Meet Our Team

Mike Gillespie (Owner/Partner)

 

Brave Artists Management is a full service talent management firm based in Los Angeles formed by Mike Gillespie.

Mike Gillespie is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended The University of Massachusetts Amherst and received a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Upon graduating, Mike decided to follow his dream of being in the entertainment industry and moved to Hollywood starting his career in publicity for The Jim Henson Company. After leaving the publicity world, Mike found his true calling in talent representation and worked at one of the biggest talent agencies in the world, United Talent Agency for 5 years; starting in the mailroom and becoming a talent agent. During his time at UTA, Mike realized he loved the personal relationships with clients, as well as packaging films and decided that management was his true calling. After leaving UTA, Mike Gillespie was instrumental in starting Intellectual Artist Management. The company quickly became one of the top management firms in Los Angeles and soon merged with music powerhouse Primary Wave Music where Mike has spent 7 years at both firm grow into a full service media company. Mike Gillespie is known for his taste in discovering new talent and building their careers in the Film and TV space as well as across all Entertainment platforms.

Mike has produced 7 films; SUGAR MOUNTAIN starring Jason Momoa, the Crime Thriller THE LOOKALIKE with Justin Long, WHEN THE STARLIGHT ENDS starring Sam Heughan, the indie drama BROKEN GHOST as well as the historic drama ROBERT THE BRUCE, the atmospheric thriller, MINE GAMES and the Australian Sports Drama, BLINDER.

Eric Kind (Executive/Partner)

Eric Kind is a Partner at Brave Artists Management. He has 20 years industry experience and has worked in Studio Business and Legal Affairs, Casting, Agency, and Management. His resume includes working for Lionsgate Television (Mad Men, Nurse Jackie, Weeds, Orange is the New Black), Sovereign Talent Group, Casting House LA and NY and most recently was the Owner/Manager of Kind Management. In addition, he has worked for various Independent production companies in Los Angeles. Eric is excited to be a partner at Brave Artists Management, where representation with integrity for our artists drives our mission.

Eric Skinner (Partner)

Born and raised in Houston, Eric graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Film and Business before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. Rising through the mail room at United Talent Agency, he spent six years as an agent at UTA and ICM Partners before joining Intellectual Artists Management as a manager, which later merged into Primary Wave Entertainment. Working with talent from across the globe, Eric regularly attends film festivals and comedy showcases where he continues to discover and cultivate new voices.

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Managers

Tom Bixby

 

Tom Bixby, originally from the Central Coast of California has spent the last decade doing what he enjoys most, working with gifted actors, writers and comedians. He has previously worked at both the Endeavor and APA Agencies and was a talent manager for several years at Electra Star Management.  In 2014, he ventured out on his own and launched boutique management company, Bodhi Entertainment. After a successful run of five years he was ready for his next adventure and joined partners, Mike Gillespie and Eric Kind with the launch of their new company, Brave Artists Management. He and his family reside in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Kimberly Kottwitz

Kimberly Kottwitz is originally from Dallas, Texas where she developed a passion for the entertainment industry at an early age. She is a classically trained actor who moved to Los Angeles because she knew that she had to be at the epicenter of the industry. Kimberly received her BA from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. During college and immediately upon graduation, Kimberly worked for numerous casting directors and production companies such as London /Stroud Casting, Michael Donovan Casting, and Echo Lake Productions. Kimberly recognized that she had a keen ability to identify talent and began her journey as a Talent Manager at Citizen Skull Productions. At CSP she developed strong relationships with a network of actors, casting directors, producers and writers. Kimberly joined Brave Artists Management at its inception because of the exciting opportunity to work with the dynamic BAM team.

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Abby Johnson

Abby Johnson is a Los Angeles-based talent manager with 8 years industry experience working with a wide variety of artists. Johnson has a unique understanding of the TV/film industry, having built a reputation as diligent, trustworthy and entirely dedicated towards the success of her clients.

Most recently, Johnson had a fundamental role in building one of the industry’s top growing bi-coastal management companies, The Green Room. She began her career developing and managing actors at a line of successful Los Angeles boutique management companies including Torque Entertainment and DreamScope Entertainment.

Johnson’s roster includes Didi Costine (Daddy’s Home & Daddy’s Home 2) Reid Miller (Good Joe Bell) Victoria Tate (Apple’s The Morning Show) Hero Hunter (Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan) Terrell Ransom Jr (Freeform’s Good Trouble) Britton Sear (Boy Erased)

Chelsea Streano

Chelsea, originally from Carlsbad, CA, has been working in representation for over 6 years and is a voting member of the Television Academy. She graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California with a BA in Theatre Arts. Chelsea began her representation journey in New York City working at Take 3 Talent Agency. While there, she worked with talented youth in film, TV, and Broadway. In 2015, she moved back to Los Angeles and began working at Innovative Artists Talent and Literary Agency on developing exceptional, young talent. After Innovative, Chelsea knew she wanted to make the move to management, as she loved developing and discovering the next emerging stars. In 2017, she transitioned into talent management, booking her clients several series regular roles, including High School Musical: The Musical: The Series(Disney+), OutMatched (FOX), and The Big Show Show (Netflix) to name a few.

Over the years Chelsea has developed strong relationships with casting, and agents alike. She enjoys growing and fostering relationships with talent and helping them grow into successful well-rounded actors and people.

Adrian Hamerski

Born and raised in Poland, Adrian moved to the US to attend Columbia College Chicago with a focus in Cinema Arts & Science. After landing in Los Angeles in 2015, Adrian got his industry start while interning with Vanguard Management Group. He then transitioned to the agency world and joined Buchwald Talent Agency as an Assistant in 2016, and was promoted to Talent Agent after 2 years. Adrian spent his time at Buchwald strengthening his relationships with casting and studio executives, developing up-and-coming talent, and building long-lasting relationships with each and every client. After 5 years at Buchwald and 3 years as a Talent Agent, his dedication to personal connection and care for his clients led him back to the management side of the business, as he joined Brave Artists Management in 2021.

Danielle Diramarian

Danielle recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Has previously worked at Primary Wave Entertainment, Slate PR and Prodigy Public Relations. Danielle was heavily involved in her university and served as a peer advisor at LMU’s Career Center. She was the Vice President of LMU’s region of Public Relations Society of America and was the event coordinator for TEDxLoyolaMarymountUniversity. She is eager to learn expand her knowledge of the entertainment industry and delve into talent management.

Ben Pollack

Ben Pollack is originally from New York. He came to Los Angeles in 2012 to pursue his passion for the entertainment industry and to get his MBA from UCLA Anderson. After working in Post Production for Deluxe Entertainment Services, Ben moved over to talent representation at A3 Artists Agency. In 2020, Ben moved to Frontline Management where he worked with Tim Rozon (Schitt’s Creek, Surrealestate), Jabari Banks (Bel Air) and several others, while also beginning to branch out into Development and Production. He joined Brave Artists Management at the beginning of 2023. During his time in representation, Ben has developed strong relationships with casting and agents in New York as well as Los Angeles. He loves working closely with talent to help them achieve their career goals.