CREATIVE TEAM
Tess Cacciatore – CEO – is the Creator/Executive Producer of the books, music, interactive programs and products franchise. Tess is an award-winning producer for 20+ years in educational/entertainment field. Tess (AKA Tessa May) is a children’s book author of Bella Wishes (released 2004) and 9 other children’s books, (released throughout 2011 – 2012). Tess has traveled globally to teach and inspire children and mentor youth to achieve an enriched and fulfilled life. Tess graduated from Stephens College with a BFA and a minor in Childhood Development and Psychology. Tess is the recipient of the prestigious award “Medal of Excellence” from Wilda Spalding, in Geneva Switzerland – Palias d’ Nation – United Nations in 2003.
Tess’s dance experience began at age 7, in her hometown of Des Moines IA. She was in a dance troupe growing up, performed at Six Flags Theme Park (AdventureLand) as a teen and after completing a BFA (Stephens College) Tess moved onto dancing professionally and choreographing in New York and Los Angeles. Tess danced on stage, in music videos, and on tour, as her job took her to Malaysia, and Singapore as a singer and hip hop dancer. Previous to that, Tess had gone on tour through CBS Records as a singer/dancer across the United States. Performing in chart topping dance songs, achieving songwriting awards, experience in A&R, Producing Interactive Media (and more) to round out her 20+ year entertainment experience.
Her “give back” to the world is the World Trust Foundation, which she founded in 1994. She has traveled globally working with youth in mentorship, organizing volunteer groups in developing countries to provide humanitarian relief (i.e. building homes in Sri Lanka, feeding children in the US, mentoring youth workshops, and speaking at the United Nations on behalf of children’s rights). Tess is presently producing a documentary to shed a light on the abuses of women and children – beginning in the Democratic Republic of Congo and then outreaching worldwide.
Tess’s cooking desires began in the Italian kitchens of her matriarch family members, as a young girl. Her love for good food and healthy living has fueled her commitment to “Families on the Go”. Tess has spent her adult life researching culinary styles from around the world, talking to experts about nutrition and health and with her passion for entertaining, Tess has successfully catered for milestone events, large parties, film crews and more.
Here is where you can learn more on the history of CarLou and World Trust Foundation.
Dave Rodriguez – Illustrator is an Emmy nominated animation pro, and he has worked on major hit shows: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rugrats, The Simpsons, Batman, Men in Black, Rocket Power, and Charlie Brown, to name a few. Dave is the illustrator for all Bella character development, settings, storyboards and illustrator of the book Bella Wishes (on the market today).
Monica Piper – Head Writer was the animation writer for adult cult favorite, Duckman, she became the show- runner for Rugrats, for which she won an Emmy. She developed and ran All Grown Up for Nickelodeon, and developed and wrote the pilot for Disney’s Stupid Cupid. She is a guest writer on the 2009 Emmy-nominated Mr. Men Show for Cartoon Network.
Kevin Holden is a 23-year veteran of the Los Angeles film production and animation industry. He has gained vast diversified experience with production management in live action television and feature film production and for the past 15 years has focused on animation development and production.
While working for such high profile companies as Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., Sony and Universal Studios Kevin has worn a number of different hats including Technical Director, Digital Asset Manager and Development Consultant and since 1998 he has a specialized in 2d Digital Flash animation and live action-animation hybrid productions. In 2009 Kevin started his own company, Life Rhythm Connections where he facilitates drum circles and rhythm events for corporate team building, leadership training, personal growth and youth empowerment trainings.
Rhonda Gawthrop (Creative Director for Advertising) has 18+ years experience in the advertising and marketing industry, as a Creative Director, specializing in the children’s marketplace. Rhonda has worked for Ogilvy Mather and Young & Rubican and other toy companies including Mattel, Hasbro, Spinmaster, and more.
BRANDING & TECHNOLOGY
Simon Mainwaring is an expert in global brands, advertising, creative director, blogger. A former Nike creative at Wieden & Kennedy, and worldwide creative director for Motorola at Ogilvy, Expertise in brands that are re-inventing their industries and enabling positive change, as he has worked at many of the world’s best advertising agencies in Asia, Europe and the U.S.
Paul Allen – Technology Consultant participated in the launch of MTV, work with NASA and other governmental agencies. Allen received four MTV awards, 2 United Nations Humanitarian awards, and 2 Grammy ® nominations for his contribution to “Sun City – Artists United Against Apartheid” and an Emmy Award for his work on the 1996 NBC Summer Olympics.
Mark E. Sackett – Brand Expert is owner of Reflectur, a widely published, award-winning design, branding, broadcast, motion graphics design, multimedia and marketing communications company. Levi’s, Looney Tunes etc. Mark has garnered well over 1,000 industry awards in national and international design competitions.
ONE MEDIA GROUP features their MOBILE PLATFORM powered by TAGGA technology, which is a self- managed mobile dashboard that delivers SMS and mobile sites through short code technology.! The platform will support the brand marketing, build a mobile database and business/consumer interest through character-driven content and e-commerce capabilities, interactive components to the TV series, DVD and in-store promotions.
Michael Spitler – PLUSH TOYS/BOARD GAMES/ EDUCATIONAL GAMES/ BIRTHDAY PARTIES brings over 30 years in the industry of manufacturing, import/ export, distribution and more for products in plush, board games, clothing lines etc. Mass merchant and toy industry: (Disney, Hasbro, 4 Kids, Monopoly, Jinga, Scrabble, to name a few).
HEALTH & EDUCATION EXPERTS
Dr. Elsa Macias is a bi-lingual consultant in education, science education and technology policy. She has an extensive background in K-16 education, including curriculum development and professional development for teachers, assessing the cognitive skills of K-2 students, and evaluating the impact on students of the federal Head Start program.
Christine (Ito) Wood, M.D., C.L.E.!is a practicing pediatrician and certified lactation educator with interests in healthy nutrition for children and the environmental and nutritional impact on health and disease. She is a compelling voice on the subject of children’s nutritional and environmental issues.
Kay Killough-Curtis Board Certified Nutritional Consultant – was a Educational Consultant for 20 years. She went back to school and became a Board Certified Nutritional Consultant due to concern about childhood obesity, as well as other health problems relating to poor nutrition in this country.
Andrea Metcalfe is a healthy lifestyle fitness motivator who makes small changes 4 big rewards everyone needs 2 be moved, Andrea joins the team for fitness interstitials and blogging to encourage healthy families. Andrea is a Contributor to MORE magazine, Better TV, NBC Chicago, Today Show and Oprah.com
Dyan Tsiumis Certified Personal Trainer – graduated Alfred University Cum Laude in 2000 with a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training. Dyan is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. After being a dedicated student of the intenSati practice Dyan became a certified leader and is taking fitness into the schools – DVD PRODUCTS.
FOOD & NUTRITION
Ann Volkwein – Food Series Producer is a former culinary producer for Food Network, Ann is the author of: Mixt Salads! (with Andrew Swallow, Tenspeed Press 2010)! More Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (with Guy Fieri, Morrow 2009) *NY Times #1 Bestseller Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (with Guy Fieri)
Julie Du Brow, DuBrow Works – Public Relations after 15 years as an entertainment executive, Julie redirected her energy and experience to create a Communications firm that integrates traditional and emerging methods of delivering any message appropriately. Julie handles PR for a variety of clients, including green companies and natural food products. Julie was first on board with Bella Wishes launch in 2005.
Jeffrey Kramer – Chef/Product Food Line has worked at prestigious restaurants including Chez Panisse, French Laundry and Fleur. Jeffrey is a Private Chef/Caterer, to many in the Entertainment world, working for renowned clients. Jeffrey is the food product developer for the brand (ranch dressing, catsup and more).
Stacey Larson – Healthy Foods has over 17 years of sales & marketing in Media and Food Marketing, a once Media executive for CBS and founder of Consumer Effects, Stacey worked with Retailers both National and Regional in size to drive product sales and consumer engagement in over 5000 store locations each year. She has now started a new company One Media Group