Who We Are

Meet the creatives, activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, nonprofit workers, and more who are supporting Inevitable Foundation’s mission to close the disability representation gap in Hollywood.

Founders
Board
Staff

Our Founders

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Richie Siegel

Co-Founder, President, & Board Member

As the President of Inevitable, Richie leads Inevitable Foundation and Inevitable Studio’s overall strategy and day-to-day operations. A filmmaker and entrepreneur by trade, he’s led Inevitable through the last 5+ years as it has developed a unique hybrid model between Inevitable Foundation and Inevitable Studios, which produces commercial entertainment with disability in the DNA.

Before co-founding Inevitable, he spent seven years running Loose Threads, a consulting and research firm in the consumer goods industry, that became a leading strategic partner to the C-Suite of many brands, private equity firms, media companies and real estate investment firms. Richie has a younger sister who lives with epilepsy and other developmental disabilities, which he rarely saw reflected on-screen.

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Marisa Torelli-Pedevska

Co-Founder, Board Member, & Head of Creative

Marisa is a co-founder and board member of Inevitable, tasked with leading programs for Inevitable Foundation and creative for Inevitable Studios . A screenwriter with an invisible physical disability, she completed her MFA at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She’s the recipient of the Jay Roach Endowed Award, the USC Sloan Screenwriting Award and the national ​​Sloan Student Grand Jury Prize.

Before Inevitable, Marisa spent eight years working and living at a residential summer camp for teens and adults with disabilities. Marisa’s experience has informed the ways she views accessibility in the traditionally inaccessible entertainment industry and drives her passion for systemic change.

Our Board of Directors

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  • President, LaVant Consulting, Inc.

    Andraéa (she/her) is a nationally and internationally sought-after disability inclusion expert. She is the founder and president of LaVant Consulting, Inc. (LCI), a social impact communications firm that offers cutting-edge corporate development and content marketing for brands and nonprofits. LCI’s specialty is helping brands “speak disability with confidence.” As a Black, disabled woman, Andraéa champions intersectionality and is committed to working toward a future where ALL people, particularly disabled people of color, are seen and valued in culture and society at-large.

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  • Managing Partner, rekon retail

    Rebekah (she/her) is the founder and managing partner of rekon retail and a seasoned retail executive with 20 years of experience working with companies such as Apple, Starbucks, and Warby Parker. Specializing in omnichannel environments for digitally native brands, Rebekah has overseen revenue channels exceeding $100 million, launched numerous stores, and led teams of up to 300 employees. A natural problem-solver and former performer, Rebekah enjoys the challenge of complex tasks, particularly in the theatrical elements of physical retail spaces.

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  • Actor & Executive Producer

    After winning the title of Miss Deaf America and working as a kindergarten teacher in Manhattan for a decade, Lauren (she/her) began her meteoric rise as an actor when she was hired in 2016 to tutor director Kenny Leon in American Sign Language as he readied the Broadway revival of Children of A Lesser God. After working together, Kenny and the producers concluded Lauren was the only choice for the lead, her performance a resounding success, earning multiple rave reviews and a Tony nomination. She became a series regular AMC’s The Walking Dead, and then the first Deaf superhero opposite Angelina Jolie and Kumail Nanjani in Marvel's Eternals. Lauren recently executive produced and filmed a limited series, and has received a 2020 BAFTA Breakthrough Award.

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  • Founder, For the Good Consulting

    Marcus Soutra (he/him) is an award-winning advocate, leader, and trailblazer in social impact strategy. He began his career as a public school teacher before co-founding Eye to Eye, where he served as President and helped the organization become a nationally recognized leader improving outcomes for neurodiverse youth. In 2024, Soutra launched For The Good Consulting, a firm at the nexus of social change that partners with philanthropists, nonprofit and for-profit leaders, and storytellers to scale impact and amplify meaningful work. As a neurodiverse individual and seasoned social entrepreneur, Soutra draws on his lived experience, professional expertise, and business development acumen to help organizations dismantle barriers and expand opportunity.

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  • Writer, Director, & Executive Producer

    Brandon (he/him) was born in Houston, Texas, and attended USC where he graduated with a B.A. in Cinema-Television, Production. At 20, Sonnier became one of the youngest filmmakers ever to premiere a feature film at the Sundance Film Festival, The Beat (2003). In 2010, he teamed with Brandon Margolis, and together they got their start writing broadcast television with 5 seasons on Sony/NBC's The Blacklist, as well as selling several original pilots. Brandon has directed episodes of L.A.'s Finest, Starz/Lionsgate’s Hightown, and most recently Sony/Spectrum Originals' Panhandle. He is currently a co-executive producer on Sony/CBS’ SWAT while in development on several pilots for Sony Pictures TV.

Our Staff

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  • Impact and Advocacy Lead

    Abbey (they/them) supports Inevitable's mission through a combination of impact, narrative, and solutions-based reporting and writing around the organization's direct work in Hollywood, the community of creatives it supports, and the outcomes of its initiatives. Before joining the nonprofit as its Impact Storytelling Lead, they spent ten years in traditional journalism, including nearly three years at a Hollywood trade, publishing service, identity, culture and entertainment-related reporting. That includes regular coverage of creatives, trends and the state of inclusion in the intersection of disability and Hollywood.

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  • Head of Operations

    As Head of Operations, Ewan (they/them) collaborates with the entire team to ensure an accessible culture, effective systems, sustainable growth, and operational excellence. They joined Inevitable in late 2022, leveraging a background in public libraries. Ewan's strengths lie in centering people in the work of process and policy. Their own disabilities have shaped their worldview and their values as a leader.

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  • Manager, Development & Production

    Olivia (she/her) is the Manager, Development & Production at Inevitable Studios and Inevitable Foundation, Inevitable Foundation, and supports the organization’s industry-focused & creative programs. She has creative development and IP experience from her previous roles at Sugar23 and The Gersh Agency. Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, she used her family’s Netflix account almost daily and was fascinated by the range of human experiences that she was able to see on the screen. Outside of work, she loves to ski, hike and paint.

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  • Head of Research

    Saga (they/them) leads Inevitable’s Research Institute, as well as the organization's Communications, Advocacy, and Impact departments. They joined Inevitable in early 2022 as the organization's first full-time employee, and have been strategizing to create the organization's core programs and advocacy initiatives ever since. Saga's specialty is using data as a catalyst for meaningful societal transformation. This focus is informed by a background in academic research and direct action, and a deeply rooted commitment to liberation for all.