UTA‘s Blair Kohan and Nick and Vaughan Meyer are set to have a big night out next month.
They will be feted at the Big Night Out Gala, the marquee fundraiser mounted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, scheduled to take place at L.A.’s Skirball Cultural Center on Nov. 19. The Meyers are being singled out as the Walt Disney Philanthropists of the Year while Kohan is set to receive a Sherry Lansing Award named for the trailblazing studio executive. The event toasts “distinguished leaders whose dedication to mentorship, equity and opportunity reflects the heart of BBBSLA’s mission.”
Kohan is a long-serving partner, board member and talent agent at UTA where she reps many A-list actors, writers and directors across film and TV. She is a dedicated mentor both inside and outside of the agency and previously volunteered as a Big Sister for BBBSLA. Fun fact: Kohan helped guide “little sister” Lizette as she enrolled in medical school.
“It is an incredible honor to receive the Sherry Lansing Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that holds a very special place in my heart. I was a Big Sister myself, and that experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the transformative power of mentorship,” Kohan said in a statement. “Sherry has been an important mentor to me, and I am proud to continue supporting the work she has championed through Big Brothers Big Sisters, especially at a time when young people need it more than ever.”
Established in 2005, the Walt Disney Philanthropists of the Year Award is notable in that it remains the only honor outside of the studio that was named for and established by the family to honor the legacy of Walt Disney, who founded Big Brothers of Los Angeles more than 70 years ago. The prize recognizes “individuals who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement, personal humanitarianism and a significant impact in the areas of education, social justice and youth empowerment.”
Nick Meyer is a veteran studio executive, film producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has worked as president of film at Hasbro, eOne and Sierra/Affinity, as president of Paramount Vantage and president of international for Lionsgate. He’s got a long list of credits dating back more than 20 years, including The Creator, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, How it Ends, The Book of Henry, Atomic Blonde, Hotel Rwanda and many more. He currently serves on BBBSLA’s executive committee after serving as the committee’s vice chair.
Vaughan Meyer is a philanthropist who has served many nonprofit boards in addition to holding a role as vice chair of Beit T’Shuvah, a local recovery and addiction treatment center.
“To be counted amongst prior Walt Disney Philanthropist of the Year honorees is both humbling and inspiring,” the Meyers said. “For many years, the power of mentorship, creating opportunities and exposing the youth of our city to the realm of what’s possible has been our primary motivation in both supporting and participating in the vital year-round work of BBBSLA.”
Added BBBSLA president and CEO Lauren Plichta: “Every young person deserves a champion who believes in their potential and opens doors to new possibilities. We are thrilled to honor Nick, Vaughan and Blair — extraordinary leaders whose dedication, generosity and passion for mentorship truly embody the heart of our mission. Their impact reaches far beyond our organization, inspiring brighter futures for youth across Los Angeles.”