Kathy
Executive Producer, Presenter
Kathy Ireland enjoys a global platform as a result of proven leadership in human rights advocacy, the support of millions of women, as well as families, who embrace her designs, products and services, unified under the kathy ireland® Worldwide philosophy of empowered living.
Kathy Ireland is Chair and CEO of kathy ireland® Worldwide, the world's 19th most successful brand according to License Global! and … “the most valuable woman-owned licensing company in American history,” according to WWD.
Forbes created the term "Super Model turned Super Mogul" to describe Kathy Ireland. Ms. Ireland's fashion career began on covers including Teen, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and, of course, Sports Illustrated’s best-selling swimsuit cover of all time. As of 2022, Kathy Ireland has graced the cover of Forbes three times, in celebration of becoming, according to Forbes: One of America's most successful self-made women.
Last year, Ms. Ireland presented a national Christmas season broadcast of “The Waltons' Homecoming” as a gift to American families, to specifically serve as an antidote to holiday anxiety.
This new edition, of the classic “Waltons” television series, from Magnolia Hill Productions/Warner Brothers Discovery, was produced by Emmy-winner, Sam Haskell. “The Waltons' Homecoming” will air on HBO this year.
Anxious Nation is Ms. Ireland's initial effort in documentary presentation.
Ms. Ireland's advocacy for non-profits includes honors from, in addition to financial support, services, ambassadorships, or Board of Director memberships for: YWCA GLA, Dream Foundation (Founder), Providence Educational Foundation (Founder), 911 for Kids/AEFK, National PTA, March of Dimes, National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (International Youth Chair), American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Board Member), Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, WIZO, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish National Fund, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and Los Angeles Team Mentoring. UCLA names Kathy Ireland, “one of the top ten women’s health advocates in America today.”
"My love, gratitude, concern and respect for women and families everywhere is boundless. Of course, we humbly appreciate each person who embraces our products, services, programs and projects.
Bringing ‘Anxious Nation’ to the screen, is an essential call to action, countering the life-threatening crisis of anxiety. Presenting this film is a great honor and even greater responsibility. Deepest thanks to my friend and colleague, Laura Morton, Vanessa Roth, and Steve Purcell for making this film. Please experience ‘Anxious Nation.’ It is a very personal, passion project, because our family and loved ones have, are and will battle anxiety. No one is exempt from anxiety. Absolutely no one! Our coping methods will differ, however, anxiety is real and must be addressed. ‘Anxious Nation’ is the beginning. It will help young people, families of every blend, age, color, economic situation, and I believe, literally save lives," said Kathy Ireland.
Vanessa
Director, Writer
Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker and social justice advocate, Vanessa Roth has been creating and overseeing social impact international films, projects, campaigns, and companies for over 25 years.
With the goal of bringing our common humanity to light, to amplify the stories of marginalized people, places and forgotten narratives in history – she has worked around the world dedicated to healing through storytelling and shattering the idea of “otherness” through honest, authentic, and intimate work.
Her visceral and emotional projects are made around the world, from big cities to the most rural villages and from the stories of icons in music, movies, art, sports, politics, and science - to those whose lives have never been recognized.
Her films and series have been made in partnership with National Geographic, Disney, Amazon, Netflix, Discovery, PBS, HBO, A&E, ESPN and the BBC, as well as with international non-profits, NGOs, brands, foundations, organizations, museums, memorial halls, public art exhibitions and universities. Her work has screened at hundreds of film festivals, the Obama White House, for multiple sessions in Congress, inside the United Nations, NBC Education Nation, Oprah and NPR.
Her international film work has garnered the highest of honors in documentary, film, television and journalism with over 60 awards including the Oscar, The Alfred I Dupont Columbia Award, the Television Academy Emmy Award for Social Impact, Sundance Prizes, Cine Golden Eagles, Casey Medals, Impact Doc Awards for Best in Show and Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking, IDA nominations, Audience Awards and Jury Prizes at festivals around the world, screenings at the international Cannes Lions festival as well as top honors for work in social impact, social justice, witness to history and legacy, youth empowerment and women’s rights.
Additionally, Vanessa has been an ongoing Thought Partner to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and serves as Senior Creative and Story Advisor to businesses and organizations who use storytelling to make a difference on the planet including the Publicis Groupe, UNESCO, The USC/Shoah Foundation, Amplify, Sun Stream and Storyfile. She has been a TEDX speaker as well as key-note speaker and adjunct professor for universities, organizations and foundations around the world focused on human rights, the environment, youth and female empowerment, ethics, legacy, memory, history, and storytelling.
Some of Vanessa’s film and series work include, the premium feature documentary Mary J Blige’s My Life (Amazon Prime), the 6 part docu-series National Geographic Presents IMPACT with Gal Gadot (Nat Geo/Disney), the 4 part docu-series Daughters of Destiny (Netflix), The Other Side (30 for 30 on ESPN), Liberation Heroes: The Last Eyewitnesses (Discovery), The Girl and the Picture (Theatrical), Freeheld (HBO), American Teacher(Amazon), The Texas Promise (PBS), Taken In (PBS), Aging Out (PBS), No Tomorrow (PBS), Close to Home (Theatrical, Discovery), 911 Toxic Dust (A&E), Third Monday in October (Theatrical/Sundance Channel/ Special Presentation at President Obama’s Inauguration).
Vanessa received a BA in Creative Writing and Psychology from UCLA and holds a Masters’ degree in Social Work and minor in family law from Columbia University. Before making documentaries, Vanessa was an artist/therapist in residence for Arts and Education programs for the NYC DOE and a Child Advocate in New York and California family and juvenile courts and schools, and for the Santa Monica Stuart House/Rape Treatment Center.
Laura
Co-Director, Producer, Writer
Laura Morton has been involved in the entertainment industry for more than 25 years as a bestselling author, producer, speaker and entrepreneur.
She is the founder of Lasega Films and the soon to be launched Anxious Nation Network (ANN)
Morton has written over 60 books and a staggering 21 New York Times bestsellers, with a wide range of celebrities and business leaders, including, Justin Bieber, the Jonas Brothers, Susan Lucci, John Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson, Al Roker, Deborah Roberts, Joan Lunden, Marilu Henner, Melissa Etheridge, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Kim Zimmer, Kathy Ireland, Sandra Lee, Danica Patrick, Glenn Stearns, Bob Parsons and more.
Laura continues to pursue projects of interest that cross publishing, production and electronic media through her company, including her award winning documentary film, Anxious Nation. Laura frequently speaks to organizations on a variety of topics, mixing humor and emotional storytelling in her dazzling and memorable presentations.
Steve
ProducerSteve Purcell is a Grammy and Emmy award-winning Filmmaker, Producer, Director, and Editor.
Purcell is President of SLP Productions, Inc. SLP has produced music and film projects throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Notable projects include Paul McCartney’s, A Postcard from Arizona, B.B. King’s, The Blues Summit, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill Live, for which he won a Grammy for Producing and Directing.
Purcell has Directed some of the most renowned artists in the entertainment industry, including Prince, Carol Burnett, Hall & Oats, George Michael, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, and Steven Spielberg.
Purcell has held Producer, Director roles at Warner Home Video, Warner Music Group, PBS, Universal Music Group, NBC Universal Media, The Walt Disney Company, and CBS, to name a few.
He has served as Senior Vice President of Content & Distribution at PBS SoCal, the third most-watched PBS station in the nation. In addition, Purcell was Senior Vice President of Post Production for The Sim Group International, which provides post-production services for television and feature film clients, including American Idol, Game of Thrones, and the Academy Awards.
Purcell is an active member of the Directors Guild of America and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Neil
Contributing WriterNeil Steinberg has worked extensively as a writer and producer in nearly all forms of media.
His documentary credits include the highly acclaimed two hour PBS documentary, The Boomer Century. For the Weinstein Company, Neil wrote and produced a documentary on the life of Bishop T.D. Jakes. Neil also wrote and produced Kisses, a nostalgic look at romance in the movies for the TNT Network.
He has produced nine feature-length movies starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson. Additionally, he was executive producer for the actresses’ animated series for ABC Network and a live action sit-com for Fox Family Network. Neil’s other producing credits include the feature film, The Chaos Experiment, a psychological thriller starring Val Kilmer and, a prime-time special for CBS with Carol Burnett. He wrote, produced and directed a one hour special starring relationship expert Patty Stanger for Lionsgate Entertainment.
Neil holds a degree from Loyola Marymount University. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Adam
Associate Producer, Production CoordinatorAdam Mitchell has worked in film and television production at Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films and the Nickelodeon Network.
His first book, Street Player: My Chicago Story (Wiley), with legendary drummer Danny Seraphine of the band Chicago was published in October 2010. Jimi Hendrix: A Brother’s Story (Thomas Dunne), written with Jimi’s younger brother, Leon Hendrix, followed in May 2012. The book has also been translated and released in Sweden, Finland, Italy, Poland, and Brazil. In May of 2015, Book of Man: A Navy SEAL's Guide to the Lost Art of Manhood (SP Publishing) was released, written with Navy SEAL Derrick Van Orden. Adam's most recent release is The Homes of Hope Story (YWAM Publishing), written with founder Sean Lambert. Adam is a graduate of Boston University and currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Sarah
Casting ProducerKrauss has been a content Producer for TV & Film for over a decade. She started her career in entertainment at NBCUniversal where she served in the Page Program and worked on shows like MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live. There she also served as the assistant to the President of the Bravo Network for over three years.
After relocating to Los Angeles, Krauss went on to Produce & Develop content in the unscripted space for a number of outlets including the Oprah Winfrey Network, Netflix and the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Krauss’s passion for storytelling and endless curiosity about the world has led her to secure opportunities for people to share their stories across multiple platforms on a global stage. Her ability to discover and connect with a diverse roster of original cast members has led to collaborations with high level talent and thought leaders to create entertaining and meaningful content.
Krauss currently resides in the New York area and continues to Produce content focused on improving the lives of others. She cherishes the experience she had working with the cast and crew of ANXIOUS NATION and believes in the values of the film that will have a lasting effect on so many families facing mental health challenges around the world.
Julia
Associate ProducerJulia DeVillers is bestselling and award-winning author of books for kids and teen with Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House.
Her books have sold several million copies. She recently sold her first project for adults, a TV pilot, to CBS. One of her books was developed into the Disney Channel Original Movie “Read it and Weep.”
Julia is a co-founder of the OMG BookFest, which brings authors together with underserved communities. She also worked with Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s On Our Sleeves campaign to break the silence about children’s mental health. Julia lives with her husband, a United States Attorney, in Columbus, Ohio. They have two children.