Who We Are
Jeffrey Aresty, Founder and President
Jeffrey Aresty, Founder and President
Jeffrey Aresty, Founder and President
Jeff Aresty founded InternetBar.org Institute, the nonprofit behind Youth Innovation Studio, built on his belief that technology can expand access — to justice, to opportunity, to understanding — for a more peaceful and fairer society. He leads PeaceTones, creating income opportunities in conflict zones, and The Invisibles, addressing id
Jeff Aresty founded InternetBar.org Institute, the nonprofit behind Youth Innovation Studio, built on his belief that technology can expand access — to justice, to opportunity, to understanding — for a more peaceful and fairer society. He leads PeaceTones, creating income opportunities in conflict zones, and The Invisibles, addressing identity barriers facing stateless refugees. A Fellow at UMass's Center for Information Technology and Dispute Resolution, he has spent decades using technology to bridge divides, the same principle guiding YIS's work with the next generation of storytellers
Yvonne Nath, Executive Director
Jeffrey Aresty, Founder and President
Jeffrey Aresty, Founder and President
Yvonne has spent her career in the legal industry — first at for-profit firms, now leading non-profit work on access to justice: making the legal system work for everyone, not just those who can afford it. That access starts earlier than most assume. Before someone can walk into a courtroom, or simply take part fully in their community an
Yvonne has spent her career in the legal industry — first at for-profit firms, now leading non-profit work on access to justice: making the legal system work for everyone, not just those who can afford it. That access starts earlier than most assume. Before someone can walk into a courtroom, or simply take part fully in their community and economy, they need a fair shot at education, mentorship, and stability growing up. That's why our work centers on youth.
Access to justice also means being heard — a voice that goes unheard is harder to appreciate and advocate for. That's why storytelling is core to our programming: younger generations deserve to be heard.
Panel of Experts
Sergio R. Angeles, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Longmont Public Media
Sergio R. Angeles, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Longmont Public Media
Sergio R. Angeles, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Longmont Public Media
Sergio's background is in back-end and front-end application development for Fortune 500 companies. In 2017, he co-founded the Longmont Observer to bring local news to Longmont — now Longmont Public Media, a professional multi-media production studio where everyday community members produce and share civic and artistic media. Longmont Pu
Sergio's background is in back-end and front-end application development for Fortune 500 companies. In 2017, he co-founded the Longmont Observer to bring local news to Longmont — now Longmont Public Media, a professional multi-media production studio where everyday community members produce and share civic and artistic media. Longmont Public Media and Youth Innovation Studio share a mission: building an informed, engaged community through media. See: Longmont Public Media – Longmont's Public Access TV
Mackenzie Shelswell-White, Visual Media Specialist
Sergio R. Angeles, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Longmont Public Media
Sergio R. Angeles, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Longmont Public Media
"Mack" helps our students navigate the ethical and technical elements of digital storytelling. As a recent graduate from the CU Boulder journalism program, she can easily remember what it's like to be a teen wondering what path the future may take. She is passionate about journalism and visual storytelling and dreams of working as part o
"Mack" helps our students navigate the ethical and technical elements of digital storytelling. As a recent graduate from the CU Boulder journalism program, she can easily remember what it's like to be a teen wondering what path the future may take. She is passionate about journalism and visual storytelling and dreams of working as part of a news team one day. See her portfolio here: Mack On The Ground
Tana Benitez, Filmmaker & Marketer
Sergio R. Angeles, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Longmont Public Media
Brian Hedden, Filmmaker and Owner-Operator of Earth Dog Films
Tana Benitez is a filmmaker and marketer with experience in documentary production, youth film education and community storytelling. She has worked on various documentaries and creative projects and produced a 2026 Student Academy Awards finalist. She previously supported teen filmmakers at Bryn Mawr Film Institute and interned with Wome
Tana Benitez is a filmmaker and marketer with experience in documentary production, youth film education and community storytelling. She has worked on various documentaries and creative projects and produced a 2026 Student Academy Awards finalist. She previously supported teen filmmakers at Bryn Mawr Film Institute and interned with Women Make Movies. She now works in marketing and communications, where she uses storytelling to connect people with local businesses, events and community initiatives. See portfolio here: tanabenitez.com
Brian Hedden, Filmmaker and Owner-Operator of Earth Dog Films
Brian Hedden, Filmmaker and Owner-Operator of Earth Dog Films
Brian Hedden, Filmmaker and Owner-Operator of Earth Dog Films
Brian Hedden graduated with a BFA in film production and a minor in philosophy from NYU in 2008 where he co-wrote and directed an award-winning student film, Horses Eat Each Other, starring Will Brill and Louise Lasser. In 2024, Brian debuted his first feature documentary, Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil and Gas Wars, which won mul
Brian Hedden graduated with a BFA in film production and a minor in philosophy from NYU in 2008 where he co-wrote and directed an award-winning student film, Horses Eat Each Other, starring Will Brill and Louise Lasser. In 2024, Brian debuted his first feature documentary, Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil and Gas Wars, which won multiple festival awards.
In the years between these two films, Brian explored various careers and pursuits, including biodynamic farming, teaching, men’s circle facilitation, civic technology entrepreneurship, Buddhism, climate activism, and freelance video production. He is currently the owner-operator of Earth Dog Films, based in Boulder, Colorado.
Rossana Longo Better, Bilingual Journalist and Radio Producer
Brian Hedden, Filmmaker and Owner-Operator of Earth Dog Films
Rossana Longo Better, Bilingual Journalist and Radio Producer
Rossana Longo-Better is a bilingual journalist, radio producer and community engagement specialist committed to social and language justice. Through public media, youth education and culturally responsive storytelling, she centers lived experience, builds trust and helps community members and young people develop skills, confidence and platforms to share their voices with broader audiences.
Nicholas Thompson, Founder and Editor of Thompson's Colorado
Brian Hedden, Filmmaker and Owner-Operator of Earth Dog Films
Rossana Longo Better, Bilingual Journalist and Radio Producer
Nicholas Thompson is the founder and editor of Thompson’s Colorado, a Longmont-based publication. Originally from Missouri, he brings a Midwestern curiosity and straightforward style to stories about Longmont, Boulder, RTD, local government, business, and the people who make the community interesting. He believes good journalism starts with asking better questions. Thompson's Colorado
More to Come
More to Come
More to Come
Our program invites guest speakers to share their knowledge with our students — filmmakers, journalists, audio engineers, professors, and more, drawn from the local communities where our program takes place.