TAWD B. DORENFELD – BOARD MEMBER – PROGRAM DIRECTOR
BFA NYU Tisch School of the Arts – Double Major Film & Animation, w/ Minors in Children’s Entertainment

Lead Mentor/Producer Dorenfeld focuses on the Renaissance of the Arts of Storytelling and will be the guy helping you find your superpower that will allow you to be a prolific storyteller. Dorenfeld oversees all Artists’ personal development & productions even as the myriad of Mentors implement those goals with the brilliance that are the Tink Tank Artists!

He is also the original founder of Tink Tank, of the Tink Tank Program, Techniques, Exercises, & Attitude, and now, after 6 years of building up a wonderful program, a fantastic roster of amazing artists, a portfolio to show the public these ideas are worthy of their attention, I have begun to transform it into what it so truly deserves; to be all of ours, a 501c. Now let’s tell some stories! All the stories!

MIKHAIL FILIPOVITCH – BOARD MEMBER – BUSINESS RELATIONS
MASTERS – Human Resources, Labor Relations / BA – HISTORY – Michigan State University

Mikhail has spent their 7+ year career improving the lives of people with disabilities.  Working with the RAIND Institute, Upbound Staffing, and Jobs for Humanity, Mikhail managed or co-managed requisitions with 45 employers (10 Fortune) to create disability-inclusive employment pilots and train selected leaders to sustain the initiative.  Mikhail’s talent acquisition work has included partnerships with 12 universities and worked with 1,500+ professionals across 30+ disciplines to create a highly-talented and well-trained labor pool.  Complementing his work in the inclusive staffing industry, Mikhail has also served on advisory or governance boards with several agencies including Arts for Life, Detroit Disability Power, and the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan.

Mikhail earned his Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations and his Bachelor of History from Michigan State University, where he subsequently completed certification programs in workers’ compensation, industrial safety, and collective bargaining. His co-authored research on new forms of worker assembly has been published in the Journal of Industrial Relations.

DOUGLAS (DOUG) FREEL – BOARD MEMBER
BFA Art Center College of Design Pasadena – Major Film & Music Production

Mentor/Producer Freel has spent over 30 years in the Director’s seat, Writer’s chair, and Content Developer’s desk. Concept and Story has been at the heart of every decision Doug has made creatively throughout his career besides other co-conspirators of storytelling such as Spielberg, Fincher, Bay, Kerslake, and Dorenfeld. Doug’s solo and collaborative work includes literally hundreds of music videos, and multi-camera concert events that produced era-defining imagery on music video television.

As a Tink Tank Mentor/Producer Mr. Freel focuses on mentoring and producing Writing for the Screen, Conceptualizing Multiple Spots, Photography, Film, & Print along with running the Artist Development Program.

TAMARA FINLEY

2024 Honorary Grant Award Winner Kresgre Filmmakers Animation

Tamara brings passion and devotion to the team of Tink Tank with her self-advocacy for her own ADHD diagnosis as a marginalized artist. Born in Dearborn, MI, in 1979 and brought up by grandparents who emigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine after World War II, Tamara, while growing up, was scolded for “drawing ponies” when there were “more important” things to do. Her school career was spent taking academic classes while sneaking in as much art as possible. The result: a bachelor’s degree in Slavic languages, a few credits shy of a fine arts minor from Brooklyn College. Since then, she has been a teacher, lead vocalist in three bands, one signed to Jack White’s Third Man Records, studied stop motion, had a baby, been a refugee caseworker, and, in 2022, was finally diagnosed with ADHD which she fully understands were the reasons for much of her struggles throughout her lifetime.

DARRELL WILLIAMS
BFA, Detroit’s College for Creative Studies – Major Animation

Animation Mentor Darrell Williams is a master of character animation capable of bringing fluidity and expression to anyone’s style. His direct experience with in home foster youths has shown his instinct for empathy and the value of instilling productivity and expression into marginalized communities. I love bringing ideas to life through the magic of animation. That is the core of what inspires me and I believe in sharing that passion with others.

We remember the great RICHARD (RICK) BROWNELL BFA NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Mentor/Producer Richard Brownell focused on the written word in narrative form, historical form, biographical, screenplays, teleplays, stage plays, journalism, and other forms of writing. As an award-winning writer, Richard (Rick) had published several books on American history and culture for young adult and general audiences. His historical commentary and essays have been published by numerous periodicals and websites. He blogged at MrRicksHistory.com and was beloved by his Tink Tank artists, John Pannozzi, Jenna Ruff, and Kevin Browne.

Another, longest creative collaborator of Mr. Dorenfeld’s creative career from their days at NYU to Mr. Brownell’s tragic demise.

TIMOTHY YOUNG
Music Mentor

Mentor/Producer Tim Young focuses on the composition of music in a myriad of forms, and what forms best suit you as an individual…this is not your average music program…this can use anything from the kitchen sink to your elbows, digital instruments to make musical sound and compose in Garageband and the likes. Currently you can find Tim writing music and playing guitar in the Reggie Watts band on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Timothy Young’s music can be found scattered throughout over 30+ years of professional showmanship of rocking out, and a soundtrack collaborator of Mr. Dorenfeld’s.

ALLEN MERCK
BFA Michigan State University – Digital Media Arts & Technology w/ Concentration in Film Studies

Animation Mentor Allen Merck is a visual storyteller by nature.  With over 19 years experience in broadcast media, and an extensive career in education, Merck has a wealth of knowledge and an overwhelming desire to bring life to creative machinations.

As an artist and storyteller, Merck’s love of character intersects.  His philosophy is to focus design and plot around persona, allowing individual motivation to drive a narrative.

As a proud father of a neurodiverse child, Merck strives to encourage individuality and self-confidence through art and creativity.

ANDRES LERMA
Tink Tank Animate
Our newest mentor is a Tink Tank Animate artist. A writer, director, composer, Andres Lerma has learned to do it all with the guidance of Mr. Dorenfeld and the Professionals in Mr. Dorenfeld’s life. Andres Lerma is Tink Tank through and through and Tink Tank is Andres Lerma. We were inspired to become what we are because of him.

MARTIN OLSON
Guest Mentor – By Appointment Only
Mentor/Producer Martin Olson will be joining the Tink Tank Animate Team in a very special capacity. Based on an Application Process individuals will be able to take One-on-One Writing Sessions with one of the most sought-after Cartoon Writers in the Hollywood Industry. Martin Olson is best known for his tenure as a Staff Writer and Emmy Award Winner for Disney’s Phineas & Ferb and as the voice of Adventure Time‘s Marceline’s father Hunson Abadeer. Yes he is also Olivia Olson’s actual father.

DRYW LEE
Voice Actor & Mentor
Dryw Lee graduated from Delta College with a degree in Fine Arts. He is a Tink Tank Animate artist and a voice acting + sound design mentor, and budding feature film director. He’s known for his work on Mama’s Ducks as well as other creative projects. He loves to help aspiring artists find their passion, which he says is really just about helping people find their own unique voice.