OUR TEAM
SLO FILM CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARIA KELLY - Board Chair
Maria has applied her collaboration and networking skills to all aspects of education, corporate branding, government affairs and community relations. She has been responsible for building capacity through community engagement, promoting sustainability and strengthening strategic relationships for both public and private organizations. Building community and solving problems are core to her approach. Maria holds an MS in management and leadership from Pepperdine University, a certification in paralegal studies from Cal Poly SLO and a BS from Oregon State University.
TOM WALTERS - Treasurer
For the past 20 years, Tom has worked as a writer, producer and director on numerous internationally distributed documentary and educational films. His most recent, the award-winning “Botso”, became the Critics Pick of the New York Times. After graduating from Cal Poly, he received additional training at the Sony Institute and at the American Film Institute in Hollywood. In 2014, Walters was awarded an Artist In Residence position at the Napa Valley Film Festival. Tom enjoys playing music with The Taproots
KYLE PLUMMER - Secretary
Kyle Plummer is an award-winning independent filmmaker based in the beautiful Central Coast of California. His first short documentary Korea Remembered, made at the age of 16, was honored by the Department of Defense in 2013 and was made a permanent addition to their historical records. More recently, amongst many other short and feature length projects, Kyle edited and produced the multi-award-winning short documentary Becoming Rich (2018). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in Digital Film and has returned to SLO to pursue independent production work in both film and video through SuperImage, Ltd.
RYAN HATHAWAY
MEG HIGDON
NINA LESCHINSKY
Nina is a wine industry veteran on the Central Coast of California. She has held numerous roles in her career, acting in executive roles at Vina Robles, Ancient Peaks, Justin, and Perinet. Her love of independent film was developed in her youth in the Bay Area, loving books and movies, followed by numerous visits to film festivals including Sundance, SLOIFF, and Santa Barbara Film festival. This path naturally led her to the SLOIFF board in 2023. With extensive knowledge of the wine industry, events, and brand development, Nina brings a global and local perspective to the board. Nina is a resident of Santa Margarita, where she lives with her husband, Chris, and two sons, Rio and Aksel.
DAVID HARDBERGER
David Hardberger’s career has spanned several decades starting in the Universal Studios Optical Department. He’s worked on visual effects for such films as CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, BLADERUNNER (1982), STAR TREK – THE MOTION PICTURE, SPACEBALLS, STAR TREK – WRATH OF KHAN and the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. His other work includes camera technician for the ShowScan filming process, a unit manager for two small features and a live action cameraman and second unit DP on several feature films. David is a voting member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. More recently, he has written and directed two short films that were filmed in the San Luis Obispo area using many local crew members and talent. He lives in Los Osos with his wife, Maggie Means who is a production accountant on independent films, and their two cats.
CHELSEA O'CONNOR
RODNEY OTT
Rodney Ott is a retired attorney who has always loved movies. One of his earliest memories involves his parents taking him to see Vincent Price in “The Fly” at a drive-in movie theater in rural Michigan. He continued his fascination with film while working for 30 years as a commercial litigator in New York City and Phoenix, Arizona before retiring to Paso Robles. When not suing used car dealers as part of his pro bono work, Rod regularly attended the Scottsdale International Film Festival, where he served for a time on its Board of Directors, as well as attending film festivals in Sedona and Phoenix.
ASIT RAIRKAR
JANICE ROHN
Janice Rohn is an executive leader and expert in high tech and a pioneer in the field of User Experience. She began her career at Stanford University, working on artificial intelligence, before joining Apple to design products and to help to create the Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines. She then moved into building and leading teams responsible for designing digital interfaces for AT&T, Experian, and many other companies. Janice has contributed to many design standards and holds design patents. She teaches courses worldwide, and is known for her expertise on a variety of topics, including design, product management, and organizational strategies.
Janice has been a resident of the Central Coast for almost 20 years. She has been attending the SLO Film Fest for over 10 years, and has also studied film production. Janice is excited to be joining the talented team of Board members and staff.
EMILY RYALLS
SUZANNE SCHONIG
Suzanne is a local radio host and program director. She’s spent the past 20 years working in broadcast locally including a year at KCBX, our local NPR station, and 19 years in commercial radio with American General Media. Currently, she is programming and hosting for 93.3 KZOZ and The Krush 92.5. Tune in sometime! Her connection to the SLO Film Fest is long standing as she has worked with her company on ongoing sponsorship of the fest, attended as a fan and has entertained festival goers as an emcee at Surf Night and our Music Video Showcase and has proudly presented various awards to our winning filmmakers. Suzanne happily brings her experience in public speaking, events, marketing and her passion for community building to the board.