Our Leadership
At IDEALIST, leadership is about vision, creativity, and impact. Our team is composed of innovators, storytellers, and social architects who believe in the power of cinema to inspire action, elevate voices, and transform communities.
Each leader brings a unique blend of creative expertise, strategic insight, and a commitment to social change. Together, we guide the IDEALIST Project’s programs, campaigns, and initiatives with a focus on nurturing talent, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and bridging artistry with advocacy.
Robert is a filmmaker, educator, and change agent from Minneapolis, MN, working at the intersection of cinema, education, and social impact. An alumnus of the University of Southern California’s Film & Television Production M.F.A. program and the University of Minnesota, his experience at organizations such as FilmNorth, Verve Talent & Literary Agency, Imagine Entertainment, IMAX, and Fox Searchlight Pictures, as well as educational institutions including the Los Angeles Unified School District, USC School of Cinematic Arts, and the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts, shaped the approach that guides his work bridging storytelling, learning, and civic engagement.
As the Founder of IDEALIST, Robert leads a global initiative that uses cinema as a catalyst for creativity, connection, and change—activating imagination, empathy, and action across classrooms, creative institutions, and communities around the world. IDEALIST designs cultural initiatives, creative learning experiences, and youth-centered programs that expand access to young people, educators, and artists by using storytelling as a bridge between imagination and impact—helping individuals reimagine their potential and see the world through a cinematic lens.
Throughout his career, Robert has actively engaged hundreds of media artists, 1,300+ students, and 75+ education and industry partners, while administering over $200,000 in grant support for independent filmmakers and media artists. Robert has also led and supported programming with a wide range of institutions to expand creative opportunities, including McKnight Foundation, Project for Pride in Living, Junior Achievement North, African American Academy of Accelerated Learning, Juvenile Detention Center Hennepin County, Minnesota 4-H, and many others. From Minneapolis to Los Angeles and beyond, he has directed initiatives that promote inclusive film education, workforce development, and youth mentorship, providing extensive guidance through artist consultations and mentoring dozens of creatives nationwide.
Driven by a belief that film is more than entertainment—that it is a force for empathy, understanding, and progress—Robert continues to shape pathways for creators and changemakers committed to building a more connected and creative world.
Robert Blair – Founder & Creative Director
Abigail is a writer, educator, and change-maker based in the Twin Cities, empowering the next generation of filmmakers and amplifying youth voices in media. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Abigail combines expertise in media production with a passion for mentorship, creative learning, and social impact.
She has spearheaded initiatives such as the Upper Midwest’s pioneering Studio Thirteen Future Filmmakers Lab, the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival Youth Media Showcase, and Twin Cities Youth Media Network, guiding emerging filmmakers through hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their work to regional and national audiences. Abigail has also served as a programmer and panelist at film festivals across the Midwest, creating platforms for youth and fostering dialogue in the creative community.
A committed civic leader, Abigail remains a lead member of AmeriCorps, serving her second consecutive year with the Community Technology Empowerment Program, bringing media education to schools and community events throughout the region.
At IDEALIST, she leads learning initiatives and creative programming, designing immersive youth experiences that spark curiosity, imagination, and social awareness. Abigail produces programs that connect young storytellers and communities to IDEALIST’s mission, amplifying diverse perspectives and cultivating meaningful opportunities for skill-building and creative expression.
Most recently, Abigail has supported creative learning programs at dozens of schools and community organizations and championed initiatives that combine creativity, learning, and social impact—helping youth develop their voices, build skills, and envision their potential in media and storytelling.
Abigail Stewart – Director of Learning & Engagement
Elizabeth Laurent – Director of Organizational Culture & Development
Elizabeth is committed to helping organizations operationalize equity, accountability, and human-centered systems. Drawing on her experience across education, workforce development, and mental health, she builds structures that align people, culture, and practices with measurable social impact while supporting organizational growth and sustainability.
Elizabeth has built a cross-sector career supporting and advising organizations across workforce development, hiring and onboarding, organizational training, and program coordination. Her work has included coordinating intake systems and operations for mission-driven nonprofits, designing and delivering training and professional development for legal and administrative teams, and supporting disability-focused organizations through tailored employment and community integration services. Across these engagements, she has focused on bridging individual support with organizational accountability, helping organizations grow stronger, more resilient, and better aligned with their missions.
At IDEALIST, Elizabeth plays a pivotal role in strengthening internal operations while advancing the organization’s social impact mission. She cultivates collaborations with partner organizations to integrate people, culture, and operational practices in ways that drive growth, strengthen accountability, and foster inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures. Elizabeth designs and implements tailored training, coaching, and programmatic support that equips teams to translate organizational values into effective practices and measurable outcomes that align culture with strategy. By connecting strategy, culture, and mission, she helps ensure that both IDEALIST and its partners are positioned to create measurable social impact while building resilient, sustainable systems that support people and mission-driven goals.
