#  Harvard Divinity School Alum Advances Religious Literacy in Hollywood 

 





**Mario Cader-Frech, MRPL '24**, the director of DeeperDive.org, is training media executives and screenwriters in Hollywood to deepen their understanding of religions.



 

August 20, 2025

 

 

     ![Mario Cader Frech](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/Mario_Cader_010.JPG?itok=nnyGhvbw) 

Mario Cader-Frech, MRPL '24



 



 

*Mario Cader-Frech, MRPL ’24, Director, DeeperDive.org (Washington, DC)*

*View* [*more stories*](/community-life/career-services/alumni-career-snapshots "Alumni Career Snapshots") *on HDS alumni and their career paths.*

## Describe the work you do today:

The DeeperDive.org project promotes Just Peace through the advancement of Religious Literacy in Hollywood. The project offers trainings to media executives and screenwriters, deepening their understanding of religious nuances and sensitivities. Additionally, DeeperDive.org conducts research studies exploring the intersection of Faith & Media, shedding light on the potential for positive change and inspiring responsible and inclusive narratives.

## How has your HDS degree experience influenced your career journey?

During my 15-year tenure at Viacom, as Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility, I spearheaded over 60 impactful campaigns and content addressing pressing social issues such as HIV/AIDS, Human Trafficking, Bullying, Teen Pregnancy, Gender and Race Equity, and LGBTQ+ Rights. At Harvard Divinity School, I engaged in rigorous academic exploration, examining religious representation in media and its potential for shaping cultural narratives. My studies broadened my understanding and nurtured my passion for creating meaningful dialogue between religion, faith, and the media industry. Thus, spearheading the ideation of the DeeperDive.org

## What career advice would you offer to current HDS students?

I would advise prospective and incoming Harvard Divinity School students to: arrive with a guiding question rather than just a fixed plan; embrace the school’s interdisciplinary nature; learn as much from peers as from professors; connect academic study to real-world action; get comfortable with complexity and nuance; use Harvard’s network thoughtfully to foster meaningful collaborations; and think beyond graduation by envisioning how to apply learning for long-term impact.



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Alumni News and Profiles ](/discover-stories-about/alumni-news-and-profiles)