Ilana Peña always wanted to write her own coming of age show featuring a tween/teenage Latina protagonist that audiences of all ages could enjoy. However, many of the shows she loved as a child celebrated boyhood, and the shows that did feature female leads were geared exclusively to young audiences. Peña is the creator, showrunner, executive producer, and director of the critically acclaimed Diary of a Future President, which tells the story of a young Latina girl whose experiences as a tween are foundational to becoming the leader of the country. On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Peña shares her experiences being a writer on the supportive, women-led set of the renowned, musical comedy-drama Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and how she fostered that same uplifting, women-led space on her own show for cast and crew to thrive. She also underscores the importance of telling positive and joyous stories that show Latinx and LGBTQ folks as multifaceted, cultivating your community, and being loud about what you want.
Northwestern Intersections will be featuring all-female guests during the month of March in recognition of Women’s History Month, so we may uplift and celebrate the alumna who are shaping their respective fields.
Finding Balance in Your Body and Your Life with Zeena Dhalla ’95
What’s Next Live from New York Recording
Navigating Career as a Creative Professional with Ziwe Fumudoh ’14
Vulnerability in Leadership with Allison Hansen ’09
Introducing the New Host of Northwestern Intersections, Helen Kim ’16
Professional Development Series with Melissa McFarlane ’86 on Embracing Change and Habits
Professional Development Series with Kathryn Haydon ’99 on Creative Problem Solving Process
Professional Development Series with Tish Hicks ’88 on the Power of One’s Voice
Isabelle Nüssli ’10 MBA on Empowering Productivity in C-Level Leadership and Partnerships
Ellie Burrows Gluck ’06 on Meditating in the Midst of Busy Schedule
Erica Keswin ’95 MBA on Quality Relationships at the Workplace
Behind the Scenes with Chuck Bontrager ’94 and Heather Aranyi ’05
Paula Whitman ‘86 on De-Stressing the College Admissions Process
Gary Beasley ’87 on Taking Calculated Risks
Nicole Gibbons ‘03 on Revolutionizing the Paint Industry
Scott Shay '79, ’80 MBA on the Golden Rule in Finance and Life
Audrey Cheng '15 on Redefining Success to Prioritize Happiness
Brian Mustanski ’99 on his Passion for LGBT Health Research
Campus to City Live from Evanston Recording
Mallory Thompson ’79, ’80 MS on Making Connections & Building an Alumni Community
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