Fred Rogers Productions: Behind the Scenes

Ellen Doherty is Chief Creative Officer for Fred Rogers Productions, overseeing the development and production of content for all platforms. She serves as executive producer for the company’s current series on PBS KIDS—Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, Donkey Hodie, and Alma’s Way. She also developed Donkey Hodie and Alma’s Way and is the creator, head writer, and executive producer of the award-winning Through the Woods, a shortform series about nature also available on PBS KIDS. In 2023, Ellen was named to The Hollywood Reporter’s first-ever list of The 75 Most Powerful People in Kids’ Entertainment. She was also spotlighted in Variety’s 2022 Family Entertainment Impact Report as one of the year’s top content creators, producers, directors, and executives.

A Webby® and four-time Emmy® Award-winning producer and writer with more than 20 years’ experience in children's media, Ellen was previously executive producer and story editor of the PBS KIDS series Cyberchase. She oversaw production of television and digital content for the series for six seasons, including creating several shortform video series. Ellen began her career as an associate producer on the beloved PBS KIDS series Reading Rainbow. She has a B.A. in Communications from Boston College and will show you on her hand where she grew up in Michigan.

Brittany Smith oversees outreach and engagement efforts for Fred Rogers Productions. Working closely with PBS stations and community groups, she develops resources and events that are designed to ignite curiosity in young learners. Brittany fosters partnerships with like-minded organizations to build and facilitate impactful engagement opportunities that utilize content inspired by the company’s series. Before joining FRP, she worked in early childhood education and media. Brittany holds a B.A. in Communications from Temple University.

As Director of Learning and Education at Fred Rogers Productions, Mallory Mbalia advises and collaborates with colleagues to further realize the organization’s educational mission for children and families. She previously served as Director of Education at PBS North Carolina in Education and Innovation where she created and delivered educational initiatives statewide for infants to 12th grade and beyond. Mallory has also worked as an education outreach trainer for PBS North Carolina and was named a PBS Digital Innovator All Star in 2018. She has served as a kindergarten teacher as well as an elementary assistant principal.

Mallory has a passion for equity work, media integration, joy integration, social-emotional learning, and early childhood education. Equitable access and awareness are her driving forces for educator, parent/caregiver, family, and community outreach with joy and inclusivity as essential elements. She holds a Master’s of School Administration from North Carolina State University and a B.S. in Human Development with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Howard University. Mallory is a proud wife and mother and resides in North Carolina with her family.

Rubin Soodak leads interactive production and development for the preschool series Alma’s Way and other brands across multiple digital platforms. Rubin has dedicated his career to the empowerment of children through media and digital literacy. Before joining Fred Rogers Productions, he worked as a producer for Paramount, Nick Jr./Noggin, Encantos, and Fablevision, and also taught students at the high-school and undergraduate level. Rubin earned a Master of Education in Technology, Innovation, and Education (TIE) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a B.A. in Physics with a minor in Cinema and Media Studies from The University of Chicago. Outside of his role at FRP, Rubin is an aspiring photographer and self-proclaimed “Banana Bread Connoisseur.”

Erin Dodson oversees post-production for all Fred Rogers Productions’ series. Prior to returning to Pittsburgh and joining the FRP team, she worked at a number of prominent marketing agencies in Los Angeles for over 15 years. Erin served as director of post-production at Bond where she was responsible for communicating technical requirements, executing deliverables, and more for clients including Netflix, HBO, Warner Brothers, and other notable media entities. She also worked as director of post-production at Trailer Park Group where she oversaw quality control and delivery for TV and digital spots, commercial campaigns, behind-the-scenes documentaries, branded content, and more in addition to managing the day-to-day operations for the finishing team. Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and their two daughters as they explore the parks in and around Pittsburgh and work on DIY projects in their new home. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Ohio University.