ITVS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Directors Present: Garry Denny (chair), Bathsheba Malsheen, Delida Costin, Sharon La Cruise, Lisa Cortés (virtual), Beth Curley (virtual), Linda Wei, Pat Aufderheide, Sharese Bullock-Bailey, Gita Saedi Kiely

Directors Absent: Peter Bratt

Staff and Guests Present: Carrie Lozano, President & CEO; Van SooHoo, Controller; Jim Sommers, Senior Vice President of Content; Lois Vossen, Executive Producer; Independent Lens; Lisa Tawil, Vice President, Marketing & Communications’ Royd Chung, Vice President, Production; Janice Hui, Chief Operating Officer; Eric Martin, Senior Strategist; Carly Nelson, Associate Manager, Development; Amy C. Tejral; Founding Partner, Avenue Solutions

CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS

Denny called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m., introduced the members of staff and guests in attendance, and gave opening remarks.

QUORUM

Denny took roll call, noted that a quorum of the board was present, and declared the meeting open for the transaction of business.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

La Cruise, Secretary, presented the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors held on March 8, 2025. Following discussion, on motion by Malsheen seconded by Kiely, and carried unanimously: 

It Was Resolved, the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors held on March 8, 2025, are approved.

APPROVAL OF FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

Cortés and SooHoo presented the financial reports. The budget was amended to reflect a more accurate forecast following recent cost-cutting measures, in alignment with the focus on strong financial health. It was agreed that the formal action, to approve the budget, would be discussed in the executive session.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Lozano reflected on FY25 Q1-3 highlights, including a strong partnership with CPB. She shared that ITVS signed its PBS contract earlier than usual, providing stability heading into FY26. Staff were recognized for their resilience and leadership in sustaining core operations, supporting a national slate of films, and expanding Indie Lens Pop-Up to 49 states and D.C.

Lozano highlighted continued streaming growth and a strong festival presence with films at Sundance and SXSW. Lozano concluded by previewing an August convening, led by ITVS in collaboration with key funders and partners, to address urgent challenges in the public media funding and distribution ecosystem.

OPERATIONS REPORTS

ITVS staff presented operations reports:

• Hui shared updates on Business Affairs.
• Martin and guest Amy C. Tejral (Avenue Solutions), presented updates on CPB funding and government relations.
• Sommers and Tawil provided insights on strategies and outcomes around communications and external relations.
• Chung and Vossen gave an overview of Independent Lens programs and activities from the 2024-25 season and a preview of the content pipeline.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

All staff and guests left the meeting, with the exception of Lozano, Hui, and SooHoo, who remained for the executive session. After review, Cortés requested a motion to approve the amended FY25 budget upon motion made by Aufderheide, seconded by Bullock-Bailey, and carried unanimously. SooHoo was excused while Lozano and Hui remained for the executive session. Lozano and Hui were later excused while the board continued in executive session to discuss human resources-related items. 

RATIFICATION OF PAST ACTIONS

Denny noted that the board has reviewed and considered all of the activities of the corporation and actions by its directors and officers since the last meeting of the board. Based on this review and consideration of the activities of the corporation and the actions of the officers and directors, upon motion made by Aufderheide, seconded by Bullock-Bailey, and carried unanimously:

It Was Resolved, that all of the known acts of the officers and directors of the corporation taken since the last meeting of the board on behalf of the corporation are adopted, ratified, and approved; and

Further Resolved, that the officers and directors of the corporation are authorized and directed to perform all such acts, deeds, and things and execute all such documents and other writings as may be required to give effect to the true intent of this resolution.

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT

The committee reported on Carrie Lozano, President and CEO’s performance review. Following review, motion made by Aufderheide, seconded by Bullock-Bailey, and carried unanimously to approve the President and CEO’s FY25 performance review.

CONCLUSION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 

At 1:55 p.m., Denny announced the conclusion of the executive session. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Denny at 1:56p.m.

___________________________

Sharon La Cruise, Secretary