Industry-Prep Masterclasses

Dilshad D. Ali is an acclaimed freelance journalist, editor, and dedicated autism advocate based in Virginia. Over her career, she has served as the managing editor of Patheos Muslim and editor-in-chief of Altmuslim. Her insightful writing on faith, family, and disability has been featured in major publications like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Religion News Service. As a board member for MUHSEN, Ali actively champions intersectional accessibility and support for special needs families within the Muslim community.
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Currently showrunning a Sony Pictures Animation series slated for 2027, Brandon Sawyer spent nine years at DreamWorks Animation, showrunning The Boss Baby series and co-writing Penguins of Madagascar. He also contributed to Charlie Kaufman’s Annie Award-winning Orion and the Dark. With over two decades in animation, his work spans Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, and Warner Bros. A five-time Emmy nominee, he has two wins. He also (allegedly) started World War I.
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Steven Waldman is a journalist, entrepreneur, and leading advocate for local news. He is cofounder and president of Rebuild Local News and previously cofounded Report for America, a national service program placing journalists in local newsrooms. A former national editor at U.S. News & World Report and correspondent for Newsweek, he also founded Beliefnet, a pioneering multifaith website. Waldman later served as an FCC advisor on media policy and is the author of the bestseller Founding Faith.
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Luke, a recent BYU graduate, shares his journey in writing and editing, discussing his experiences with various publications like The Spectator and Wall Street Journal. He highlights the challenges of job searching in these fields, the importance of understanding different audiences, and the impact of technology on journalism. Luke offers advice on maintaining a social media presence and engaging with diverse ideas while reflecting on the evolving landscape of writing.
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Mckay, a senior writer at The Atlantic, shares his journalism journey, highlighting the role of faith in his career. He discusses his experiences at Newsweek, including challenges and a significant assignment on Wall Street. The conversation delves into the complexities of faith in a politically charged environment, emphasizing personal narratives and empathy in journalism. It advocates for a nuanced approach to storytelling that humanizes faith beyond political narratives.
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Dilshad D. Ali is an acclaimed freelance journalist, editor, and dedicated autism advocate based in Virginia. Over her career, she has served as the managing editor of Patheos Muslim and editor-in-chief of Altmuslim. Her insightful writing on faith, family, and disability has been featured in major publications like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Religion News Service. As a board member for MUHSEN, Ali actively champions intersectional accessibility and support for special needs families within the Muslim community.