Board of Directors

Barbara Wiener, Executive Director and Mentor
Affiliation and Qualifications: Executive Producer: BW Productions, Producer, Director, and Writer for 22 years, 14 years with PBS. 6 Emmys and 3 National Educational media awards. Multiple international awards for documentary work. Adjunct professor of film at MCAD. Extensive mentoring experience with girls and media-Walker Art Center, Minnesota History Center, Perpich High School for Arts education, Arizona Bridge Project, Rainbow Families, GirlsBEST advisory panel, TIES (internet 2 educational network). Guest artist/professor: Stephens College, AAUW, White House Project, Founder: TVbyGIRLS (1997), BA Austin College-psychology and communication arts, MFA, University of Minnesota.

"I remember how hard it was to grow up female. And I remember the great passion I felt to make an impact in the world. I see that same spark in girls today. By partnering with girls, I know we can create the world we want to live in ...a world of spirited intelligence, courage and compassion. I know we can share that vision through the media, using images and stories to reinforce our strength. TVbyGIRLS is all about giving life to the future."

Rebecca Richards Bullen:, Associate Director and Mentor
Affiliation and Qualifications: Associate Producer and Producer for film and media production for 10 years, BFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 5 years PBS experience. Mentoring experience with girls, workshop teaching experience. Vice President, board of directors TVbyGIRLS

"As a new mom raising a child during a time in which we are bombarded with media and negative images, she believes it's imperative to encourage the exploration of individual truths and encourage education while creating positive representations of women.

"I have always had an interest in what young people think. Unfortunately, we live in a society where not everyone is encouraged to speak - especially girls. In addition we are constantly faced with what media calls the "norm." It is my mission to encourage girls to reach inside, embrace themselves, their intelligence and beauty, and speak their truths even if it goes against the "media grain."

Marie Domingo, Treasurer Board of Directors
Affiliation and Qualifications: 20 years experience as film producer for independent films, music videos, cable broadcast, commercial clients and national PBS.
2 National Emmy awards-Newton's Apple, American High.
Line producer: American High (PBS), Hoop Dreams. Board membership: IFP, Kangaroo Project, TVbyGIRLS

Throughout her career, Marie has pursued opportunities to use the power of the media to reach young viewers with affirming and thought provoking stories. She is excited to be working with TVbyGIRLS on television programming, created by and for girls, that reflects the power and diversity of girls' voices.

Mary Ahmann, Secretary Board of Directors
Affiliation and Qualifications: 2006-present, professor of Film studies at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 2002- 2005-Professor of Film at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, professional filmmaker and editor, extensive teaching experience and media production. MFA NYU film school. BA History, University of Minnesota. Board member: TVbyGIRLS

"Some say why TVbyGIRLS, I say why not. Making imagery for film and television has to be one of the most dynamic, powerful and fun things a person can do with their time. I figure it is time to let the cat out of the bag and let girls know about the big adventure that awaits them in television. I believe that it will increase the quality and variety of television as well as balance out the under representation of women in the field of television production. What great news for TV viewers everywhere! "

Ann Betz
Affiliation and Qualifications: Founder, Americoach, professional training as life coach, and youth development, previous work with Search Institute, Americorp, youth leadership training.

Catherine Gray
Affiliation and Qualifications: Filmmaker, screenwriter and teacher, graduate of Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Founder of One TV, a magazine style program highlighting Gay and Lesbian issues in Houston Texas. Previous affiliation-Owner, Artemisia construction contracting company in Houston Texas. Recipient Jerome Foundation fellowship 2004. TVbyGIRLS board member. Currently associate director of Midwest area for the White House Project.

Liz Johnson
Affiliations and Qualifications:
Liz Johnson is The White House Project's Minnesota Vote, Run, Lead Field Organizer. Liz has dedicated herself to building community and women's organizations, focusing on some of the toughest poverty issues--welfare reform and housing. She is a seasoned organizer whose most recent position was as a Program Officer for the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. Since graduating from Grinnell College, where she was president of the student body in 1988, she has served as a legislative consultant to the Minnesota Welfare Rights Coalition, directed Low Income People Organizing for Power in Duluth, and organized for both the Duluth and St. Paul Tenants Unions. Liz is the 1992 recipient of the Minnesota Housing Partnership's Right to Housing Award.

As The White House Project's Midwest Regional Director, Liz Johnson manages the Vote, Run, Lead program in the region. She is a seasoned organizer and is dedicated to building community and women's organizations, focusing on welfare reform and housing. She was a Program Officer for the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. Since graduating from Grinnell College, where she was elected Student Body President in 1988, she has served as a Legislative Consultant to the Minnesota Welfare Rights Coalition, directed Low Income People Organizing for Power in Duluth and organized for both the Duluth and St. Paul Tenants Unions. Johnson is the 1992 recipient of the Minnesota Housing Partnership Right to Housing Award. Most recently, Johnson was honored by The Minnesota Women's Press and given the 2006 Changemaker Award for her work to advance women leaders in Minnesota. Liz is a member of the TVbyGirls Board of Directors because she believes in the mission and potential of the organization to create lasting social change.

Amy Cram Helwich
Affiliations and Qualifications:

Amy Cram Helwich is the Development Director for The Women's Foundation of Minnesota. Prior to this, Amy worked with Children's Safety Centers and with Growth & Justice, a progressive public policy think tank in St. Paul and was the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. She has a BS in Political Science from the University of Wyoming and a Master's in Public Administration from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh. Cram Helwich is a volunteer for the Headwaters Foundation for Justice, a member of the Public Policy Committee for the Women's Foundation of Minnesota and a girl's soccer coach for the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation League.

Amy Cram Helwich of St. Paul, is the Development Director for the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. She holds a bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Wyoming, and master's in Public Administration from University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. She is also a trainer for the White House Project. Amy's partner is David Cram Helwich, and together they recently had a son, Gabriel in July 2007. Amy is passionate about growing equality for women and girls - and is very excited to help achieve this goal through a wonderful organization like TVbyGIRLS.

Kathy Kraemer
Affiliations and Qualifications:
Kathy Kraemer is the senior creative director at TIES and responsible for innovative work with Internet 2 and live video teleconferencing and education. She has extensive experience in teaching and technology, providing instruction and inspiration to teachers around the world. Kathy spent several years teaching in Barcelona, Spain. Her expertise is in the artful integration of new technologies into education for both youth and educators.

Aleah Vinick
Affiliations and Qualifications:
Aleah Vinick is the School and Public Programs Associate at the Minnesota Historical Society where she is responsible for research, development, planning and promotion of programs and public events as well as developing lesions and resources for Minnestoa history teachers. Aleah has a Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor's degree from Grinnell College in American Studies. Aleah has extensive experience working with youth including with the Mid Kids after school club in St. Paul and as a mentor and tutor during her time at Grinnell College. ALeah developed the Grinnell College after-school art program and an advanced culinary arts program for Med-o—Lark Camp. She continues to develop youth programs to introduce history, research and cross cultural story-telling.

National Advisory Members

Marie Wilson, President The White House Project

Erica Gruen, Presiden Quantum Media, New York