We are mothers who came together to make a difference. We met over a chance meeting and subsequent conversations about raising children of difference. We shared our stories as parents, laughed and cried together over the challenges and victories, the limitations and ultimately the possibilities these children face particularly as they head towards adult independence. Difference Diaries was developed as a way to create tools and materials for adolescents and young adults as well as a community in which the young people themselves could share their stories, narratives, experiences with one another and offer the world better ways of relating.
LilyClaire Hedley
LilyClaire Hedley is a Junior Development Executive at Dorothy Street Pictures, a documentary production company based in London and New York. At Dorothy Street Lily is responsible for identifying, developing and producing a slate of documentary films with an emphasis on distinctive, compelling and cinematic narratives. For Lily storytelling is a professional and personal passion and her interests lie in the discovery, elevation and championing of diverse voices and lenses that encourage conversation. Prior to her role at Dorothy Street, Lily worked for the co-head of HBO Documentary Films where she was exposed to the development and creation of a wide range of award-winning documentaries. Lily sits as Head of the Board of The Children of Difference Foundation, a 501(c) (3) devoted to the creation and production of projects to educate, entertain, and advocate for the many facets of difference. Lily holds a BA in Political Science from Barnard College in New York with a concentration in American Politics and Political Theory.
Lisa Abelow Hedley - Co-Founder
Lisa Abelow Hedley started the Children of Difference Foundation to create and produce projects to educate, entertain and support. Lisa, a filmmaker, lawyer, writer, and mother of four created and produced the Emmy Award nominated HBO documentary: Dwarfs: Not a Fairy Tale. Other projects include: Just Sit, Yoga and Mediation For All, Healing Zone, Bridges of Hope, The Family Project to name a few. Lisa is committed through creative outreach to educate and entertain audiences of all ages.
Michele Kuvin Kupfer - Co-Founder
Michele Kuvin Kupfer is a filmmaker, directing the upcoming documentary “Parting the Waters.” Michele is a behavioral therapist and educational consultant with a certification in special education. She has twenty five years experience working with children and families in various medical and psychiatric settings. She has had experience at Johns Hopkins, Children Seashore House, Boston Children’s Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital. Michele is a mother of three.
Powell Hedley
Mr. Hedley started his career at Sony Music Entertainment working on marketing projects for Adele, Kenny Chesney, J. Cole, Rita Ora, Aerosmith, Foster the People and beyond. From there he joined a prominent publicity company in Nashville and helped oversee: Dolly Parton, George Jones, Kenny Rogers and more. Next, he founded his own publicity company and represented Curb Records (Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, The Judds, Lee Brice, and more). He joined forces with music industry legend Jim Mazza to form the new iteration of Dreamcatcher Management representing Tenille Arts, Yung Bleu and Callista Clark. Dreamcatcher has expanded to have a label arm entitled Dreamcatcher Artists to further the career of rising superstar Tenille Arts.