Our Board of Directors is a team of accomplished philanthropists and business leaders who volunteer their time, financial support and energies to the long-term direction of the organization.
Jeffrey A. Seder, Esq. Chairman of the Board
David Bernstein Flavia Colgan Lee Dennis Kathryn A. Donohue, Esq. Jon Gorchow Thomas McGloughlin Noel Miles Patrice Miller Sharon Pinkenson Reggie Pollitt Dr. Maurie Pressman Ann Reilly Suzanne Roberts Steve Rosard, Esq. Nina Seder-Burnaford, Esq. Wayne Spilove Rob Stoller Hart Stotter Todd Strine Rick Weiss Chris Wolfington
Staff:
Jeffrey A. Seder Chairman, Co-founder, Executive Director, Big Picture Alliance
A Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Harvard College, Jeff lives on a farm outside Philadelphia with his wife and two children. After graduating he spent two years at a Peace Corps project in Africa, then returned to Harvard and simultaneously completed MBA and JD degrees. Jeff is the founder of EQB (Equine Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology, Inc.), a high tech sports medicine company that has serviced professional sports and Olympic teams and major Thoroughbred racing stables. EQB has developed proprietary data banks and technologies that have helped clients select and campaign major racehorse champions. From 1984-1999, Jeff served as Chairman of the Board of Craftex Mills, Inc., which he helped grow to be the 11th biggest upholstery manufacturer in the USA. While running Craftex and EQB, Jeff has had other business ventures, including co-financing an $11,000,000 hospital in Dallas and as CEO of Boston Stores, a faltering Southern California department store chain which he turned around in two years to show an operating profit. In 1994, then Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell asked Jeff to help organize a reception and video to celebrate local anti-violence activists. So, Jeff co-wrote and produced the award-winning documentary “In Deeper: Heroes of the Streets”. This film inspired Jeff’s determination to continue an anti-violence initiative by creating a venue for inner city, underserved teens to work with professional filmmakers to write, develop, act in and produce their own videos. Thus began the non-profit agency The Big Picture Alliance. Jeff’s services as a CEO are donated to this effort, and he remains a large benefactor.
Jared Martin Co-founder and Creative Director, Big Picture Alliance Chinadancer@gmail.com Jared Martin appeared in more than 20 films, 40 stage productions and 125 television shows. He was a series lead in 'Dallas', 'How the West Was Won', 'War of the Worlds', and 'Fantastic Journey'. He also starred in the Tony award winning play 'Torch Song Trilogy' on Broadway. Jared directed the documentary 'In Deeper, Heroes of the Streets', and 30 other BPA films this far, including seven that have won awards. A graduate of Columbia University, Jared is also a writer and fine arts photographer. He is responsible for curriculum creation, managing all student films through post production, and for overseeing the consulting technical staff.
Suzi Garber Administrative and Development Director sgarber@bigpicturealliance.org Suzi is responsible for day to day operations of the BPA, financial and legal compliance, as well as marketing and development. With the BPA since 1995, she has extensive nonprofit experience and has consulted for Fortune 500 businesses, is a published writer, and served as Director of Marketing for the largest nonprofit African American theatre in the United States. Suzi is a graduate of Temple Unviersity.
Dwight Wilkins Senior Teacher Dwight has been with BPA for seven years. He is a recognized filmmaker, theatre director, and playwright. He has a double M.F.A. from Ohio University in filmmaking and theatre. Dwight is an established instructor, teaching screenwriting, film and stage acting, and playwriting for various arts organizations. He also works as teaching artist for Philadelphia's Young Playwrights. He has written several feature-length screenplays and also directed several plays in and around the Philadelphia area, including August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" and John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath".
Christian (Chris) Fusco Senior Teacher, Editor and Post-Production Supervising teacher A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Christian has been a teacher for the deaf and hearing impaired in Chicago public schools and at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia. He has taught acting workshops and is currently a substitute high school teacher in Philadelphia public high schools. As an independent film producer, his goal is to make short and socially relevant films.
Steven Smith Teacher and Editor A graduate of Drexel University with a major in Digital Media and a minor in film and video. Steve's currently working on a documentary about the kids who suffered the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.
Mike Taylor Music Director A graduate of Overbrook High School, Mike formed his own successful Hip Hop group, The Subliminal Orphans. He produced, wrote and is the lead performer on the groups recent CD release, "Cypress Hill". Mike has written over ten musical scores for the BPA.
Emeritus Staff:
Geoff Richman: Sundance award-winning film editor; Editor of Murderball, Michael Moore's Sicko
Fred Thomas: Hollywood screenwriter
Jeremiah Zagar: Editor, Writer, Director; The Dawn, Baby Eat Baby, Coney Island 1945, The Unbelievable Truth
Bridget Jones graduated from Yale University Drama School with a Master's degree in theater arts.
