MEET OUR TEAM

PATRICIA J. SIMPSON

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Patty is the CEO and Chairwoman of DW Simpson Global Actuarial and Analytics Recruitment Firm. Patty co- founded DW Simpson in 1989 with her late husband, David W. Simpson, and she established the focus of the firm to specialize in Actuarial Recruiting. For 33 years, her role has been focused on recruiting, strategic operations, and business development for DW Simpson, as well as

managing and training the highest-tenured Actuarial Recruiters in the industry. DW Simpson was named one of the Top 100 Professional Services Firms in Recruiting in 2018 by Forbes Magazine.

Over the years, Patty has presented on a variety of topics at both Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society industry and regional meetings. In 2022, she was the featured speaker on gender empowerment at the Congreso de Nacional Actuarios conference. She has also been featured in many Actuarial Digest articles and other trade publications, and has participated in many Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society roundtable discussions. She has been a speaker for and member of the PwC Actuarial Women’s and Diversity Forum. In addition, DW Simpson has been a member of the Corporate Council of the IABA (International Association of Black Actuaries) for over 25 years, and Patty serves on the Corporate Council. Patty was nominated for and joined the Society of Actuaries Employers Council in 2020. She also serves as a

member of the external advisory board for the Columbia, MS Actuarial Science.

Outside the office, Patty served on several boards, including the Woman’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet and The Alliance Français. Patty served as the Chairman of the Leadership Committee at Lycée Français de Chicago from 2010-2014 and has served on multiple committees at the Women’s Athletic Club of Chicago. In addition, from 2008-2011, Patty served as Vice Chairman for “Fueled By the Fallen,” a 501-C3 service organization that aids military members, public safety personnel and their families.

Patty graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Business from the University of Minnesota. Her first role out of college was as an Options Stock Clerk on the floor of the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, as well as working in corporate with the investment banking firm Drexel Burnham & Lambert.

MAGGIE GRANT

DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER

www.grantworksproductions.com

IMDB https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0335541

Maggie has been a filmmaker, director, writer, casting director, actress and producer for decades. She started acting as a child, and acted all over the US and London. She has a double major undergrad degree in Theatre and Political Science and has two MFAs, in theatre and in directing. She also studied Shakespeare at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA, London). She also studied at ACT in San Francisco.

Her acting studies with Stella Adler, Eric Morris, Sande Shurin, Jeff Goldblum and many other master teachers, have helped her to star in over 460 main stage productions, and to direct over 670 stage, film, television music video and commercial productions.

She has built and been the Artistic Director at five theatres across the US and one in London, her latest being Three Roses Players, in Los Angeles.

Currently, Maggie has three Film and Television Production Companies. She started her first film production company in 1993. She has directed, produced and cast 14 films, including: Pacific Edge, Match Made, Brotherhood, The Phone (writer), Alexander the Great, The Proposal (writer), Smitten(writer), Music and Memories(writer), The Promise(writer) and Go Green(writer).

Maggie and her films have been the recipient of 75 filmmaking and screenwriting awards, for directing, producing and writing. Her film Brotherhood, starring Joe Sabatino has been winning awards at film festivals around the world throughout 2022-2023. She has plans for a feature film and series of Brotherhood in the near future.

She was also nominated for and won, theatre awards in Los Angeles, Miami and Tucson, including an NAACP Best Director Award in LA.

In 2019, she started Shared Vision Productions, with partners Daniel Truly, Executive Producer and writer on the hit series Blue Bloods for the past 10 seasons and David Platt a seasoned television and film director of over 150 television episodes and several films. They have several projects in the works.

She had the amazing privilege of directing Ed Asner and Barbara Bain in Pacific Edge, starring Ed Asner, the iconic 7 time Emmy and 5 time Golden Globe Awards, and 3 time Emmy Award winning Grand Dame of the screen and stage, Barbara Bain along with a terrific supporting cast. The original award winning play and adaptation was written by Barbara Lindsay. The film garnered 29 festival awards and is now a permanent selection on GAIA Network.

A highlight of her career (so far) was directing and acting in a table reading of a feature film that she wrote. The read starred the legendary Danny Glover, Ed Harris, Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, along with Derrel Maury, Peter Van Norden, Elisabeth Noone and other terrific LA and NY actors.

She had the great privilege of working with Mr. Comedy himself, Carl Reiner, in directing and acting in two staged readings of his full-length play Shakespeare Was Wrong.

Maggie also worked with the late, great, Mr. Joe Bologna in working to bring his excellent play Bitter Angel starring Lou GossettJr., Bruce Davison to the stage.

She had a blast acting (Blanche) with and directing Ed Asner (Stanley) and Renee Taylor (Stella) in a comedy “sequel” to A Streetcar Named Desire. Please close your eyes for a moment and think about how hysterical that must have been, and then multiply that by 100.

In the summer of 2015, Ed and Liza Asner approached Maggie to start a production company and GrantWorks Productions & Development was born. They seek out new material for film and television. GWP & D has 6 feature films and 5 television projects. Together, Maggie and Ed developed several television and film projects. They established an East Coast branch in Atlanta of GrantWorks Productions and they were very busy bringing great film and theatre to the world.

On those rare occasions when Maggie is resting the left side of her brain; she is also a practicing State Certified Mediator/Arbitrator. Mediation and law have taught Maggie that there are usually two sides to a situation. Being open to and understanding both sides helps to create harmony and fair play. Two things that assist her in filmmaking; especially when she is directing.

LOU PIZARRO, Investor Liaison

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2995510/

www.loupizarro.com

Lou is a Creator/Director/Adventurer and Producer of TV content both English and Spanish and star of the hit TV series OPERATION REPO , he was born in the Bronx, NY. He later relocated to San Fernando Valley, California where he has lived ever since,Pizarro is also the Creator/Director and Producer of the New Hit TV Show “Fugitivos De La Ley Los Angeles” on NBC Universo and many more. Lou Pizarro is aVisionary. You can also listen to him on his Radio Show every Thursday morning from 6-9 AM PST on KDUC 94.3 fm and 102.5 FM The Duck Radio.  

Lou’s current project puts him back in front of the camera on an epic adventure travel/culture/food show, so  just think of Anthony Bourdain‘s parts unknown meets Josh Gates expedition unknown.

WALI WAITERS, Investor Liaison

https://waliwaiters.com/

Wali has an illustrious career in Television and the Entertainment Industry, which spans over three decades. Wali has collaborated with television icons like Larry King and Academy Award Winner Lou Gossett Jr., William Shatner as the Executive Producer of the groundbreaking show "Competitive Edge with Montel Williams" at BrandStar Studios.

Wali is a Director, Producer, Worldwide Transformational Speaker, Coach, Business Consultant, and Author. Wali's forthcoming book, "Transformational Truths: A Series of Thoughts, Principles and Experiences created to guide you through life’s journey.” Unveils the roadmap to: “unparalleled success and unbridled joy, blending timeless principles, personal experiences, and profound insights."

Wali stands as an eminent figure in the television and entertainment industry. He started his career as a sportscaster in Northern Florida. He graduated with a BA in Communications from the University of Florida. He went on to earn a MA degree in Theology and Religious Studies from Trinity International University.

LILLIAN NETTLES, Business and Investment Strategist Consultant, Power of Attorney, Enrolled Agent, Dark Paradise Project Accountant and Business Strategist

Lillian has 20+ years experience in overall business strategy and tax planning and consulting. She is an Enrolled Agent, Power of Attorney, CFO, Entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of    Omega Consulting.

In 2015, Lillian Co-Founded Omega Consulting with her husband Robert, whom is also a Licensed Power of Attorney. Their business plan and approach to helping other business owners changed to proactive representation, strategic consulting, strategic tax planning versus the age-old model of post-tax planning. 

Omega Consulting has 28 years of combined experience in business and strategic analysis, VCFO, general and strategic consulting, and in the field of tax reprieve. In addition to being the CFO of Omega Consulting, Lillian is a shareholder and co-owner of multiple businesses; which range from Consulting to Marketing, to Excavation Site Work and Underground Drilling.