INVITE US TO SPEAK

WHY THIS MOVIE, WHY NOW?

When many in your audience haven’t yet had the opportunity to watch Pioneers in Skirts, we’ve created an entertaining video to introduce the movie to your audience prior to the Fireside Chat. Titled “Our Story” (12 min), the producer and director narrate a moving slide deck that speaks directly to your audience.

During this video/combo presentation your audience will learn —

• why this daughter/mother filmmaking team felt the need to make a movie about pioneering ambition,
• the journey the filmmakers went on during the making the film, launching the film during the pandemic, and the impact the film has made so far,
• the key topics featured in the film, watch clips from the movie
• what’s next for this little film that’s making a BIG impact!

Following the video, Director Ashley Maria and/or Producer Lea-Ann W. Berst will join your moderator on stage for an empowering conversation.

Your audience will leave inspired, realizing their personal role in both the problem and the solution, and having a better understanding as to what your organization is doing to build a culture that values and respects ALL people.

FORMATS

1. 1 hour keynote + audience meet & greet ~ perfect for conferences, association or corporate events, etc. 
   or
2. 40 min presentation followed by Q&A ~ perfect for online events, ERG meetings, etc. 
3. Speaker options: choose the director (Ashley) or both filmmakers (the daughter/mother team — Ashley & Lea-Ann)
   – Pioneers in Skirts is from a daughter/mother filmmaking team dedicated to raising awareness for cultural prejudices, empowering others to know that they aren’t alone, encouraging productive and meaningful conversations, and generating positive action. 

INSPIRING INCLUSION

We ALL have a role to play —

These award-winning filmmakers use storytelling to show your audience why and how we, as individuals, can choose to be more inclusive. They’ll show how a person’s journey in realizing their own biases may start early, when they have a child, view the film, or watch a keynote presentation… so we all must empathize with the fact that we’re all on a journey. There is no blame or finger-pointing.

Participants don’t need to watch Pioneers in Skirts in advance of the event. Mother-daughter team (Lea-Ann & Ashley) will introduce the movie and show clips from the film. They’ll specifically speak about the need for inclusion in the workplace and in our culture, and how to impact positive change. The conversation afterwards is extremely powerful, too!

During the presentation, as the audience realizes their personal role in both the problem and the solution, the filmmakers encourage ALL to take action. After all – we CAN do this together.

Key Takeaways:

• Techniques for being more vigilant about perpetuating biases and making people feel “included” in the culture we live, work, and learn in,
• The approach we can take to be better allies for women and all underrepresented groups, and
• How to shift from the feeling of “wanting to do something about it” into taking action every day.

FORMATS

1. 1 hour keynote + audience meet & greet ~ perfect for conferences, association or corporate events, etc. 
   or
2. 40 min presentation followed by Q&A ~ perfect for online events, ERG meetings, etc. 
3. Speaker options: choose the director (Ashley) or both filmmakers (the daughter/mother team — Ashley & Lea-Ann)
   – Pioneers in Skirts is from a daughter/mother filmmaking team dedicated to raising awareness for cultural prejudices, empowering others to know that they aren’t alone, encouraging productive and meaningful conversations, and generating positive action. 

AMBITION INTERRUPTED

At the age of 27, Ashley Maria’s dream for her directing career was quickly eroding. After years of working in the industry and receiving her Masters in Cinematic Arts, Ashley was shocked to experience the stereotypes surrounding her every time she was referred to as a “woman-director.” She never thought it would happen to her.

The Pioneers in Skirts award-winning filmmakers use a multi-generational storytelling approach, and scenes from the film, to share their story of why they had to make their film, and what it took to empower Ashley to take back her career aspirations and become the director she always dreamed of being.

Key Takeaways:

• What happens to young women to make them feel burned-out soon after starting out in their careers
• What to do when confidence quickly turns into doubt and insecurity
• The best ways to support women who are confronted with unfair career-limiting obstacles and setbacks

FORMATS

1. 1 hour keynote + audience meet & greet ~ perfect for conferences, association or corporate events, etc. 
   or
2. 40 min presentation followed by Q&A ~ perfect for online events, ERG meetings, etc. 
3. Speaker options: choose the director (Ashley) or both filmmakers (the daughter/mother team — Ashley & Lea-Ann)
   – Pioneers in Skirts is from a daughter/mother filmmaking team dedicated to raising awareness for cultural prejudices, empowering others to know that they aren’t alone, encouraging productive and meaningful conversations, and generating positive action. 

CAREER SYMPOSIUM – 
~ ideal for online or in-person training sessions
~ length can be 1 hour up – 2.5 hours w/breaks
~ age-specific presentations for young teen and young adult

Kids 12 and up join the filmmakers for an interactive program about using one’s ambition to start a journey towards achieving their dream career! – read more about the program –

The Pioneers in Skirts award-winning filmmakers lead an interactive teen program that demonstrates how to counter unfair perceptions and nay-sayers and provide the building blocks we all need to take charge of our own “Pioneering Path.”

In the end, participants will see that the best goals are the ones that are important to us, and that when we personalize our goals, we are energized to keep going!

EDUCATORS, MENTORS, and PARENTS use this program in a variety of settings as either a stand-alone activity or part of a larger unit on careers.

• Younger students walk away knowing THEY CAN DO ANYTHING.
• Older students walk away much more focused on their aspirations and a better understanding of the REALITIES OF GROWING A CAREER.

¤ Supplies Needed per Individual or Group:

• A computer with a camera, mic, and Internet connection
• Printer (for printing the worksheet)
• Pen or marker, any color  

¤ Supplies Provided by the Filmmakers:

• The Pioneer Path worksheet
• “I’m a Pioneer” digital decal