meet the team

VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY

COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS ADVISOR, SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING

Leslie Daniels is a writer, director, and producer for Obsidian Creative Studio. She also serves as the Communications and External Affairs Advisor for the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning. Leslie's previous roles include Communications Lead and Legislative Aide to former Seattle City Councilmember Mike O'Brien, and Seattle Youth Commission Coordinator for the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, where she facilitated opportunities for commissioners to engage the youth community and advise on hiring Seattle's Chief of Police, the Family Education, Early Learning Levy, and the Seattle Public Schools Skills Center. She helped launch the UW Communication Leaders for Equity, Access, and Representation student group. She co-led the strategy and implementation of student and faculty engagement for the graduate program. She earned a MA in Communications Leadership from the University of Washington. Leslie has committed to arts, civic and social justice advocacy.

BOARD MEMBER

PRESIDENT, JOHN ENGBER & ASSOCIATES, INC.

In 2010, John Engber launched John Engber & Associates, Inc., a public affairs firm providing government affairs, strategic communications, and business development services to its business, labor, environmental and non-profit clients. In addition to this client work, Governor-elect Jay Inslee selected John Engber to create and lead the Energy and Environment Working Group for his Transition Team.

From 2008 to 2010, John was Senior Vice President with Strategies 360.

Beginning in 1997, John Engber served as State Director to U.S. Senator Patty Murray. In that role, he managed a twenty-person staff and oversaw the development of the Senator’s in-state strategic planning. During his eleven years with Senator Murray, John worked on a wide range of issues, including forest and salmon issues, energy, the Wild Sky Wilderness, rural telecom and economic development.

Before joining the Senator’s staff, John was President of John Engber Communications, Inc., which specialized in radio and television advertising for initiative and Democratic candidate campaigns. Formed in 1991, the firm worked with over fifty clients, including: Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, the gubernatorial campaigns of Congressman Jay Inslee and Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones, and Congressman Brian Baird.

John Engber moved to Seattle in 1990 to serve as Western Regional Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Prior to joining the DCCC, John was Vice President of Joe Slade White Communications, a New York political advertising firm that worked with candidates across the country, including Washington Governor Booth Gardner and New Mexico Attorney General (and, later, U.S. Senator) Tom Udall.

From 1985 to 1988, John Engber was an attorney in the Washington, D.C. office of Weil, Gotshal and Manges. John graduated from Temple University School of Law in 1985 and served on the staff of its Law Review.

Prior to law school, John Engber was the Campaign Services Director for Independent Action, a progressive political action committee formed by Congressman Morris Udall (D-AZ), and a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Marc L. Marks (R-PA). John also worked on the presidential campaign staffs of Congressmen Morris Udall and John Anderson.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, John graduated from The American University in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. A one-time whitewater guide, John now enjoys the safer confines of a sea kayak. Currently, John serves as President on the board of Crisis Connections.

John Engber & Associates clients include:

• Washington Retail Association – Seattle lobbyist.

• Save Our wild Salmon – working on Columbia-Snake River salmon recovery at the state and federal levels.

• Seattle International Film Festival – working on public policy issues and public funding.

• Instacart – Seattle lobbyist.

BOARD MEMBER

FOUNDER, MIGHTY TIETON

Ed Marquand began his design and publishing business in Seattle in 1978. At LMarquand Books, he and his staff have produced thoughtful, beautifully designed high-end art books on art and art history for over 300 museums. 

In 2006 he founded Mighty Tieton, an incubator for artisan businesses in Central Washington. His primary enterprise now is Tieton Mosaic, which designs and fabricates large mosaics for public art projects around the country. 

TREASURER

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, PURPLE CRAYON PICTURES

Juan Mas serves as Treasurer for Wheelhouse. Juan A Mas has been entrenched in the indie film world for over 25 years. He has been a producer, director and writer. He enjoys the collaboration of working with other filmmakers and artist of different fields as he continues to hone his craft as a storyteller. A longtime resident of Spokane, Mas is actively involved with the city’s Film, Theater, Music, and Art. He’s a founding member of the Spokane Film Project and 50 Hour Slam Film Festival, and has served on the advisory board for the Spokane Falls Community College Photography/Video department. Mas is an avid advocate for the development of the arts in Spokane and Washington State.

BOARD CHAIR

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND COO, GLOBAL CREDIT UNION

Mary Starkey is the Executive Vice President and COO of Global Credit Union in Spokane. She holds an undergraduate degree in theatre and has worked as an actress, director, and voice talent at the same time as building her 42-year credit union career. She served on the board of Spokane Civic Theatre and Terrain and currently serves as Chair of the Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees and the Endowment Board of Spokane Civic Theatre, and as an Honorary Commander at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I started my career as an independent film publicist out of New York and Los Angeles designing the release campaigns for groundbreaking films such at “The Blair Witch Project,” “American Psycho” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.” I retired from publicity in 2000 and took a trip around the world! Two years and 42 countries later, I settled in Seattle where I've worked in various capacities including: director of publicity and promotion at SIFF, festival director of the Reel Cinerama Film Festival, and producer of the Fly Filmmaking Challenge. I am also the Executive Director of Washington Filmworks.

CHIEF OF STAFF

I’m the weirdo who loves both art and math. I grew up in an artist studio drawing, tap dancing, and playing the organ. I studied painting in Paris, writing in Italy, and got my BFA in Film, Television and Radio Production at Tisch School of the Arts. I love art history and a good excel formula. I started my career working in the art department of television shows and transitioned into production accounting. I’ve run my own production company and hosted podcasts before joining Washington Filmworks to work on behalf of the statewide film industry. At Wheelhouse, I endeavor to expand that work to provide resources and opportunities for Washington’s creative community.

INTERIM DEPUTY DIRECTOR

I am a native Washingtonian and a graduate of Washington State University, with a lifelong perspective on the unique needs of communities on both sides of the Cascades. From my upbringing on a farm in the Columbia Basin to my current home on Whidbey Island, I have maintained a deep commitment to the economic and social vitality of our state's diverse regions.

My professional background spans high-level advocacy, public relations and regional leadership, including Director of Public Affairs for the North American Export Grain Association, an international trade association in Washington, D.C. Additionally, I served as Executive Director for both the Washington Apple Education Foundation and the Northwest Cider Association, as well as Development Director for the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. I am also currently the Rural Economic Development Manager at Washington Filmworks.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

I am a creative communicator from Tri-Cities, Washington. I attended Washington State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Production with a minor in Music Technology and a certificate in Graphic Design. While at WSU, I worked on multiple video production crews and was a sound designer for the Cable 8 student film “Mimesis.” I am passionate about the arts and proud to help support Washington’s creative community. In my free time, I love attending concerts, working on creative projects, and hiking around the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

I graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Broadcast Production and a Film Studies minor. After graduating with honors, I began working at a forensic video lab as a forensic video technician. I moved to Seattle in 2015 and joined the public sector, providing administrative support to various departments at the City of Seattle. I have a passion for serving the community I live in and, as a lifelong Washington resident, I am honored to be part of showcasing the creative industries in my home state.

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

I am a proud Washingtonian with a deep appreciation for all things Pacific Northwest. I have a degree in Creative Writing from Western Washington University and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington. Prior to joining the team, I spent the last decade and a half managing all marketing and communications for a vibrant youth arts organization in Seattle. My background in the arts and culture sector has helped me prioritize equity in storytelling, cultivate authentic relationships within the community, and inspire action through impactful narratives. I am forever carrying around a camera (read: hiding behind one!) and I love finding creativity in the most unsuspecting pockets of life.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Jamil Suleman is a Seattle-based filmmaker, rapper, traveler, and community storyteller. Known for projects like Curry-NA-Hurry, Graffiti Village Tour, and The Bruce Lee Project, he uses Hip Hop, comedy, film and community engagement to celebrate diverse cultural narratives. His latest series, What’s Next?, explores various healing traditions, offering messages of resilience and hope in challenging times. Jamil won the 2019 Seattle Film Summit Pitch Contest for Curry-NA-Hurry, is a Green Room Alumni and 2023 Firelight Media (PBS) Fellow, was a past Washington Filmworks Above The Line Cohort member, and co-founded Indie Genius Media, which tells stories centered around ecology, healing, and mutual aid.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Jasmine is deeply grateful for the state she’s called home for the past decade. As a University of Washington graduate with a degree in Interaction Design, she incorporates storytelling into every aspect of her work. Jasmine holds a lifelong passion for creative mediums and values the opportunity to contribute to Washington’s vibrant creative industries. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts and is on a continuous mission to learn something new every day.