Ilyssa Goodman

Ilyssa Goodman is an award-winning film producer and director, best known for the "A Cinderella Story" movie franchise, which has become a pop-culture mainstay. Ilyssa's film, The Standoff (2016), was shown around the globe and helped pave the way for Ilyssa to pivot from successful Producer to film Director. As the mother of twin red-headed children, Ilyssa navigates raising children in Los Angeles (where a simple play-date might involve caterers and a band) to in-laws who appeared for an unexpected and extended stay, to her own aging and challenging career in Hollywood. Born and raised in Paramus, New Jersey, Ilyssa graduated from Paramus High School (Class of 1982) and Ramapo College (1987) with a BA in Communications. She began her career working for Miramax Films before heading to Los Angeles to work in development at Universal Studios and eventually landing a post as Vice President of Filmed Entertainment for Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment, where she oversaw the production of dozens of successful television movies and several award-winning independent films. After holding a number of executive posts in development, production and distribution, Ilyssa pivoted into producing and directing and hasn't looked back since.