Meet the Team
Meet the team that keeps it all moving.
From marketing the state to potential productions to navigating logistics for in-state filmmakers to supporting storytellers, meet the dedicated crew that keeps Washington Filmworks running smoothly. They’re the planners, problem-solvers, and creative thinkers working behind the scenes to help build a stronger, mores sustainable film industry in Washington State.
Executive Team
Amy Lillard (she/her)
Executive Director
Amy Lillard is the Executive Director of Washington Filmworks and has been with the program since it launched in 2007. Under her leadership, WF has helped over 90 film projects complete principal photography, which have brought an estimated 242 Million dollars to the statewide economy.
Amy Lillard started her career as an independent film publicist out of New York and Los Angeles designing the release campaigns for groundbreaking films such at “The Blair Witch Project,” “American Psycho” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.” Amy retired from publicity in 2000 and took a trip around the world. Two years and 42 countries later, she settled in Seattle where she has worked in various capacities including, director of publicity and promotion at SIFF, festival director of the Reel Cinerama Film Festival, and producer of the Fly Filmmaking Challenge.
Julie Daman (she/her)
Chief of Staff
After graduating with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Julie began her career in New York working on the sitcom “Spin City,” starring Michael J Fox. When the production moved to Los Angeles, Julie followed. Julie continued to work in production accounting for both NY and LA based shows such as “Scrubs,” “Hope & Faith” and HBO’s “Entourage,” until 2005 when she became involved in LA’s burgeoning New Media community. Julie began her own New Media production company where she created a weekly podcast, an award winning mini-sitcom web series, as well as produced work for clients such as TBS.com, and promotional web videos for independent music artists. In 2008, eager to learn more about various state film incentives, she worked as a lead accountant on an independently produced feature, “Ms January.” Shortly after she moved to Seattle and joined Washington Filmworks.
Finance + Operations Department
Julie Borden (she/her)
Operations + Administration
Julie Borden is a lifelong film enthusiast, a creative problem solver, and an administrative whiz. After nearly a decade working in the City of Seattle’s Office of Film + Music, she was delighted to join the team at Washington Filmworks to continue her career supporting the creative industries in Washington State. Previously, Julie was a non-profit fundraiser, securing millions of dollars for vital services in the Seattle community. She has a passion for public service and strengthening infrastructure in organizations.
Kayleigh Ochs (she/her)
Executive Assistant
Kayleigh Ochs graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Broadcast Production and a Film Studies minor. After graduating with honors, she began working at a forensic video lab as a forensic video technician. She moved to Seattle in 2015 and joined the public sector, providing administrative support to various departments at the City of Seattle. Kayleigh has a passion for serving the community she lives in and, as a lifelong Washington resident, she is honored to be part of showcasing the creative industries in her home state.
Megan Sullivan (she/her)
Financial Controller
Megan has grown up in the NW corner of Washington and can’t imagine living anywhere else. She graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Accounting and minors in Business Administration and Spanish. She started her career in Public Accounting practicing both US & International Tax and has over a decade of accounting experience working in a number of different industries from agriculture to real estate development. Megan loves to use creative thinking for process and system improvements to make work more efficient and more enjoyable for everyone.
Funding Assistance Department
Kenneth Hagen (he/him)
Director of Funding Assistance
Ken is a proud Washingtonian with deep connections to the Pacific Northwest way of life. He is a member of a local tribe, The Suquamish Tribe. You can describe him as a hometown fan through and through, from sports to the local economy. He’s such a hometown fan, in fact, that he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington Foster School of Business. Ken previously worked for Washington Filmworks, though ventured out to develop financial analysis and data storytelling skills both through formal education and professional experience. Ken brings with him compliance experience from integrating international financial resources for The Boeing Company for the past several years. With a young family of 4 at home, Ken fills his time with family activities but also finds time for personal pursuits such as baseball and fishing.
Zach Rodriguez (he/him)
Program Administrator
Zach is a born and raised Washingtonian with a deep passion for his home state and all it has to offer. He holds a degree in fine arts and enjoys film photography. Throughout his career, Zach has applied his analytical skills across diverse industries, from agricultural manufacturing to healthcare, using data to improve processes and drive innovation. In his free time, he explores the Pacific Northwest, capturing its landscapes through his lens and sharing his love for nature with others. His quiet dedication to both his work and his personal pursuits reflects his genuine commitment to continual learning and appreciation for the world around him.
Zinnia Su (she/her)
Program Transaction Analyst
Zinnia fell in love with Seattle in the mid-late 90s. She lived in various other places over the years, but Seattle kept calling her back. In 2014, after ten years in Los Angeles, she returned to the Pacific Northwest for good.
She brings a deep curiosity and eclectic range of interests to everything she does. Besides acting, she has worked in several capacities in the entertainment industry — in film & TV, and in music. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of California, San Diego, and has been a licensed massage therapist since 2001. Zinnia plays drums and sings with her partner in their band, Trash Panda Go Kart. Zinnia earned her SAG card in 2006. Her acting experience thus far has primarily been in voiceover, but she is presently most excited and inspired by on-camera work.
Film Office Department
Vicky Berglund-Davenport (she/her)
Film Office Production Services Manager
Vicky Berglund-Davenport is an artist, filmmaker, and native Washingtonian. While at Western Washington University she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in visual communications, concentrating in film, TV, and photography. She has been a filmmaker for over 25 years and worked on award winning shows like “Northern Exposure” as a supervising location manager. Vicky is a proud member of the Location
Managers Guild International. She also served for over 5 years at Seattle Center as an arts program manager.
Vicky’s screen credits include feature films, TV series and commercials. A few of those credit include “Singles,” “My Own Private Idaho,” “War of the Roses,” “Say Anything,” “Past Midnight,” “Ten Things I Hate About You,” “The Vanishing,” “Language Arts,” “East of the Mountains,” “Outside In,” and “Three Busy Debras.” Vicky is also a producer of everything from short films and VR to corporate and commercials.
Zach Rodriguez (he/him)
Program Administrator
Zach is a born and raised Washingtonian with a deep passion for his home state and all it has to offer. He holds a degree in fine arts and enjoys film photography. Throughout his career, Zach has applied his analytical skills across diverse industries, from agricultural manufacturing to healthcare, using data to improve processes and drive innovation. In his free time, he explores the Pacific Northwest, capturing its landscapes through his lens and sharing his love for nature with others. His quiet dedication to both his work and his personal pursuits reflects his genuine commitment to continual learning and appreciation for the world around him.
Communications Department
Alex Michael (he/him)
Communications Coordinator
Alex Michael is a creative communicator from Tri-Cities, Washington. He attended Washington State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Production with a minor in Music Technology and a certificate in Graphic Design. While at WSU, he worked on multiple video production crews and was a sound designer for the Cable 8 student film “Mimesis.” He is passionate about the arts and is proud to help support Washington’s creative community. In his free time, he loves attending concerts, working on creative projects, and hiking around the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Jess Schwab (she/her)
Senior Communications Manager
Jess is a proud Washingtonian with a deep appreciation for all things Pacific Northwest. She holds a degree in Creative Writing from Western Washington University and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington. Jess spent the last decade and a half managing all marketing and communications for a vibrant youth arts organization in Seattle. Her extensive background in the arts and culture sector has helped her prioritize equity in storytelling, cultivate authentic relationships within the community, and inspire action through impactful narratives. Jess is forever carrying around a camera and loves finding creativity in the most unsuspecting pockets of life.
Jasmine Yuan (she/her)
Communications Coordinator
Jasmine is deeply grateful for the state she’s called home for the past decade. As a University of Washington graduate with a degree in Interaction Design, she incorporates storytelling into every aspect of her work. Jasmine holds a lifelong passion for creative mediums and values the opportunity to contribute to Washington’s vibrant creative industries. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts and is on a continuous mission to learn something new every day.
Community Engagement
Jamil Suleman (he/him)
Community Engagement Specialist
Jamil Suleman is a Seattle-based filmmaker, rapper, traveler, and community storyteller. Known for projects like Curry-NA-Hurry, Graffiti Village Tour, and The Bruce Lee Project, he uses Hip Hop, comedy, film and community engagement to celebrate diverse cultural narratives. His latest series, What’s Next?, explores various healing traditions, offering messages of resilience and hope in challenging times. Jamil won the 2019 Seattle Film Summit Pitch Contest for Curry-NA-Hurry, is a Green Room Alumni and 2023 Firelight Media (PBS) Fellow, was a past Washington Filmworks Above The Line Cohort member, and co-founded Indie Genius Media, which tells stories centered around ecology, healing, and mutual aid.
Rural Economic Development Department
Sherrye Wyatt (she/her)
Rural Economic Development Manager
Sherrye Wyatt is a native Washingtonian who was raised on a farm in the Columbia Basin. She has extensive experience working primarily in agriculture-related industries, including grain, apples, grapes, wine and cider. This has included advocacy work with various organizations ranging from the Northwest Agriculture Business Center in Mount Vernon, Washington to the North American Export Grain Association in Washington, D.C. Over the years, she has either lived or worked within 16 of the state’s 30 rural counties. Her film background includes establishing the film liaison position for Island County, and then filling the role for more than 10 years. Recent film experience includes The Hour After Westerly and Midday Black Midnight Blue. Sherrye also served two terms on the Washington Filmworks board of directors. She’s a graduate of Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communications.
Workforce Development Department
Constance Baird (she/her)
Workforce Development Program Coordinator, Community Partnerships
Constance has an affinity for all things Pacific Northwest and after living in various places across the country, has happily put down roots near her hometown. With a background in theatre and production, Constance spent ten years working in the local government sector, most recently as a Television Producer and Host for a local cable access channel. After devoting some time to serving the incarcerated population through teaching a workforce development program, Constance was delighted to find that her backgrounds aligned in serving as the Program Coordinator for the Workforce Development Office of Washington FIlmworks. As a writer and reading enthusiast, she believes deeply that no story should go untold. Outside work hours, Constance can be found enjoying the great outdoors either hiking and camping with family and friends or gardening in her own backyard.
Collin Kind (he/they)
Workforce Development Program Coordinator, Systems & Administration
Collin Kind has spent the past three and a half years leading volunteer engagement in the nonprofit sector, building inclusive programs and developing systems and processes that strengthen the volunteer experience and support organizational impact. Prior to this, Collin worked as an Employment Consultant supporting adults with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment, deepening his commitment to equitable, person centered support. He brings creativity, empathy, and thoughtful problem solving to his work and believes strongly in the power of nonprofits to create meaningful change. With the right blend of creativity, constructive feedback, and problem-solving, they believe that everything has the potential to grow and improve. He is excited to bring this passion to their work with the team at Washington Filmworks. Outside of work, Collin enjoys the PNW nature, painting and drawing, both traditionally and digitally using Procreate, and spending time with his spouse and their cats.
Audra Laymon (she/her)
Director of Workforce Development
Audra has been leading workforce development programming and teams in the nonprofit sector in Washington for over a decade. Her focus has largely been in serving youth and immigrant communities, and she is committed to equitable and collaborative service and decision-making. Prior to joining Washington Filmworks, Audra led engagement and workforce development services in Seattle focused on helping young people experiencing homelessness stabilize and move toward financial stability. Before moving to Washington in 2006, Audra studied film and theatre in the Bay Area, and graduated summa cum laude from San Jose State University. When she’s not working, you can find Audra carving prints, rollerskating, watching movies, or camping with her husband and son.