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  • HOME
  • 2025 Film Festival Events
  • DONATE
  • PRESS & EVENT GALLERY
    • GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • Events Around the World!
  • MEET OUR TEAM
  • Water As Leverage Gallery
  • STORIES READY TO BE TOLD
    • GROUNDWATER STORIES
    • WATER-RELATED STORIES
  • FESTIVAL RULES/CATEGORIES
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  • CONTACT & SOCIAL MEDIA

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MEET OUR TEAM

LEAD FACILITATORS

Robert Strand

Executive Director

robert@strandip.com


Robert Strand is a philanthropist, environmental advocate, actor, filmmaker and the founder and Executive Director of global non–profit, World Water Film Festival (WWFF). Robert applies his 30-year background as a renowned Creative Brand Strategist and Licensing expert to his passion for water justice, leading him to build this film festival to focus on water.   

He worked with Marie-Cécile and Stephanie at the NBA as well!

Marie-Cécile Girard-Jones

Festival Director

mcecile.jones@gmail.com


Marie-Cecile is a Global Licensing, Business Development and Branding expert with 20+ years of experience managing Consumer Products programs for leading Entertainment, Pop Culture, Educational & Sports properties such as the NBA, Marvel, Sesame Workshop and CBS. Trilingual (French, English, Spanish), Marie-Cecile is a creative and strategic problem-solver with the ability to tackle complex issues.

Stephanie Schwartz

Communications Director

Msstephanieschwartz@gmail.com


Stephanie Schwartz is a global marketing, communications and events executive with three decades of leadership experience across sports, entertainment, and higher education.  Known for a "reputation-first" approach, she has led transformative, tech-driven marketing and brand innovations at world-class organizations including the NBA and Yale University.  Stephanie is an avid AI learner and an even more avid tree evangelist.


Implementation & Execution Facilitators

Keir Worthy

Talent, Entertainment & Cross Cultural Outreach Director

RhythmAlchemyEXP@gmail.com


Keir is a New York-based entrepreneur, businessman and former music executive at Def Jam, Elektra Records and Warner Bros Records. As a panel & showcase coordinator for the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, he created the first rap/urban music component. He is the founder & Executive Director for the Organization of Black Designers and is a principal in the marketing firm Rhythm Alchemy Creative Consultants.

Lilly Nelson

Director of Programming 

lilly.nelson.actress@gmail.com


Lilly is a Jill-of-all-trades. She can be seen acting in several films such as Electric Jesus and Tapochki, and wrote, directed, and starred in Thumb War! a feature that won awards at the Portland Film Festival, Reedy Reels and West Sound Film Festival in Seattle Washington (where she took best actress). Her recent theatre credits include Annelle (Steel Magnolias) Trouble in Mind (Judy) and Behind the Scenes (Anna).  



Alan Haburchak

Director of Technical Production ahaburchak@gmail.com


Alan is a production Swiss Army Knife, with 15 years creating digital video, audio and journalism at companies like Semafor, The Wall Street Journal, Morning Brew, BuzzFeed and The New York Times. He's run teams as small as two producers and as big as 25, but also loves to shoot, edit, mix and fly drones. Alan is committed to protecting water resources for future generations and believes in the power of storytelling as tool for real change.

Valeria Carrasco

Media Relations Director  

valeria@hallettsconsulting.com 


Valeria is a marketing communications expert with 15+ years of experience. She has built her career working across consumer products, entertainment and technology industries. She is passionate about helping consumers be better and think differently. Her client experience includes work for Beyond Meat, Blue Man Group, Hi-Arts NYC, KASHI, Siggi’s, Volvic, and more. 


OUTREACH & Regional Advisors

Irene Trantas

Director of Educational Outreach

irenetrantas@hotmail.com


Irene is a Boston University graduate and is the owner of North Star Fitness, in Philadelphia PA.  She is a Meisner trained actress and her theatre experience includes co-founding Intrepid Theatre Company.  She has many years of experience in building outreach and development, in the worlds of fitness and theatre. Irene is thrilled to assist in bridging creative artists’ efforts to the World Water  Film Festival’s upcoming projects!

Milin Patel

Water Advocate, Water Sommelier & Advisor

milin@worldofwaterconsultancy.com


Milin Patel is a water consultant with over two decades of expertise in the water industry, ignited by his fascination with water since the age of ten. 

As a trusted advisor to media outlets to include BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, The Times.  He specialises in water treatment, hygiene, and technology for the built environment. Milin has served as a consultant and advisor to a myriad companies and organisation’s.

Mohammed Hammie

Director, East Africa 

watervoice2030@gmail.com


Mohammed Hammie is a Human Rights, Water and Sanitation Journalist and Storyteller for social change based in Tanzania. He has been deeply involved in promoting water access in rural Tanzania and reporting on water issues. Working closely in the field with local communities has enabled him a rich understanding of the water crisis people face.  Mo is activating events for WWFF in East Africa.

Why we want to create this film festival...

For 20-years on and off, Robert studied the Meisner acting technique at the Ward Studio, where he met the WWFF Director of Programming, Lilly Nelson, which was founded by Wendy Ward in 1996 in New York City.  Wendy’s impact on her students went beyond the classroom and the stage.


Wendy died in 2021 at 61 from cancer, and in her farewell message to her students she stated that her death was not a tragedy; she lived life on her own terms, did what she loved (teaching – all over the world), and created new theatre.  


A group of us have been challenging each other to create content – not just for ourselves but also to translate our Meisner work into something with a greater purpose.


We've been inspired to create this film festival and dedicate it to our dear Wendy and the power of turning art into action. 


Copyright © 2023 World Water Film Festival - All Rights Reserved.

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