For recent grad Hayley Kirk, ’25, Business of Art and Design, great storytelling starts behind the scenes. Long before the cameras roll or the edits begin, she’s building a set on a foundation of trust, empathy, and clear communication. Working with nonprofit organizations is the core of her creative practice, and her senior thesis is a perfect example. For the final project of her time at Ringling College, she created a video spotlighting Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, a nonprofit that empowers girls through mentorship, education, and support.
“I already volunteer with a few nonprofits, and I knew I wanted to continue that work through my thesis,” Kirk said. “Girls Inc. was my top choice. I really believe in their mission of supporting and building a strong foundation for all females.”
Though based in New Jersey, where Kirk is from, she had never heard of the national nonprofit before researching organizations for her project. “That really hit me,” she said. “If I hadn’t heard of them—even though I’m already deep into the nonprofit world—then others were probably missing out too. I wanted to help change that.”
So she got to work.
She storyboarded the piece, wrote and revised the script, and lined up the shoot during spring break. Drawing on skills honed during her time at Ringling College—and new ones she picked up through an independent study with the Film Department—she handled everything from pre-production to voiceover to post.
“I was on every film set I could be this year,” she said. “I learned a lot and created friendships that also aided me along the way.”
That people-first mindset extended to how the project was run, too. Kirk used her research into unethical workplace practices in the media and entertainment industry to guide her production approach. “My thesis was actually two parts,” she explained. “First, I looked into harmful industry norms and identified ten key solutions for a healthier, more sustainable work culture. Then, I used those principles to guide the Girls Inc. project from start to finish.”
The result is a video that’s as ethically produced as it is emotionally compelling and infused with care.
Kirk’s broader creative interests span music video analysis, branding, and campaign development. She loves studying how successful companies identify gaps in the market and progress over their competitors. Right now, she is applying to jobs, volunteering, and helping plan conferences, working with the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, and likely doing freelance work for Girls Inc.
Long term, she plans to stay in media and entertainment as a producer—whether that’s in live-action, animation, or music. For now, she’s casting a wide net, learning as much as possible from every opportunity.
“I am staying open-minded and want to learn as much as I can earlier in my career,” she said. But wherever her career takes her, she says nonprofit work will always be part of the picture. “I know wherever I go, I’ll continue volunteering and working with nonprofits because I love giving back and exposing myself to diverse groups.”
Learn more about Kirk and her work on her website.
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