staff

Amy Lillard

I'm the Executive Director of Whipsmart. I started my 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.” I retired from publicity in 2000 and took a trip around the world! Two years and 42 countries later, I settled in Seattle where I've 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. I am also the Executive Director of Washington Filmworks.

Julie Daman

I’m the weirdo who loves both art and math. I grew up in an artist studio drawing, tap dancing, and playing the organ. I studied painting in Paris, writing in Italy, and got my BFA in Film, Television and Radio Production at Tisch School of the Arts. I love art history and a good excel formula. I started my career working in the art department of television shows and transitioned into production accounting. I’ve run my own production company and hosted podcasts before joining Washington Filmworks to work on behalf of the statewide film industry. At Whipsmart, I endeavor to expand that work to provide resources and opportunities for Washington’s creative community.

Kayleigh Ochs

I graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Broadcast Production and a Film Studies minor. After graduating with honors, I began working at a forensic video lab as a forensic video technician. I moved to Seattle in 2015 and joined the public sector, providing administrative support to various departments at the City of Seattle. I have a passion for serving the community I lives in and, as a lifelong Washington resident, am honored to be part of showcasing the creative industries in her home state.

Melissa Huggins

For the past seven years I have served as the executive director of Spokane Arts, a local arts agency serving the Spokane region with grants, programs across creative disciplines, advocacy and professional development. I've spent over a decade advocating for arts and culture and supporting creatives. Previously I served as the director of Get Lit! Programs at Eastern Washington University, which included organizing K-12 creative writing outreach initiatives and the annual Get Lit! Book Festival. In addition to my nonprofit work, I am a freelance writer and editor with work appearing in the Pacific Northwest Inlander, Spokane Coeur D’Alene Living, and other publications. I am a graduate of Eastern Washington University’s MFA program and Pacific Lutheran University.