Our Board

Jules Meline

Jules has over 15 years’ experience in organizational leadership and fund

development. After overseeing day to day operations for a business and tax

law firm, she worked as an auditor for a third-party union benefits

administrator. While meeting with union and community members, Jules

developed a deeper motivation to make a greater impact on the local

community with a focus on wellness and workforce development. This passion

led to the creation of one of the largest inner-city youth beach volleyball

programs in the country, where Jules served as the Executive Director for

over 5 years. She designed and implemented a championship level

volleyball program that was free for inner-city youth with an emphasis on

employing and mentoring underserved groups. Her partnerships and fund

development strategy resulted in a still-thriving 501(c)3 nonprofit. Most

recently, Jules oversaw grants for the 2 largest senior serving community

organizations in Northern California and a well established culinary school

in Southern California.

In addition to a Bachelor’s in Business Management and Master’s in Sports

Management and Administration, Jules holds Certificates for both

Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in

the Workplace. She is committed to the betterment of our communities, and serves on several non-profit boards.

David is a native to Los Angeles. At an early age, he dedicated himself to the sport of gymnastics, with the dream of one day representing the U.S. in the Olympics. He attended UCLA on a gymnastics scholarship, following in the footsteps of his idol, Peter Vidmar. He was an integral part of UCLA winning the NCAA Championships in 1987. After 10 years on the U.S. National Team and numerous international competitions, he retired and started a new career: doing stunts and acting in Hollywood.

He got his big break with the movie CONGO in 1995, wherein he played an animatronic gorilla, working alongside Laura Linney, among other A-List actors.  

Since then, he's had a flourishing career, doing numerous films, tv shows and commercials as an actor, stuntman and stunt double. His most recent tv credits include the STAR WARS series, OBI WAN KENOBI, THE MANDALORIAN, and SKELETON CREW.

Throughout his career, David has taught others the art of ape movement, gymnastics, film fighting and stunt wire skills.

He believes everyone deserves a chance to realize their dreams, work hard, and persevere in a healthy, inclusive environment.

Bri has a unique and diverse pespective, fueled by her history as a storyteller and producer. 

 Her background in media carries a set of skills and

talents that compliment and bolster the incredible work The Academy of Action Arts continues to enact.

Having studied producing and advertising, Bri formed and operated an award-winning

production company specializing in commercials and branded content, with clients like Netflix,

Red Bull, and Time Magazine. Time spent working as a producer gave her a deep

understanding of organization, team management, budgeting, scheduling, and client care, all

while maintaining a creative vision.

She has cultivated and deepened relationships with diverse groups, from movement

organizers to those in nontraditional fields of influence with shared vision. She is a prominent

collaborative partner in projects that include critical assessments of best practices, effective

organizing, and narrative strategies to strengthen and build movements that work collectively to

counter the rise of toxic polarization, authoritarianism, and waning faith in democratic

institutions.

Ever evolving and growing, Bri  looks forward to helping The Academy and it's students grow and flourish.

Josh was born and raised in Los Angeles. He achieved a Bachelor Of Science degree in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) from the University of Michigan in 2014.

He developed a passion for film production, after returning to his hometown. After five years of work in production, he became a member of The Directors Guild of America, as an Assistant Director, and has worked on numerous television and film sets since.

Currently, Josh divides his time between teaching movement and Wire-work at Action Planet LA, and as a project manager at a pain management surgery center.

He aims to utilize his experience in stunt acting, wire-work, and assistant directing to empower veterans and under-served communities, and nurture a new generation of diverse filmmakers.

Lorenzo was born in Texas and raised in the U.S. and Mexico. 

He is an actor, stuntman and martial artist, trained in Taekwondo and jiujitsu.He received an MFA in Acting for Film from the New York Film Academy.

He has worked as a stuntman, stu t coordinator and fight choreographer on several projects.

Recent credits include THE MANDALORIAN, AHSOKA, SKELETON CREW, and REBEL MOON.

Lorenzo believes that anything is possible through hard work, that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their goals, and is dedicated to inspire people to succeed.

Nik Patel is a highly accomplished and visionary leader with a strong background in the healthcare industry. With a passion for addressing social inequalities and promoting diversity and inclusion, Nik brings his expertise and commitment to the nonprofit sector as a board member for organizations focused on uplifting underserved populations. Having earned a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from University of California Santa Barbara, Nik embarked on a remarkable professional journey in the healthcare sector where he has held several prominent administrative roles, demonstrating exceptional leadership skills and a dedication to enhancing access to quality healthcare for all communities. Starting his nonprofit journey with Doctors Without Walls, an organization working with local homeless through healthcare advocacy, Nik assisted in providing high-quality patient care with a mission of treating individuals where they are. Nik implemented screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up at local parks, and in-patient hospital and urgent care advocacy and guidance, ensuring equal, high-caliber, and proper medical treatment was provided regardless of household income. Nik developed a deep passion to better serve the homeless population through transitional housing solutions and partnerships, identifying long-term solutions for the housing insecure. Driven by a desire to create lasting change beyond the healthcare realm, Nik recognized the transformative power of storytelling and the media in shaping public perceptions and influencing social progress. His profound interest in film and unwavering belief in the power of diversity led him to channel his expertise into supporting and promoting underrepresented voices in the film industry. Inspired by the mission of the Academy of Action Arts, Nik joined the board of directors to actively contribute to their goal of diversifying the film industry. Nik brings extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational management, and resource allocation to help guide the film school's overall direction and ensure the achievement of its objectives. His deep understanding of the healthcare industry, with its intricate complexities and challenges, has honed his ability to navigate complex systems and make informed decisions that positively impact the film school's operations and student outcomes. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Nik is known for his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and social justice. He actively engages in various community initiatives, leveraging his influence and networks to build partnerships that foster collaboration. With an unwavering dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive film landscape, Nik is a trusted advocate and catalyst for change.

Deva