Katie | Founder and CEO
Katie Norris founded Fotolanthropy in 2011 to share inspiring true stories of strength and hope. As Founder and CEO, Katie has grown Fotolanthropy from a nonprofit startup to a nationally recognized film organization that has documented 26 stories, including three feature length films. In 2013, as a rookie film producer, Katie produced the award-winning feature documentary, Travis: A Soldier’s Story, about retired United States Army Staff Sergeant and quadruple amputee, Travis Mills. In 2015, Katie produced The Luckiest Man, a feature documentary about Dallas businessman John Paine and his courageous battle with ALS. Most recently, Katie produced 7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story, a full-feature documentary that shares the resilience of once-paralyzed athlete, husband and father Chris Norton. The film was picked up by Netflix and streamed to audiences around the globe. A graduate of Baylor University, Katie was recognized as the university’s “Young Alumna of the Year” in 2014. In 2021, she was named to the Dallas Business Journal’s list of “40 Under 40” top young professionals. She has also been honored as a finalist for The Dallas Foundation’s “Good Works Under 40” award and included on “World Changer” and “20 on the Rise” lists. Katie frequently speaks about her journey as an entrepreneur and film producer, but is most thankful to serve as mom to her three children. She lives in Dallas and adventures often to the mountains in Colorado.
David | President
David White is a filmmaker with more than 12 years of professional production experience. As President of Fotolanthropy, David leads the organization on its mission to create powerful films that share true stories of strength and hope. A longtime supporter of Fotolanthropy, David served on the film crew for The Luckiest Man and as cinematographer for 7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story. David is also the owner of Vidda Films, a media production company that he founded in 2009. His work there has spanned the corporate and nonprofit sectors and taken him around the globe. David discovered his passion for film at a young age, making short films in grade school. He resides in a Dallas suburb with his wife Emily. Together, they volunteer their time every summer to Lakeview Camp, the youth summer camp they first met at 12 years ago.
Sawyer | Director
Sawyer Skipper is a passionate filmmaker with more than a decade of experience. His expertise spans various genres, including commercial and nonprofit work, documentaries, music videos and fashion. Sawyer’s fresh approach to storytelling has earned him multiple award nominations and a reputation for captivating content and unique aesthetics. One to always think outside of the box, Sawyer has been on location in Germany, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico and across the U.S. Born in the Midwest and raised in the South, he currently resides in urban Dallas.
Emily | Community Engagement Director
Emily White serves as Community Engagement Director, nurturing Fotolanthropy’s family of donors, film recipients and crew members. She ensures the Fotolanthropy community is appreciated and honored through acts of kindness throughout the year. Experienced in corporate marketing, film production and a former photography business owner, Emily’s longtime passion is gift giving and serving others. Alongside her husband David, Emily is also a Vidda Films business partner. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, hiking and spending time with her husband and son.
Jodi | Director of Communications
Jodi Phillip serves as Director of Public Relations, helping to articulate the mission and heart of Fotolanthropy. She manages relationships with media and influencers and helps concept communication around Fotolanthropy’s film projects. Jodi has several years of agency public relations experience, during which she worked on a variety of nonprofit, consumer and business projects. She’s launched products, released books and even helped open a tower. Jodi graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University and lives in a Dallas suburb with her family.
Meredith | Social Media
Meredith Shanks serves as Director of Social Media for Fotolanthropy. A driven marketing professional, Meredith has expertise and experience in all areas of internal and external communications. Particularly passionate about working for companies with a social impact initiative, Meredith is skilled at creating content for and engaging community across digital platforms and social channels. When Meredith isn’t at work, you’ll find her enjoying time with her husband and three daughters. She is dedicated to reforming the foster care system after spending four years as a foster parent, and officially adopting her three daughters. A graduate of Baylor University, she enjoys coffee, cooking and traveling.
Kristen | Digital Marketing
Kristen Fields has a passion for supporting Fotolanthropy’s brand through effective design and external communication. With over ten years of experience as a graphic designer, she enjoys developing Fotolanthropy’s brand identity and distributing clear and consistent communication across its platforms. A stay-at-home mom and freelance designer, Kristen savors her time with her three daughters amidst exciting opportunities to support growing and established brands with her talents.