Andrea Kalin is an award-winning director and producer with numerous credits related to social issues. A graduate of American University, Andrea spent several years in radio and news broadcasting before moving into documentary film.

She founded Spark Media in order to create programs that excite, incite and entertain. In the past few years, her work has garnered more than 45 prestigious international awards, including the Erik Barnouw Award for Best History Documentary for Partners of the Heart. Andrea's production work has taken her to practically every corner of the globe, occasionally even appearing in two of those corners at the same time, prompting speculation that she has either been cloned or was the original inspiration for the Energizer Bunny.

Robin Coblyn - Email
Associate Producer/Outreach Director

Robin Coblyn has worked with Spark Media since its founding in 1989. During that time she has worked as a producer on projects for Spark's  corporate and industrial clients, as well as producing social documentaries for NGO and non-profit organizations. Robin also worked as a key member of the production staff for Partners of the Heart. As the acting Outreach and Distribution Director for Spark, Robin has designed and implemented strategic planning, day-to-day campaign management and coordination for national and international film/video distribution initiatives. Robin also raises, trains, and has a tendency to get beaten up by horses. When not recovering from these equine incidents, Robin can be found limping around the office, helping produce the latest Spark documentary.

Denise Couture - Email
Creative Consultant

Denise Couture has been a creative consultant at Spark Media for several years and worked as development director for Partners of the Heart. Also an independent producer, Denise is co-producing Invisible: Abbott Thayer and the Art of Camouflage with Pamela Peabody for PBS. After earning a master's degree from Columbia University's journalism school, Denise worked as a reporter for 15 years, covering Wall Street and international business before trading the world of print journalism for documentaries. In addition to her film work, Denise spends her time teaching feature writing at The Writer's   Center in Bethesda and trying to convince her young sons that they really don't want to be Vikings when they grow up.

Lloyd "Raki" Jones - Email
Creative Consultant

Raki Jones is an award-winning independent producer and writer who joined the team at Spark Media to work on the Men in White and Prince Among Slaves films. In addition to winning numerous awards for various projects, Raki was also nominated for an Emmy for his work on the Colored Cyclone in 1995. Raki is also a professor at Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia, and brings the same sage-like wisdom to Spark. When not dispensing knowledge as Spark's  Obi-wan Kenobi, Raki can often be found carefully examining the latest offerings in books, DVDs, music, etc. at the local Olsson's Bookstore.

Karen Simon - Email
Associate Producer/Outreach

Karen Simon has been with Spark Media for the last six years, where she has worked on the production and international distribution of several of Spark's  educational videos. She was also the production manager for Partners of the Heart, and was in charge of an innovative national educational outreach effort for that film. A graduate of University of Michigan, Karen also worked for Voice of America for 8 years as a producer and on-air host. After VOA, Karen went on to direct a non-profit theater group for homeless and at risk children, and is still active in community theater today. When not working, Karen can often be found driving her children around town or running away from them as she trains for the next marathon.

Diana Moss - Email
Associate Producer

Diana joins the Spark team after an already distinguished career in production. Most recently, she was a Marketing Communications Manager for the Inter-American Development Bank, where she promoted, branded and distributed their television show, documentaries, public service announcements and awareness campaigns to an audience of over 85 million through hundreds of worldwide television stations. She has also held various posts at W*USA Channel 9 and several independent production companies. Diana launched her professional career working as a model and actress, virtually guaranteeing that she will be in almost every single Spark production.

James Mirabello - Email
Associate Producer

James Mirabello has worked at Spark Media for over five years, starting out as a researcher and production associate on Partners of the Heart, and going on to write and produce Advent of Heart Surgery, one of the featurettes on the Partners DVD release. James graduated with a BA in History and English from Mary Washington College, where he also served on the school newspaper staff as a film columnist and editor of the Entertainment and Opinions sections. Now an associate producer for Spark, James can usually be found chained to his desk on the third floor  "Nerve Center".

Wanakhavi Wakhisi - Email
Graphic Design/Production Associate

A graduate of Howard University’s Film program, Wanakhavi has worked at Spark Media for four years, working as a PA and a graphic designer for several Spark productions.  In addition to his work at Spark Media, Wanakhavi also works at Howard University and as a freelance photographer and producer.  In addition to studying for his Masters in Film at Howard, Wanakhavi is currently an inhouse editor for Spark productions, as well as a strong advocate of healthy eating, hydro colonics, and a staunch opponent to hamburgers.  

ALICIA MELTON - Email

Production Associate

Alicia Melton is a graduate of Howard University's Television Production
program and has worked at Spark Media for two years as a production associate.  She has worked extensively on several of Spark's nonprofit and NGO productions, including Voices of Married Adolescents.  Also a Seminar Coordinator for MK Technology, Alicia can often be found using her old college track skills to get to Fed Ex locations before closing and waiting patiently in line at Chipotle.  
 

JT DAVIS - Email

MARIBEL QUEZADA - Email

Editor/Production Associate

Maribel Quezada is a graduate of Ohio University's Scripps College of Communication, in Athens, Ohio where she spent her undergraduate career as an executive producer for the production company Athens Video Works. Before coming to Spark, Maribel worked as the marketing coordinator for the Ohio Hispanic Coalition by day and as a radio dj on Spanish music station, WXOL Radio Sol by night. At Spark she is known as an editor, graphic designer, production associate, Latino Idol contestant and hot sauce aficionado all while working on her Master's in Business Administration.  

DEBRA JACKSON - Email

Administrative Support

Debra Jackson has worked for Spark Media for over seven years, providing support for almost every single Spark production.  A graduate of the Allied Training Institute, Debra has been the backbone of the company since her arrival.  When not working at Spark, Deb spends her time bowling, showing off pictures of her grandson (one of the cutest kids ever), and violently grumbling about any football team that defeats her beloved Eagles.