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Moderator
Patrick Salazar has over 30 years of experience in broadcast and digital production, beginning as a production assistant at CBS affiliate KOSA-TV in West Texas, where he became the station’s youngest — and only Latino — creative director. He went on to direct music videos for Latin artists under Sony, BMI, and Capitol Records, earning recognition from the American Advertising Federation. At Rooster Teeth Productions, he built and led a full-scale broadcast studio and streaming division, eventually becoming Head of O&O Studio Production under Warner Bros. Discovery. He currently teaches management in the Radio-TV-Film department at Austin Community College and recently launched Command Start, a consulting company for first-time supervisors and small business owners.
Panelist
Jenny de la Fuente is a Mexican-born filmmaker, actor, and owner of Austin-based Pink Mud Productions. Her award-winning short Somewhere You Feel Free has been recognized at multiple festivals, including the Audience Award at Austin Under the Stars and Best Film at Austin Spotlight. With a background in theater and over a decade in the industry, she is passionate about telling emotionally honest stories that elevate Latina perspectives and explore identity and self-discovery. She is currently in pre-production on her next short film, Alpha Nova, a story about obsession, self-erasure, and generational trauma.
Panelist
Vanessa Flores Newton, LCSW-S is a licensed clinical social worker, speaker, and entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. She is the founder and CEO of Colors of Austin Counseling, a group practice rooted in culturally responsive, trauma-informed care, and the founder of Brave and Well, a platform supporting therapists and entrepreneurs in building sustainable, values-aligned businesses. As a first-generation Latina from South Texas, her work supports women, creatives, and leaders navigating burnout, self-doubt, and the vulnerability of building something new. She specializes in trauma healing through EMDR and has spoken nationally on shame resilience, leadership, and sustainable success.
Panelist
Yamel Thompson is a Mexico City-born Executive and Creative Producer based in Los Angeles, and co-founder of Agüita, a production company known for culturally resonant, visually sophisticated work. With a background spanning art history, film, and marketing, she bridges creative instinct with production precision across advertising, music, and original content. She began her career in long-form documentary and unscripted television, and has since produced work for leading global brands and artists. Agüita is recognized for its sharp cultural perspective and refined aesthetic, with coverage in Dazed, Billboard, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone.
Panelist
Eddy Rivas is a writer, director, and creative strategist with over a decade of experience crafting narratives, leading writers rooms, and overseeing transmedia projects spanning animated series, novels, comic books, and video games. He is best known for his work on RWBY, Red vs. Blue, and DC’s RWBY x Justice League animated films, among others. Throughout his career at Rooster Teeth, he contributed as a writer and voice actor across multiple beloved properties, including Nomad of Nowhere and Camp Camp. Beyond the screen, Eddy is a dedicated martial artist and co-lead instructor at ATX Tactics, training in Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is also a proud dad.
