Executive Team

Brad Russell
President & Executive Director
Brad Russell
President & Executive Director

Brad grew up in Virginia and started Washington West in 2011 around the idea that any “Story Can Change the World.” He believes the Film Festival is a catalyst for Washingtonians...

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Samantha Dols
Director of Programming and Impact
Samantha Dols
Director of Programming and Impact

After four seasons with the Sundance and Tribeca film festivals, Samantha moved to D.C. to help kickstart the inaugural Washington West in 2011 as the Director of Operations. Inspired by her....

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Christine Bryson
Director of Operations
Christine Bryson
Director of Operations

Christine Bryson joined Washington West Film Festival in February 2018. She serves as our Director of Operations working as “the quarterback”. She believes strongly in Washington West’s vision, which is to to bring world class film and television screenings to the Washington metro region...

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Operations Team

Backbone
Alex Purdy

Box Office
Leslie Dominy, Box Office Coordinator

Development
Jonathan Baker, Local Sponsorship Coordinator

Events
Christine Bryson, Director of Operations

Programming
Samantha Dols, Director of Programming

Volunteers
Volunteer Coordinator
Alton Bryant, Volunteer Relations Coordinator

Board of Directors

Brad Russell
Founder & Executive Director
Washington West Film Festival

Elaine Rogers
President and Chief Executive Officer
USO of Metro Washington-Baltimore

Grant McLaughlin
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Booz Allen Hamilton

James Quigley
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
GoCanvas

Larry Graham
Executive Consultant

Lauren Graham
Actor & Author

Mark Ingrao
President and Chief Executive Officer
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce

Mark Maxey
President
Maxey Media

Mark Walsh
Entrepreneur

Matt Schrader
Director of Government Relations & Public Policy
Adobe

Melissa Duenas
Senior Vice President of Communications
Leidos

Scott Laughlin
Director
LMO Advertising

Thomas Wear
Partner and Chief Strategy Officer
Atmosphere Digital

Advisory Board

Brad Hall
Bruce Cohen
David Darg
Harold Mintz
Snuffy Walden
Terre Jones