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.

Patrick Byrne

Co-founder, Fundraising & Sponsorship

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.

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.

Adrian Lopez

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Born in South America, raised in Eastern Europe and currently living in Montreal, Adrian is passionate about helping people reach their dream. Experienced in live scene staging from lighting, to sound, to production. He founded a digital marketing agency while pursuing an accounting career, to say the least, always someone you can count on. When he’s not working you can find him doing extreme sports and venturing the outdoors. 

Agathe Leroy

Ticketing & Registration,

Website 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. 

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!

Max Holzberg

Animator & Researcher, Intern

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). 

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. 

Rafa Aslan

WEBBED FEET Co-creator, Host, Researcher, Hospitality Coordinator, Editor

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. 

Siam Obregón

Animator & Researcher

Siam Obregón is a Mexican independent filmmaker and creative director based in Montreal, Canada. As an artist, she focuses on movement, observation, and the intimate. Her work is shaped by her Mexican heritage, and her personal experience of immigration. She is currently working on the post-production of her latest short film, About Sol.​​

Steffie Boucher

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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.

Tess Buckley

Social Media Manager, WEBBED FEET Co-creator, Researcher

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.