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Register

committee

Monique Courcy

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Strategic Initiatives Lead, Northwest Folklife

Monique is a youth development and arts leadership professional with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of arts and culture, education, and community. She served as Executive Director of TeenTix for eight years, leading programs that uplifted youth voice, expanded access to the arts, and fostered emerging cultural leaders. Today, she works with arts and cultural organizations to advance equity-focused strategies in community engagement, education, and workforce development. At Northwest Folklife, Monique supports the Creative & Cultural Workforce Development program, an initiative that provides paid internships and mentorship opportunities for young people exploring careers in the creative sector.
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Rachelle Nesta

Rachelle Nesta
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Deputy Director

Rachelle Nesta is the Deputy Director of Wheelhouse, a nonprofit focused on giving creatives business tools, networking events, and opportunities to level up their businesses with resources that speak their language. I’ve worked at nonprofits for over 20 years and have been an active member in the community serving on numerous Boards and Development Committees. I’ve been playing the violin since I was 8 years old, love to crochet and make my own greeting cards, and so many other crafts! I am a life-long learner, deeply passionate about children’s and women’s issues, and love to talk about my home state of Wyoming.

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Ryan Saunders

NFFTY Managing Director

A graduate of DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts, Ryan cut his teeth in the festival world working with the Chicago International Film Festival from 2014-22 as an archivist, technical manager, programmer, and ultimately as the CineYouth Festival Director. He’s dedicated to continuing NFFTY’s mission of encouraging young filmmakers to share their art with the world. When he’s not programming films for festivals or his podcast, you can catch Ryan trekking through the mountains of the PNW or sitting with his cat reading a book.

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KD Hall

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Seattle Film Commissioner / Board of Governor and Scholarship Chair for NATAS NW / Partnership Chair of the Seattle Association of Black Journalists / Seattle Sports Commissioner

KD Hall is a dynamic Emmy-nominated filmmaker, storyteller, professor, and communications strategist who champions women’s leadership and representation through media, education, and community initiatives. She holds several influential roles in Seattle, including Film Commissioner and leadership positions with NATAS NW, the Seattle Association of Black Journalists, and Seattle Sports Commission. As founder of KD Hall Communications and the KD Hall Foundation, she blends strategic consulting, media production, and youth mentorship—impacting over 1,000 young women through programs in the U.S. and Nigeria. Her acclaimed talk show Conversations with KD Hall, educational contributions at the University of Washington, and extensive work with public and private clients further reflect her commitment to empowerment and equity. Recognized with numerous awards, KD balances her professional success with deep dedication to her family and community-driven values.

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Handa Yoh

Career Connected Learning and Life Skills Team Lead, foundry10

Handa, Yoh (she/they) leads the Career-connected Learning and Life Skills Interest Area Team at foundry10, a youth education research and philanthropy organization, where they help set up young people to pursue a rewarding livelihood. Handa has a background in visual narrative arts and teaching.
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Nicole Hendrix

Nicole Hendrix
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Executive Director/Co-Founder of BRIC Foundation

Nicole Hendrix is a four-time Emmy-winning Producer and Creative Director. With a multi-disciplinary background, Nicole has used storytelling as the main ingredient in her successful campaigns that span across television, games, live events, and film. She is currently working as a Producer and Marketing + PR Consultant with clients like Niantic, Baobab Studios, and 9B Collective. She is the Co-Founder/Executive Director of the BRIC Foundation, an organization that focuses on increasing representation for women and people from underrepresented groups in the entertainment industry, where she directs their yearly Talent + Innovation Summit. She is also the Co-Founder of the Concept Art Association, an organization focused on elevating and raising the profile of concept artists within the entertainment industry, where she directs their yearly Concept Art Awards show. She is an international public speaker, where she talks about Storytelling for a Brand and Creativity & Gender. She has given lectures at the University of Connecticut, SXSW Edu, San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon, LightBox Expo, THU, The View Conference, Educating for Careers, CG Futures in Melbourne & Sydney, Australia, ing Creatives in Dubai, and many more.
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Save the date:

October

14, 2025

McCAW HALL

Creative Economy

Seattle Arts

Office of Economic Development

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Save the date:

february

9, 2024

McCAW HALL

Creative Economy

Seattle Arts

Office of Economic Development

© 2024 Connors & Co. All Rights Reserved.
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