About Us

STAFF

Our staff is dedicated to delivering an entertaining festival experience that captivates our guests, sparks conversation, and leaves you wanting to attend again and again. Get to know us! We are happy to be part of this delightful experience.

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM SOCIETY

Felicia Alford, Finance Manager

Judith Beltran, Office Coordinator

Anne Blalock, Philanthropy Relations Manager

Kameron Gregson, Film Awards & Brand Partnerships Coordinator

Natali Hopkins, Educational Programs Manager

Toni Merrihew, Executive Director

Jose Padilla, Accounting & Administrative Assistant

Alexander Paz, Operations Manager

Liliana Rodriguez, Artistic Director

Angelina Quirante, Film Awards Seating Manager

Christina Sasse, Film Awards Director of Operations & Producer

Phil Segal, Programming Coordinator

Jennifer Van Camp, Programming Manager

Scarlett Wilmsen, Corporate Sponsorship Manager

SHORTFEST 2026

Programming

Jesse Knight, Director of Programming

Céline Roustan, Director of Programming

Robert John Torres, Programmer

Rachel Walker, Programmer

Celeste Wong, Programmer

Darcy Wytko, Associate Programmer

Nichole Young, Associate Programmer

Daniel Crooke, Associate Programmer

Taylor Lomax, Associate Programmer

Neha Aziz, Associate Programmer

Operations

Mary Hanson, Volunteer Coordinator

Martin Foster, Creative Services

Brian Morataya, Tech Manager

Joshua Nye, Venue Operations Manager

Guest Relations

Noopur Sinha, Guest Relations Manager

Forum

Ana Paula Souza Kraft, Forum Producer

Publicity

Austin Good, Scenario PR

Steve Wilson, Scenario PR

FILMFEST 2026

Programming

Mimi Brody, Programmer

Daniel Crooke, Associate Programmer & Retreat Producer

Brian Hu, Programmer

Joel Hoglund, Publications Coordinator

Jesse Knight, Publications Editor

Stephanie Pineda, Programming Coordinator

Alissa Simon, Chief Programmer

Hebe Tabachnik, Senior Programmer

Raven Zaki, Programming Intern

Guest Relations

Noopur Sinha, Guest Relations Manager

Jack Heggi, Guest Relations Coordinator

Jorge Molina, Guest Relations Coordinator

Becky Montalvo, Hotel Coordinator

Ian Stewert, Transportation Coordinator

Jillian Holstad, Transportation Assistant

Operations

Cindy Chavez, Credentials Manager

Jim Gazan, Assistant Volunteer Manager

Mary Hanson, Volunteer Manager

Clayton Martin, Print Traffic Manager

Nayelli Ponce-Moreno, Operations Intern

Aaron Ridenour, Technical Director

Mackenzie Wardlow, Operations Assistant

Debbie Wright, Concierge Manager

Chad Gneiting, Production Manager

Marketing and Publicity

Kylie Elliot, Scenario PR

Martin Foster, Creative Services

Austin Good, Scenario PR

Sammy Merabet, Design Associate

Steve Wilson, Scenario PR

About Us