James Ong, Board Chair

James began his relationship with Out On Screen in 1999. He brings a range of frontline experience to the board as South Hill's Music Director (RIP) and the BC Persons With AIDS Society's Director of Development. He currently teaches piano and performs with Vancouver's spygirl.

Julie Guenkel CA, Treasurer

Julie Guenkel is a Chartered Accountant who works in public practice in Vancouver. She has been involved with Out On Screen since 2003, fulfilling various committee and festival roles.

Viken Mekhtarian, Board Liason

Viken has been involved with Out On Screen as volunteer, seasonal staff and more recently as a Board member. A graduate from Concordia University with a BFA in Film Studies, he has been very actively involved in the queer community as a supporter, producer, avid consumer and token gay beige male of art and culture in Vancouver.

Heather Millar, Development Liaison

Heather is a fundraiser working in the not-for-profit sector in Vancouver. She brings a range of experience in fundraising management, organizational development and research to the Board as well as a strange enthusiasm for creating policy. She is delighted at the chance to combine her two favourite passions: social change and movies.

Dwayne Launt, Director at Large

Dwayne grew up watching Bruce Lee, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne movies in a small town outside Halifax. After studying film production at Concordia University he worked in Vancouver's film industry for more than a decade. A few years ago he left movie-making behind for a new career as a realtor so that he could have time for other things - like being part of Out On Screen's board.

Dr. Dwayne Bryk, Director at Large

Dwayne comes to Out On Screen out of his evolution as a teacher, a consultant, a counsellor, a graphic designer and a professional artist. His areas of teaching expertise include gifted education, special education, integrated arts and social justice in the schools. He views himself as a complex and consequential digital queer poz artist whose work is misunderstood (or simply not understood) as it is adored.

Peggy Thompson, Director at Large

Peggy is the screenwriter and co-producer of the feature films Better than Chocolate and The Lotus Eaters and the director of the documentary Broken Images-The Photography of Michelle Normoyle. She is an Associate Professor in the Creative Writing Program at the University of British Columbia where she teaches screenwriting and is a partner in rave film productions.

Mark Gilbert, Director at Large

Mark Gilbert is a public health physician working in the area of HIV and STI prevention, and gay men's health. Having previously volunteered at the Queer Film Festival, he is excited to be involved now with the board of Out On Screen and hopes in the process through osmosis to absorb some of the organization's creativity and flair.