WHO WE ARE

Susie Sofranko

Executive Director

Native to the Hudson Valley and Catskills region, Susie has over eight years’ experience in fundraising and non-profit management. A passion for arts and culture–and a commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion within those sectors–has guided Susie’s career through positions in New York City at the Frick Collection, the Public Theater, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and Gracie Mansion Conservancy. Most recently, Susie led the fundraising team at the International Center of Photography (ICP) as the Senior Director of Development. She holds a B.A. from the Macaulay Honors College and an M.A. in Art History from CUNY Hunter, proudly giving back to her alma mater as a member of the Career Development Advisory Council of the Macaulay Honors College.

Beth Davenport

Co-Founder/Advisor

Beth is a transmedia strategist and storyteller with over fifteen years of experience in non-profits, documentary film, commercial production, post, and digital strategy. Her passion is using media and technology to create a positive impact on society. Beth has directed and produced documentary films and commercials for BBC, Sundance Channel, PBS, NBC, Arte France, among others. Beth has worked in non-profit management in New York City and the Hudson Valley and brings over 15 years of non-profit experience to this position. Beth believes that creating an entertainment and technology ecosystem with access for all will transform the region economically and position it as a leader in social innovation.

Colin Fickes

Program Director

Colin joins Stockade Works after having spent the last few years working in private education in NYC including working with a large and diverse group of students and running many afterschool and summer camp programs. Colin also has extensive experience as a film actor, working closely with directors, writers, and crew members on numerous projects, as well as plays and readings, national commercials, and television shows.

Access and inclusion is deeply important to Colin and he is thrilled to be joining the burgeoning film and television community in the Hudson Valley. 

Jada Hart

Fellow | Program and Community Engagement Coordinator

Jada Hart is a recent communications major graduate at The College of Saint Rose from Queens, NY. With a double concentration in film and new media and journalism, Jada has a great interest and passion for video production and writing. Throughout her time at Saint Rose, she has worked with the college’s marketing team, served as an event planner for the PR club, and has contributed to the college’s student-run newspaper The Chronicle, in addition to working on client based projects. She is also an alumni of the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network under the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation. Jada is always looking for opportunities to expand her network and experiences in all branches of the production industry. During her final year she worked as Media Intern with creative agency Collectiveffort and upon graduation she was awarded the Helen Gurly Brown BOLD Fellowship, through which she was able to connect with Stockade Works.  As the new Fellow Program and Community Engagement Coordinator she strives to learn more about the industry, collaborate and connect with professionals, increase career awareness and encourage engagement within the Hudson Valley community.

Shirlee Alkosser

Administrative Assistant

Shirlee Alkosser is a filmmaker and artist living in the Catskill Mountains. A graduate from NYU film school and Stockade Works bootcamp, Shirlee has worked as writer, director, and producer on several independent projects including Wino: The Documentary, The Adventures of Wolfman, and Bridge for Seniors. In addition to her work with Stockade Works, she runs a visual art website and produces video content for her favorite band, The Obsessed.

Amy Poux

Educational Development & Youth Access Advisor

The SWAY program is being developed and implemented by Amy Poux, a veteran educational leader specifically in the areas of media and workforce development. Poux’s work with Stockade Works began when she co-designed the curriculum for the company’s signature Boot Camp training program. As the former Director of Education, Film at Lincoln Center, Poux designed, launched and led the Education division, benefiting more than 2000 students annually with filmmaking programs. Founder and Executive Director of Urban Arts Partnership, Poux was awarded for her incisive and expansive use of the arts in response to the tragic events of 9-11 in communities that suffered great loss across the five boroughs of New York City.  During this time, she also co-founded the now NYC Department of Education’s Summer Arts Institute and created three arts-based high schools.

Formerly the Coordinator of Special Projects/Educational Enrichment at Ulster BOCES – where she launched a bicoastal initiative on progressive educational practices and project based learning, Poux then moved on to teach the Business and Entrepreneurship program at the Ulster BOCES Career and Technical High School.

Awards received include: NYSCA Award of Merit, the NY Times’ Neediest Fund, Annenberg Foundation, US Department of Education, Consortium of International Arts Educators, NYC Department of Education.

Mary Stuart Masterson

Founder, Stockade Works

Founder and Board President, Stockade Works and Upriver Studios, LLC. Partner, Quality Pictures

After a hiatus to “produce” her family, Mary Stuart moved to New York’s Hudson Valley and founded Stockade Works, 501(c)(3) a local crew training and mentorship program, and Upriver Studios, a woman-led sustainable production facility opening in 2020. She is also Co-Founder and Resident Director of Storyhorse Documentary Theater Project. In 2019, she, Alexandra Brodsky and Cassandra Del Viscio founded Quality Pictures, a Hudson Valley-based production company to create quality entertainment for social impact amplifying diverse voices and innovating production practices to create positive work-life balance.

Member of SAG-AFTRA, AEA, AMPAS

Beth Davenport

Co-Founder/Advisor, Stockade Works

Beth is a transmedia strategist and storyteller with over fifteen years of experience in non-profits, documentary film, commercial production, post, and digital strategy. Her passion is using media and technology to create a positive impact on society. Beth has directed and produced documentary films and commercials for BBC, Sundance Channel, PBS, NBC, Arte France, among others. Beth has worked in non-profit management in New York City and the Hudson Valley and brings over 15 years of non-profit experience to this position. Beth believes that creating an entertainment and technology ecosystem with access for all will transform the region economically and position it as a leader in social innovation.

Marie Nachsin

Deputy Director, SBIDC

Marie has successfully led the strategic and fundraising efforts of various non-profit organizations, most recently the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and has launched a number of key marketing, branding and operating initiatives that have helped generate crucial support across the organizations.  Marie is an accomplished professional with over twenty years of combined work in PR and marketing, fundraising, economic development, and community relations. Marie sits on the boards of Upstate Women in Film and Television (UPWIFT) and the NY Public Radio Community Advisory Board, is a member of NY Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), and is a graduate of the Columbia Business School Developing Leaders for Nonprofit Professionals program.

JR Craigmile

Production Accountant, Manhattan Friday Productions

TBD

Cassandra Del Viscio

Owner/Executive Producer, Edgeworx Studios

Cassandra Del Viscio is the owner and Executive Producer of Edgeworx Studios, a post production company specializing in Visual Effects, Animation and Motion Graphics for film & television. Clients include top media companies such as Warner Media, PBS/NOVA, Discovery and NBC Universal, as well as many award winning filmmakers. She has been involved with Eve Ensler’s V-Day movement since 2001, served on the Women’s Project Theater board for 6 years and has proudly served on the board of Stockade Works since 2017. She is also a partner in Quality Pictures, with Mary Stuart Masterson and Alexandra Brodsky. Cassandra resides in the beautiful town of Hurley and recently realized her dream of adopting a retired racehorse, who she named Luca. 

Gabrielle Fialkoff

Founder, GKF Group

Gabrielle is a social innovator and business and government leader.  She founded the GKF Group in 2019 to provide strategic advisory services on social impact, partnerships and public affairs. Serving as Senior Advisor to Mayor Bill de Blasio from 2014-2018, Gabrielle established the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, one of the first in the nation.  As owner of a best-in-class fashion business, Haskell Jewels, LLC, Gabrielle oversaw all aspects of day-to-day operations, and led the business through 12 years of exponential growth.  Gabrielle also has extensive experience working on political campaigns, first as a fundraising professional for President and Secretary Clinton and later as the volunteer Finance Chair for Bill de Blasio’s winning mayoral campaign of 2013. Gabrielle is a Trustee of FIT, Advisory Board Member of the Mayor’s Fund and the Gracie Mansion Conservancy and volunteers for several charitable organizations.  She holds a degree in history from Colgate University. 

Jane Garrity

Branch Manager, Citizens Bank Kingston NY

Jane is of 5 generations of Dutchess County residents and has lived in Ulster County for 30 years. She has had two major careers in her life, both very successfully managed. Her first endeavor was in the field of Psychology and worked with children and families for 20 years. Her second career brought her into finance; She has been in Banking for 20 years and has held several positions in the industry over those years, including Branch Management, Business Lending and Sales Team Leader. Each role has provided her with extensive exposure to the Mid- Hudson Valley business community. Jane has served on several Not–For-Profit boards including Kingston Uptown Business Association (KUBA), Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley, Kingston Farmers Market, Dutchess Country Golf Club, and Wiltwyck Golf Club.

Tricia Reed

Producer, Bard Conservatory of Music

Tricia Reed is an Arts Administrator and Concert & Special Events Producer in the Hudson Valley. On staff at the Bard College Conservatory of Music since 2012, where she is currently the Communications and Special Events Coordinator, Tricia also serves as the Bard Conservatory Orchestra Tour Manager for international and domestic tours, which have previously included China, Eastern Europe and Cuba. Additionally, she is the Business and Licensing Manager for New Albion Records, Inc., the iconic avant-garde record label founded by her husband Foster Reed in the mid 1980s.

Dr. Stephanie Royal

Chief People & Culture Officer, Robin Hood Foundation

Dr. Stephanie A. Royal brings a wealth of experience to Stockade Works, having worked in the education, corporate and non-profit sectors.  She has been recognized nationally for her work related to diversity, equity and social justice in her roles as an instructional designer, facilitator and presenter. She has experience in diversity best practice in hiring, training and retention of human capital as well as organizational development, change management and quality control.  She is currently a senior executive at the Robin Hood Foundation in New York City, New York’s largest poverty fighting organization.  She also worked for the City University of New York focused on workforce development and for Governor Cuomo, leading initiatives in youth mentoring and professional development in support of NYC’s student population.  Stephanie is a proud alumna of the University of Virginia, graduating with highest distinction majoring in English Literature and Finance.  She earned her doctorate in Executive Leadership and Organizational Development from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY.  Stephanie is also a performer — a violinist and voice over actor. 

Elliot Matz

Former Chief Operating Officer, Brooklyn Navy Yard

Elliot Matz is a C-suite executive with extensive experience in managing large-scale operations, finance, IT and real estate efforts within not-for-profit and for-profit environments. In his most recent role as the EVP and COO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, Elliot oversaw property maintenance, construction, security and IT and transportation for the 4 million square foot not-for-profit industrial facility on the Brooklyn waterfront.  Prior to his career at the Navy Yard, Elliot was Managing Director of Corporate Real Estate for CBS Corporation where he managed acquisitions and executed strategy for a real estate portfolio of up to 29 million square feet. Elliot’s other appointments include Director of Corporate Commercial Properties for Chemical Bank and Project Manager at the New York City Public Development Corporation. Elliot earned a BA in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Harvard.

Flo Mitchell-Brown

Executive Producer/Co-founder, Give Film

Flo brings over 20 years of entertainment industry leadership, management, and production experience to her role as Executive Producer and Co-Founder of Give Film. In recent months, Flo Executive Produced two short films entitled Dear Mama and Generation Lockdown, and is currently the Head of Industry Engagement at ER Production Solutions, the division of Extreme Reach that provides payroll, accounting and labor relations for production casts and crews across the entertainment industry. She also has extensive experience working with non-profit entities through various Board positions and philanthropic work. She is honored to have served others within her personal and professional communities, and she is extremely proud of her work collaborating and planning events and initiatives in the non-profit sector. Flo currently sits on the Executive Board for NYPA as its Chair, NYWIFT board member and is past Co-Chair of the NY Lounge at Sundance, along with numerous leadership roles in the community at large.

Daphne Rubin Vega

Daphne can next be seen in the upcoming Warner Bros feature IN THE HEIGHTS, directed by Jon Chu, playing ‘Daniela.’  During the early months of the pandemic, she shot the Netflix series SOCIAL DISTANCE, produced by Jenji Kohan and Tara Hermann, and SAME STORM, the newest Peter Hedges film.  Additional TV credits include KATY KEENE (CW) and TALES OF THE CITY (Netflix).  A staple of the New York theatre community, Daphne earned a Tony nomination for her portrayal of ‘Mimi’ in the original cast of RENT, and another for ANNA IN THE TROPICS.  She recently starred in the musical, MISS YOU LIKE HELL at The Public Theatre, and in the one-woman show EMPANADA LOCA, which was written for her.  She helped adapt the play into the scripted podcast, THE HORROR OF DOLORES ROACH, which is currently in pre-production for Amazon TV.  Additional theater credits include Broadway revivals of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, and LES MIS; TWO SISTERS AND A PIANO and F*CKING A at The Public; ROMEO & JULIET at Classic Stage; and JACK GOES BOATING opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman. 

Hilarie Burton Morgan

Hilarie Burton Morgan is best known for her evolution from a teenage MTV VJ to actress – typecast as a lippy broad in everything from One Tree Hill, White Collar, Grey’s Anatomy and Lethal Weapon – to her current role as producer for her slate of Lifetime holiday films where she indulges her much sweeter side. She is married to Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead, Grey’s Anatomy), and lives on a working farm in the Hudson Valley with her husband, their son, Gus, and daughter, George, and an abundance of quirky animals.

Lawrie Bird Firestone

Born and raised in Winnetka, Illinois, Lawrie has one sister, Meri-Beth who lives in California and a brother, Michael, who resides in Rhinebeck with his family. Lawrie attended Saints Faith Hope & Charity (first – eight grade), where she received the Monsignor Burke award in eighth grade for being a kind and outstanding person. She attended New Trier High School 1981-1985 where she played on both the tennis and golf teams. Lawrie received her AA and BA in Communications with a minor in Marketing from Pine Manor College in 1989. At Pine Manor, she was general manager of the radio station, WPMC. Lawrie was the sophomore class president and she was the head social chairperson in her junior and senior years. In that role she was responsible for arranging all parties and social events for the college. At the end of her senior year, she was offered a job at Editel Boston production company in Kenmore Square. Lawrie freelanced in the Boston area, working in production (both video and film) from 1989 to 1991. In 1991, she started working on set for the fashion photographer, Bruce Weber. From 1991-2005, Lawrie produced photo shoots for Bruce in both domestic and international locations. The high paced, exciting work was non-stop, but Lawrie considers the experience, one of the greatest in her life. Currently, she freelances for Bruce Weber and other photographers when jobs suit her schedule. Producing will always be her passion! Lawrie married Bryan Firestone in 2004. She soon realized it would be impossible to start a family living on the road. She retired from her full-time position with Bruce Weber in 2005 and settled in Rhinebeck, NY. Lawrie and Bryan have two wonderful children, Spencer (14) and Eleanor (Ellie), 13. They are both positive, happy kids who are very active in sports, music, and hanging with their friends! During the summer months, they vacation in the Adirondack mountains where she is on the Board of the Saint Regis Foundation as well as
the Board of the Saint Regis Yacht Club. She also serves on the at Northern Dutchess Hospital Foundation Board and the Astor Services for Children and Families Foundation Board. While she missed the incredible travel and adventure of her production days with Bruce Weber, she is thrilled to give back to her local community with involvement in so many incredible organizations.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is an American actor and producer of film and television. He is known for his roles as John Winchester in the series Supernatural, Denny Duquette in Grey’s Anatomy (2006–2009), the Comedian in the superhero film Watchmen (2009), Jason Crouse in the The Good Wife (2015–2016), Negan in The Walking Dead (2016–present), and Harvey Russell in Rampage (2018).

Morgan and wife Hilarie Burton Morgan made their home in the town of Rhinebeck in Dutchess County, New York on a 100-acre working farm in the Hudson Valley with cows, ducks, chickens, alpacas, donkeys, and an emu. Since 2014, they have been co-owners (along with Morgan’s friend, actor Paul Rudd) of Samuel’s Sweet Shop, a Rhinebeck candy store. 

Patrick Harrison

Patrick Harrison joined the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as Director, Member Relations, Awards and Programming in 2001. He is responsible for the creation and implementation of all programs and engagement initiatives geared toward the public and Academy members. Based in New York, Patrick oversees a multitude of Academy programs including weekly official membership screenings, film series, Academy Tributes, educational outreach, and the annual Oscar® Night New York celebrations. Patrick produces the Academy Conversations film series and moderates post screening panel discussions between the filmmakers which are distributed on the Academy’s online platforms. Patrick has served on film festival juries including the Hamptons International Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Sarasota Film Festival, and the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. Before joining the Academy, Patrick served as Manager of Awards and Special Events for Miramax Films working on all awards campaigns including award nominees and winners IL POSTINO (THE POSTMAN), MIGHTY APHRODITE, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, GOOD WILL HUNTING, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, SLING BLADE, CIDER HOUSE RULES and CHOCOLAT. Prior to moving to New York, Patrick assisted the Executive Administrator at the Academy and worked on various events including Oscar® Nominations press conference, the Nominees Luncheon and the Governors Ball. He is a Board member at Film at Lincoln Center. A California native born in San Francisco, Patrick is an alum of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), rarely passes on a bowl of ice cream, loves dogs, enjoys cooking and spends his downtime in the “Gunks” of New York at every opportunity to hike, relax and rejuvenate.

Lacey Schwartz Delgado

Lacey Schwartz Delgado is an award-winning producer, writer, director, outreach strategist who draws on her interdisciplinary background to create compelling stories that span documentary and fiction and work with innovative organizations and brands. Schwartz Delgado, along with Mehret Mandefro, is the co-founder of the production company Truth Aid, which produces inspiring and empowering multi-media content to affect social change. Little White Lie, her debut film, a story about uncovering secrets and coming to terms with your identity, has been distributed worldwide and is now available on iTunes and Amazon prime. She was also the executive producer of the narrative film Difret which was the first film to win audience awards at both the Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. She also directed and produced the viral digital series The Loving Generation for topic.com. Lacey also produced How it Feels To Be Free, which premiered on PBS’s American Masters in January 2021. Schwartz Delgado has a BA from Georgetown University, a JD from Harvard University, and is a member of the New York State bar. A native of Woodstock, NY, she and her husband reside in Rhinebeck, NY with their twin boys. For more information on Lacey, please visit LaceySchwartzDelgado.com.

Thomas Sadoski

Thomas Sadoski most recently starred opposite Edie Falco on the CBS series “Tommy.” Prior to that he starred on the hit CBS comedy “Life in Pieces” and in HBO’s Golden Globe-nominated Aaron Sorkin series “The Newsroom.” His additional television credits include the NBC mini-series, “The Slap,” a recurring role on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and guest starring roles on and “Ugly Betty,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “Law & Order.” 

A graduate of Circle in the Square Theater School in New York City, Sadoski has worked extensively to help develop new theatrical works at New Dramatists, The Lark, The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center and the Sundance Institute.       

In his free time, sits on the board of the non-profit organizations INARA, War Child and Refugees International, which work to support women and children affected by war.

Michael Urie

MICHAEL URIE is best known for four seasons as Marc St. James on ABC’s Ugly Betty. After performing Jonathan Tolins’ solo play Buyer & Cellar more than 600 times all over the world, early in the pandemic, Michael live-streamed the play to your living room via his living room on Broadway.com, raising almost $300k for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids. Other TV appearances include: Modern Family, The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Hot in Cleveland, Partners, Workaholics, Almost Family and as Redmond on Younger. On Broadway, he appeared in Bess Wohl’s Grand Horizons, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song and opposite Nick Jonas in How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Off Broadway: Tony Kushner’s A Bright Room Called Day, High Button Shoes, The Government Inspector, Homos, or Everyone in America, Shows For Days, Angels in America, The Temperamentals. As director, Michael helmed Bright Colors and Bold Patterns on stage; He’s Way More Famous Than You, The Hyperglot and co-directed Thank You For Judging for the screen. Michael produced Drew Droege’s solo comedy Happy Birthday Doug and co-produces Pride Plays, an LGBTQIA theater festival each June. As a host: Cocktails & Classics, the upcoming HGTV show, Clipped and New York’s Drama Desk Awards four years in a row. Regional Theater: The Shakespeare Theater (Hamlet), The Old Globe, Seattle Rep, The Folger, Two River, Vineyard Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Barrington Stage, and Center Theater Group. Film: Lavender, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Decoy Bride, Such Good People, Abducted. In time for Christmas, 2021, Michael will star in Netflix’s first gay Christmas Rom-Com, Single All The Way.  Training: Juilliard.

Luca Ognibene

Luca is Director of Business Affairs and Production Legal at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Born in NYC and raised in the Mid-Hudson Valley, Luca earned a B.A. and a master’s degree from New York University and later relocated to Los Angeles for some 14 years. In California he worked as a seasoned production designer, eventually starting his own production company as a producer of commercials, stills, live events and indie film. While attending law school at U.C. Davis, Luca focused his studies on entertainment and business transactions. Combining his long-standing love of the arts and media with his passion for the legal profession, he was naturally led back to the entertainment industry as an attorney. He currently works on a variety of original programming and media ranging from reality TV, sports, gameshows, pop culture, and podcasts. Luca previously worked at CNBC, NBC News Group, and DreamWorks Animation before making his way to Sony Pictures Entertainment. A staunch believer in helping the community, he worked with the Freedom Writers Foundation in Long Beach, CA and continues to support a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives.