Disney Supports Youth Summits for Teens in Los Angeles

Disney is committed to supporting future generations in all 50 states by expanding access to training, professional networks, and financial support across the entertainment, technology, and hospitality industries. Last month, Disney supported two youth development summits aimed at providing resources and opportunities to teens in the Los Angeles community. 

LA Promise Fund’s StudentsBuild Summit

Thousands of middle and high school students gathered for LA Promise Fund’s StudentsBuild Summit – a day-long summit featuring STEAM-focused activations, industry speakers, and hands-on leadership opportunities for youth. The event is designed to equip middle and high schoolers with the tools and mentorship needed to thrive in their education, careers, and beyond. LA Promise Fund invited Disney, which has a long-standing history of supporting the nonprofit, to host a career panel during the event. Disney leaders Sonia Doshi, VP, Strategic Operations, Design & Production, Technology Enablement, Morning Star Schott, Director of Post Production – Finishing at Marvel Studios, and Nickie Huai, CG and Pipeline Supervisor, Disney TV Animation, shared their career journeys and sparked inspiration for the students in attendance.  

ABC7 “Eyewitness News” general assignment reporter Anabel Muñoz served as emcee for the StudentsBuild Summit and moderated the Disney career panel. To close out the summit on a high note, Adrian Lyles, who stars in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” on Disney+, lit up the room with a high-energy performance that had students on their feet.  

“What I love about Disney is that it’s not just about the collaboration, but it’s about the impact on kids. This program helps us bring the resources students need and the inspiration they need to envision themselves in positive ways in the future, in their careers and as leaders in the community making a difference,” said LA Promise Fund President and CEO, Veronica Melvin. 

For 20 years, LA Promise Fund has worked to address education inequities and support student success through programs like StudentsBuild, which has engaged over 78,000 students since 2014. Program alumni Lesley Huinil, who is currently studying at UCLA, spoke to the program’s impact on her life. “StudentsBuild has helped me build my career path. Collaborating with Disney is magic. It helps motivate students like me to thrive and speak up for their community.” 

Kollab Youth’s Teen Summit

The Teen Summit, co-sponsored by Disney and ABC7 Los Angeles, offered 100 teens the opportunity to hear from industry speakers and participate in interactive workshops and speed mentoring sessions. Kids in attendance were exposed to over 30 career fields throughout the day. 

Disney and ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles co-sponsored a career panel moderated by ABC7 “Eyewitness News” anchor and general assignment reporter Michelle Fisher and featured three Disney employees: Susy Campos, Producer, “Phineas and Ferb” at Disney TV Animation, J.J. Zavalla, Community News Producer at KABC-TV, and Kori Amacker, Character Technical Director at Walt Disney Animation Studios. In sharing their unique stories, these panelists showcased the variety of fulfilling career paths that can be pursued in the entertainment industry. 

In addition to career development activities, The Teen Summit also serves as a recruitment resource for Los Angeles youth interested in career paths in media, entertainment, and beyond.  

Kollab Youth is an award‑winning 501(c)(3) and registered pre‑apprenticeship program supporting under‑resourced teens with mentorship, career exploration, and pathways into high‑growth industries. 

Supporting Future Generations

Sari Chaparro, Associate Program Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility at Disney helped manage Disney’s presence at both summits. “It’s meaningful to support community events like these because we get to deliver impact firsthand. Disney has invested in organizations that support young people across Los Angeles for decades, and being able to activate in person is especially impactful. Being born and raised in Los Angeles, it’s especially meaningful to represent Disney and give back to the communities that shaped me.” 

Kids are at the heart of Disney’s century-long legacy, and we continue to support youth globally to become their best selves – the world’s future storytellers, dreamers, heroes and leaders. To learn more about how Disney supports future generations, visit Disney.com/FutureGenerations.