OUR TEAM
BEN KOLAK, FILMMAKER
For over 15 years, Ben Kolak has worked as a documentary cinematographer, editor, producer, and director. He is also a FAA-licensed UAV/Drone pilot. Ben enjoys collaborating with small teams on projects designed to encourage social good. He graduated from The University of Chicago in 2006 and serves on the board of the Media Burn Video Archive. benkolak.com
KYRA MITCHELL, MANAGING PRODUCER & EDITOR
Kyra brings experience producing for WBEZ 91.5 and the National Association of Black Social Workers, as well as leading Spotlight Youth, a nonprofit providing youth of color with film education. She studied social work at The University of Illinois-Champaign and broadcasting at the Illinois Media School.
IAN RESNICK, EDITOR & CAMERA OPERATOR
Ian is a documentary filmmaker interested in underground art and music culture. He studied cinema at the University of Chicago, (AB ‘23) where he was active in Doc Films and honed his skills as a live AV technician.
YSA QUIBALLO, EDITOR & CAMERA OPERATOR
Ysa is a multimedia storyteller with experience from WBEZ Chicago. She graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in art theory and practice.
FATIMA OMAR, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER & ASSISTANT EDITOR
Fatima Omar worked as an education consultant and data analyst for Chicago Public Schools and other organizations after studying classics and public policy at the University of Chicago (AB ‘17, MPP ‘21). She brings expertise in quantitative methods and education policy to the T&D team.
KYRA SWIMS, WINTER 2025 INTERN
Kyra is pursuing a masters degree at Loyola University in Digital Media and Storytelling, after studying marketing at North Carolina A&T University.
JOSÉ AGUSTÍN DONOSO, POST-PRODUCTION CONSULTANT
Agustín Donoso received his MFA in documentary from Northwestern University in 2019, and is currently based in Chile, where he runs lontra.tv as well as Anima Producciones, a production company specializing in educational motion graphics. Agustín consults T&D on post-production processes.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
We engage leaders from the social impact, arts, media and journalism communities to support us in our mission. Our 2025 advisors include:
FLORENCE CHEE Associate Professor of Communication at Loyola University, the Director of the Center for Digital Ethics and Policy and SIMLab. luc.edu/soc/florencechee.shtml
ANDREW FENCHEL Executive Director, LAMPO, and communications strategist. lampo.org/about
MARIA GASPAR Artist, Associate Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago mariagaspar.com/bio
AMIR GEORGE Filmmaker, curator, artist. blankgaze.com
SANDRA GUY Journalist, Chicago Sun-Times, President (2001-2003) Chicago Chapter Association for Women Journalists, Instructor at DePaul University sandraguyreports.com/about
JATAUN ROLLINS Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Executive Director, 1863FWD a social enterprise organization. 1863fwd.org/