DAVID HOLBROOKE
Founder
Founder David Holbrooke is a filmmaker and cultural entrepreneur who bought originalthinkers.com in 2004, believing that film was the best way to convey the big ideas that were missing in the public dialogue. Holbrooke was a TV News Producer with the Today Show, CNN and CBS News before moving into filmmaking after watching 9/11 happen and believing that he needed to tell stories with more depth and purpose. In 2008, he became festival director of Telluride Mountainfilm, inspiring and entertaining thousands of people every year with his innovative programming. In 2015, he premiered The Diplomat on HBO, a documentary about his father, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, which told a personal story as well as a look at five decades of American foreign policy. In 2018, he started the Original Thinkers ideas festival in Telluride, CO, which has since become a burgeoning media company with live events, films and other media assets. Holbrooke lives in Telluride, CO with his wife Sarah and three kids where he rides bikes and skis.
MEREDITH LAVITT
President
Meredith Lavitt recently joined Original Thinkers to help grow OT into a flagship, forward looking media company producing fresh, engaging and provocative content around original thinking. Lavitt has over 25 years experience working in the independent film arena. She believes in the power of story to help us understand the world we live in and authentically connect with each other. Lavitt is the founder of Swirl Productions, LLC, an independent media company focusing on producing media that is socially conscious and story driven; as well as providing filmmaking and festival consulting services. Lavitt worked at Sundance Institute for over 20 years, and was the founder and director of Sundance Ignite. In 2004 she produced the critically acclaimed Home Front, which premiered at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival and on Showtime. Lavitt co-produced The Grand Rescue, which premiered at the Mountain Film Festival in spring 2014 and first aired on PBS spring 2016. Lavitt lives in Park City, Utah with her family where they enjoy the outdoors, skiing, biking, riding horses and living a healthy lifestyle.
LAURA SHAUNETTE
Director of Programming
Laura Shaunette is a community programming and storytelling enthusiast. She is the founder of The Downlow, a beloved local storytelling event and podcast. In 2018, with her wife Geneva, she began Back Pocket Creative, a custom event company. She aspires to cultivate spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves, and encouraged to collaborate and further understand one another. Her other passions include cooking, camping, and dancing to funky horns and handclaps.
CYNTHIA SOMMERS
Festival Coordinator
As the newest member of the OT Team, Cynthia brings years of experience volunteering for local non-profits, business management/startup and has a true passion for community involvement and a lust for new ideas and fresh thinking. She has been an active member of the local Telluride community for over 20 years and holds the same passion and love for the box canyon since the first summer she moved to town. She is thrilled to be working for OT and cannot wait to share our festival with locals and guests alike! In her spare time she adores spending time with her two children, practicing yoga, hiking and biking.
GENEVA SHAUNETTE
Paper Pusher
Geneva Shaunette is an event producer, cannabis industry consultant, and a member of Telluride Town Council. In her 9 years of living in Telluride she has gained extensive experience working in bars, restaurants, outdoor education, and the cannabis industry. She is passionate about civic engagement, new ideas, community partying, and keeping Telluride weird. She loves her wife Laura, New Orleans brass music, tapas, salty cocktails, and witty political t-shirts.