user-centered government reform as a Presidential Innovation Fellow—storytelling has always been at the heart of her work. As a WIFV member, she has participated in the 48 Hour Film Project, Film Club, and Women of Vision. These programs have not only brought joy but reminded her of the powerful role film plays in shaping culture and driving change.

Malikkah Rollins is the Director of Industry and Education at DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in the U.S. Malikkah brings 15 years of education experience to her DOC NYC role. She is a former Sundance Collab Community Leader, D Word Ambassador, and is on the board of Women in Film and Video (Washington, DC). As a mental health professional for a decade, she recently co-founded  Documentality, a new initiative designed to elevate the conversation around mental health in the documentary community.   Malikkah was a 2019 Docs in Progress Fellow and has held a variety of producer roles on several feature and short documentaries. When she’s not busy watching films, Malikkah likes to plot her next international travel adventure and make homemade ice cream.

For several years Lisa Scott was a Washington DC catering chef whose work life was literally a party, as she hopped from one high-powered DC event to the next in the nations’ capital… with a variety of long, sharp knives. But after years of feeding some of the most prestigious people in politics Lisa discovered she is plagued with a vivid fantasy life, filled with fantastic daydreams and has declared, “it is no longer my destiny to feed people’s bellies.  My destiny is to feed people’s imaginations… with my storytelling.”

And so, she began writing… writing… and writing unique and interesting stories about people who have traditionally been unrepresented in Hollywood films, giving a voice to those who need to be heard. Lisa has placed well in major screenwriting awards, including Athena Film Festival and TV Lab, and twice placed in the Top 5% of the Nicholl Fellowship.  Lisa has been a part of several small and independent productions. She started her own production company, 51st State Productions where she penned, directed, and produced a TV pilot Bud Appétit which is set here in Washington, DC.

Sheila Smith is an award-winning director of photography and Steadicam owner/operator with extensive experience filming political spots, documentaries, television, commercials, independent features, PSAs, dance, and music. She’s worked for political firms like Dixon Davis, SKDK, Braun Films, and production companies like Brooklapping, (BBC), PBS, NBC, ABC, Lifetime, and many others. She specializes in lighting, political spots, commercials, visual storytelling and Steadicam. She has Sony FX9 and F5 camera packages with lenses, lighting, Steadicam, etc. She travels across the country, and the world, working on corporate videos, television and documentaries. Among a long list of awards, she was recently recognized for Best Cinematography for Feature Film in the North Europe International Film Festival in London in 2020. Sheila was named Woman of Vision by WIFV in 2009 and has been an active WIFV member since 1990.

Judith Snyderman is a freelance producer who has worked across digital media platforms for news organizations, private sector companies, and government agencies. Currently, she is a contract senior producer for AARP.org and an assignment-based location news producer for the U.S. Foreign Press Center’s media cooperative. She continues to provide archival image and footage research services to independent documentary filmmakers. Previously, she wrote, produced and directed feature television segments for syndicated magazine shows including HISPANICS TODAY, RETIREMENT LIVING HEALTHLINE, and international broadcasts at Voice of America. Print assignments included home and style features for Washingtonian magazine. Judith has a M.S. degree in broadcast television production from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications. She has served previously served on the WIFV Board of Directors.

sheri ratick stroud graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Theatre. After marriage she moved to New Jersey where she spent 4 years in the administrative offices of the Paper Mill Playhouse, as the Director of Group Sales and Volunteer Services. Upon returning to DC she was hired by the Kennedy Center to produce the Holiday Festival. Leaving there Sheri spent 2 years on cable TV as a segment of the Shoppers Club of Virginia where she gained some local notoriety. Sheri was also part of the Once Upon a Mime traveling children’s theatre troupe. More recently Sheri has been directing, winning the Best Director and Best Production awards for her production of Agnes of God. In the 2019 Capital Fringe Festival, the play she directed, Stuck received 4 out of 5 stars from the reviewers. In 2010 Sheri formed Wonder Pictures along with Rich West of West Production Services. Their first short SPANISH LESSON won a Silver Leaf Award at the Mexico Film Festival in 2011. Their second film THE LAST PAPERBOY won the silent film competition sponsored by Signature Theatre. In 2020, PAPERBOY was selected to be screened at the Rehoboth Film Festival and also won a Recognition Award in the Accolade Global Film Competition along with SPANISH LESSON and their latest film HEROES’ HONEYMOON. In addition to acting and producing, Sheri has also served as a judge for the DC Shorts Film Festival, for the American University’s Media That Matters short script writing contests, for the DC Shorts script writing contest, and has served on selection panels for grants for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Melissa J. Houghton joined Women in Film & Video (WIFV) as Executive Director in August 2005.  WIFV serves 900 media professionals and program provision exceeds 200 professional development offerings annually since 2020.  The Narrative Script Development Fellowship was established in 2023 and the Documentary Development Fellowship was established in 2024 under her direction. WIFV serves as a fiscal sponsor of independent media projects, and provides the Seed Fund for Documentary Filmmakers, and the WIFV Narrative Short Film Finishing Fund in its portfolio of programs that benefit members.  Houghton excels at putting WIFV resources, connections and advocates at the service of WIFV members.

Houghton has served on the boards of the DC Architectural Foundation, DC Film Alliance, and Wide Angle Youth Media.  She is currently a member of the WETA Community Council and the FAVS Advisory Board at George Mason University.

Send email to Melissa J. Houghton.