Heather Olt will be premiering on September 24th, her new dramedy short/ pilot as part of the Oscar qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. It will also screen at the Catalyst Story Institute Festival, the biggest indie television festival in late Sept./ early Oct. in Duluth, MN.

Synopsis: Emily and Kristen are best friends. Emily, a successful entrepreneur, waited too long to have a baby
and, despite her best efforts to have one and raise it alone, she’s now told it’s physically impossible.
Kristen, a struggling actress, is simultaneously nine months pregnant and is forced to raise her baby
alone after being left by her “I’m sorry, I can’t do this” boyfriend, Mark. After meeting up to
commiserate over their recent losses, they concoct a plan to raise Kristen’s baby together. In “Last
Chance Moms,” we explore the difficulties that women in their 40s experience when confronted with
their biological clocks. They want it all, but what happens when it seems they can’t have it? They
find a way…

Esther Franco-Payne ’96 has a new role as Vice President of Programs for the Public Welfare Foundation. She will engage in grant-making at the national level and continue to advance transformative justice in support of youth and adults impacted by the criminal legal system.

David Rudd ’96 has been greenlighted for the publication of his memoir titled “Shut Up Brian” by New Degree Press with the publication date in December 2021.

Verneé Green was recently promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Mikva Challenge. Find out more information here.

Esther Franco-Payne ’96 was appointed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to the Adult Use Cannabis Health Advisory Committee. Esther is the executive director of the Cabrini Green Legal Aid and previously served as the deputy director of the Illinois Justice Project.

Faizal Chaudhury joined the advisory board of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia Chapter. The CAIR is the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the nation. Faizal is the vice president of customer centricity with Sallie Mae, where he is responsible for leading the organization-wide initiative to improve customer experience, loyalty, and advocacy. In addition to his service at CAIR-Philadelphia, Faizal serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Society of Delaware and the Delaware Interfaith Power and Light.

Kim (Norton) Bankston ’96 was one of five finalists in the “Best Primary Care Provider” category in The Pantagraph’s “Best of Reader’s Choice Awards.” Kim is a family nurse practitioner at Bloomington (Ill.) Primary Care. Congratulations!