Creators
Elizabeth Krause
Creator, Director, Producer: Liz is the organized visionary of the team. She is always making new connections at home and abroad. She relishes in connecting with people who have inspiring stories and are out of the box thinkers. A compassionate humanitarian and nurse, she has a passion for human interest stories and connecting people across the globe. With her color-coded planner, she will have us all prepared for the day’s shot list. On location, you will find Liz fine-tuning the story, conducting interviews, keeping up with all communications, and double checking every detail. When Liz is not working in the hospital or on Better Abroad?, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, practicing yoga, taking walks along the beach, reading, listening to podcasts, and traveling.
Sarah Young
Creator, Director, Producer: Sarah is the sarcastic creative of the team. The one making new friends in line for coffee, Sarah brings her California sunshine wherever she goes. Historian, small business owner, artist, travel enthusiast, and empath, she welcomes new opportunities and challenges with an easy-going and positive attitude. On location you will most likely find Sarah taking Director's notes during interviews, using her artistic eye for setting up shots, writing, and researching local history, policy, and culture.
In her "free" time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and three cats, reading historical fiction, painting, home decorating, relaxing at the beach, and exploring the world.
Executive producers
Julie Speer Jackson
Executive Producer: Julie is a fourth generation Coloradan and an award-winning writer-producer-director-editor. Owner, member, and CEO of the media Co-Op, Truce Media Collective, Julie is also the Film Commissioner for Chaffee County. Since 1999 she has produced and directed over 1000 films on topics across the US and abroad, and created several Emmy Award-winning TV shows for public television, including Sand Creek Massacre, Great Ingredients, Standing in the Gap, Swift Justice, Haiti’s Small Miracles and Colorado Experience.
When Julie is not working on creative projects, she spends time painting, reading, cooking, gardening, hiking, doing handstands, skiing or mountain biking. She is fluent in French, and she travels extensively around the world.
Mary Matusz
Executive Producer: Mary Matusz has 15 years of dynamic leadership experience, positioning herself as an accomplished professional in global advertising, film, and marketing. Her track record speaks volumes, showcasing a confident and impactful approach to driving innovation and delivering exceptional results. With a background in production and post-production for 20th Century Fox Studios Creative Services and a pivotal role at Candy Digital, the content studio and digital agency for Fanatics, Mary has demonstrated remarkable leadership and project lead skills. Her expertise extends to spearheading R&D technology platforms that incorporate Blockchain technology for B2B and B2C, further solidifying her innovative approach and impactful contributions to the industry. Mary's impressive portfolio includes collaborations with prestigious brands and top agencies such as McCann Global,
Havas Global, TBWA Chiat Day, W&K Portland, and DDB Chicago.
Tom Leonard
Tom has worked in the entertainment & advertising business as an award winning producer for 35 years. He’s had the pleasure of working for some wonderfully creative companies including NBC, E!, Rhythm & Hues, Pittard Sullivan, PDI/Dreamworks, Digital Kitchen, Butler Shine & Stern, Imaginary Forces, and The Second City. Over his career he has worked with the likes of Bob Hope, David Letterman, Wim Wenders, John Dykstra, Sean Penn, and Frank Oz to name a few. At Digital Kitchen he was part of the team that won an AICP Award for Budweiser, which is archived at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Today Tom leverages his extensive knowledge to help filmmakers bring their ideas to life.
Director of Photography
Simon Krenk
Director of Photography: Simon is a cinematographer and photographer based in Austin, Texas, whose focus is in documentary, lifestyle, and commercial work. As a licensed drone pilot, experienced gimbal op, comfortable studio photographer, and run & gun specialist there are few production scenarios in which Simon finds himself unprepared or uncomfortable. In his free time Simon enjoys riding his bike until his legs fall off.
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Select clients include: United Airlines, The PGA Tour, Bogey Boys, Adidas, and Taylormade.