Meet the Women Behind the Scenes

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Tyler Janeé Ward is a Los Angeles-based educator, communications specialist, and media personality. She studied Mass Media Arts at Clark Atlanta University and was inspired to pursue education after studying abroad in Costa Rica. This is where she observed the lack of diversity among students of color, especially those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which led her to join Teach for America and obtain an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.

Tyler Janeé’s passion for travel led her to travel to over 20 countries by 25 years of age while teaching language skills in South Africa, earning a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, and teaching American culture to high school students in Spain. Alongside her teaching career, she founded the non-profit organization Study Elsewhere, which aims to provide study abroad opportunities and resources for historically underrepresented students/communities.

Tyler Janeé Ward is a talented educator and content creator who is dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural exchange. She has made significant contributions to both the fields of education and media. In addition to her work as an educator, Tyler has created engaging content about her travel experiences. She produced and hosted The Turbulence Podcast, where she shares invaluable dating and relationship advice from a traveler’s perspective with popular travel influencers.

Currently, Tyler Janeé is the co-host of The Friendly Black Girls Podcast powered by The Black Girl Social Club.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

Keya Mason, a three-time Emmy-nominated Series and Development Casting Executive and Producer, has left an indelible mark on the television landscape for nearly two decades.

Beginning her career in the vibrant backdrop of New York City, Keya immersed herself in the intricate world of court television. Her journey involved honing her skills in booking and producing, as she uncovered compelling characters and stories on shows like ABC’s Wife Swap and WE tv’s Fix My Family. Keya's ability to work with challenging talent and mold their behavior to align with her vision became her defining strength.

The westward relocation to Los Angeles marked a pivotal moment for Keya, propelling her to the role of Casting Executive and Supervising Producer. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in developing, producing, and casting content across every major digital and linear platform, spanning a multitude of formats. Her expertise extended to talk show productions, including Dr. Phil, The Real, Oprah’s All Stars, and The Jeff Probst Show. Notably, at Relativity Media / Critical Content, Keya supervised the iconic non-scripted MTV’s Catfish and spearheaded the launch of Catfish UK in Manchester. She also contributed significantly to numerous pilots, development projects, and presentations for various networks and streaming platforms.

Post her tenure at Critical Content, Keya seamlessly transitioned into the role of a freelance Casting Director. Her extensive network includes collaborations with major entities such as Sony Pictures Television, MGM, Paired-Up Media, Kingdom Reign Ent., Telepictures, 495 Productions, 20th Century Fox, and numerous others. She has cast, developed, and produced an array of shows spanning MTV, Bravo, Hulu, ABC, CBS, A&E, Animal Planet, TBS, OWN, WE tv, GSN, BET, VH1, Max, Lifetime, History Channel, Peacock, Netflix, YouTube, Facebook Watch, Quibi, Freeform and more. Notable successes include Queer Eye, Catfish, Love Island, Dr. Phil Show, Love and Marriage, Pawn Stars, Forged in Fire, and Wife Swap. Keya has also been a valuable asset at ITV America, contributing to labels like Good Caper, ITV Entertainment, Leftfield, Think Factory, Sirens Media, and High Noon for six years.

Keya's exceptional multitasking abilities shine through as she adeptly manages large teams and multiple projects, seamlessly navigating from idea development to casting, production, and post-direction. Her prowess extends to coordinating and resolving cross-functional concerns, communicating effectively with networks and executives, and ensuring that every project surpasses expectations, always meeting deadlines and budgets.

Possessing a robust skill set, Keya is adept at Content Creation, Project Management, Team Leadership, Talent Relations, Series Development, Creative Direction, Influential Communication, Strategic Planning, Hiring & Supervising, Talent Recruitment, Relationship Cultivation, Pitch Evaluation, Production Oversight, Standards & Practices, Creative Vision, Decision-Making, Industry Knowledge, Adaptability, Negotiation Skills, Problem-Solving, Time Management, Data Analysis, Risk Management, and Team Building, inspiring others.

Keya is an esteemed member of the Television Academy boasting multiple nominations for both daytime and primetime Emmy Awards. In addition to her professional endeavors, she is actively contributing to community initiatives and mentoring aspiring professionals. Recently acquiring real estate licenses in New Jersey and New York, Keya exemplifies an unparalleled level of ambition.

Colleagues universally recognize Keya as a superstar who radiates passion, positivity, and success. Her extensive portfolio of hit shows, and innate storytelling prowess make her a sought-after collaborator, consistently delivering results that leave everyone involved delighted with the end product.