Episode 46 - Laverne McKinnon - Executive Producer of GIRLBOSS
"The best creative comes from going out on that limb, trying something, having a discovery process, the limb breaks, it's like free fall. “Ahhhh” and then you know, it’s like, face plant. And then you learn something from that. You get back up, and you climb the tree again. And it's like, risk taking equals incredible creative. And part of that risk taking is being vulnerable. And so pretending everything is wonderful or, you know, it's all glossy and shiny. It completely negates the truth and the reality of life.”
- Laverne McKinnon
Laverne McKinnon helped me transform earlier this year.
She is a Japanese-American film and television producer with more than 20 years of successful programming experience in premium cable, broadcast and digital platforms. She is also a leadership and professional coach who helped me breakthrough in ways I never dreamed where possible.
She is the Executive Producer of the Netflix series GIRLBOSS starring Britt Roberson (who was also on the pod!) and co-founder of K&L Productions, a film & television company created with Kay Cannon (writer of the PITCH PERFECT franchise and director of BLOCKERS).
For a significant part of her career, Laverne was a successful programming executive with stints as Senior Vice-President of Drama Development at CBS, and as Executive Vice-President of Original Programming & Development at EPIX. She was also Head of Television at Charlize Theron’s production company, Denver and Delilah. Her work has encompassed scripted comedy and drama series, documentaries, web series, animation, music events, comedy specials, and children’s programs.
K&L Productions has a first look production deal at Sony Television with multiple projects sold including Amazon, Quibi, NBC, ABC, CBS, FBC and TBS. They have also set-up numerous film projects with various financiers including Warner Bros., Participant, River Road, and Red Crown. Laverne and Kay are passionate about championing underdog and underserved stories.
Aside from wearing the producer hat, she is also an entrepreneur, a leadership and personal coach, a wife, a mother of 2 daughters, an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, and a passionate advocate for foster care and adoption.
A self-described life-long learner, recovering perfectionist and over-achiever, Laverne does and has accomplished a lot.
But what is most striking, and in my humble opinion, exceptional, about Laverne is her devotion to helping others across their finish lines.
A certified grief specialist, she also helps those dealing with non-death related grief. Whether it’s the loss of relationship, job, business, trust, etc. Here’s more! Applying concepts of grief to the entertainment business, which is riddled with it, blew my mind. It shifted my perspective on what healing looks like.
I just simply adore her. She helped me listen deeply to myself and I hope this nugget of a conversation sparks something for you.
This week, we dig into how coaching transformed her as a producer, ways to build better relationships, and how being fired from CBS awaken her.
Can't wait to hear what you think of this week's episode!
Beijos,
Caca