Screening of SXSW award-winning film sparks dialogue around Veteran wellness and financial innovation
This past spring, the Raymond A. Mason School of Business brought together film, finance, and military service in a compelling event that highlighted the transformative power of storytelling and the business ingenuity behind it.
In collaboration with the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance, the Howard J. Busbee Finance Academy, and the Center for Military Transition, William & Mary hosted a screening of My Dead Friend Zoe, a SXSW award-winning film produced by alumni Mike Field ’90 and Ray Maiello ’91.
Lauded by critics for its humor and heart, the film takes an unflinching look at the themes of service, trauma, and healing through the eyes of its central characters and has resonated deeply with both civilian and military-connected audiences. But just as compelling as the story onscreen was the story behind it.
Prior to airing the film, the Howard J. Busbee Finance Academy, a student led organization under the Boehly Center umbrella, hosted a discussion with Field, one of the project’s producers, on the film’s unconventional funding approach, which combined private equity, renewable energy tax credits, and state-based film incentives to bring the story to life.
“This event was a great opportunity to show our students that finance isn’t confined to boardrooms or spreadsheets,” said Professor Julie Agnew, the faculty advisor to the club and then Co-Director of the Boehly Center. “It can be a catalyst for storytelling, social impact, and even healing. The funding model is a perfect example of how creative thinking and financial acumen can bring meaningful projects into the world.”
Field echoed that sentiment, noting that for him, the project was deeply personal. “Frankly, my primary motivation in starting the company was to help a fellow alumnus achieve his dream of owning a production company. I think that motivation aligns with all my endeavors,” he said. “My Dead Friend Zoe is one of my products that simply reflects my desire to satisfy my motivation to inspire or give others a positive nudge. My time at William & Mary shaped that vision as it’s a community where science, finance, and the arts intersect in an environment that creates leaders with purpose.”
The business of filmmaking might seem like an unexpected lesson for a business school audience, but Dean Todd Mooradian believes otherwise.
“This event captured what we strive to teach at the Mason School,” said Mooradian. “That business, at its best, is a tool for transformation. Whether you’re structuring a deal or supporting a fellow human being, leadership means thinking broadly and acting with purpose.”
After screening the film, JD Due, Executive Director of the Center for Military Transition, moderated a fireside chat with Sam Pressler ’15, founder of the Armed Services Arts Partnership, and Brandon Parker ’25, a student in the Military & Veteran Counseling program. Their conversation shifted the focus from film financing to the emotional and psychological terrain explored in the movie, particularly how veterans navigate therapy, loss, and reintegration.
“Individual experiences in the military vary drastically. Yet, a common theme for arguably all service members is the universal usage or exposure to what many would call ‘dark’ humor,” said Parker. “On one hand, it is uniting. On the other hand, it sheds light on one of the ways that humans cope with loss, traumatic events, and harsh environments. As a therapist, one aspect of my work entails assisting individuals in understanding what coping skills they utilize, where and how these skills were learned, what purpose they serve, and how they may also be hindering. That is not to say we shouldn’t use humor, as laughter serves us well. But, if we are using humor as an escape so we don’t have to feel emotions associated with painful memories over time, this can lead to psychological distress.”
The discussion highlighted a shared mission among the event’s organizers: building communities of wellness and meaning for veterans and their families. Parker emphasized the importance of creating environments where individuals feel free to explore their purpose.
“Wellness and purpose are personal, while community is universal,” he said. “If we provide the right climate for growth, individuals will feel free to explore, be, and become.”
For Due, events like this are more than one-off engagements. They’re a reflection of the Center’s comprehensive approach to transition support. “William & Mary is a remarkable place for veterans – and allies – to come together and share. This event was an opportunity to watch a film about service, sacrifice, and connection, and provided a remarkable opportunity for all participants to share,” he said. “I am absolutely convinced that these acts of sharing not only build important ties of community, but they build ties of community in which veterans can find support, understanding, and empowerment. It is humbling to be a part of that.”
With this approach, Due has championed veteran needs not only at William & Mary but also on the national stage. As a 2024-25 Hoover Veteran Fellow with Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, Due brings thought leadership and practical insight to the challenges facing today’s transitioning service members. His role at the Mason School primarily involves developing innovative resources tailored to veteran’s evolving needs.
Through offerings like this event and the Center’s newly renamed Veteran Career Accelerator program, Due and his team help veterans address the full spectrum of their post-service journey, from professional to personal and emotional. These resources reflect the school’s broader support system for military-connected students, which includes dedicated career pathways, mentoring, and wellness-focused initiatives.
“Our work is not just focused on helping veterans land their next job. We’re helping them discover what truly motivates them,” Due explained. “Our goal is to create space for veterans to reconnect with their strengths, identify their passions, and build a path forward that’s both meaningful and sustainable. The transition from active duty service to the civilian world isn’t just a career move. It’s a chance to redefine purpose.”
The film screening and its accompanying discussions were part of a broader effort by the Mason School and its partners to demonstrate how cross-disciplinary collaboration can enhance public understanding of veteran issues while spotlighting the innovative ways business practices can support the arts and social impact initiatives.
“These kinds of conversations remind us that we all have a role to play,” said Mooradian. “Whether it’s in a counseling session, an investment pitch, or a classroom discussion, principled leadership means showing up where it matters most.”
With support from students, alumni, faculty, and community partners, My Dead Friend Zoe’s screening offered more than entertainment. It opened up a meaningful dialogue and reaffirmed the Mason School and its partner organizations joint commitment to equipping future leaders to serve with empathy, insight, and impact.