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.

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.

Penny Blesch, Director at Large

Penny Blesch is employed as a Controller of Johnsen Archer LLP, a mid-sized CA firm in Vancouver. Penny's first love has always been the arts and is hoping to reconnect with her creative side and like-minded people. 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.  

Laura Siberry, Director at Large

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 left Indonesia when he was 18 knowing three words in English: 'Yes', 'No', and 'Hot'. It didn't take long for him to start volunteering at Out on Screen. His involvement with other queer organizations include GLASS Youth Choir and Vancouver Men's Chorus, a group where he just sang in London as part of a gay & lesbian choir festival. Yogi currently works as Bookkeeper and Box Office Assistant for the VIFF. He is really excited to bring his enthusiastic energy to the board!