Our Team.
Meet our team at Women’s Voices Now, where we believe in the power of film to drive social change that advances women’s and girls’ rights globally.
Lupita
2020
Monica Wise Robles
Heidi Basch-Harod
Executive Director
Heidi Basch-Harod serves as the Executive Director of Women’s Voices Now (WVN) and is responsible for the vision, strategy, and international fundraising efforts that sustain and grow WVN’s programs, locally and globally. She is a nonprofit leader, writer, educator, and advocate for girls’ and women’s rights. A two-time Emmy nominated, and one-time Daytime Emmy winning Producer, Heidi regularly sits on, and moderates panels about the power of film to make social change; and facilitates dialogue on divisive socio-cultural issues where more listening is needed. She engages with diverse communities to combat antisemitism and other forms of hatred through interactive workshops, primarily with youth. She is a Middle East History scholar, a published author on topics relating to global women’s rights movements, and participates in interfaith dialogue initiatives.
To learn more about the breadth of Heidi’s work, visit heidibh.com.
Considering herself a practical idealist, Heidi’s commitment to her work derives from knowing she is part of the living chain of people who dream and work for a better world and the future generations who will continue to do so.
Bonnie Ayala
Girls' Voices Now Program Manager
Bonnie is the Program Coordinator for Girls’ Voices Now, where she mentors young girls in the art of documentary filmmaking. Through her guidance, they discover the power of emotion in storytelling and learn how to navigate their own journeys to find their North Star.
Bonnie Ayala is a storyteller, makeup artist, and a beacon of hope. Her journey began as a teen mom at 13, a challenge that shaped her path and ignited a fierce desire to empower others. Now, Bonnie weaves her personal story of resilience and transformation into her work, inspiring teenagers to rise above their struggles and find strength in their own stories.
As a makeup artist for TV and film, Bonnie brings characters to life through her craft, but her true passion lies in connecting with young people. Bonnie’s mission is simple: to light the way for those lost in darkness, reminding them that their stories are powerful and their futures are filled with limitless possibilities.
Lamine Asco
Digital Growth Architect
Lamine Asco is the Digital Growth Architect at Women’s Voices Now, overseeing marketing technology, advertising, festival operations, and online fundraising. His background is woven into the work. Parents whose lives were given to the education and health of girls in Africa, and to films that centered African women. He didn’t just arrive at the intersection of social impact and storytelling. He grew up there.
Over five years, he has built the digital infrastructure that now powers WVN’s programs. His campaigns run on data, but they are built around purpose.
Donesha “Dana” Simon
Social Media Manager
Dana assists with developing and implementing WVN’s social media strategy.
She comes from Pasadena, CA, and earned five Associate Degrees at Pasadena City College, before her tenure at California State University Los Angeles where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication (with a focus on Advertising & Public Relations). There Dana developed a deep understanding of the importance of communication and media literacy in conveying ideas to relate to audiences, as well as an enthusiasm for content creation and community engagement.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Dana is dedicated to making a positive impact in her community through volunteer work. She has volunteered with organizations such as My Serenity Sanctuary, the Armory Center of the Arts, and Community Overcoming Recidivism through Education (CORE), where she advocated for social causes such as empowering women of color, contemporary arts-based education, food insecurity, and post-secondary education for formerly incarcerated individuals. Through these experiences, Dana has developed a passion for innovation, community-building, and advocating for empathy and social justice.
Bijan Siyamak
Film Festival Assistant
Bijan Siyamak assists with the annual Women’s Voices Now Film Festival, helping to identify eligible films and liaising with a global community of independent filmmakers. He is an Afghan Filmmaker; writer and director. He graduated from the Asian Film & Television Academy and Shobhit University with a Bachelor of Film and Television in Directing.
Over the course of his career, Siyamak has performed as a leading participant in a variety of distinguished film productions and events, particularly as a producer, writer, and director.
Siyamak has produced and directed numerous films and documentaries that have a distinguished reputation and have gone on to win various prestigious awards. He was commissioned by the Financial Times to produce the documentary short film How the 20-Year War Changed Afghanistan, which became part of the organization’s Film Series.
Among Siyamak’s other distinguished productions are the short film Lady in Red, the music video Daughters for Sale, and We Together. He has also played a leading role in the development and execution of the Herat International Women’s Film Festival in 2019 and 2020 as Executive Director.
Vjosa Çerkini
WVN Liaison Officer - Europe
As the WVN Liaison Officer – Europe, Vjosa facilitates communication and collaboration between organizations, film festivals, individuals, foundations, and other entities in Europe, and Women’s Voices Now. She also carries out Girls’ Voices Now workshops in several countries across Europe and in Africa, mentoring those who wish to create independent film projects after participating in Vjosa’s workshops.
She is a journalist, reporter, and international documentary filmmaker from Pristina, Kosovo. Vjosa reports for the German TV station DW, MDR, and regional broadcasters in the Balkans. She is involved in international documentary projects in the USA and Europe.
Brooke Sebold
Lead Instructor, Girls Voices Now
Brooke Sebold (she/they) is an award-winning filmmaker, editor, and educator. Their groundbreaking debut feature documentary, Red Without Blue, received the Audience Award at the Slamdance Film Festival and the Jury Award at Frameline.
Brooke later co-produced and edited the feature documentary Framing Agnes, which won both the Audience Award and the Innovator Award at Sundance and was named one of the year’s best films by The New Yorker.
Brooke is also the creator and host of the award-winning video series I Changed My Mind, supported by PFLAG and the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. The series won an Anthem Award for social impact and was nominated for a Webby Award. Across their work, Brooke is drawn to stories about identity, transformation, and empowering others to tell their stories.
Brooke received a BA from Brown University and an MFA from Columbia University, and teaches filmmaking at the Archer School for Girls and at Girls Voices Now. Brooke grew up among the saguaros of Tucson, Arizona, and loves dogs, soft pajama bottoms, and tiramisu.
Rachi Butron
Girls' Voices Now Intern
Rachi Butron is a Peruvian-Chilean director, actress, and award-winning screenwriter in Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards 2026. As Girls’ Voices Now Intern, her films seek to represent the ones who don’t feel seen or heard.
She joined Girls’ Voices Now as a 2026 Production Coordinator, contributing to the production of Am I Pretty?, a film that empowers and inspires women to embrace their beauty through a compassionate, non-judgmental lens.
Rachi has written, directed and produced independent short-films. Through her work both in front of and behind the camera, Rachi has developed a deep appreciation for the creative process, collaboration, and community. She believes storytelling has the power to foster honesty, connection, self-discovery, and creativity while offering audiences new perspectives and experiences.
As an artist, she is continually exploring new ways to tell stories and express her unique voice. She is excited to support emerging filmmakers in discovering theirs while learning alongside them.
