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Drew Dennis, Executive Director Drew comes to Out On Screen with an extensive background in social profit management. After studying business at the University of Western Ontario, Drew went on a date and fell in love with queer film. Sometimes life’s like that. Drew is particularly energized about film’s power as a tool for social justice. Drew is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and currently serves as co-chair of the LGBTQ Advisory Committee to Vancouver City Council. Drew identifies as trans and skates the gender binary preferring neither pronoun. |
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Amber Dawn, Director of Programming Amber Dawn is a writer, filmmaker and performance artist. She's been featured on stages from Kentucky drag bars to Harvard campus, and her short films have played in over ten countries. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and is the editor of two queer anthologies. Voted Xtra! West's Hero of the Year (2008), she is best known for representing shameless, no-holds-barred queer sexuality, a theme throughout much of her artwork and her community activism. |
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Ross Johnstone, Director of Youth Education |
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Paul Crosby, Director of Partnerships & Marketing |
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David Holtzman, Director of Operations & Human Resources David has been a community organizer, activist and out queer man for all of his adult life. He spends most of his work – and play-time in the social profit sector where he finds meaning and where a community lives its values. His hobbies include dreaming, watching queer cinema, snowboarding, yoga, running and urban farming. David has a BA from SFU and a Masters from Royal Roads. |
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Leslie Thompson, Director of Individual Giving |
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Laurie LaMarche, Special Events Producer Laurie Lamarche has a rich history of event production in Vancouver, from his early involvement with Whistler Gay Ski Week to Toy Box Boys' infamous Pride & New Year’s events, to the 25th anniversary of the VMC’s Halloween Event and many others. Laurie has also brought his talents to play through volunteer work with A Loving Spoonful, McLaren Housing, Canadian Diabetes Association, Burnaby Art Gallery and more. Laurie’s marketing and graphic design experience influences his event planning method and he aspires to create outstanding events that are memorable and rewarding. |
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Jen Sung, Youth Outreach Coordinator Jen Sung is a lifelong queer advocate, human rights activist and public speaker. She graduated from UBC in Women's Studies and Critical Studies in Sexuality, with a focus on feminist pedagogy, queer theory and pop culture. She has a penchant for all things colourful and channels creativity through her electric hair. In her free time she can be found perusing the aisles of your local grocery store and buying avocados in bulk. |
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Crystal Sikma, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator In 2007, Crystal moved from Regina, Saskatchewan to Vancouver to attend the Creative Writing Program at UBC. Concurrent to her MFA, she was the Poetry Editor for the literary magazine, PRISM international. Crystal spends her spare time at concerts, readings, coffee shops and thrift stores. |
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Shawn Earle, Out in Schools Program Liaison Halifax native, Shawn moved to Vancouver in 2009 to teach high school after completing his Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Toronto. Since that time, Shawn's focus in education has shifted from classroom teaching to anti-discrimination and anti-oppression education, which has led him to the Out in Schools team. In addition to Shawn's work in education, he holds a Master of Music and is active as a freelance classical musician. |
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Mindy is an accountant and controller for a range of arts groups and other small businesses in the Vancouver area. She graduated from the UBC with a BA in English and later earned a professional accounting designation from Certified General Accountants Association of BC. She is a member of Geist’s editorial board and Room’s editorial collective. She was Treasurer of the Board of the Vancouver Society of Storytelling in 2005-07 and now serves as Treasurer of Balcone Art Society and board member of the Performing Arts Lodge Vancouver. |
