by Melanie Wallace | Jun 19, 2024
Newtownville, Massachusetts
The well-known and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Melanie Wallace announces the launch of Melanie Wallace Media Strategies LLC.
Positioned to act as a global media strategist, Melanie Wallace Media Strategies LLC will connect broadcast and cross platform storytellers with financial support and global distribution opportunities. As Managing Director and founder, Melanie Wallace will guide programming ideas from concept development to funding and on to successful global worldwide distribution.
With 25 years of experience as Senior Series Producer for PBS’s award-winning science series, NOVA, Ms. Wallace brings rare insight into all aspects of factual programming, including content development, talent acquisition and the structuring and negotiation of complex business deals. Melanie discovered and brought to the NOVA audience hundreds of world class science documentaries with an estimated total production budget of $100 million. She refined her skills working with commercial and public broadcasters, foundations and government agencies. She has brokered deals with the BBC, ARTE, NHK and CCTV, along with pan-Asian production and multi-partnered international co-productions. Her content expertise includes climate science, STEM education, the role of diverse voices in documentaries, and the evolving media marketplace.
As senior business consultant Peter Hamilton observed about one of Ms. Wallace’s recent successes, “Melanie successfully applies her decades of experience as a senior PBS programming executive to deliver quality global audiences to her clients’ projects. A creative dealmaker she recently arranged a national PBS broadcast for her client’s documentary Earth Emergency, and negotiated a presentation by the filmmakers at COP26 in Glasgow hosted by King Charles III and supported by the Terra Carta Market Sustainability Initiative.”
Melanie’s Media Strategies’ new projects for 2023 include BrainStorm, a documentary about the Bipolar Spectrum; Never Let Anyone Steal Your Dreams: The Sammy Nestico Story about a world class jazz musician and Imagining a Better World, the life of art therapist and Holocaust survivor Nelly Toll.
Melanie Wallace’s work has received recognition from the News and Documentary Emmys, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards and George Foster Peabody Awards. She is a member of the International Documentary Association, the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers and has juried for the News and Documentary Emmys, the Dupont awards and the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers.
by David J. Smith II | Jun 19, 2024
David J. Smith, II earned a Master’s in business development at UMASS-Springfield Rise-Up-Interise program as the 1st Cohort c/o 18′, also obtained his bachelor’s degree from the Elms College c/o 06′ in where his concentrations of studies were in Psychology and in Business. As President/ CEO of Professional Meats of New England, Inc., David takes great pride in providing an all-natural meat wholesale option with affordable selection locally and nationally providing a contact free ordering process, while providing a contact free order process. He is owner of Big Daddy’s Ice Cream & Grill established since 2010. He currently specializes his career in Financial Business Development and Wealth Strategies and is a State licensed Life Insurance & Annuities Agent since 2011 and currently operates service in these states MA, CT, TX, NV. David has received an entrepreneurship award from Harold Grinspoon Foundation in 2015 and promoted to Executive Director in 2009 by the Diamond Network and recognized as a Top Mortgage Trainer awarded from Money-Wise Solutions in 2007-2008. He was named ‘Banker of the Year’ from Citizens Bank of MA and Banker of the quarter for 9 consecutive quarters and his business integrity, and kind service has earned an A+ rating from BBB of Massachusetts for his Professional Meats establishment. He is a member of the Association of Black Businesses & Professionals, Urban League of Greater Springfield, Boys & Girls Club, Dunbar Community Center Camp Sponsorship team, Massachusetts State Senator Adam Gomez campaign member and donation supporter, St. Johns Church, MLK Jr. community center, and the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. In his free time, He loves to spend time with family and friends, in particular his 3 teenage Sons Isaiah, David & Joshua, where he enjoys quality time training and coaching them in various sports, ranging from basketball, football, baseball, golf or simply good ole’ strength & conditioning. Mr. Smith holds true passion for children and helping others reach their true potential and desires has a coach at heart, David held a great honor to have a chance to coach his High School’s freshman ball team at Central High School, 2015. David was able to bring his collegiate basketball experience from the Elms College, his knowledge of coaching the game along with his strong work ethic to the program as the head coach; now he volunteers his time in the local community throughout the many youth programs surrounding sports & community growth.
by David T. Neuman MD, FAAOS | Jun 19, 2024
David T. Neuman MD, FAAOS earned his medical degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn. He is an orthopedic surgery consultant who is fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy. He is an internationally published author and Keynote Speaker. Dr. Neuman is the Co-founder and owner of Pop-Doc.com. As a robust database of exercises for healthcare professionals to integrate into their treatment plans, Pop-doc creates and designs corrective exercise therapy programs. The software is not just a tool for overcoming joint pain, but is also used for preventive programs that achieve musculoskeletal health maintenance. In addition, the website offers engaging Joint Blogs and a Joint Forum geared to anyone with joints. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and a member and instructor at Arthroscopy Association of North America.
by John Passalaqua | Jun 19, 2024
John Passalaqua earned a master’s in philosophy from Fordham University and a master’s in American Studies from Columbia University. He is a retired Director of Human Resources for the NYC Dept. of Juvenile Justice. A facility where they house Juvenile Delinquents. John has been named as “Employee of the Year”. He is a member of the American Political Science Association and the American Criminal Justice Association. With his free time, he enjoys chess, politics and collecting art, gemstones, and coins.
by Diana Ilyasova O.D. | Jun 19, 2024
Dr. Diana Ilyasova earned a Doctor of Optometry at State University of New York. She is a highly qualified optometrist with 12 years’ experience practicing at Pelham Parkway Vision Center, Bronx, New York. She is certified to treat most eye infections and diseases testing glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye, and macular degeneration. She also specializes in pediatric eye care, diagnosing and treating visual accommodative and ocular disorders. Dr. Ilyasova has been recognized by the Pelham Parkway Community Board for Outstanding Small Business. She is a member of the New York State Optometric Association.
