Maria Collis is Vice President and Head of Development for Leomark Studios. Maria oversees acquisition and development of new scripts. In the 20 years before joining Leomark Studios, Maria specialized in producing video, stage and fundraising events on shoestring budgets, including the sold-out IFP/West Producer Series, a program of lectures, panels, and workshops on film financing, production, and distribution. At the same time, Maria worked full-time in the corporate world. She has received numerous plaudits as a writer and editor, and these skills, combined with her ability to organize, communicate, and inspire, have made her a sought-after collaborator and script doctor. She also has an expertise in plain language writing and editing, and has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health for her clear, concise, and engaging presentation of health topics to the general public and disadvantaged populations. Maria holds degrees from Yale and Columbia Universities (B.A. and M.F.A., respectively).