Speaker Panel: Yale Alumni Leaders in Art Innovation

This speaker panel features two Yale alumni—each representing a distinct creative discipline—who have applied innovative thinking to shape unique and impactful careers.

Framed under the theme of “Art Innovators,” the panelists will discuss how they have integrated creativity and experimentation into their professional lives, transforming artistic practice into sustainable, forward-looking enterprises.

Attendees will hear personal narratives of exploration and transformation, as panelists reflect on how their understanding of art innovation has evolved—and how that evolution has shaped their trajectories beyond Yale.

Topics will include the origins of their engagement with art innovation, its influence on their creative development, and the ways in which their perspectives have matured since their undergraduate years.

This event is intended for students interested in how innovation can serve as a unifying thread across creative fields—and how artists build careers that are both original and resilient.

About the Speakers
Asher Young (YC '17) is the founder of Asher Young Studio, a creative direction and production studio developing original projects and collaborations.

​Zina Ellis (YC ’15) is an actor, writer, and producer based in Brooklyn. Her work spans theater, film, and digital media, with credits including the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, indie films, and a self-produced sitcom pilot currently on the festival circuit. She also works in education and career services, supporting access to opportunity for students and underrepresented communities.