The Magic of Mentorship - A Conversation with Omar Camacho and Alex Jimenez

FUTURE NOW’s nine-month Mentoring Program—open exclusively to Alumni—accepts applications each July following the annual Media & Entertainment Conference. From the applicant pool, twenty emerging leaders are selected and matched one-on-one with industry professionals whose expertise aligns with their interests and goals. It’s a rare and powerful opportunity to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with seasoned leaders in the field.

I recently sat down with mentor–mentee duo Omar Camacho and Alex Jimenez from the 2023–2024 cohort for a candid conversation about their journey together—what they’ve learned about themselves and each other, their experience in the program, and the impact it has had on them.

First, give us a little background about yourselves. 

Camacho: My name is Omar Camacho. I am a Senior Creative Executive. I've been in the industry for over 20 years. I've worked at a variety of different media organizations, including CBS, the Jim Henson Company, and, more recently, Nickelodeon and Paramount+. I've launched major global franchises that you may have heard of, including iCarly, Victorious, Henry Danger, [and] Good Burger 2. I [was] born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, but… moved out here and got my degree at USC, University of Southern California. And in terms of what I'm doing right now, I am actively figuring out the next stage of my career. I was impacted by the layoffs over at Paramount…. And so, like so many other people in this industry who are dealing with the contraction, I'm figuring out my career pivot… in this industry.

Jimenez: My name is Alex Jimenez. I'm a graduate of the University of Michigan. I graduated class of 2023. I am currently in the nonprofit space, so it's different from what I had originally intended. I graduated three days before the Hollywood strikes hit, and that affected a lot of my recruitment and application process for postgraduate opportunities… Currently, I am doing more community services within the Latino community in West Michigan. So, again, very different from what I'm doing, but I've seen different ways that I'm trying to tie in media and specifically… Spanish-speaking media to… accommodate for different people.

What drew you to FUTURE NOW? How did you become a mentor? 

Camacho: I was invited by Lisa Bull, who was one of the co-chairs of the Mentoring Program. Lisa and I worked together at Paramount on that Good Burger 2 movie that I referenced… [she] and I had just a really great rapport, and she knew about my work at the time there at Paramount as part of a Latino ERG [Employee Resource Group]… called SOMOS… I had been mentoring there for a while and had been speaking on panels whenever I was invited, and so she asked if I was interested in working with FUTURE NOW in a similar capacity. And so, after doing some research and learning more about the organization and really understanding that its mission was to build future leaders within media, it really resonated with me. And so, I've always believed in opening doors by sharing my experience, and FUTURE NOW’s work felt like an opportunity to really put that belief into action. And so, I quickly said yes, and that’s how I got involved.

How did you hear about FUTURE NOW? In what ways have you been involved with FN?

Jimenez: I believe it was September or October of my senior year, and I had seen that there was an event, a virtual event that was being hosted by FUTURE NOW for the campus ambassador program. I didn't really know what the organization was or what that entailed, but I was looking for postgraduate opportunities. And so, I went to the info session. That's how I met Peggy Kim, who's the director and leader of the organization. And then I started getting involved as the ambassador for my campus. And then, as time went on, even after graduation, I stayed as a volunteer in both the marketing and newsletter committees. And then I've maintained relationships with a lot of people there, too– a lot of really cool people, where, even if our career interests now are a little different from what they originally were, I'm glad that I have them as an actual connection that I feel comfortable reaching out to. 

What about your career/career interests drew you both to be matched?

Camacho: I think we both have a really shared passion for storytelling. You know, as a creative executive, you spend so much of your time hearing pitches, developing content, shaping stories. And Alex, I think first and foremost as a writer, and his voice is really rooted in the Latino experience. And I really immediately identified with that. And it felt like a natural fit since, again, so much of my work in the past has been collaborating with writers. It was just an easy role to step into…

I am just, I think, in awe of writers and… the talents that they exhibit. And so, for me, it was just a lot of fun. That creative back and forth is not only fun, but also deeply fulfilling. You know, especially when you find that story that's meaningful and emotionally resonant to an audience. You know, it was a great experience.

Jimenez: Yeah, and I would say a lot of the same things. I really like the storytelling aspect of it. For me specifically, especially at that time, I was really drawn to comedy and sitcoms. And obviously when you hear like iCarly, Victorious…  it's obviously going to catch your attention. And I was really thankful that I got to hear the perspective of someone that was both in…creative but also [the] more administrative side of the production role. My educational background is kind of similar where I studied both business and film. So I think it was really a combination to get somebody that had a foundation in both.

Walk me through the nine months: what was your mentor/mentee journey like? 

Camacho: At the beginning of the journey, you know, in all honesty, I was really hesitant.

And it's not because of Alex, but just as…the program was about to start, I was laid off from Paramount due to this impending sale that was happening. So even though I saw it coming, I had to really process leaving the company that I had been with for nearly 20 years. And so at first… I really found myself kind of questioning about, you know, what could I possibly offer Alex? And… there was some self-doubt that creeped in, which I think is part of the natural process. But… after doing some self-reflection and then meeting with Alex himself, I really realized that [he] and I were on similar journeys… He was looking for his start in an industry that was contracting, and I was trying to navigate the next chapter of my career in an industry that was contracting. And so I think as we spoke, our common ground became very clear. 

And the more I shared about my experience, the more it actually helped me. It reminded me of my value, the accomplishments that I've achieved, the obstacles I've overcome, and the expertise that I bring to the table. So throughout this whole journey, it was actually very affirming and energizing… it was an experience that I didn't know I needed.

Jimenez: In a lot of the same vein, I obviously was dealing with my own self-doubt, you know, seeing all my friends… getting their full-time jobs right out of the gate, and then me struggling to figure out, okay, what am I going to do now? Do I have to go back home? Do I have to pivot?...

Something I really value is authenticity… I think sometimes when it comes to networking or connecting with… people with, like, really big professional titles, it's sometimes hard to find that.

It's also intimidating trying to kind of dig a little deeper because you don't want to necessarily upset someone or… pry in too deeply if they're not comfortable with that. I was really thankful that Omar, I think, was somebody that was very willing to open up about their experiences because at the end of the day, obviously, he's worked on a lot of big projects, but just like any kind of job that you have, you're going to deal with, you know, bumps in the road, conflicts, interpersonal conflicts with people on your team… I was really thankful that over the nine months I had, I saw the trust build… I saw him open up more about his experiences. In the same vein, I felt comfortable, like, sharing my experiences, too, and it was something that I think at a time when, you know, I felt kind of directionless, it gave me a lot of guidance. 

When you went into the program, were there any objectives or goals, or expectations? Did you go into it thinking, okay, by the time I finish the program, I'm going to have completed X, Y, and Z?

Jimenez: I think, realistically, knowing that the strikes were happening, that a lot of the rise of AI was happening, that professional opportunities, like getting an internship or a full-time job, I don't think was something that, you know, could be promised… I was very realistic about that. So my intention with it was to just… build a genuine connection, build a relationship with someone that… I felt comfortable talking to, and that I felt that, you know, is investing in… the future. But also just getting to know him as a person was really my objective in the program. And I was thankful that, again, he was someone that I felt had that authenticity that I was looking for.

Camacho: Yeah… I would just add… just in terms of the program itself… just from the mechanics of it, you know, Alex and I met monthly over Zoom… we exchanged emails and messages in between… I was always impressed about how organized Alex is and… how he would come prepared to the meeting. But then I was also really impressed by just how the program is structured itself. You know, as I mentioned, I participated in other mentorship programs.

And for me, I mean, this is without a doubt one of the best ones I've been a part of. And the way it's designed and the way it's structured to encourage natural growth, communication, you know, with the assignments, the career goals, the panels that help support the development and progression of the mentor and the mentee is really excellent. And so I think… that, of course, without that structure there, I don't think the program would have been, you know, as successful as it was.

How did your mentor/mentee relationship develop? Did you all connect in other ways outside of career/objectives? 

Camacho: I would say… just beyond the mechanics that I just spoke of, I think Alex and I really connected on a cultural level… When he was sharing stories about his family, I immediately identified with his experiences because it reminded me of my family. And so we had that kind of shared cultural background that I think created a deeper connection between the two of us… It allowed me… to open up more because… I could identify myself in Alex… I was also, you know, really impressed with Alex's advocacy initiatives, especially behind the Latino community.

And it really reminded me of the importance of giving back and really taking a pause to look at the bigger picture. And I think in a small way, I'm hoping that I was doing the same through this mentorship program.

Jimenez: Yeah, I definitely agree. I felt like that cultural commonality gave me a lot of assurance, especially because I know the industry itself, especially on screen, but also off screen, you know, that representation isn't always there. And it can be sometimes hard to… find necessarily the spaces that you feel welcomed in or just like the opportunities that are there for you. Obviously, not everyone is going to look like you or even come from the same background.

That's perfectly fine. But I think people who are intentional about making you feel welcomed is… a very different experience. And so that was something that I really appreciated.

How important is it to have a mentor in this industry specifically? 

Camacho: I would say it's critical… especially if you're coming into this industry as an outsider. You know, I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. And like so many other people, I came out to L.A. to chase a dream… It's really easy for that imposter syndrome to start to creep in when you don't see people who look like you or you don't have an opportunity to hear other people's perspectives, their experiences. Understanding what they went through to kind of navigate their own paths within this industry. So I think, you know, a mentor can kind of help you see what's possible and guide you to where you want to take your career and passion… I would say it's very critical in terms of just, you know, your career growth and, you know, that personal development.

Have you had any mentors along your career journey? How did it impact your career/journey navigating the media/entertainment industry? 

Camacho: When I first started, this was in the late ’90s. I literally knew of only one other Latino executive in the business. You know, you could probably count them on a couple of fingers at the time. And when I reached out to him just to develop some sort of connection, he didn't seem too receptive to connect. And at the time, I was working as an assistant at ABC, and a young executive in our department named Lee kind of recognized that I was looking for that mentorship connection. And so he brought me into an informal mentorship group of black executives. And it was somewhat unexpectedly, that's where I really found my first kinship in the industry… They really took me in, they offered me invaluable guidance… My connection with Lee, you know, fostered, and I still to this day talk to him regularly. In fact, I spoke with him, you know, just a few weeks ago when I reached out to him for some career advice… So… going back to the early question, I think it's very important to have that mentorship.

How has having a mentor impacted your career navigation/trajectory? What did you gain that you didn’t have before? 

Jimenez: I think that it's made me more comfortable letting the journey be what it is… I had a very specific vision of what I wanted after graduation… I wanted to work in talent agencies, I wanted to be in LA,... the very traditional... structured journey, which I know in general, it's hard to attain, but I am someone that likes structure; I'm very Type A, like having everything planned… Unfortunately, that just didn't work out. 

And so now I think then, for like, full transparency, I've kind of pivoted more into the public policy space, in part because I think obviously, there's a lot of changes going on federally and also globally… I have… a need for media to have a place in… how policy communication is made, what is going on in the world, including… news or… policy campaigns, that kind of work. I think with the Spanish-speaking community, that's something that I [have] seen a lack of. So obviously, it's very different from what I had originally intended.

What I do think that this mentorship program gave me is… a lot of advice on how to deal with… interpersonal conflicts or just general career advice of how do you deal with any kind of work that is very public-facing, and being able to ultimately have the goals and do the work that you're trying to do. So, for example, you know, now that I'm kind of shifted more into that policy space, obviously, there are a lot of people that I don't agree with, or who I obviously I'm going to have conflicts with on a fundamental level… That's just the reality of the work that we're doing. The same can be said for the entertainment industry… It's not… an industry where every single person is going to get along or there's going to be issues, as with any kind of work. 

But what I think both entertainment and policy have in common is that since they're both public-facing, a lot of the work that we're doing tends to be… more in the public eye. And obviously, everyone is going to have an opinion. I think Omar is someone that since he had more of… a behind the scenes kind of look into his work. It gave me… a guide for how to do my own work, where even if I am doing, you know, very public-facing work, I know what ultimately is important to me is staying true to my values, staying true to my own ethics… regardless of what people's opinions are with… I ultimately try not to lose sight of what I value, regardless of what other people around me are doing.

What are three specific things you can say that you've gained or learned from participating in FUTURE NOW's mentorship program?

Camacho: For me… It was really a renewed sense of self… recognizing my values, my experience, my sense of purpose. I would say the second thing was… an opportunity to give back… It's all about helping this next generation of leaders learn from my mistakes, as well as my accomplishments. And then the third probably sounds like a Hollywood ending, but I think it's really a lasting friendship… I know my connection with Alex will continue beyond the program and it has… we have stayed in touch… even as I… went into the second year of this mentorship program. So I'm really excited to… stay connected with him and see him grow and be here… as a resource for him if he ever needs it.

Jimenez: A big one for me is confidence, confidence in my own professional abilities… When I first met Omar, I was a little intimidated since… he worked on the shows that I watched as a kid. But I think it made me confident, and being able to have the interpersonal skills to talk to someone on his level and while still respecting… his accomplishments. I would say it's also given me peace of mind in, again, just letting the journey be what it is, even if it wasn't the full… straight-to-LA-after-graduation and talent agency route that I thought I was going to have, being okay with my career pivoting or even adapting to… whatever it is in the moment and making the most of it… because I actually do like the work that I'm doing now, even if it isn't what I originally intended. And, I mean, again, I know it all sounds corny, but yes, I legitimately feel really comfortable with Omar. I think it's a lasting friendship and one that I still plan to invest… regardless of how different our careers end up looking, you know, it's someone, he's someone that I want to stay connected with.

Final reflections/thoughts on the experience? 

Camacho: I would just say… to anybody…contemplating whether to get involved in the program [to]… do it. There's nothing to me more fulfilling than sharing your knowledge with that next generation… Mentoring, as I have mentioned… is really a chance to reflect on everything you've learned… It also allows you to open that door for your mentee to teach you something. And so… when I was working with Alex, he was able to offer me new perspectives, insights into how this next generation is thinking… I think in many ways, it was just a two way experience that is beneficial for both the mentor and the mentee. 

Jimenez: For me, I would say that… your mentor… will probably be… your strongest relationship during the program, but there are also other mentors there too, who are open to having you connect with them, who want to see you succeed. So if you see somebody who also has work experience or a title that you're really interested in learning more about, reach out to them, you know, they're here in your network too, and they want to help you.

What would you say to someone who's considering applying for the FUTURE NOW Mentorship Program, but for some reason is on the fence or hesitant?

Jimenez: Do it. It's a really good experience, even if you end up being someone like me who ends up maybe not doing as direct entertainment work as they originally intended. Again, these relationships are investments… if they can't get you… a job or… an opportunity right away, these are still people you're likely going to run into again in the future.

I'm a big person in paying it forward, even if it's a relationship that maybe, you know, doesn't end up directly going into your field or your role. I'm very big on trying to give these opportunities to other people too, where if I learn about something or if, like, Omar makes a connection with me that I maybe am not as applicable to, you know, I still want to bring that to my friends, to my professional network so that they can take use out of it as well. And it's like Omar said, you know, it's really important to invest in the next generation.

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Now in its seventh year, the FUTURE NOW Mentoring Program offers a truly transformative experience for both mentors and mentees. The program is open exclusively to FUTURE NOW Alumni—those who have attended the FUTURE NOW Media & Entertainment Conference.

Across the highs, lows, and constant evolution of the media and entertainment industry, mentee Alex Jimenez and mentor Omar Camacho found common ground in their shared interests and experiences. As Jimenez notes, relationships like these are true “investments”—they grow over time, deepen with trust, and become invaluable and long-lasting.