Patrick Adler
co-author of Otis College Report on the Creative Economy

Patrick Adler is Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Hong Kong and Founding Principal of Westwood Economics and Planning Associates. His research and teaching focus on regional economic development, with particular emphasis on the creative economy. His work has been featured by Bloomberg, The New York Times, and the NFL Network.

Joaquin Elizondo, ACE

Joaquin Elizondo, ACE is an accomplished editor specializing in film & scripted television. His most recent credits include The Abandons (Netflix), Griselda (Netflix), Dark Winds (AMC), Narcos: Mexico (Netflix), and The Hot Zone: Anthrax (NatGeo). With an extensive background in editing, he has honed his skills across a wide range of projects, including documentaries, branded content, and sports. Joaquin grew up in Southern California and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Film & Video Studies. His diverse experiences have shaped his creative approach to editing and storytelling. Having benefited from the transformative power of mentorship, he founded Hollywood Editing Mentor, an online learning platform dedicated to guiding and supporting aspiring editors as well as those already working in post-production. His mission is to empower individuals to reach their professional goals by providing the insights, tools, and support needed to navigate the industry successfully.

Renard T. Jenkins, President & CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs
HPA, President

Renard T. Jenkins is a globally recognized media technology executive, strategist, and creative leader at the intersection of storytelling, innovation, and emerging technology. He serves as President & CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs, a forward-thinking media consultancy and animation development studio focused on next-generation production pipelines, AI-enabled workflows, media supply-chain innovation, and end-to-end content development for film, animation, television, and streaming platforms.

With a career spanning the worlds of technology, broadcast, film, animation, and live entertainment, Jenkins is widely respected for helping organizations navigate transformational change while bridging creative vision with operational execution. He currently serves as President of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA), Chair of the Board for HAND (Unique ID for Name, Image & Likeness Protection), and Immediate Past President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). He also serves on the boards of Exceptional Minds and is an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Television Academy.

Previously, Jenkins held senior executive and leadership roles at some of the world’s most influential media organizations, including Warner Bros., PBS, Discovery, ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, TV One, and worked with major professional sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. His work has consistently driven innovation across film and broadcast engineering, advanced production technologies and workflows, and scalable media operations.

Jenkins is the recipient of numerous industry honors, including two National Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, two Headliner Awards, and the Broadcasting & Cable Technology Leadership Award. He was also named Innovator of the Year for his pioneering work in High-Resolution Video, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Next-Generation Audio for broadcast.

A lifelong artist and technologist, Jenkins holds industry and academic certifications in sound, mechanical, AI/ML engineering, application design, leadership and education. He is deeply passionate about visual storytelling, animation, and photography, and actively mentors the next generation of creators by frequently offering pro bono technical and creative support to emerging filmmakers, animators, and musicians.

At the core of his leadership is a simple principle that guides both his professional and personal life:

“In all things, integrity and integrity in all things.”

Susan Thurmond O’Neal

Susan O’Neal is a recruiter, former VFX producer, and self-described “unicorn hunter” who helps studios and companies build creative and technical teams across visual effects, post-production, and real-time workflows. A self-proclaimed workflow nerd, she spent years inside studios like Digital Domain, The Mill, and Method before moving into recruiting. She now works between talent and hiring, with a clear view into how people actually get jobs in this industry.

She is an active leader in the Visual Effects Society and is passionate about helping emerging artists and technologists navigate an industry that’s constantly changing.