Our Team

In 2014, Kathryn (she/her) founded True West Film Center in order to provide a space where everyone is welcome to experience the transformative power of film. Over the past decade, her vision has guided the organization’s evolution to become an essential part of the cultural landscape in the North Bay, offering innovative media arts educational programs, year-round film screenings, and its annual film festival. As executive director, Kathryn has raised more than $8M for True West, and has established the organization as a valued resource and trusted partner to nonprofits, civic organizations, and the local business community. Prior to founding True West, she helped launch The Clover Theater in Cloverdale.

Kathryn was appointed to the Sonoma County Economic Development Board in 2017, and currently serves as Chair. The Press Democrat named her one of 23 “People to Watch” (2022) and one of 30 “Women to Watch in Sonoma County” (2018). She received the 2018 Boho Award from The Bohemian and the 2018 Spirit of Sonoma Award from the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce. Writer and activist Virgie Tovar also featured her as a “lady boss” in Forbes.

Mike (he/him) began his career in the film industry as a programmer for the American Film Institute at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. His experience curating American independent films for AFI led to a three-decade career running film festivals in Northern and Southern California. In 1997, he wrote and directed his first feature film, Verses, and has since worked on a wide variety of film and television projects in China, Greece, and the U.S. He has been an invited guest to several film festivals around the world as a filmmaker and juror.

In 2008, he accepted a position at Santa Rosa Junior College and relocated to Petaluma, where he teaches Film & Media Studies. Mike’s insatiable wanderlust has brought him to over 60 countries in the last 20 years. He is a strong advocate for international education. He has spent two semesters teaching in London and one in Paris, where he has engaged students in making films, participating in international film festivals, and visiting major movie studios.

Tess (she/her) is a San Francisco State alum with a major in Cinema. Tess has had a deep love for film since she was a little girl and looks forward to passing on that same love to the youth in our community through True West Film Center. She brings extensive experience in event planning and working with youth. Tess has lived in Healdsburg since 2016 and loves being a part of Sonoma County’s active and vibrant community.

Jessica (she/her) is a brand consultant, writer, creative director, podcast producer, and strategic advisor to cultural and media organizations. For thirteen years, she led brand and marketing for Sundance Institute and its Sundance Film Festival, and has also worked with the University of Southern California, Geffen Playhouse, JOLT, Oklahoma Arts Institute, and more. With co-hosts John Cooper and Tabitha Jackson, Jessica co-created the podcast “The Film That Blew My Mind”, a series of conversations with filmmakers, actors, and other artists about the personal impact of a single film.

Matt (he/him) is a filmmaker hailing from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In high school, he discovered his love for making movies and hasn't stopped creating since. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi's film program, Matt relocated to Northern California, where his passion for creativity and the medium of film brought him to True West Film Center, where he is excited to take part in realizing the mission of this one-of-a-kind organization.

Kellen Gallagher was born in Sacramento, later graduating from high school in beautiful Sonoma. It was his first job working at a local movie theater where he fell in love with film and its community. He's had eclectic work experience as a substance abuse counselor, camp counselor, and even automotive salesperson. In the last two years, he's worked as an assistant programmer for Film Fest Petaluma and True West, strengthening further his passion for storytelling via the silver screen. He wants to light up the love for cinema and create lifetime experiences for movie lovers near and far.

Kim (she/her) has lived in Sonoma County for over 18 years with her husband and two children. She developed a love of classic movies in her youth while watching cinemas at the SF Castro Theatre. Her extensive administrative career has included working in investment banks, various non-profits, in addition to helping small local Sonoma County businesses. She is excited to embark on this next journey working with True West Film Center.

A development professional with two decades of experience, Jeanne has a passion for helping non-profits create authentic and impactful relationships with individuals, businesses and foundations. Jeanne has held senior positions at the American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin, and University of California, Santa Barbara. Her early career included development positions with Stanford Jazz Workshop, San Francisco Film Society and California Film Institute. Jeanne is thrilled to bring her zeal for creating meaningful connections on behalf of arts and education to True West Film Center. Jeanne hails from Sonoma County and enjoys swimming, spending time with her husband and two young children and is an Indian Cinema aficionado.

Morgan (he/him) is a Sonoma County filmmaker. He got his Certificate in Digital Filmmaking through the Santa Rosa Junior College in 2021. He's been making movies and staying active in the local film scene for a decade, starting his own production company, Tricky Ink Productions in 2017. This year he's been focusing on producing, and going forward, he wants to use his network to help underrepresented communities tell their stories. He is thrilled to be a part of True West Film Center and their goal to expand the creative landscape. Morgan has been referred to as a part of the connective tissue of the Sonoma County film community.

Heather (she/her) is a videographer who worked as an art history college instructor, a museum director, and an art curator before shifting to video production and editing. She has created promotional videos for many Sonoma County nonprofits, businesses, and visual artists, and has collaborated with several local bands on music videos. Her first documentary short focused on the unhoused community in Santa Rosa, and she is currently working on her second documentary short film. She is excited to bring all of her experiences together with her passion for teaching to the Teaching Artist program at True West Film Center.

Elias Torres (he/him) has been a lover of film all his life. Growing up watching classic westerns with his dad, he developed an early love for storytelling through a lens. Though he primarily held a background in music until college, he has since worn many hats on many projects throughout all stages of production, and hopes to use his knowledge and skills on set and in the editing bay to write and direct films of his own.