Sean Gannet, Organizer
Sean has lived and worked in Gowanus for 10 years as a film, television, and event producer. Since 2011, he’s been working with the TED Conferences as a special event producer, director, and production manager helping to execute dozens of TED events such as TED Mission Blue, TEDActive 2011 and 2013, TED Talent Search, TED@New York, and TEDYouth Day.
Inspired by and passionate about TED’s mission and in love with the Gowanus neighborhood, Sean brings his production expertise and passion for community to TEDxGowanus.
For full biography and work samples see www.seangannet.com.
Stone Dow, Producer
Stone graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Television, Radio, and Film. After assistant directing a number of independent film and video projects in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, he returned to the east coast to focus on nonfiction work. He co-directed four short films that were featured at the One-Take Super 8 Festival in Syracuse, New York. Currently in post-production on two feature-length documentaries, he is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Base Camp Media, a documentary film production company.
With a background in visual storytelling, Stone is looking forward to helping the Gowanus community spread its ideas far and wide.
Joseph Alexiou, Co-Curator
A journalist and history buff, Joseph Alexiou is writing a book about the Gowanus Canal. He is the author of Paris for Dummies and contributing author to Frommer’s Paris 2012 and has written for New York, the New York Press, New York Observer, Gothamist and Paper Magazine. He is a former associate editor at Out magazine and has a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University.
Matt Suter, Director of Photography
Over the past decade, Matt has participated in projects in New York City ranging from the installation of large scale public art works for NYC's oldest public arts organization, CreativeTime, to assisting the Clinton Foundation in its efforts to fight global warming. Since 2005, Matt has been doing camera and lighting for live events, as well as directing music videos for local artists, and designing lighting and projection for independent theater and fashion shows. Now increasingly focused on cinematography for documentary and narrative projects, Matt is proud to have the opportunity to help Team TEDxGowanus spread the word about this fascinating corner of the Five Boroughs far and wide.
Emily Pidgeon, Associate Producer
Emily works on the Design and Social Media teams at TED. When she's not watching TED Talks, Emily does her best to make Bushwick seem beautiful on Instagram (@holidayhaus).
Rachel Leventhal, Marketing and Press
Rachel brings 10 years of marketing, advertising, and social media experience to the TEDxGowanus team. She currently works as an account director at NYC-based creativity company, the watsons. A three-year resident of Gowanus (even though the craigslist post definitely said Carroll Gardens), Rachel is thrilled to be part of this exciting event and such an inspiring community.
Chip Huffman, Partnerships Director
An award-winning creative director and copywriter, Chip develops brand and content strategies that connect people to companies and ideas. South Dakotan by birth and Brooklyner by choice, he's thrilled to be a part of the TEDxGowanus team. Chip's passionate about ideas, words, design and Koalas. Don't forget the koalas.
Ashley Vellano, Lighting Wizard
Ashley graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.F.A in Technical Theater emphasis in Lighting Design. She has been designing lights in New York CIty since 2008. She is one the founding members of Kidz Theater in NYC, a company which provides a free professional training ground for Young Performers.
She toured with Gallim as their Lighting Director for 3 years, traveling with them throughout the US and internationally. She has had the pleasure of designing the lights for “Mama Call” and “Seven Circles” in 2011and co-designing “Sit Kneel Stand” in 2012 with Vincent Vigilante.
Ashley is a founding member of Vigilante Design Group (VDG). She is endlessly thankful for Kristen and Seymour.
Brittany Spencer, Production Stage Manager Wizard
Brittany is a southern-born, New York-based lighting designer and electrician who works in the dance and performing arts community. She spends much of her working life as Ashley Vellano's life assistant. She lives in Harlem with her cat, Luna.