Los Angeles, CA Office

Photo of Karla Ballard
Karla Ballard
Chief of Strategic Development, Media and National Partnerships
Karla Ballard is the Chief of Strategic Development – Media and National Partnerships, managing partnership relationships on behalf of One Economy’s corporate partners like Comcast/NBC, Teach for America, City Year a... [show more]nd others.  Karla is also responsible for the strategic fund development of One Economy’s public purpose media initiatives. Before her current role, Karla led and standardized One Economy’s digital literacy program called Digital Connectors where she worked with her team to scale a youth digital literacy program that served nearly 6000 youth in over 200 community based affiliates nationwide. In addition, she serves as the managing director of the Broadband Opportunity Coalition (BBOC), an coalition of leading civil rights groups. In 2011, Karla was appointed to the FCC's Committee on Diversity in a Digital Age, whose mission is to advise the FCC about policies and practices that will contribute to the diversity of the telecom industries. Prior to One Economy, Karla began her career as a bank officer at MBNA America, now Bank of America, where she managed teams responsible for Consumer Finance and Credit Collections in Maine and Delaware and established its first formal foundation with a seven million dollar budget.  During that period she founded a financial literacy program in Wilmington, Delaware, titled YIELD. As a result of the impact of her program, she was asked to serve as a witness for the US Congress Education and Workforce sub-committee hearings on the reauthorization for the Juvenile Justice Prevention Act in 1999. She is co-founder of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and serves as the First Vice President of the Northern Virginia Community College Foundation. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia and a native of Philadelphia, PA. [show less]
Nikol Hasler
Producer, Media
818-530-1181
ikol Hasler joined One Economy July of 2010 as a Producer for the Media team.  Nikol is the  co-creator, writer and host of the popular web series Midwest Teen Sex Show. Her book "Sex: A Book For Teens" was released i... [show more]n June 2010, and won the Best Book For Reluctant Young Readers award in 2010.  Her video production work at One Economy has included the My Free Taxes Campaign, 9ine, and Real American Family, to name a few. She moved to Los Angeles to produce, write, and host a pilot for Comedy Central, has done online safety video for Hearst Publications, and her writing has been featured in Alternative Press Magazine, iProng magazine, Glamour, The Onion's AV Club, LA Record, and on various blogs, with topics ranging from sexual health to technology. She has been a speaker for NY Women in Film, Yale, YPulse, Podcast New Media Expo, and various groups of high school students and medical students.  She is a single mother of three sons, a former foster child, and midwest native.  Nikol works in the Los Angeles, CA office. [show less]
Messiah Jacobs
Messiah Jacobs is an independent producer with a diverse body of work in film, television, commercials, and new media webisodes. His film credits include the independent film Skyler starring Broadway’s Tony Award winn... [show more]ing actress Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog, Dreamgirls) and the zany comedy The Urn.   On television, Jacobs produced The Musical Theater of Hope for the Gospel Music Channel. Directed by Robert Townsend, the broadcast became one of the highest rated shows in the channel’s history.   Respected throughout the industry as a leader in the new media landscape, Jacobs produced the award winning web based series Diary of a Single Mom directed by Townsend and starring Monica Calhoun, Valery Ortiz and Janice Lynde along with veteran actors Billy Dee Williams, Richard Roundtree and Leon. The series is currently in its second season and can be seen exclusively at http://www.pic.tv.  In January 2010, Jacobs was named the Head of Production of V-Studio, a division of One Economy Corporation. Helmed by Robert Townsend, the venture is charged with the mission of making public purpose media for the Public Internet Channel.   Jacobs’ producing roots are grounded in finance having worked in auditing at Harlem’s Carver Federal Saving Bank while earning his Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Bernard M. Baruch College (CUNY) in his hometown of New York City. [show less]
Devon K. Lee
Head of Production, V-Studios
(415) 814-6613
Devon is responsible for co-directing, developing and delivering rich educational video resources and curricula for diverse communities. Recognizing the influence of media on society early on led Devon to obtain a B.A. i... [show more]n Film Production and a minor in Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University. Devon has produced media for Just Think at the 2000 Backyard Children’s Festival and a seasons worth of episodes of “Hip Hop University” which aired on San Francisco Public Access. He has also produced music videos with Bay Area rappers Messy Marv and Guce and with indie band Sherwood. Furthermore, Devon has been involved in various short films, the most recent of which is produced in Casco Viejo, Panama. Devon has also played the violin for thirteen years. [show less]
Allen Sowelle
Director of Video Production
(818) 694-7355
Allen Sowelle serves as Director of Video Production where he guides a standout team of creative individuals all dedicated to enhancing the visual presence and storytelling aspects of One Economy's core mission.   Alle... [show more]n got his start in entertainment as an editor where some of his credits include, Discovery Channel’s hit series Ice Road Truckers, Monster Garage, and Impact: Stories of Survival and Gospel Music Channel’s Faith & Fame: Walter Hawkins.  Allen also edited the feature length Afro Ninja: Destiny, based on the Youtube sensation "Afro Ninja."   An alumnus of the Dr. Bill Cosby Screenwriting Fellowship, Allen's writing credits expand from documentaries, music videos, a theatrical release, to most recently as the writer/director of the Public Internet Channel's original dramatic series "9INE," addressing teen pregnancy from a boy's perspective.   A former Military Intel Operator, Gang Interventionist, Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence counselor, and high school instructor, Sowelle earned his Bachelor's Degree in World Lit at UC Santa Cruz, as well as completed work on his Master's Degree in Teledramatic Arts & Technology at CSU Monterey Bay. [show less]