Los Angeles – The DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) announced today the new members of the 2025 – 2026 DGA WSC SQUAD as the program begins its sixth mentorship cycle. The Squad pairs mid-career women and nonbinary Directors with award-winning, established mentors as they navigate the next phase in their careers.
This year’s mentors and mentees are:
- Amanda Marsalis mentoring Karla Braun
- Mary Lou Belli mentoring Anna Chi
- Pete Chatmon mentoring Gia-Rayne Harris
- Rian Johnson mentoring Courtney Hoffman
- Lucy Tcherniak mentoring Kimi Howl Lee
- Jennifer Arnold mentoring Jihane Mrad Balaa
- Kat Coiro mentoring Talia Osteen
- Scott Beck & Bryan Woods mentoring Alexis Ostrander
- Julie Anne Robinson mentoring Lauren “LP” Palmigiano
- Nicole Kassell mentoring Letia Solomon
- Maggie Kiley mentoring Noelle Stehman
- Dawn Wilkinson mentoring Candice Vernon
The WSC Squad was created to advance the professional goals of its members and heighten their career opportunities in the entertainment industry. The nine-month WSC Squad Mentorship Program is unique in that every effort is made to pair mentees with the mentor of their choice. The WSC Squad believes peer-to-peer support is crucial, thus this program provides frank discussion around the unique issues that women Directors face while giving guidance and support. The objective is to cultivate a community of Directors with the tools and knowledge that will lead all members towards success together.
The WSC Squad Mentorship Program is led by Directors Shaz Bennett, Jess Brunetto, Tiffany Frances and Jean E. Lee. The WSC is co-chaired by Directors Shaz Bennett, Jade Jenise-Dixon, Valerie Weiss and Alternate Co-Chair Liz Ryan.
For more information about the WSC Squad please email WSCsquad@gmail.com.
See gallery below for photos of the mentors and mentees
for the current WSC Squad Mentorship Program cycle.
