Leadership
PRESIDENT Cara Van Dijk - Appointed by the provisional board, Cara Van Dijk is a Palm Springs writer and publicist—author of the musical Palm Springs Getaway at Palm Canyon Theatre, former NewsChannel 3 (KESQ) producer, and a frequent contributor to The Desert Sun—known for turning local history and nonprofit stories into engaging, audience-first work. |
SECRETARY Stephanie Greene - Appointed by the provisional board, Stephanie founded FG Creative in 2002, bringing decades of valuable experience to the company as a media buyer, marketing director for major Southern California shopping centers, and consultant to prominent casinos, to mention a few. She currently serves as President of Academy of Musical Performance (AMP) and has assumed the role of Secretary of PSWIFT. |
CFO / TREASURER Laura Greenlee - Appointed by the provisional board and assuming the role of Treasurer, Laura is a veteran film production leader currently working in the accounting department on a Yellowstone spinoff. A former line producer and unit production manager, she’s known for translating creative vision into practical plans, budgets, and schedules—pivoting seamlessly between producing and production finance. Select credits include line producing Mi Familia (My Family) and Mallrats; co-producer credits on Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back; co-producer on The Deep End; and unit production manager/co-producer on A Better Life. |
EVENTS CO-CHAIR Aurora Cady is co-founder/producer at Bad Witches Productions; writer–producer of the upcoming short Vessel (and Unseen); and researcher/writer for the Murdered and Missing News true-crime podcast—championing femme-driven, resource-savvy filmmaking. |
Steven Ciceron - A PSWIFT board member since 2021, supporting the Filmmakers Lab as a script reader and casting assistant across all projects. A bi-coastal actor for film, stage, and TV, he’s a three-time CV Indie Film Award winner for Best Actor with additional Best Actor honors and nominations at international festivals. |
MARKETING CHAIR Crystal Harrell - A PSWIFT board member since early 2025, Crystal Harrell is a Coachella Valley–born writer and Senior Promotions Producer at KESQ. A CSUSB Communication–Media Studies grad, her bylines include The Desert Sun, Palm Springs Life, and Locale Magazine, and she’s been recognized by the California Desert Arts Council for her spoken-word work. Crystal handles all marketing efforts for PSWIFT. |
Maile Klein - A PSWIFT board member since 2022, Maile is a Coachella Valley photographer, journalist, and adjunct professor at College of the Desert, with credits across regional theatre and media. She also volunteers with Palm Springs Pride’s Photography Committee. |
EVENTS CO-CHAIR Silva Mirzoian - Appointed by the provisional board of directors, Silva became involved with PSWIFT in 2024 as an Executive Producer for the Filmmakers Lab production of EXIT INTERVIEW. Author of Jump-Start Your Life, she’s a lifestyle “Dream Weaver” producer bridging empowerment media and film. |
FILMMAKERS LAB CHAIR Kim Waltrip is a producer/director best known for The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, starring Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, James McAvoy, William Hurt, — Hit & Run starring Dax Shepard, Kristin Bell, Bradley Cooper - Back in the Day, 7 Days to Vegas among others. A past president of Palm Springs Women in Film & Television, Kim founded PSWIFT’s Filmmakers Lab, which was renamed in her honor in 2024. Her broader slate spans narrative and nonfiction projects such as Adopt a Sailor, An Evergreen Christmas, A Very Mary Christmas, I Didn’t Come Here to Die, and the PBS special Diahann Carroll: The Lady, The Music, The Legend—reflecting a career that bridges festival artistry and audience-friendly storytelling. |
Sally Young is an accomplished producer and creative professional with a deep passion for storytelling and empowering women in entertainment. She is best known for her work on Modern Family, where she served as a producer (or co-producer) across many episodes. With extensive experience in film and television production, she brings leadership, collaboration, and vision to the PSWIFT Board. Sally is committed to fostering opportunities for women in film, television, and digital media throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond. |
Committee Chairs and Advisory Council
SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR Patti Gribow is a respected producer, communicator, and longtime advocate for women in media. Currently as a voice-over actor, she’s known for bringing each client’s vision to life with authenticity, clarity, and nuance. As a former President of PSWIFT, Patti played a key leadership role in strengthening the organization’s programs and community presence. Her credits include hosting and producing The Patti Gribow Show, among other projects. Patti is also deeply committed to youth empowerment — she was co-founder of the Ophelia Project of Coachella Valley, which uplifts adolescent girls in building self-worth and confidence. |
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Elli Tourjé is a dedicated REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties — Indian Wells, specializing in luxury and lifestyle properties across the Coachella Valley. She transitioned into real-estate after a rich and varied career in film, television, radio and corporate communications.With roots in broadcast journalism, Elli worked in radio hosting and voice acting, honing her ability to connect with audiences and tell stories via sound. She also has experience in television production and acted as a voice actor — bringing her comfort in front of and behind the camera to her client-service work. |  ADVISORY COUNCIL Kate Spates is a former President of PSWIFT. She is the Executive Director of the One Valley Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the Coachella Valley Firebirds. She is a successful entrepreneur in the digital marketing space for 20 years, Kate has led several teams of professionals to create award-winning marketing materials and have affected revolutionary change through process automation and marketing to businesses and organizations throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond. |
ADVISORY COUNCIL Andrea Carter is a former President of PSWIFT. Andrea Carter & Associates, a La Quinta-based marketing and public relations company, helps clients spice up their marketing efforts. Principal Andrea Carter has 20 years of marketing and PR experience working for big-market agencies and national organizations, as well as non-profits and small businesses. Andrea partners with a variety of “Associates” for marketing skills not in her ‘pantry’ of capabilities – including graphic design, web design & development, photography, TV production and online advertising. |
Interested in volunteering on a committee? Complete this form
Platinum CircleAlexandra SheldonPhilanthropy Leanna Bonamici In Memoriam, Founder PSWIFT Pattie Daly Caruso Denise DuBarry Hay Jackie Lee Houston Rozene Supple | Past Presidents
Leanna Bonamici (founder) |