Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt - Executive Director

Nicole has used her degree in Professional and Technical Communication for a diverse range of work. As a community organizer on Long Island, Nicole led campaigns for affordable housing, transportation reform, and health care access. Since then, she headed several exciting independent publishing endeavors, including X-press magazine, The Movement magazine, and Kids’ Beat magazine, a Hudson Valley magazine written by and for kids. Her most recent years were spent as the Director of Communication and Individual Donor Relations at Women’s Studio Workshop, an Ulster County arts organization; and birthing and raising her two children. Now leading CMP, Nicole is putting her fundraising, networking and management skills to work. As Executive Director, she is responsible for organization-wide leadership and direction, leading the Curriculum Development and teaching team, fund raising and general community outreach.

Emily Bennison - Director of Media Guild & Exhibitions

Emily first learned about Children's Media Project while working for Sesame Workshop during her Senior Year at Vassar College (way back when, in 2002). Emily was soon sucked in (willingly and excitedly) to the world of Youth Media. Emily co-teaches the Radio Uprising and DROP Media Lab program, programs and curates for the Digital Cafe Series, and teaches animation workshops. Emily is a big fan of Hitchcock, Bollywood, Svankmajer, Chaplin, RadioLab, and dosa.

Tim Sutton - DROP TV Director and Media Educator

Tim Sutton, B.A., M.A., has been teaching and developing video production, media literacy, music, and poetry workshops at the Children's Media Project for over 8 years. He teaches both in after-school, school, summer intensive programs and has presented at numerous educational conferences. Tim received his media literacy training at the New Mexico Media Literacy Project in Taos, NM and recently received his master's degree in Humanistic/Multi-Cultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. Tim is also a musician and just released his latest album "Wading in the Balance" with his band Ratboy. Tim has been lucky to be able to combine his love of teaching with his passion for his art.

Ryan Sullivan - Production House Producer and Media Educator

Ryan Sullivan has been working with CMP for 10 years (starting Freshman year at Poughkeepsie High School) as a producer and educator. Ryan trains youth of all ages Ryan is a graphic artist (ask him for prices) and stand-up comedian (ask him the one about the orange). Ryan would like to tell everyone to have a good day.

Lester Brathwaite - Office Manager

An aspiring writer and filmmaker, Lester's creative flame has been stoked and nurtured by CMP for some time. First introduced to the program in Middle School, Lester has worked steadily with CMP, creating stop-motion animations, writing and producing PSAs, as well as exploring the fine intricacies of being fierce. A classic film buff and music junkie, Lester can often be seen with a pair of headphones and heard imitating (flawlesly, he might add) the late, great Bette Davis.

Mary Ellen Iatropoulos - Media Educator

Mary Ellen Iatropoulos came to the CMP in the summer of 2007 as a volunteer Media Educator, teaching zine-making workshops. She now heads up our Zine-making and Radio Uprising programs. She holds a BA in English from Vassar College and is currently pursuing a Master's in Secondary English Education at SUNY New Paltz. She spends her free time making photocopies, and firmly believes you're never fully dressed without a smile!

Maria Marewski, M.A. - Founding Director

Founding Director (in 1994) and Executive Producer of the Children's Media Project, Maria Marewski is an award winning filmmaker who has taught at the University of Maryland, Hunter College, and Vassar College. She has presented at numerous national conferences (Grantmakers in the Arts, Coalition for Essential Schools, the National Media Education Conference) and has curated (since 1999) the Youth Media Program for The Hampton's International Film Festival. Maria has served as a panelist or presenter for numerous committees, conferences and film festivals. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Poughkeepsie Institute. As Executive Producer, she is responsible for leadership and direction of Children's Media Project's Production House, working to increase CMP's repertoire of professional productions.