Tess Sanchez is a bestselling author and renowned casting director with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. She launched some of TV’s most memorable careers—but it’s her candid, comedic memoir about life’s unexpected plot twists that reveals the full scope of her voice and vision. Her debut book, We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction, is a universal story of rejection, resilience, and reinvention that is relatable far beyond the glitz and glam of Hollywood.

Balancing humor and levity with a down-to-earth quality that feels like catching up with an old friend, Sanchez brings to the stage resonant wisdom on overcoming adversity, redefining one’s identity, and thriving when curveballs are thrown your way. Her warm and inspiring talks are perfect for corporations, non-profits, women’s groups, and any audience seeking to navigate the unexpected roles life casts us in.

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We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction debuted on the USA Today bestseller list and has received high praise, with Mindy Kaling calling it “funny, relatable, and just like Tess Sanchez, a really good time;” Amy Poehler describing it as “frank and funny;” and Andy Cohen lauding it as “hilarious and incredibly candid.” Told through a series of essays, the memoir begins in 2020, when, after decades as a respected studio casting director and the only woman of color among her company’s top creative executives, Sanchez’s role was abruptly eliminated. This sudden career shift forced her to navigate an uncertain new chapter while juggling marriage, motherhood, and caregiving for her aging father. With humor, heart, and honesty, Sanchez reclaims the narrative, transforming a personal upheaval into a story of strength and self-discovery. The title—We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction—a phrase she once used with agents and actors, now echoes back with irony and renewed purpose.

Previously, Sanchez served as Vice President of Talent and Casting at The WB, where she helped shape iconic series like Felicity, Dawson’s Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, and Supernatural. She later joined FOX, rising to Executive Vice President of Casting and playing a key role in developing hits such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, 9-1-1, and The Mindy Project. Known for championing diverse talent and bold storytelling, she remains one of the industry’s most influential creative voices.

Sanchez currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Max Greenfield, and their two children, Lilly and Ozzie.