MAY’S SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: JANET ZUCKER
Producer and Disease Advocate

A Producer and Disease Advocate, JANET ZUCKER co-heads Zucker Productions with her husband, writer/director Jerry Zucker (“Airplane!”, “Ruthless People” and “Ghost” – some of the entertainment industry’s most beloved and memorable movies, as well as top box office smashes). They are currently developing a variety of projects including “Friends With Benefits” at Castle Rock Pictures, which Jerry will direct, and “My Worst Best Man” at Paramount Pictures with PJ Hogan directing. Janet most recently produced Paramount Pictures’ “Rat Race” starring Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr., Seth Green, Jon Lovitz, Breckin Meyer and Amy Smart. Other credits include: Executive Producer of “First Knight,” starring Sean Connery, Richard Gere and Julia Ormond. Complementing her superior talents as a producer, Janet's great eye for talent was further enhanced at Mann Management, a personal management firm for actors, writers and directors, where she was a founding member and principal partner.

As parents of a child with diabetes, Janet and Jerry are very active in finding a cure for the medical disorder. In 2004, Janet and Jerry came together with two other families affected by diabetes to create the committee organized to pass Proposition 71 – the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. California voters overwhelmingly supported and passed Proposition 71, creating the California Institute for Regenerative medicine, and ultimately providing $3 billion to stem cell research in California for the purpose of developing treatments and cures for life-threatening disease and illnesses such as diabetes.

Recognized by the Entertainment Industry Foundation for her efforts to improve the lives of children and adults living with diabetes, Janet and Jerry were named Honorary Chairs of the Diabetes Aware campaign. Recently, Janet produced a public service announcement starring Kevin Kline and John Lovitz for this campaign, encouraging Americans to get tested for diabetes. Janet and Jerry continue their efforts as co-chairs of the non-profit organization, CuresNow, to promote the rapid, responsible and ethical advancement of science for the purpose of bringing about treatments and cures for diseases and illnesses such as diabetes. Janet has also served on the board of directors of the Venice Family Clinic and the Children’s Bureau.