The Team
Susan Zirinsky, Executive Producer
Acclaimed CBS News and Entertainment producer for over 30 years. Since 1996, Zirinsky has executive produced documentaries and entertainment specials for the network, from the weekly CBS News 48 Hours Mystery series, to the critically acclaimed Emmy Award nominated Showtime documentary, Three Days in September, and The Emmy and Peabody Award winning "9/11" film. Zirinsky has won every major journalism award in the business.
Zirinsky has also Exec Produced numerous entertainment specials for CBS TV: A GRAMMY SPECIAL, Elvis by the Presleys, The Britney Spears reality show, “Chaotic", several American's Next Top Model Specials, and others. Zirinsky brings the high production quality and experience to the stark reality of documentary filmmaking.
Paul Ryan, Senior Producer
Paul Ryan has spent 15 years producing entertainment, sports and non-fiction television programming for every major network. He is currently a senior producer at CBS’ 48 HOURS, where he helps oversee the production of the award-winning, documentary-style broadcast and plans and executes several hour-long programs each year. He also oversees several other initiatives, including the new CBS News website CRIMESIDER, and he helps plan and manage outside documentary projects.
Ryan joined 48 HOURS as a producer in 1999. His credits include some of 48 HOURS’ most acclaimed broadcasts, including the special “Flashpoint,” reported by Katie Couric, for which he won a Christopher Award, and “Death, Duty and Dishonor,” a documentary about a murder within a platoon just returned from Iraq, which was subsequently made into a feature film. He has produced programs on a wide variety of real-life subjects involving young adults and teens grappling with emotional, legal, medical and mental health issues. In addition, he has covered some of the biggest breaking news stories of the last decade, including the September 11th attacks, the War in Iraq, and Hurricane Katrina.
Kathleen O’Connell, Senior Story Editor
Kathleen O’Connell is an award winning journalist and producer who has been producing non fiction television for over 20 years. As senior story editor for CBS NEWS 48 HOURS, the third longest running news show on network television, she has overseen the story development of over 50 new documentaries a year. Our non fiction programming is real life drama with stories involving various forms of addiction, mental health issues, family issues and issues surrounding the criminal justice system. Ms. O’Connell has collaborated with MTV News and Doc’s on long form programming. Develop outside documentary projects with independent filmmakers.
O’Connell has been the recipient of two Peabody Awards, two Emmy Awards and a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award while a producer for 48 HOURS.
Liz Alderman, Casting Director, NY
A born and bred New Yorker, Liz most recently created and produced the high-profile docu-series about the privileged youth of her native Manhattan; BRAVO's sensational “NYC PREP.” Liz began her career in the entertainment industry by producing a variety of makeover programs including TLC’s “Moving UP!” with Doug Wilson, “One Week to Save Your Marriage,” “Broken Homes,” “Paycheck Showdown,” “SHUT UP! Its Stacy London,” “What NOT to Wear,” ABC’s “Wife SWAP” and BRAVO’s “Tim Gunn’s GUIDE TO STYLE.” Her extensive casting experience includes development work for The BBC, Stone & Co. Entertainment, Embassy Row Television, Sony Pictures Television and Leopard Films.
Liz graduated from Harvard University cum laude with a degree in Fine Arts.
Aimee DeSimone, Associate Casting Producer
Aimée DeSimone graduated from Syracuse University cum laude with a degree in Marketing Management and a minor in Television, Radio, and Film. Since her graduation she has amassed a wealth of experience in fields as various as public relations, e-marketing, and event planning. Aimée is currently a select member of CBS’ prestigious Page Program and her key role on “Secrets” covers everything from casting outreach to evaluating and meeting with candidates for the series.
Keleigh Nealon, Casting Assistant
Keleigh Nealon graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications where she studied Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. Prior to joining the "Secrets" team, Nealon tested the waters in various forms of media through internships at Rochester Magazine, 13WHAM, and 1180 WHAM as well as working as both a producer and on-camera talent for CGI Communications, interviewing high-profile celebrities and athletes.
Nicole Mills, Casting Assistant
Since her graduation from University of Maryland cum laude, Nicole Mills has assisted on numerous features and short films, web-series and television programs. She has also worked with casting directors at prestigious agencies such as Ford and Wilhelmina Models. Nicole’s primary role on “Secrets” is to spread word of our current casting call through various online media in innovative ways.
Adam Drucker, Casting Director
Adam Drucker has worked in broadcast talent development and as a television casting producer for much of the the last decade.
At the inception of A&E’s award-winning INTERVENTION, Drucker was responsible for finding the people whose struggles with addiction were profiled; as their first point of contact with the show, it was Drucker who offered them reassurance and respect and helped guide them into the show’s production with care. After “Intervention,” Drucker worked on the casting teams of CBS’ SURVIVOR and the Emmy Award-winning THE AMAZING RACE. At Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO), Drucker worked as a director of talent development for the broadcast division (television, internet and Sirius satellite radio), researching and recruiting outstanding on-air talent in all areas of the MSLO brand. He also worked in the casting department of Magical Elves (the production company behind “Project Runway” and “Top Chef”) and as a casting producer for shows on HBO, E!, Lifetime and Bravo. Currently, in addition to his casting work, Drucker has teamed with several production companies to develop and produce television shows centered around some of the extraordinary people he’s encountered in his career.
A native New Yorker, Drucker graduated from Yale University magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.