James Ong, Board Chair

James began his relationship with Out On Screen in 1999 as a venue coordinator. He is a piano teacher, designer and works in production—most recently the Cultural Olympiad and Jazz Festival.

 
Penny Blesch CHRP, Board Liaison

As a CHRP, Penny is on the leading edge of her field and has a strong commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. She is employed as a Controller of Johnsen Archer LLP, a mid-sized CA firm in Vancouver. Penny looks forward to supporting and developing Out On Screen's strategic objectives and mission. Penny's approach is to serve the board with both accountability and integrity. 

Alipasha Larijani, Director at Large

Alipasha is a Civil Engineering Technologist in Strategic Transportation Planning. His association with Out On Screen began in 2007 as a Festival Volunteer. In 2008, his passion to help extinguish homophobia and bullying germinated and his role as an Out in Schools Facilitator commenced. The organization's sustainable growth is his flagship goal both as an OiS Facilitator as well as an OOS Board Member.

Melinda Johnston, Director at Large

Melinda works in communications, marketing and fundraising for not-for-profit organizations. She is an author, and doer of various creative activities. As such, queer art and artists are among her favourite things. She is very excited to join the board of Out On Screen.

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.

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.

Ellen Tran CA, Director at Large 

Ellen Tran is a Chartered Accountant who is currently working in public practice in Vancouver. Ellen is excited to be part of the board and a great organization.

 
Laura Siberry, Development Liaison

Laura is a nonprofit fundraiser with a background in publishing, communications and social policy. She is a big fan of Out On Screen and is proud, once again, to support its community-building, party-throwing, talent-showcasing ways.

Steve Mulligan, Director at Large

Steve is the Anti-homophobia and Diversity Consultant with the Vancouver School Board. As such he works closely with Out in Schools to bring queer film and discussion into schools. His past includes an engineering degree, life as an air force navigator, musical theatre performer and now teacher... none of which has adequately prepared him to be the proud yet exhausted parent of a four year old.

Sean George, Director at Large

For the last 15 years Sean has worked as an animateur at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Since 2007 he has been teaching Design History in the Graphic Design program at the Art Institute of Vancouver. In January 2010, he will be mounting a solo exhibition entitled Bad Boys: Portraits of Mediated Performance at the grunt gallery in Vancouver. He believes that building a culturally rich queer community is vital for future generations.

Yogi Omar, Director at Large

Yogi currently works for the Vancouver Park Board in Special Events & Filming. He left Indonesia almost 10 years ago when he was 18 and it didn't take long for him to start volunteering at Out on Screen. He has been involved in various arts organizations in Vancouver, including Vancouver International Film Festival, GLASS Youth Choir and Vancouver Men's Chorus. He is really excited to bring his enthusiastic energy to the board! 

Lori MacIntosh, Director at Large

Lori is an educator, dog lover and media enthusiast. Prior to returning to Vancouver to complete her graduate work in Educational Studies, Lori lived and worked in Chicago and Seattle as a IT procurement manager, IT project manager, and HIV outreach coordinator/ curriculum writer. She credits her current love of teaching to this circuitous career path. Having worked with and developed an abiding love for Out in Schools, Lori looks forward to life as an Out On Screen Board Member.