About
First Name:
Last Name:
Title and Organization:
Bio:
Michael Soenen is the creator and lead producer of Nothing to See Here: Watts, a groundbreaking documentary that offers an unfiltered look at life in Watts, California.
The project was born from a transformative police ride-along, during which Michael witnessed firsthand the stark contrast between mainstream media narratives and the reality of the community. This experience inspired him to develop Nothing to See Here: Watts - a groundbreaking documentary created by rival gang members, police, and victims of violence—who courageously turn the camera on themselves sharing their stories raw and unfiltered – no scripts, no director – and in the process, unexpectedly ignite a historic peace movement that reduces homicides by 90%
Beyond filmmaking, Michael has a career in venture capital, healthcare, and retail industries, holding leadership positions that have driven innovation and growth across multiple sectors.
He is a 2011 Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute.
Fellowship Program
Class