Exceptional Minds welcomes four industry leaders to its Board of Directors, strengthening its mission to empower neurodiverse talent in entertainment.
At Exceptional Minds, we are dedicated to building a future where neurodiverse perspectives are embraced in the arts, media, and beyond. As we continue to expand our programs and impact, we are pleased to welcome four distinguished professionals to our Board of Directors: Doug Gardner joining as Treasurer, Tim Gobran, Renard T. Jenkins, and Maria O’Hollearn.
Exceptional Minds is proud to announce the appointment of these accomplished individuals to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2025. Each of these new board members brings a unique blend of expertise in technology, media, finance, and business strategy, reinforcing our commitment to empowering neurodiverse talent. Their leadership will play a crucial role in guiding Exceptional Minds as we strengthen our industry partnerships, enhance career training opportunities, and continue our mission of fostering a more inclusive entertainment industry.
Learn more about Exceptional Minds here.
Meet the New Board Members
Doug Gardner joined Echo Horizon School in 2024 as its Director of Finance and Operations leading the finance, facilities, IT, and health/safety functions, amongst other responsibilities. Doug came to Echo after serving as Director of Finance and Operations at Westmark School and COO at the Yavneh Hebrew Academy before that. Doug also spent the last several years as a trustee for the Hermosa Beach City School District Board of Trustees overseeing the construction of two new schools and the attainment of several state recognitions. Doug is also the Treasurer for the Mira Costa High School Band Boosters. Prior to entering the education industry, Doug built his financial and operational acumen in the entertainment industry at FactoryMade Ventures and PwC.
Doug studied Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University. He followed that several years later with a School Business Management Certificate from the USC Rossiter School of Education and a certification from the California Association of School Business Officials.
Tim Gobran is a Managing Director of Talent & Organization at Accenture. He serves as the Global Lead for the T&O Intelligence & Insights team. He has over 28 years of experience in organizational transformation and change and organizational analytics, working with clients in multiple industries and geographies.
Tim has two neurodiverse sons and has a passion for neurodiverse talent and inclusion. He is a member of the leadership team for Accenture’s Neurodiversity Employee Resource Group (ERG), and also serves on the board of the Autism Society of San Diego.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania, and has an MBA in Organizational Behavior and Entrepreneurship from Babson College, Summa Cum Laude.
Renard T. Jenkins is the President and CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios, and Labs. A software development and consulting firm specializing in the creation of ethically responsible tools, solutions, and experiences for Media and Entertainment, Marketing & Research, Education, and Healthcare industries, utilizing both emerging (AI/ML/XR) and traditional technologies. Jenkins also currently serves as Vice President of the Hollywood Professionals Association and is Immediate Past President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. He is an active member of the Television Academy and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
He previously served as Senior Vice President, Production Integration and Creative Technology Services at Warner Bros, and as Vice President, Operations, Engineering, and Distribution at PBS.
Jenkins is a recipient of numerous awards, including two Emmys, a Peabody, and a 2020 Broadcasting and Cable Technology Leadership award. Jenkins is a steadfast advocate for ethical conduct, innovation, acceptance, accessibility, and the elimination of discriminatory biases within the technology and media sectors. Jenkins holds a deep passion for the visual arts and, when time permits, offers pro bono services in location sound recording, live mixing, studio recording, post-production, and finishing for aspiring filmmakers, animators, and musicians.
Maria O’Hollearn is a dynamic tech executive, multicultural marketer and global business strategist with over 20 years of experience in leadership, management, sales, and training. She is the founder and CEO of IvyLatina, a consultancy dedicated to driving business growth through executive partnerships, with a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. In her current role as Senior AI Implementation Program Manager at Salesforce, Maria leads transformative, AI-driven initiatives that align with a customer-first strategy. With over six years in the tech industry, she specializes in managing Executive Briefing Center programs, ensuring seamless sales and marketing alignment, and delivering impactful end-to-end project execution.
Maria is passionate about managing diverse speaker networks, optimizing processes, and measuring program effectiveness. Before joining Salesforce, held key roles as an EBC consultant at LinkedIn and Microsoft, and as Community Investment PM at Apple. She is a longtime advocate for Exceptional Minds’ mission.
A Bright Future Ahead
“These individuals bring a broad range of expertise to lead Exceptional Minds as we expand our programs to provide meaningful career pathways for autistic talent in the entertainment industry,” said Patricia A. Turney, Board Chair. “We are thrilled to welcome four new members, effectively increasing our governance Board by 50%. Their passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, coupled with their dedication to empowering our students and alumni, will help drive our mission forward and ensure Exceptional Minds continues to thrive as a leader in neurodiverse talent development.”
Exceptional Minds is honored to have these visionary professionals join our Board of Directors. With their guidance, we look forward to expanding opportunities for our students and alumni, strengthening our industry connections, and continuing to champion neurodiverse talent in the creative arts.