Entrepreneur, Executive Producer, and Nonprofit Founder Headlines Digital Media Conference

Temecula, CA: Local entrepreneur, executive producer, and JDS Creative Academy nonprofit founder, Diane Strand will be the keynote speaker for the Digital Media Educators Conference (DMEC). Diane will speak about diversity and inclusion in the workplace for women and those with special needs. Catch her presentation on Friday, October 29th at 9:00 am.

The DMEC is an annual conference for digital-media educators to connect with colleagues and share industry trends and knowledge. This year’s conference will be held over Zoom, and participants can register at https://www.engagez.net/dmec2021. Participant fee is $50, which includes free access to post-event conference sessions.

Diane Strand has provided opportunities for diversity and inclusion through JDS Creative Academy for over seven years. JDS Creative Academy is a female-employee dominated workplace, and the organization is a proud vendor for Inland Regional Center, providing video production job-training to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Diane believes that, “A diverse workforce is one that can provide unique experiences and perspectives, and can ultimately better a company, and workforce development as a whole.”

About Diane Strand: Diane Strand has been an entrepreneur since 2003 when she created JDS Video and Media Productions Inc. with her husband, Scott Strand. In 2014, the Strands founded JDS Creative Academy, a non-profit performing, visual, and digital arts education center located off Diaz Road, in Temecula, CA. Diane pioneered a California State non-traditional apprenticeship and the Video Production Job-Training Program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to promote diversity and inclusion in the digital media industry.

Media Bio: Diane Strand is an award-winning Executive Producer at JDS Studios and the TV show Spirit of Innovation, the first Riverside County local news and information program. She is the majority owner of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc / JDS Actors Studio and the founder of nonprofit JDS Creative Academy; she is also a published author who talks about entrepreneurship, and providing pathways for career opportunities in the visual, performing and digital arts. Diane’s passion for Workforce Development in the arts, led her to write two approved curriculums for video production. One is a Title 17 program designed for adults with developmental disabilities. The other is a California State approved apprenticeship program for college graduates. These programs provide Hands-On training and paid supported internship opportunities, designed to break down barriers to gainful employment in video production, post production and acting. Diane’s prior career life holds credits from A-List shows like; General Hospital, Friends, Veronica’s Closet and building the high-def control room at Staples Center, for the last 17 years Diane has been a successful entrepreneur of her own, a multi-award winning production company, working with clients like Abbott Vascular, City of Temecula, Cal State San Marcos and United Healthcare Services to name a few. Diane has launched over 100 video and acting careers into the mainstream entertainment and video production industry. She sets out to provide H.O.P.E. which Diane defines as; Helping One Person Everyday!