Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Simona Fusco, Chairman of the Board
Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Producer, Actress, Philanthropist
With over 30 movies and TV credits to her name, SIMONA FUSCO has been described as "Hollywood's New IT Girl" Page 9, New York Post, "A Modern Day Bo Derek", Esquire Magazine, "Italian Goddess Hypnotizing The World", GQ Magazine, "Blonde Bombshell", Maxim, "Golden Goddess" People Magazine, "The Most Spectacular Looking Blonde Since Marilyn Monroe" Beverly Hills Magazine, etc.
Simona recently added film producing to her credits with her movie “Beverly Hills Christmas”, starring Dean Cain which aired on UPTV December 2015.
In 2012, Simona was presented and honored, among other honorees, dignitaries and royalty, by the Mayor of Los Angeles Mr. Eric Garcetti, with a Global Excellence Award in Women's Entrepreneurship. Simona was recognized as a Prominent Business Woman and World Renowned Entrepreneur of the year for her achievements with her company Perfect 12™ Introductions. Perfect 12 is an executive matchmaking and personal recruiting firm based in Beverly Hills, CA. Perfect 12 donates 10% of proceeds to a charity of the clients’ choice. Additionally, Perfect 12 was a sponsor of the 2015 Indianapolis 500 Bryan Herta Race Team.
In 2015 Simona opened her online boutique "Style by Simona Fusco". Her styles have been worn by celebrities such as Katy Perry, Nicole Scherzinger, Aubrey O’Day as well as the cast of the Housewives of Orange County. Her style represents class and sophistication at affordable prices.
Additionally Simona offers a mentorship program that encourages women to be independent and has mentored many in becoming entrepreneurs.
In 2015, Simona founded The Maria Gruber Foundation. Founded upon personal tragedy it is her mission to help parents, children, and loved ones affected by terminal cancer by helping and supporting you during and after having a loved one diagnosed with terminal cancer. Because Simona experienced such helplessness during both times she was affected by her mothers’ cancer, she decided that nobody should have to walk such a life altering path alone and without any help and support system in place. It was during that time that Simona realized what indeed was missing; A foundation that helps support you in a time of distress such as losing a loved one to terminal cancer. It is Simona's mission to help those affected by this devastating disease with the grief associated with the loss of a loved one as well as the overwhelming aftermath of having to deal with life insurance companies, health insurance companies, doctors, attorneys, estates, funeral arrangements, etc.
Charles Matthau
Director, Writer, Producer
Charlie Matthau is that rare director/writer/producer who knows exactly what he wants in both capacities: movies with humanity, heart and humor — qualities that have always defined great storytelling.
Charlie’s last film “Freaky Deaky,” based upon Elmore Leonard’s book and starring Christian Slater and Crispin Glover, had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival where it was acquired by eOne, and released in 2013.
In 2015 he is executive-producing the TV series Mexican High, based on the novel by Lisa Monroy.
Charlie’s passion for screen storytelling led him to develop and direct “The Grass Harp,” based on Truman Capote’s atmospheric tale of three Southern misfits who take up residence in a tree house. The film allowed Matthau the opportunity to direct a stellar cast that includes Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Mary Steenburgen, Nell Carter, and Edward Furlong. “The Grass Harp,” distributed by Fine Line Features, premiered in October of 1996.
Critics have been glowing in their response to Matthau’s work. Lawrence Van Gelder of the New York Times reports: “A success: a sweet, wise, funny, poignant film from producer director Charles Matthau who has extracted performances that are expert, sharp and distinctive.” Says Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times: “A beguiling film in every way.”
“’The Grass Harp’” succeeds so admirably it speaks volumes about Charles Matthau’s own inimitable talents…a polished, touching insightful and exceedingly sensitive effort,” says Wade Major of Entertainment Today.
Charlie made an auspicious feature directorial debut at age 24 with the offbeat comedy “Doin’ Time.” The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films nominated him for the Best Director Award. The film was also selected as one of the “10 Best Films of 1990? by the Council of Film Organizations.
The Academy of Family Films & Family Television, the national organization that presents annual awards of merit and recognition for family entertainment, voted Charlie: Best Director of the Year Award for his work on “The Grass Harp.” In September of 1997, the Matthau family was honored by the American Film Institute with it’s first ever Platinum Circle Award, a newly created annual honor paying tribute to an entire family of talented artists.
Charlie also directed “Her Minor Thing,” a romantic comedy starring Estella Warren, Christian Kane, and Michael Weatherly. This feature film, written and produced by Jim Meyers, was released in early 2007 to favorable response, and is a brisk seller on DVD.
Matthau also recently directed “Baby-O” which is a musical set in the Las Vegas jazz world.
He directed his father Walter Matthau and Carol Burnett in “The Marriage Fool (aka Love After Death),” about a widower who falls in love with another woman despite the disapproval of his children. Televised in the fall of 1998 on the CBS Television Network, “The Marriage Fool” was ranked the #1 program of the week with a 14.0 Nielsen rating and a 23 share.
Charlie previously won praise for directing and producing the 1993 television movie “Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love,” starring Ellen Burstyn. The film tells the moving story of a woman who takes to the road to save her grandson from becoming a foster child. The Hollywood Reporter characterized it as “... wise, affecting television that should not be missed.”
Charlie lost his father Walter Matthau to cancer and therefore is all too familiar with the pain and suffering this disease causes to your family and loved ones. He feels that the Maria Gruber Foundation is a god send in a time were this disease has turned into an epidemic and that this foundation is the answer families can turn to for help and support.
Scott Grady
>Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneur
Scott was born in New York City and attended college at St. John’s University and then went on to New York Law School. Thereafter, Scott moved to Los Angeles, where he simultaneously started a successful dot com as well as a private law practice in Beverly Hills. The highlight of his legal career was when he almost lost his home in the disastrous 1993 Malibu wildfire and ended up representing over 300 home owners who lost their homes in that same fire.
Following his legal career, in 2010 Scott founded a private alternative investment firm in Los Angeles, where he has raised over $40 million dollars. Scott is excited to participate in the Maria Gruber Foundation, especially when it comes to fundraising for the organization. He will provide some unique fundraising strategies that will enable the foundation to quickly launch and immediately start assisting those in need of support with their loved ones who have the terminal illness.
Scott is very proud to be associated with the Maria Gruber foundation. Scott’s mother is a cancer survivor and Scott who knew and admired Maria would always mention to Simona what a strong and courageous woman her mother was. Scott see’s that same strength and courageousness in Simona and is honored that she asked him to participate in her mother’s foundation.