October 23, 2025
UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center
Join us for our 5th annual summit, where we bring together entertainment industry professionals, youth activists, researchers, scientists, and public health leaders to support kids, teens, and young adults through some of the most pressing challenges of our time by meeting them where they are: on screens.
The Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award
CSS is excited to launch the the Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award, with acclaimed producer, director, and storyteller Greg Berlanti as its inaugural recipient at the 2025 Teens & Screens Summit.
Greg Berlanti's ability to create authentic, diverse narratives that resonate with teen and young adult audiences has made him one of the most influential voices in contemporary media. We are thrilled to recognize his contributions to the entertainment industry in this way.
The Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award is presented by
Creator, showrunner, executive producer, and director (VAMPIRE DIARIES Universe)
Writer, creator, producer, and director (DAWSON’S CREEK), creator (SCREAM Franchise)
The Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award will become a permanent feature of our annual Summit, honoring creators who use their platforms to address important social issues and inspire positive change through compelling narratives.
Support the Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award
Help us expand the reach and impact of this meaningful recognition. Your contribution to the Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award will enable us to grow our teen programming, reach more young storytellers, and amplify diverse voices that are driving positive change in media and entertainment. Together, we can ensure that creators who use their platforms for social good continue to be celebrated and supported.
2025 Summit Schedule
Networking
Refreshments
9 AM
Opening Remarks
Welcome
9:30 AM
VP of Research & Programs
Center for Scholars & Storytellers
Dr. Yalda T. Uhls
Founder & CEO
Center for Scholars & Storytellers
Dr. Alisha J. Hines
9:40 AM
Opening Keynote
The Power of Storytelling
10:00 AM
Panel
Audience Data
Kate Coke
Head of Data Insights
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Vani Henderson
Head of User Experience, Kids & Family
YouTube
Fireside Chat
10:20 AM
Black Youth Identity and Mental Health
Dr. Raquel Martin
Fellow
Hopelab
Jamila Hunter
President
Macro Television
Director of Entertainment & Culture Marketing
Matt Feniger
United Talent Agency (UTA)
Panel
10:40 AM
Identity Development Through Media Spaces
Estefanía Rebellón
Actress and Co-Founder/CEO
Chelsie Hill
Content Creator and Founder/CEO
Monkeypaw Productions, Get Out (2017), Us (2019), Nope (2022), MonkeyMan (2024)
Keisha Senter
Senior Vice President of Culture and Impact
Digital Creator, Speaker, Author, and Disability Advocate
Molly Burke
Networking
11:20 AM
Break
11:30 AM
Panel
How Media Creates IRL Community
12:10 PM
Panel
Audience Talks Back
YouTube Youth
Megan Cruz
TikToker/Influencer
Juju Green
TikToker/Influencer
Jacqueline Coley
Awards Editor
Anthony Plaza
17-year-old student
Vice President, Original Content & Business Affairs
Heather Anderson
ESPN
Vice President of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing
Rhett Nichols
NFL
Paramount
Meredith Goldberg-Morse
Alexis Rice
Global Partnerships
Director of Social Impact
Rotten Tomatoes
Networking
12:50 PM
Lunch
Ask The Teens (the Experts)
Q&A
1:45 PM
Andres Cuervo
Youth Engagement Program Manager
Roblox
Hollyn Alpert
14-year-old YMR student
Alyssa Ruvalcaba
18-year-old YMR student
Wolfie Bikel
17-year-old YMR student
Presidents of Sony Pictures Animation
Notable films include: Kpop Demon Hunters (2025), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).
Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville
Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences, Hopelab Fellow
Dr. Charity Brown Griffin
Winston-Salem State University
Universal Studios Hollywood
Vice President, Global Content & Partnerships
Lauren Glaubach
Mark Jenkins
Senior Director, Entertainment Creative Development
Vice President, NBC Unscripted Formats, Programming & Development
Merrill Hendrickson
Universal Television Entertainment Group, The Voice.
Youth Engagement Program Manager
Rebecca Benoit
Center for Scholars & Storytellers
Networking
2:30 PM
Break
2:35 PM
Social Impact Award Presentation
Presented by
Creator, showrunner, executive producer, and director (VAMPIRE DIARIES Universe)
Julie Plec
Writer, creator, producer, and director (DAWSON’S CREEK, SCREAM Franchise)
Kevin Williamson
Presented to
Greg Berlanti
Producer, director, and storyteller
Networking
3:00 PM
Break
3:05 PM
Panel
Masculinity on Screens
Jimmie Briggs
Journalist and Co-Founder
Man Up Campaign
Gary Barker
President and CEO
Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice.
3:45PM
Panel
Community Building Through Gaming
Alan Gershenfeld
Co-Founder and President
Hubbel Palmer
Writer
A Minecraft Movie (2025)
Kiahna (Kiki) Manker
Creative Producer Associate
Riot Games, Arcane (2021-2024)
Daniel Haun
Sr. Program Manager, Civility and Partnerships
Roblox
Josephson Entertainment, Kiss of the Spiderwoman (2025), Enchanted (2007), Bones (2005 -2017)
Barry Josephson
Hollywood producer and President
Melinda Hsu
Lost (2009-10), Nancy Drew (2019-2023), Tom Swift (2022), The Vampire Diaries (2013-2017)
TV Writer and Showrunner
Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility & Call of Duty Endowment Marketing
Helene Imperiale
Activision Blizzard
Networking
4:25 PM
Closing Remarks
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
Join us in giving young people a seat at the table in media and entertainment to drive social change.
Thank You to Our 2025 Summit Host Committee
Doug Belgrad - Netflix Film
Jennifer Blum - Red House Entertainment
Susanne Daniels - Executive & Professor, UCLA
Channing Dungey - Warner Bros Television Group and US Networks
Tim Federle - High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Matt Feniger - UTA Entertainment & Culture Marketing
Desiree Flores - UTA Foundation
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein - The Gotham Group
Kelly Goode - Senior Television Programming Executive
George Huang - Writer, Director & Professor, UCLA
Jamila Hunter - MACRO Television Studios
Nancy Kanter - Available Light Productions
Dustin Lance Black - Milk, Rustin
David Miner - 3 Arts Entertainment
Candice Odgers - Professor, UCI
Lynnette Ramirez - Bassett Vance Productions
Mia Riverton Alpert - Red Doors
Alyson Stoner - Camp Rock, Phineas and Ferb
Dennis St. Rose - CAA Foundation