Define American Film Festival 2016

Role: Director of Strategic Operations + Producer

With just six months and no local presence, I organized Define American’s first-ever national film festival in Des Moines, Iowa — a city that had never hosted the org before. I traveled solo to build trust with local immigrant groups, student organizers, and city partners, co-designed a program that reflected their community, and brought the national team in only once that foundation was set.

Outcome: 500+ attendees, regional press coverage, and a replicable model for place-based cultural engagement.