About Us
WHO WE ARE
The Handshake Foundation (THF), is organized as a California non-profit corporation established for the public benefit committed to advancing practical education in arts, industry and amateur sports through the development of life skills through mentoring and supported by on-going educational grants and financial aid.
The mentorship program is sustained by top business and community leaders in various industries who advise, council and give necessary insights to our youth typically not taught in schools, but learned from years of practical life experience. Our mission is to grow a positive self-image for our next generation through practical hands on experience, while promoting and building strong peer-to-peer and peer-to-adult relationships.
As a recognized 501 (c) (3) non-profit for kids, all donations to our organization are tax deductible.
WHO WE SERVE
The Handshake Foundation was created exclusively for the advancement of education among boys and girls 13-19. The organization is operated exclusively for charitable purposes to advance educational opportunities for improving and developing personal and professional capabilities to ensure successful individuals in the community.
A man never stands so tall, as when he leans over to help a child.
– Abraham Lincoln
OUR TEAM
Mark Heller
Founder
Mark Heller is a seasoned hands-on entertainment production and brand marketing professional with over thirty years of industry experience. As an award-winning writer/producer and top level film and television executive, Mark is keenly aware of the process of what it takes to dream, create, plan, administer and implement all aspects of a project.
Mark grew up an Army Brat. His father served for over twenty-three years and retired a Lt. Colonel. Mark and his sisters lived in three countries and three army bases before reaching their teens. Adaptability was the greatest lesson he learned, and it has served him well. For this, he has committed to giving back to dependents of active and reserve military servicemen and women and their families in the form of a named grant through the Handshake Foundation.
Carl Buehl
Board Member
Carl Buehl is an Emmy-Award-winning and three-time Emmy nominated Executive Producer with more than 35 years in the industry.
He has developed, written, produced, and/or directed a range of highly-rated television shows – from “America’s Most Wanted” to the paranormal world of “Sightings,” from “Amazing Race” to “Celebrity Fit Club” to “Supernanny”.
He has most recently been a Showrunner for a new A&E series as well as Showrunner for Discovery Networks “Undercover Billionaire: Comeback City”. Carl has also brought several pilots to series, including HGTV’s “Montana Home” and “My Lottery Dream Home”.
Jack Teetor
Program Organizer
Jack Teetor is an entertainment marketing, programming and distribution professional generating revenue streams from domestic & international non-theatrical markets, cable TV and new media markets. Teetor most recently was National Sales Director for Inflight Productions (IFP) responsible for North & South American territories as well as content acquisitions.
His studio experience began at Universal Pictures, where he served as Manager of Marketing. He developed and implemented marketing strategies and advertising campaigns for over 50 motion pictures on such films as “Scarface,” “Back to the Future,” “Dune,” “The Breakfast Club,” Steven Spielberg’s “An American Tail,” and the Academy Award-Winning “Out of Africa.” Jack currently serves on the Board of Advisors for The Hollenbeck Youth Center and Inner-City Games, creating opportunities for inner-city youth to participate in athletic, educational, cultural and community enrichment programs.
Cheryl Sanders
Education Advisor
Cheryl Sanders holds a master’s degree in education and has been an educator for thirty years. She currently workS within the LAUSD and serves on the board of the Village Charter Academy. She is an Administrative Designee, BTSA Support Provider, Master Teacher, Mentor Teacher, Grade Level Chair, Executive Committee Member at PCC and Budget Committee Co-Chair. Her education background gives THF board a broader base for providing insights and ideas into how best to manage our programs within the educational community.
Roger Goff
Legal Advisor
Roger Goff, Attorney at Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP, specializing in Entertainment, production and licensing. Roger has taught various classes over the years to film students and lectured on the business of law. He is an accomplished musician and executive producer in the motion picture sector. His expertise on the board will assure that we operate within the defined laws as it pertains to non-profits.
Frank Kay
Marketing Advisor
Frank Kay, Director of marketing at JL Fisher. Frank is a thirty year entertainment production executive. He spent much of his early career at Panavison as Director of Creative Services and Stage Operations. His experience with the industry is invaluable as he has been assign liaison positions between union guilds, to which he is an associate member. He has taught various classes in the field of camera and technical supports at schools through-out Southern California.
Our Partners
The Handshake Foundation has partnered with multiple organizations all sharing a common mission of serving kids.
Arts Academy – We partnered with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor (BGC) and in support of Subculture Studios and the Arts Academy. Together they have built a bridge connecting Hollywood veterans with the youth of the BGC by creating unique opportunities for teens to get a hands-on experience with those working in the entertainment business.
ASC Open House – Kids have a chance to meet and greet the great cinematographers in the entertainment business.
So Long Selfie, Hello World was a program designed with the Los Angeles Unified School district to get kids to take pictures with their phone. Experts were brought into the classroom to give tips and ideas for the kids to use.
Holiday Book Program – We have partnered with Torrance Memorial Health Foundation for several years to provide a delightful holiday book called The Dear Santa Letter Collection. The book is provided to all young guests at their festival and to patients in the hospital during the holidays. We have expanded our giving to include the YMCA at Camp Pendleton in San Diego to support all the dependent children of service members. Some past partners include, City of Hope, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Long Beach Children’s Hospital. Children’s Hospital LA.
Get involved
Want to become one of our partners, or have an idea for a program that would benefit the youth of our area? Let’s talk about it: