Janey Klebe Tessier, President

Janey Klebe is a freelance television and commercial producer. At a young age, she was influenced by travel documentarian, Anthony Bourdain. Through his shows, she discovered her love for storytelling and developed an understanding that if done right, television has the power to do good and share good with the world, which is exactly what she strives to do within her own career.

Over the past 8 years, Janey has been fortunate to work on dozens of shoots across the U.S. and around the world for shows on ABC, MSNBC, Discovery, and Travel Channel. Most recently, she produced two documentaries for PBS’s NOVA Science Series: Fighting for Fertility & Can Psychedelics Cure? In addition to this, she also manages commercial productions and online content for major companies such as Target and Best Buy. Janey loves a good challenge and thrives in a demanding work environment.

When not working, you’ll find Janey running the lakes with her pup, Ophelia, on a taco-date with her fiancé, or practicing yoga! She loves to travel, garden, and volunteers with at-risk elementary students.

A dynamic addition to Minnesota Women in Film & Television since joining the board in 2023, Janey quickly stepped into leadership as Vice President. She has helped drive community engagement through the widely attended Thirsty Thursday networking events, which have become a cornerstone gathering for local industry professionals. Janey is eager to continue her commitment to MN WIFT with a new two-year board term, where she'll help guide the organization’s rapid growth and programs.

Brettina Davis, Co-Vice President

Brettina Davis is an actress, digital storyteller, producer, and director born and raised in Minneapolis. She has been in the commercial acting world on and off since childhood and started her journey in film acting right before the pandemic. Brettina Davis starred in Lillie Gardner and Megen Musegades’ film You’ve Been Selected as well as Donna Mosley’s Film A Night at the Cabin. She started her producing career  as Co-Producer to Charla Marie Bailey’s Of a Certain Age and is currently producing one documentary and one narrative film for 2026. Her directing career began with the stage Assistant Directing A Jumping off Point at The Jungle Theater with director Shá Cage. In 2024, Brettina Davis Directed her first film titled Community Therapy. 

Brettina is outspoken and speaks passionately about mental health, neurodivergency, equality, and the need for more Black and IPOC representation in the media, behind and in front of the camera. With over seven years of experience in marketing, and one Webby Award, she's ready to market any space in line with her values and passions. Learn more about her at brettinadavis.com and IG @thebrettina.

Since joining the Minnesota Women in Film & Television board in 2023, Brettina has shaped the organization's voice through her leadership in communications and social media strategy. She has elevated member stories through the Member Spotlight series and strengthened community connections by organizing the groundbreaking "MN WIFT Melanated" BIPOC panel.

Brettina looks forward to bringing her creative vision to MNWIFT's executive team, where she'll continue providing leadership during her new two-year board term.

Audra Arnaudon, Co-Vice President

In the past decade, Audra Arnaudon has helped to produce almost 100 hours of television, shot across all seven continents.

Working mainly as a Supervising Producer or Line Producer, she has been lucky to create work for networks like National Geographic Channel, Netflix, HBO, History Channel, and Amazon. She’s worked alongside incredible talent at companies like National Geographic Studios, Great Big Story/CNN, Radical Media, Show of Force, Lucky 8, Jigsaw Productions, and Words + Pictures. Her projects have been nominated for and won Emmy awards.

After 15 years in NYC, Audra relocated to Minneapolis in 2021 to be closer to her partner’s family. When not working, you’ll find her walking her dog Copper, ushering at The Guthrie, or keeping up her French conversation skills at Cōzette.

She attributes the success in her career to the women who have empowered and supported her along the way, so joined MN WIFT in 2023 to give back to the ever-growing media industry here in Minnesota.

Charla Marie Bailey, Treasurer

Charla Marie Bailey is an actress, voice over artist, host, model and novice filmmaker who enjoys writing, working with her hands and spending time with her family.

Charla Marie has been acting on stages in the Midwest for over 25 years. She started working in film and television about 8 years ago. Back in 2018 Charla Marie decided to leave her job as a legal assistant to pursue a career as a full-time actress and has been blessed thus far. She is looking forward to all the exciting adventures this industry has to offer.

You can find her on Amazon Prime in Miles Between US and Black In Minneapolis.

Learn more about Charla Marie at www.CharlaMarieBailey.com.

Dallas Smith, Secretary

Dallas Smith is a visual creative with a passion for stories told through film and photography. Her degree and corporate work for the past 15+ years has been in the field of Architecture and Design, but her heart is in film and photography and thus it takes up most of her time outside of corporate America. Since 2010, Dallas has been Lead Photographer for the Twin Cities Film Fest, and has worked on films both large and small as an actor, stand-in, unit still photographer, assistant director, script supervisor and production assistant.

Dallas has also worked as actor in a variety of commercial ads, including Warners Stellian, Wiley Wallaby and Minnesota School of Business.

"I believe we have an amazing film community of both talent and crew here in Minnesota, and do all that I can to help promote and build it up. I first stepped onto a film set 13 years ago and fell in love with the process. Film can inspire and touch people in ways other things cannot. It’s essential for both edification and entertainment. I wouldn’t be the same if it had not touched my life in so many ways."The Maker.

Behind every great brand is a team of makers and doers. Let your visitors know who they are.

Kelly Lamphear-Dash

Kelly Lamphear-Dash is an award-winning screenwriter and producer. Her documentaries and short films have been featured in over 100 film festivals worldwide.

​Her short documentary "Rediscovering John Berryman" will be broadcast on PBS stations nationwide, their app, and educational platform this fall.

​In addition, she's a story and production consultant. She's also co-founder and organizer for Reel Write Away screenwriting retreats.

Molly Ryman

Molly Ryman is an actress originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her love for storytelling took her to New York City where she pursued independent film and studied at the Stella Adler School of Acting and The T. Schreiber Studio. She has been a part of numerous award winning films and has taken home a number of Best Actress Awards. Molly has acted in everything from dark dramatic films to campy drag queen comedies.

While in NYC, Molly spent many years volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Awareness, a cause she is still passionate about today. She is also passionate about wildlife, green living and holistic wellness. Her love for yoga took her to an ashram in India where she lived and studied and Thailand where she worked with an Ayeruvedic practitioner.

Since moving back home to Minnesota, Molly is married with a sweet, young family. She is represented locally by Moore Creative Talent and Wehmann Models and Talent. She works in commercials and continues to travel for film work.

Jason Schumacher

Jason P. Schumacher is a freelance director and multi-hyphenate filmmaker, using words, light, paint, and pixels to tell stories and share ideas.  

He has worked in film and television in the Twin Cities since 2004.  

Jason has directed numerous award winning short films and music videos that have screened around the country.   His films have a strong visual aesthetic and are often themed around disconnection and reconnection between people.  He has also used his filmmaking skills to help healthcare organizations and nonprofits to promote mental health awareness and therapeutic treatments.    

He is currently developing several narrative feature screenplays.

Always striving to learn and grow, his eclectic mix of skills has allowed him to work in a variety of roles on and off set, all informing his own work as a director and filmmaker. Wearing many hats in his career has also given him a true appreciation for being a part of a collaborative creative team.  

When he's not creating something new for work or artistic expression, Jason is at home playing pretend and making art with his young family.

Carrie Bush

Carrie has a lifelong passion and drive to create stories, give voice to and advocate for the underrepresented and marginalized groups around the world which has formed her goals and dreams both professionally and through her continuing education. For the last 17 years, she’s worked in the film and commercial industry, working across the country and around the world as a director, producer, and assistant director on both narrative and documentary film projects. She has directed four award-winning short films and a web series with a focus on telling stories that showcase different perspectives. She currently mentors young filmmakers and volunteers for organizations that fight for social justice here in Minneapolis as well as at the USA-Mexican Border.

Taylor Mills

Taylor Mills is a filmmaker based in the Twin Cities, whose journey began at the age of eight with her father’s old VHS camera. That early spark ignited a lifelong love for cinematic storytelling.

After earning a BA in filmmaking from the University of Winnipeg, Taylor has spent the past eight years working professionally as a camera operator for companies like VICE, Sportsman Channel, Peloton, National Park Foundation, Red Bull, City of Minneapolis, St. Paul Saints, and Save the Boundary Waters.

She is currently employed full-time at Star Studio, a live TV studio within the Children’s Hospital, where she hosts and runs live shows for patients and creates content for their 24/7 programming. Taylor cherishes the opportunity to share her love for film with kids, inspiring them just as she was inspired at their age.

In addition to her work at Star Studio, Taylor serves as a part-time Jumbotron camera operator for the Timberwolves and Lynx. She also runs her own freelance business, offering her services as a photographer, cinematographer, drone pilot, and actress. To explore more of her work, visit tmillsfilms.com.

Bianca Rhodes

Bianca Rhodes is an Emmy award-winning Media Creative Professional and a dedicated advocate for community, diversity, and education. Her illustrious career spanning over two decades reflects her unwavering commitment to positive change and community empowerment through media.

At the heart of Bianca's story is a relentless pursuit of creativity and resilience. Her determination to create new and fresh narratives has been a guiding force throughout her 20-year tenure in the media industry. Refusing to yield to discouragement, she has embraced challenges as opportunities for growth. She once defied advice to stay in front of the camera, choosing instead to explore the power of storytelling from behind the lens. This determination culminated in a prestigious Emmy Award and recognition on WCCO 4 for her nominated show.

Bianca's journey is a testament to the power of media, education, mentorship, and unwavering determination. She invites others to join her on this transformative journey to harness the power of media to bring about positive change, create new narratives, and empower diverse voices.

Christopher Powers

Chris is a software engineer and filmmaker. He joined the Minneapolis/St. Paul filmmaking community in 2007, where he works as an assistant director and producer on feature films, short films, music videos and documentaries.

Chris joined the MN WIFT Board in 2016 and has served as Secretary since 2017.

Mandi Bedbury

Mandi Bedbury is a Project Management Professional (PMP), business strategist, and performing artist who helps organizations and individuals leverage creativity for growth. As the founder of Stage Your Change, she designs and facilitates workshops on leadership, communication, and team dynamics, using acting and improv techniques to enhance professional development. Her programs have empowered executives, professionals, and creatives to build adaptability, confidence, and collaboration skills.

With a background spanning operations, marketing, and business development, Mandi consults with companies and creative organizations to improve project management, team engagement, and strategic execution. She specializes in operational design, program development, and brand storytelling, helping businesses streamline workflows and connect more effectively with their audiences.

In addition to her consulting work, Mandi has been a writer, director, and performer for over a decade, appearing in film, television, improv, and stage productions in New York and Minneapolis. She has worked on projects such as Across the Universe, Celebrity Ghost Stories, (Mis)placed, and Fun-Raiser and is currently performing with the Rusty Nails, Ask a an Astro-Physicist and the Improvised Movement Project.

As a strategic leader in the arts community, Mandi is a member of the Minneapolis Arts Commission and is currently developing a low-cost rehearsal space for performing artists in downtown Minneapolis. This initiative aims to support filmmakers, playwrights, and creatives by providing accessible resources to bring their work to life.

Whether working with corporate teams, nonprofits, or creative entrepreneurs, Mandi blends strategy, storytelling, and leadership development to drive meaningful change.

mandibedbury.com

Jacelyn Penée Rainere Johnson

Jacelyn Penée Rainere Johnson is an award-winning actress, producer, casting director, writer, and director from Minneapolis, Minnesota, by way of Los Angeles. She is known for telling bold, character-driven stories about complex, imperfect people, utilizing experimental techniques to explore psychological states, somatic experiences, and sexuality. While she creates across multiple mediums, filmmaking remains her most fulfilling craft.

As the CEO, Founder, and Creative Director of JahPenée Productions (JPP)—a Los Angeles & Minneapolis-based Film/TV Production Company—Jacelyn has made a significant impact in the industry by providing pre-to-post production services, creative consulting, and casting services.

Notable Projects & Achievements: Creator & Producer of The Transformation Code – a talk radio show and podcast hosted by LeBrent Speed, which will be expanding into a talk show format. 2024 L.A. Short Film Festival Award Winner (Sci-Fi/Thriller) for FETISH: The Senator & The Ramp (2023) – a gripping short film she wrote, produced, and directed, exploring the moral dilemmas of a man controlled by a sinister AI. Director & Producer of WeNextArtists (2021) – a feature documentary spotlighting an underrepresented music scene in East Side Saint Paul, Minnesota. Casting Director for a COVID-19 Hulu commercial (2022). Co-Producer of We Wear The Mask (2023) – a podcast and vlog delving into the hidden layers of identity. Producer, Casting Director & Talent Wrangler for The Mask, which aired on The CW (2023 Fall Season).

Beyond film and television, Jacelyn is the driving force behind 42Music, an independent boutique music label and publishing company specializing in Afrofusion/AfroPop.

In the literary space, Jacelyn is developing multiple television series exploring LGBTQ+ themes and mental health, aiming to ignite familiarity in the human experience across all genders and sexual identities. Jacelyn is a member of several industry organizations, including: Organization of Black Screenwriters, Women of Color Unite, Black Lens & Pens Screenwriting Group, MN Women in Film & Television (MN WIFT) – highlighted as a Featured Female Filmmaker (2021)

She is also a recipient of the Creative Arts Individual Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and serves as a grant reviewer. Her acting performances have garnered awards at various film festivals, and she has made her mark at industry events such as the Pan African Film Festival, Hollywood Film Festival, and Black Hollywood Film Festival.

Connect with Jacelyn

● Instagram: @jahpenee

● Production Company: @jahpeneeproductions

Joyce Lacey - New

Joyce Lacey brings a passion for storytelling to her work, focusing on directing and producing documentaries, industrials, and public service announcements. Her current projects include The African American Submarine Experience and A True Horror Story: Kidnapped, Trafficked, Isolated & Drugged by Abusive, For-Profit, Fraudulent Guardianships and Conservatorships. She also produces a weekly program for The Now Network and The Daily Gospel Network.

Previously, Joyce contributed to numerous films, including Fargo, A Simple Plan, A Serious Man, Mighty Ducks I, II & III, Jingle All the Way, Grumpy Old Men, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and more. While primarily working as a background artist, she also assisted with craft services and extras casting check-in. She was credited in Beautiful Girls and worked on In the Line of Duty films and the In An Instant series.

In television, she served as Assistant to the Executive Producers of Let's Bowl on Comedy Central and produced multiple shows for Northwest Community Television, including No Excuse for Abuse, which aired for several years.

Joyce’s theatrical experience includes Off-Broadway performances in Fiddler on the Roof (Tzeitel), Death of a Salesman (Linda), A Doll's House (Nora), and Cheaper by the Dozen (Nora). She has also appeared in commercials for Prairie St. John's, Reflections Bridal, Turn Your Knob to BOB, Cal Spas, Mall of America, and an Armed Forces campaign.

She holds degrees from Minnesota State Fergus Falls, the University of Minnesota Morris, and LB Seminary. Outside of entertainment, Lacey actively engages in community service as Vice President of Community Engagement for the Navy League of the United States Minnesota Council, a board member for the Ambassadors of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, Director of the June Lynne Lacey Foundation, and a Steering Committee member for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Her work has been recognized with honors including the Eleven Who Care KARE 11 Award, WCCO & Women's Expo Volunteer of the Year Award, KSTP & Sun Country Airlines Everyday Hero Award, St. Paul Saints Community Service Award, Minnesota State Fair Fifty Year Award, Marquis Who's Who, and Law 2.0 Conference Outstanding Leadership Award. Lacey is also a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Barnes & Noble Best-Selling Author.