Currently Speaking: Disrupt(ed)

Disrupt(ed) explores the media industry's declining state, its impact on freelance visual journalists, and the health of our democracy. 

BHARAT KRISH is the Chief Product Officer at Newsweek, where he is leading the company’s AI-driven transformation with a focus on growth through consumer experiences and outcomes.

He previously served as President of Digital and CTO at TIME, where he introduced new initiatives and guided the company’s digital transformation. An entrepreneur and advisor, he has founded AI/ML startups and advises organizations including Automattic, Fusemachines, and over 40 Techstars startups.

With over twenty years in media and technology, Bharat has held senior executive roles at OTG, HBO Latin America and NBCUniversal. He has been recognized in the AdWeek 50 and received Techstars’ “Give First” award for his mentorship of startups.

Bharat is dedicated to building innovative companies and supporting minority and impact-driven entrepreneurs.

ADRIANA TERESA LETORNEY is a filmmaker, journalist, publisher, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in visual storytelling, media, communications, and creative technology.She is the CEO and co-founder of Visura.co, and co-founder of the Scout Film Festival. Most recently, she directed and produced the award-winning short documentary Disrupt(ed)—a personal, urgent film that explores how the collapse of traditional media business models impacts freelance visual journalists. Told through the experiences of Brazilian photographer Júlia Pontés and supported by insights from leading industry voices, the film serves both as a story and a resource guide illuminating the systemic threats to journalism and democracy.Adriana is an alumna of Techstars (’22), the Comcast NBCUniversal Lift Labs Accelerator (’22), American Public Media’s Next Challenge (2021), NYU’s Accelerator Series (2021), and the AAJA Catalyst Program for Founders of Color (2020). Her honors include serving as the inaugural Alexia Fellow at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School (2023), NYU Mark & Debra Leslie Fellow (2022), Founder in Residence at the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute (2021–2023), and NYU Female Founder Fellow (2021).She holds a Master’s in Journalism from NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute (2021), a BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in NYC (2007), and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Puerto Rico (2001).Her work has been featured in outlets including Comcast NBCUniversal, The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Seven Days, NY Daily News, Overseas Club of America, among others.

About Currently Speaking:

The Currently Speaking series hosts experts in various contemporary art genres and media to encourage casual discourse and meaningful interactions between our community, speakers, and the art they showcase. All series events are free to the public. No reservation is required, and the gallery will be open beforehand for viewing the current exhibition. Refreshments will be served.

Sponsors:

The Alchemist Brewery + The Alchemist Foundation

Cordelia Family Foundation

The Oakland Foundation

Spruce Peak Cares

Stackpole & French Law Offices

Stowe Reporter + stowetoday.com

Town of Stowe

Union Bank

Vermont Arts Council + National Endowment for the Arts