RIVERRUN STAFF
Michael Morin is a film festival director, storyteller, screenwriter, and producer of film, music videos, and commercials committed to bold, disruptive cinema and meaningful inclusion. With a background spanning music, film, and live events, he champions emerging artists, amplifies underrepresented voices, and creates unforgettable audience experiences that bridge advocacy and entertainment.
Executive Director
Katherine E. White is a nonprofit professional and community builder with nearly 30 years of experience sustaining arts, culture, and civic life in Winston-Salem and the Bay Area. She joins RiverRun believing deeply in film's power to change how people see the world, drawn to the same bold, unsettling, independent storytelling the festival was built on.
Director of Development
& Operations
Ben Umstead works with artists outside the Hollywood norm, striving for a new freedom in cinematic storytelling. As a producer, their films include "Tormenting the Hen" (Indie Memphis, Sidewalk) and "Pescador" (IFFI Goa, Raindance). Once upon a time they co-created and managed the Indie Awards, helped program Slamdance, and was a journalist for Screen Anarchy.
Director of Programming & Artist Relations
Eric Self is the Exhibition Coordinator of the Moving Image Archives at the UNC School of the Arts. In addition Eric has worked behind the scenes on the technical crew for various festivals throughout the years, including the Telluride Film Festival and Sedona International Film Festival as well as being the Exhibition Coordinator at RiverRun for 20 years.
Eric Self
Technical Director
Matt Jones is the Associate Curator of the Moving Image Archives at the UNC School of the Arts. In addition Matt works various roles in festivals throughout the year, including the Telluride Film Festival and MountainFilm as well as being the Technical Director for RiverRun. As one of the longest tenured staff members, Matt has been involved with RiverRun since it originally moved to Winston-Salem!
Matthew Jones
Technical Director
Robin Bralley
Volunteer Coordinator
Gabriel Monroe Eckert is an Actor and Filmmaker based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Gabriel has always had a lifelong passion for film and filmmaking, and has now joined the RiverRun team to help continue his efforts towards uplifting independent cinema.
Gabriel Eckert
Website/ Social Media Manager
I’m a recent graduate from WSSU, a marketing professional and strategic communicator with a passion for precision, partnership, and storytelling. I’ve worked trackside with NASCAR and managed digital content for a Craftsman Truck Series driver—blending creativity with data to build brands that resonate. When I’m not crafting campaigns, you’ll find me exploring new places, journaling, or dreaming up my next adventure. I believe the best work happens at the intersection of strategy and soul.
Juana Ramirez
Box Office Manager
Alissa Humphrey
Community Programs Coordinator
Cynthia Jaramillo
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Christian Arnder is an illustrator, graphic designer, artist and creative director. He has worked with bands, brands, design firms and individuals over the past decade on a variety of projects. Christian creates work that is emotional, playful, curious and thought-provoking that retains a focus and humanity that makes it approachable.
Christian Arnder
Festival Designer
Angelisa Stewart has been a part of the RiverRun International Film Festival team since 2008, helping make sure visiting filmmakers get where they’re supposed to go—and occasionally providing the first unofficial tour of Winston-Salem along the way. A longtime local and IT consultant by day, she spends most of the year wrangling servers and solving technical mysteries. During festival week she happily trades command lines for car keys and enjoys meeting filmmakers from all over the world while helping keep RiverRun rolling along.
Angie Stewart
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RIVERRUN BOARD
Roberts Bass
Chair
Retired, BB&T
Stephanie Nelson
Vice Chair
ITG Brands, Director of Marketing
Jared HIll
Information Security Project Manager, Inmar Intelligence
TBD
Secretary
Diane Barrett, Community Advocate & Philanthropist
Brian Cole, UNC-School of the Arts, Chancellor
Asher Ellis, First Citizens Bank, Senior Vice President,
Peter Gilbert, Wake Forest University
Documentary Film Program,
Creative Director and Outreach Professor of Practice
Deborah LaVine, UNCSA, Dean,
School of Filmmaking
Joseph P. Logan, Retired, International Casual
Furnishings Association
Kate McCurry, Partner, Kilpatrick
Beverly Nipper, Retired, Cone Health
Dale Pollock, UNC-School of the Arts, Professor of Filmmaking
Matthew Ragan, PNC, Wealth Management,
Senior Banking Advisor
Michael Reed, Blanco Tackabery, Business Manager
Daisy Rodriguez, Community Advocate
Russell Roland, UNIFI, Internal Auditor
Matthew Scharf, Retired, Reynolds American
Wanda Starke, Retired, WXII
Wade Wilson, UNC-School of the Arts, Professor
*Denotes Board Member Emeritus
ADVISORY BOARD
Kate Amend
Ramin Bahrani
Linda Beck
Karin Chien
Jay Cocks
Patrick Creadon
Ava DuVernay
David Gordon Green
Foster Hirsch
Barry Jenkins
Michael Koresky
Angus MacLachlan
Richie Mehta
Will Patton
Bill Pullman
Tamara Pullman
Jeff Reichert
Paul Schneider
Celia Weston
Farihah Zam