About us
Yellow Pad Sessions is a curatorial non-profit organization that brings forth human issues through the arts. We are a collective of professionals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines who are passionate about transforming events into learning experiences and opportunities for social discourse.
Our Goals
Through the arts we create opportunities for societal discourse and reflection. Our aim is to bridge the gap between provocative artists and the public.
Our goal is to contribute to the well-being and enrichment of our community. We dive deep into social and humanitarian topics, aiming to provide a voice and empowerment.
Through the creation of events, we provide learning opportunities and guidance to young professionals who join our team. The skills they acquire are crucial to the next generation of social activists, artists and cultural workers.
Arts & Culture
Social Activism
Mentorship
Our Team
Grace Sebeh Byrne
Co-founder &
Executive Director
Born in Egypt and raised in Montreal, Grace is possessed with wonder and wanderlust. Lover of all arts and culture, Grace is especially drawn to connecting threads that make up our rich global tapestry of the human spirit and aims to do so as Yellow Pad Sessions' founder and executive director.
Grace Sebeh Byrne
Co-founder &
Executive Director
Patrick Byrne
Co-founder, Senior Director, Executive Director Webbed Feet
With over 25 years of film, television and international business experience, Patrick has worked at several global companies and now owns a consulting business . A life long learner, Patrick is also a competitive sailor and competitive swimmer. He loves travel, art and photography.
Patrick Byrne
Co-founder, Executive Producer Webbed Feet, YPS Board VP
Theresa Passerello
Ambassador, YPS Board Member, UNAFF TFF MTL Selection Committee
Born in the Bahamas, Theresa Passarello is a visual artist with degrees in Fine Arts and Civil Engineering. Theresa’s work considers the human condition, particularly themes of impermanence, longing and memory often expressed through the metaphor of water. Theresa is an avid hiker, competitive soccer player and scrabble enthusiast.
Theresa Passarello
Ambassador, YPS Board Member
UNAFF TFF MTL Selection Committee
Jacques Daviault
Senior Creative Director, Ambassador, YPS Board Member, UNAFF TFF MTL Selection Committee
Jacques has 15 years experience as an English copywriter and senior art director at some of Canada's largest ad agencies. He has a deep love of humanitarian causes and hopes that he can contribute to making a difference in the world through his work.
Jacques Daviault
Senior Creative Director, Ambassador, YPS Board Member, UNAFF TFF MTL Selection Committee
Josette Gauthier
Ambassador, YPS Board Member, UNAFF TFF MTL Selection Committee
Josette has worked in every aspect of the film industry mainly as a producer of social/political documentaries. Josette loves the process of delving deeply into the lives of its subjects to make films that have the power to move us and illuminate the social issues they raise.
Josette Gauthier
Ambassador, YPS Board Member, UNAFF TFF MTL Selection Committee
Agathe Leroy
Ticketing & Registration,
Website Designer,
"Artist of the Month" Coordinator
Agathe is an educator and visual artist currently based in Tiohtià:ke, also known as Montréal. She grew up in Hong Kong, in a Siberian and French household. Very passionate about diversity and always eager to learn new things, she loves working with others on projects involving arts, education and the community.
Agathe Leroy
Ticketing & Registration,
Website Designer, "Artist of the Month" Coordinator
Ciaran Dougherty
WEBBED FEET Co-creator,
Designer, Researcher,
Venue Manager Assistant
Ciaran is a very approachable film, art, and music enthusiast who moved from New York to Montreal in 2016 to study at McGill. He strongly believes that the arts can create meaningful intercultural dialogues and valuable social change. Ciaran is well-equipped to assist with graphic design, screen printing, music curation, and much more!
Ciaran Dougherty
WEBBED FEET Co-creator, Designer, Researcher, Venue Manager Assistant
Kai Trotz-Motayne
Social Media Manager
Raised in Toronto, Kai moved to Montreal to attend McGill University and is currently completing a degree in History and African Studies. Spending summers in Guyana and the year around her parents artist friends, Kai grew a passion for music, art, film, and poetry grounded in her identity as a South American/Caribbean woman. Kai is passionate about social activism, grassroots work and transnational diasporic communities. Kai’s own community has shown her the importance of people, places, and new experiences.
Kai Trotz-Motayne
Social Media Manager
Max Holzberg
UNAFF Host
Originally from Toronto, Max has called Montreal home for the past three years. He is in his 4th year at Concordia University, completing a BFA in Film Studies. After graduating, he plans to work as a filmmaker and currently works in practices of curation and filmmaking. Recent projects include producing a short film for the MUHC Foundation (2019), programming a screening series for Dazibao Image (2019), curating FNC’s spotlight on Concordia Fine Arts (2019) and is the former Co-Director for the 46th Concordia Film Festival (2018-2019).
Max Holzberg
UNAFF Host, Researcher, and Interviews
Paula Rueda
Director of Operations
Born and raised in Colombia, growing up in New York and currently living in Montreal, Paula loves travelling and getting to know other cultures. She is a sociologist and has a passion for social change, by inspiring others with her creativity, ambition and determination.
Paula Rueda
Director of Operations
Patrice Malo
Technical Manager
More recently, Patrice has been involved in the unexpected online transition of film festivals. Prior to this experience, he has worked in the VOD industry. Coming from a scientific background, Patrice also has a passion for drumming, mathematics and enjoys exploring all things new to him.
Patrice Malo
Technical Manager
Rafa Aslan
WEBBED FEET Co-creator, Host, Researcher, Hospitality Coordinator
Born in Brooklyn, Rafa is a composer, drummer, and sound designer. He sees his love of music as a vehicle to grow and connect with others. Rafa currently lives in Montréal where he is actively involved in the music scene, working with other musicians in recording studios as well as collaborating with visual artists.
Rafa Aslan
WEBBED FEET Co-creator, Host, Researcher, Hospitality Coordinator
Siam Obregón
UNAFF Host
Siam Obregón is a Mexican Independent Filmmaker and Creative Director based in Montreal, Quebec. In 2020, she completed her BFA with a Specialization in Film Production at Concordia University. As a filmmaker, her work focuses on observation, the intimate, and themes of cultural identity. Much of her practice is shaped by her own Mexican heritage as well as her personal experience as an immigrant in Canada. Her experience in both performing arts and film pushes her to explore the way these two mediums merge in interdisciplinary forms. Her latest work, JONTAE, a hybrid experimental-dance and documentary film, won the Coup de Coeur Award at the Festival Quartier Danses and has been featured at multiple festivals including Hot Docs and REGARD.
Siam Obregón
UNAFF Host, Researcher, and Interviews
Steffie Boucher
Ticketing & Registration
Steffie is a photographer from Guadeloupe, currently located in Montreal. As an artist, her work focuses on architecture, geometry and movement. She’s currently exploring composite images creation, bringing together portraits and street photography.
Steffie Boucher
Ticketing & Registration
Tess Buckley
London-based Writer
Tess is creative, confident and curious. She has a passion for music, AI, triathlons, philosophy, event planning, sailing and snowboarding. Tess is Co-founder and project manager at École Publique Collective, and a recording artist. These experiences and interests have fuelled her love of building community and sharing creative content.
Tess Buckley
London-based writer