Our Team
With a four-decade career spanning Hollywood studios, bestselling novels, digital storytelling, and educational innovation, Jeffrey Stepakoff is a rare creative force whose bold ideas have helped shape multiple facets of the global entertainment industry.
Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Stepakoff launched his career in Los Angeles, where he quickly ascended to the highest levels of Hollywood television, writing and producing for iconic series like The Wonder Years, Sisters, and Dawson’s Creek, where he served as co-executive producer.
Across his career in television, Stepakoff has been credited on more than 200 episodes, with “written by” or “story by” credits on 37 episodes and work on 15 series. He has staffed eight primetime or first-run cable writing rooms, created and developed pilots for every major broadcast network, and co-wrote Disney’s animated hits Tarzan and Brother Bear, both of which became international box office successes.
Today, Stepakoff serves as President of A-Story Entertainment, a nonprofit impact fund and visionary new studio that develops and produces high-quality, purpose-driven content. A-Story is designed to pair storytelling excellence with social impact, investing in projects that reflect diverse voices and meaningful themes while also nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
Named one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and honored by the Georgia General Assembly, Stepakoff is a frequent keynote speaker on the creative economy, storytelling, and workforce development. From the writers’ room to the classroom to the boardroom, Jeffrey Stepakoff has built a career around betting on bold ideas—and turning them into lasting cultural impact.
Esmeralda Morales joins A-Story Entertainment after a decade of production and on-set experience working on projects like The Naked Gun, Bugonia, and Scream 7. Originally from Florida, she has lived and worked across the country before deciding to call Georgia home. She is passionate about storytelling and the process of filmmaking, which has made A-Story Entertainment feel like home.
Josh Lee is a seasoned executive and operational leader with nearly two decades of experience building and scaling organizations across media, entertainment, and education sectors. As Co-Founder and COO of A-Story Entertainment, CTS Productions, and Trilith Institute, Josh specializes in creating sustainable, operationally rigorous companies that thrive in Georgia's dynamic entertainment landscape.
Josh launched his career at CNN and CNBC before founding a successful Washington, D.C.-based production company, where he produced high-profile content featuring prominent figures such as Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry. Leveraging his strategic mindset, Josh also excelled as a globally-ranked professional poker player, achieving a top-20 worldwide ranking that refined his analytical and strategic capabilities.
In 2022, Josh co-founded Trilith Institute, growing it from inception to a staff of over 30 full-time experts, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, operational strategy, and curriculum development. Simultaneously, he co-founded CTS Productions and CTS Consulting, where he continues to oversee all strategic operations, production, and content pipelines.
Recognized widely for his industry contributions and community impact, Josh was named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 honorees in 2025. He holds a BA from Mercer University, an MS from Georgia State, an MBA from the University of Mississippi, and a leadership credential from Harvard Business School’s CLIMB program. He remains actively involved on boards such as Hope Givers and the Media Education Foundation of Georgia, continuing to foster innovation, strategic growth, and community-focused leadership within the entertainment sector.
Lauren Lebow joins A-Story Entertainment with 16 years of professional experience in the Film and Television industry. A native Michigander who has called Atlanta home for 15 years, her entire career has benefited from state film incentives. A decade of said career was spent coordinating art departments for projects like I, Tonya, Stranger Things, and Constantine. However, Lauren found her niche buying for the Construction and Special Effects departments on series like The Staircase, Wandavision, and Loki. This constantly-crafting sewist is an avid lover of spreadsheets, calendars, and a well-written email, making it hard to decide if Lauren is a coordinator with a creative heart, or a creative with the heart of a coordinator. Lauren earned her BS in filmmaking from Grand Valley State University, with a short stint at the University of Sussex to ensure her appreciation of comedy in British cinema.
As Creative Director and Producer at A-Story, Mandy McCowan brings over two decades of experience in film and television to drive seamless production execution and the development of compelling original content. Known for a strategic, story-first approach, Mandy collaborates with artists and executives to elevate the creative process.
Along with her work at A-Story, Mandy plays a pivotal role at the Trilith Institute, where she leads original productions and operational strategy with a focus on innovative storytelling, workforce development, and industry partnerships. Throughout her career, she has cultivated environments where creative talent thrives, striking a balance between artistic vision and practical execution to deliver exceptional results under pressure.
With a deep commitment to storytelling that reflects diverse voices and shared values, Mandy continues to champion content that resonates, inspires, and endures.
Mitch Kupstas spent the first 8 years of his career working for a corporate-backed technology incubator and the family office of a prominent Atlanta-based tech entrepreneur. In his incubator role, Mitch experienced and contributed to the inception, fundraising, operational growth, and eventual sale of multiple technology-based start-ups. Specifically, he helped manage the process of strategy conceptualizing and storytelling in order to operationalize from early-stage whiteboard drawings. He directly sourced and oversaw the successful acquisition and continued operation of four local businesses. Mitch brings both a strategic financial background and ample experience in the flexible world of private enterprise ideation. Mitch has a BS in Applied Mathematics from Brown University and Masters in Management Studies from Duke University.
Ami McBay is the accountant at A-Story Entertainment, where she oversees all the accounting duties for the company. She has a degree in accounting and over 30 years of experience in the field. Ami started her career with an Electrical Contractor and worked her way up to Vice President of Finance, and served on the Executive Board. Ami is a dedicated employee and stayed with this company for 30 years and retired in 2023. Ami is a very driven and detail-oriented professional who likes to stay organized. She prides herself on her work ethic, integrity, and accuracy. She leads by example, can build high-performing teams, and is well respected by all managers and peers.