Wheelhouse and Village Community Foundation Expand LaunchPad Initiative for Career Access

Wheelhouse and the Village Community Foundation achieved lift-off for LaunchPad, an initiative designed to open more pathways to careers in entertainment, sports and investing for students and young adults from underserved communities.

LaunchPad delivers mentoring and career development, real-world work experience and access to high-profile companies and executives, along with placement programs encompassing experiential learning sessions, interview training and internships. Partner companies include WME, Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment, ITV America, A&E Global Media, Zillow, Versant, MillerKnoll and more.

Established as part of the Village Community Foundation in 2023, LaunchPad has seen more than 1,000 young adults participate thus far but the news now is that the initiative is expanding to serve the greater New York metropolitan area, with its headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. Per the org, LaunchPad is in talks with more Los Angeles-based companies to join the effort.

LaunchPad is steered by president Jon Winkel, TeamSheed Productions’ Rasheed J. Daniel and Paramount executive Makeda Mays Green serve as co-chairs, while Zillow’s head of executive talent Corey Twitty serves as vice chair.

“With LaunchPad, we’re getting down to brass tacks on what it takes to discover, engage and support emerging, underserved talent who ooze grit and determination but simply need a shot and someone calling on their behalf with the gravitas of this board — a board handpicked because of each person’s commitment to make a difference in these young people’s lives,” explained Wheelhouse CEO Brent Montgomery.

Added Winkel: “Since we began our journey of uplifting young adults with the Village Community Foundation, our goal has been to create life-changing professional opportunities for those that need it most, with real attention on those first jobs that can change lives and break cycles. Having now served and worked with over 1,000 young adults, we’re in awe of the industry response from marquee partners and their executives, which has been nothing short of amazing.”

Even Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont chimed in, praising LaunchPad and its outcomes for “perfectly” aligning with the state’s priorities to “build the workforce of the future” while uplifting those in need. “LaunchPad is a key creator of access and opportunity in the worlds of entertainment, sports, and finance — and we’re excited for its future and the industries it serves,” Lamont stated.

LaunchPad’s board of directors roster is below.

— Sonali Basak, iCapital managing director

— Elaine Frontain Bryant, A&E, Lifetime and LMN executive vp and head of programming

— Rasheed J. Daniel, Team Sheed founder and CEO

— Gary Dell’Abate, SiriusXM host and executive producer

— Jim Demyen, Critical Path Advisors founder and CEO

— Lisa Fox, University of Southern California, director of talent development for first jobs

— David George, ITV America CEO

— Robert Goldburg, Goldburg Family Foundation

— Caitlin Gray, Block Party partner

— Makeda Mays Green, Paramount senior vp

— Evan Jehle, FFO

— Celia Kohl, Versant senior vp strategy and business development

— Jason Hodes, WME senior partner

— Stephanie Leonard, Netflix comedy production executive

— Gary Lisiewski, Level 1 Fund partner

— Russ McCarroll, Pocket Square Productions CEO

— Brent Montgomery, Wheelhouse CEO and founder

— George Norfleet, Connecticut office of film, television and digital media executive director

— Debbie Propst, MillerKnoll president of global retail

— Sandra Richards, Morgan Stanley global sports and Entertainment managing director

— Brooke Shepard, Monogram Mary founder and CEO

— Corey Twitty, Zillow head of executive talent, talent intelligence and emerging talent