Introducing our 2024 Jurors
Michael Wichita
Photo Director, AARP
Michael Wichita has been with AARP since 2005, and works with AARP's print publications, websites, newsletters, and social presence. Wichita previously worked as a professional photographer, his work for AARP has been recognized by SPD and American Photography amongst others. Michael is a frequent speaker and portfolio reviewer at industry events. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Whitney Hollington Matewe
Deputy Director of Photography, NBC News & MSNBC
Whitney Hollington Matewe (she/they) is a sapphic, Ndebele-Shona Zimbabwean-American, creative of color. Serving as the Deputy Director of Photography at NBC News and MSNBC, Matewe spent her formative years in various countries around the globe and relishes creatively collaborating with photographers and artists from all over the world, across various styles of image making. Matewe was previously the culture and entertainment Photo Editor at TIME Magazine — working primarily on portraiture, features and conceptual essays. Additionally, Matewe curated and commissioned TIME's franchise packages including TIME 100, TIME 100 Next, Women of the Year, TIME 100 Companies and Next Generation Leaders. Prior, Matewe served on the photo teams at National Geographic Magazine, The New Yorker Magazine, The Intercept and Condé Nast.
May Lin Le Goff
Executive Creative Producer
May Lin Le Goff is an Executive Creative Producer based in New York City. Hailing originally from Singapore, May pursued her passion for photography at the School of Visual Arts in New York, graduating in 2012 with the Tierney Fellowship.
Since then, May’s dedication to photography and moving image has propelled her career within the media production industry. Collaborating with creative production companies, she has orchestrated campaigns and content for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Longchamp, Calvin Klein, Coach, American Eagle, Apple, Google, and Nike. Additionally, her work has been published in the pages of publications such as Vogue, W, TIME, Financial Times, Esquire, GQ, i-D, ELLE, Numero, amongst others.
With over a decade of experience under her belt, May embarked on a new venture in 2022, introducing Aries Rising Projects. This comprehensive creative production company collaborates closely with artists, brands & creative agencies, expertly facilitating their content and campaign creation needs. At the core of Aries Rising Projects lies a steadfast commitment to delivering premium-quality creative production services, accompanied by a collaborative customer service experience.
May holds a deep-seated passion for fostering diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability through her projects. Through Aries Rising Projects, she actively seeks to align with like-minded individuals who share her vision for driving positive change within the industry.
Dominique Hildebrand
Photo Editor, National Geographic
Dominique Hildebrand is a visual editor and storyteller. Currently, she is a photo editor at National Geographic with a focus on climate and environment stories. She also works collaboratively with the social team in curating and crafting a robust visual narrative driven platform for National Geographic's photographers. Formerly the co-chair of National Geographic’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group. As an out and proud queer woman, she strives to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment so everyone can show up authentically as themselves every day.
Previously, Dominique was a Nat Geo photo editing intern and received her master’s degree at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with a focus on multimedia, photography, and design. She received her bachelor's in photojournalism from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.
In addition to photo editing, Dominique facilitates skills-based training on visual storytelling and educates and mentors both professional photographers and students through workshops and volunteer-based organizations.
While not working for Nat Geo, Dominique spends time with her two cats or can be found out exploring.
Liam Woods
Photographer + Creative Director
Liam Woods is a Trans + Non Binary Image Maker based out of LA. Their work is characterized by the vulnerable, candidly intimate storytelling of Queer Black and Brown communities.
In their 6 year experience as a photographer, Liam has partnered with brands and companies such as Levis, Apple, Adidas, Spotify and Warby Parker. They have also shot for publications including People, Vogue Paris, The New York Times, LA Times, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, Washington Post, Bloomberg and Playgirl Magazine. With their brand experience, Liam has formed a great multitude of job opportunities (and counting) for BIPOC and Queer People both in front of and behind the camera. The main mission in their work is to continue to build upon community and provide resources/access for the betterment of BIPOC and Queer creatives as a whole.
