Staff Bios
Helen De Michiel, Co-Director
email: helen (at) namac.org
Helen has been a central participant in the media arts since 1983, when she became a curatorial fellow the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. As an independent writer, director and producer she makes independent films, both dramatic and documentary. She has also produced programming for public television, taught media at universities, and created youth media projects. Her films are included in museums and archives around the country, and she has been the recipient of several awards and fellowships over the years. She writes often about media from both a producer’s and organizational perspective.
Since 1996 she has served as National Director for NAMAC, building programs to strengthen capacity in the areas of research and policy, organizing among constituencies, leadership development, and technology planning. From 2001 – 2007 she served on the Board of Directors of the George F. Peabody Awards for Electronic Media.
Helen holds an MFA in visual arts from The University of California, San Diego.
Jack Walsh, Co-Director
email: jack (at) namac.org
Jack Walsh has a life-long commitment to independent media and supporting the organizations that work on behalf of independent film and video makers. Before joining NAMAC he was the Capital Campaign Manger for the 9th Independent Film Center, an innovative cross-sector collaboration for the purchase and renovation of a building that houses seven nonprofit media arts organization including NAMAC.
An award-winning independent filmmaker and former public television producer, Jack’s works have screened internationally at film festivals and nationally on public television. His credits include director, The Lost Generation (2004), producer, Hope along the Wind: The Life of Harry Hay (2001) and Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria (2005), and executive producer, and then one night: The Making of Dead Man Walking (2001) and Independent View (1999-2001).
Jack served on numerous nonprofit boards of directors including Canyon Cinema, Film Arts Foundation, and the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF).
Daniel "Dewey" Schott, Senior Manager of Leadership Services
email: dan (at) namac.org
Dewey is deeply committed to helping the people working within arts organizations thrive. He develops a variety of nationally instituted programs focused on coaching, leadership development, distance learning, peer support, professional development and community building. Dewey is an Associate Certified Coach who is credentialed with the International Coach Federation. Dewey is currently researching “next generation” leadership in California arts organizations for The James Irvine Foundation. He is also a member of the LeaderSpring Executive Coaching team; a member of the Bay Area Leadership Coaching Learning Circle convened by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services; and has lead workshops on coaching in the arts for Americans for the Arts. He received his B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies and completed his coach training at The Coaches Training Institute.
Rachel Allen, Online Community Manager
email: rachel (at) namac.org
Rachel is interested in the ways in which people use media and technology to tell stories and build relationships. She started out as a film nerd and aspiring journalist. After working for CBS News, as well as for The Late Show with David Letterman and other television projects, Rachel started to understand the value of public media. Before joining NAMAC, Rachel served as a Technology Coordinator for the Center for Architecture in New York. Rachel's interests include fan art, serial narrative, and things she finds on YouTube.
Rachel has a B.A. in English from Oberlin College.
