Two AIFF staff members who were instrumental in accomplishing this year’s Virtual Festival and so much more are leaving our fold. They are both moving into new positions in their chosen fields, and they will be greatly missed. 

LEAH HALPERT

Systems Manager

Leah first volunteered with the festival in 2017 and later dazzled us with her ability to organize and track complex data as a volunteer manager during the 2018 festival, overseeing our complicated ground transportation process. AIFF was thrilled to bring her onto the team later that year as Systems Manager. In her first year, she was tasked with developing, implementing, and overseeing the smooth execution of a brand new ticketing system, which she carried out beautifully and led our patron base to mobile ticketing success. She and her wonderful family have brought much light and joy into the organization over the past few years and we have been grateful to have her expertise in our midst during this period of growth. 

Leah is grasping a thrilling new opportunity, as she states, “I am going back to my legal roots and 'hanging out my shingle'. I am in the process of setting up and growing a boutique trademark law firm here in Ashland, where I will leverage my 13 years of experience in this niche field to help protect the brands, logos, and intellectual property that are so important to our local businesses". We are sad to see her go but are excited to cheer her on in this exciting endeavor!

LINNEA WILHJELM

Office Coordinator

Just days upon arriving in Ashland, Linnea joined our team and dove into helping us carry out World Film Week, as well as organizing our efforts to move into the new Film Center. She swiftly built relationships with many local businesses as she coordinated sponsorships and sought support for our big move. She helped with organizing office volunteers and even lent her impressive social media and design skills to our marketing efforts. All within the constraints of a part-time work schedule alongside her remote job as an independent manager for a fabulous folk musician out of Vermont. Linnea tells us, “I am continuing my artistic administration work with independent folk musician Moira Smiley and entering the freelance world of small business and social media consulting.” Linnea will be missed, and we look forward to seeing her succeed!

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