Leadership
St. Louis Filmworks co-founders, Mary Kay Sheets and Shad Schoenke, have an impressive veteran track record in the business and content development. Together, the co-founder brings over 50+ years of experience in the fields of creative development in the advertising, entertainment, marketing and civic development. Their core leadership team is comprised of a group of experienced individuals in the St. Louis film and creative industries.
Shad Schoenke Co-Founder/Creative Director
A creative designer and writer with 30+ experience in advertising and marketing across numerous industries including beverage, financial, healthcare, pet food, automotive agriculture, CPG and B2B products. Area of focus also includes consumer experience and brand interaction from the customer/consumer point of view. Project and campaign experience includes sponsorship of entities including NASCAR, NFL, NCAA and the Olympics.
Shad’s experience with Coca-Colas’ sponsorship of the 2008 and 2010 Olympic Games, forged a relationship with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee that lead to the creation of the St. Louis Olympic Legacy Committee with the St. Louis Sports Commission. The Legacy Committee worked with the IOC to erect the Olympic Rings spectacular at Washington University.
Mary Kay Sheets Co-Founder/Fractional C-Suite Executive, Executive Producer
Mary Kay Sheets has more than twenty-five years of experience as an award-winning “Go-To - Get-it-Done” serial entrepreneur having founded five companies, two non-profits and advised hundreds of business owners as a fractional c-suite executive in all aspects of starting and growing a business. She specializes in company-wide gap analysis, foundational business development, emerging trend planning and integration as well as industry-side initiative leadership. Mary Kay is also an author, speaker and a catalyst for pioneers in their field who seek to bring forth change for the greater good.
Audra Angelique Media, Programming & Community
Audra Angelique is a multidisciplinary artist, creative systems architect and strategist with 25 years of experience across entertainment, media, marketing and business. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she moved to New York City in her mid 20s before finding her way to St. Louis in 2008, where she relocated to sing full-time with the Ralph Butler band after a series of extended visits to the city.
Having spent her entire life in the entertainment industry while moving fluidly through adjacent sectors including...LEARN MORE ABOUT AUDRA HERE
Advisors
Jessica Ambuehl Producer/Owner Under the Tree Productions
Jessica Ambuehl is a professional storytelling with decades of experience on both sides of the camera. She has countless projects under her belt involving producing, directing, and casting for film, television, and nonprofit needs. As an actor/model, Jessica has representation in six states across the Midwest with over 100 jobs on her resume. But, one of her favorite story forms and passions is photojournalism which she does pro bono for nonprofits around the world, giving her the honor of visiting countless countries and experiencing diverse cultures. Jessica believes “the difference you make for one can impact the future for many.” She was born and raised in the Midwest and lives with her husband of over twenty years raising their two boys in the St. Louis area.
Bill Higley Aegis Law
William Higley is a highly experienced attorney with over thirty years of practice in corporate and family estate planning law. He has also had extensive litigation and trial experience, including complex personal injury and chemical exposure lawsuits at both the Federal and state level. Bill’s practice also includes substantial experience in the areas of trusts, estate planning and taxation, and the licensing of intellectual property.
Bill previously worked in the law department of Monsanto, where he managed complex and multi district environmental insurance coverage litigation, and was responsible for Superfund environmental remediation projects at over one hundred thirty state and federal project sites. This level of exposure was reportable in the Company’s annual report to shareholders. Bill also handled regulatory matters, permits, and enforcement actions in all environmental media, OSHA, Industrial Hygiene, and internal compliance audit functions of the Company.
In addition to his legal career, Bill is also the current President of the Board of Directors for Jazz St. Louis, an organization that promotes jazz music in St. Louis and brings live performances to the community. Bill’s passion for jazz music and his dedication to the community make his leadership of this organization particularly meaningful.