By Tammy Reese
Advertising Week New York came back for its 19th edition from October 16–19, this time at THE PENN DISTRICT, bringing together the brightest minds in marketing, advertising, media, and tech. With an immersive and interactive program, attendees had the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, discover new trends and network with professionals from around the world.
From inspiring keynotes to insightful panels, the event united entrepreneurs and creators in such a unique way.
Penni Love-Harper, Tammy Reese, Sherri Shepherd, and LaKisa Renee at Ad Week
On Day 1 at the Equality Lounge® during Advertising Week New York, a panel discussion featuring Sherri Shepherd, Host of The Sherri Show took place. NYWIFT members Tammy Reese, LaKisa Renee, and Penni Love-Harper sat front row to learn from and to engage in the conversation.
During the panel, The Emmy and NAACP award-winning host and comedian Sherri Shepherd sat down with BigCommerce’s Tom Bourdon to discuss how she reinvigorated daytime TV while living her dream and leading by example on her hit talk show Sherri. She was joined by her Executive Producer Jawn Murray and SVP of Brand Partnerships Karen Bonck. Sherri and her team provided insight on bringing their winning feel-good formula to TV every day and how that creates a rich environment for brands to thrive.
Penni Love-Harper, LaKisa Renee, Sherri Shepherd, Tammy Reese, and Yvette Green
After the panel, NYWIFT Members Tammy, LaKisa, and Penni introduced themselves and discussed their involvement with NYWIFT to Sherri. The conversation among the four New York Women in Film and Television led to Sherri personally inviting them to her live talk show the very next morning. Upon arrival the ladies were given VIP Style access which included priority entrance into the studio, front row seating, and backstage access. Our NYWIFT members were spotted numerous times on live tv during The Sherri Show!
What a remarkable way to represent our organization ladies! Job well done!
Catch them in the front row:
Tammy Reese
Tammy Reese is CEO of Visionary Minds PR & Media, and a New York award winning Actress, Writer, and Journalist.
Related Posts
Maria Miles Previews the 2025 New York Greek Film Expo
As former NYWIFT Board Member Maria C. Miles finishes up her first year as President of the Hellenic Film Society, we sat down with her on the eve of the New York Greek Film Expo to discuss her time with the organization and what we have to look forward to at this year’s fest. Mary is the founder of an entertainment law practice with offices in New York. Maria’s practice focuses on all areas of entertainment law, including film (narrative and documentary), music, literary publishing, and digital media. She has represented award-winning producers, directors, writers, actors, television hosts, multi-platinum recording artists, and corporations in the fashion and sports industries related to their entertainment matters. Maria is the Executive Director of the Hellenic Films Society, USA, and served as Secretary of the board of New York Women in Film & Television. She continues to serve NYWIFT as their legal counsel. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema and the School for Visual Arts, as well as an Adjunct Instructor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Amy Heller
Welcome to NYWIFT, Amy Heller! Amy is the co-founder of Milestone Films, an award-winning film restoration and distribution company dedicated to rediscovering lost and overlooked films. After fleeing academia, Amy found her passion in the independent film world and co-founded Milestone with her partner Dennis Doros in 1990. For 35 years, their mission has been to restore forgotten cinema, particularly films by and about women, people of color, Native Americans, and LGBTQ+ community members. Amy spoke to us about her journey in film distribution, the evolution of the industry over four decades, and her exciting upcoming transition as she passes Milestone to the next generation.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Courtney DeStefano
Welcome to NYWIFT, Courtney DeStefano! Courtney grew up in a small town, where she spent hours devouring old movies and pouring through every indie-film magazine she could get her hands on. She graduated with a BFA in Film & Television from NYU Tisch School of the Arts before embarking on her editing career where she worked with clients like CBS, Bravo, Showtime, BET, NatGeo, Discovery & TLC. She’s spent the last several years dividing her time between chasing after her three young sons and hiding in her home office to write. Her work has been recognized by the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, PANO Network, Hollyshorts and the PAGE Awards, among others. In our interview, Courtney discussed her small-town inspirations, how editing informs her writing and directing, and her latest short film.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Sara Newton
Welcome to NYWIFT, Sara Newton! Sara is a director and cinematographer based in New York and Los Angeles. She is the creator of the MDR Sketch Comedy Show on PBS and has recently returned from an expedition in Antarctica, where she filmed a documentary. Her digital comedy sketches, produced under brands like Made by Tom and Sara, Nightpantz, and Conservation Comedy, have collectively garnered over 5 million views. With a strong foundation in television production, Sara has coordinated hit reality shows such as Love & Hip Hop (VH1), Bridezillas (WEtv), and Nellyville (BET). Her extensive experience in physical production led her to spend six years at Gunpowder & Sky, where she managed production across various platforms and developed sizzle reels for network pitches. Additionally, she served as the cinematographer for the experimental film Dust Flow: A Meditative Experience, also produced by Gunpowder & Sky. As of 2025, Sara is Head of Content for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and is set to direct a feature film this fall. Sara shares her journey as an unconventional storyteller who is not afraid to explore new platforms and storytelling formats.
READ MORE
Comments are closed