An American actress, screenwriter, and director, she was born in New York City in 1979. She studied at the Rose Bruford College in London. She gained recognition for her roles in television series like "Boston Legal" and films such as "It's Complicated." Transitioning to directing, she made her debut with the critically acclaimed film "In a World..." in 2013, which she also wrote and starred in. Her work often explores themes of voice and identity.