Board of Directors

Dr. Jonathan Petrychyn is an Assistant Professor of Film Studies at the University of Regina. His research, teaching, and community engagement focuses on sexuality, activism, film festivals, and Canadian independent media arts and artist-run culture. He currently serves on the Advocacy Committee of the Independent Media Arts Alliance, the board of directors of the Canadian Coalition of Independent Media Arts Distributors, and is a Programmer for the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show, Toronto’s largest outdoor film festival. He is the former co-chair of the Film and Media Festivals Scholarly Interest Group at the Society for Cinema and Media Studies, a former collective member of the Toronto Queer Film Festival, and has previously worked for the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival. He holds a BA Honours in Film Studies from the University of Regina, an MPhil in Humanities from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, and a PhD in Communication & Culture from York University and Toronto Metropolitan University. His research has been published in Senses of Cinema, Imaginations: Journal of Cross-Cultural Image Studies, the Canadian Journal of Film Studies, and Journal for Media History. His article “Getting the Queer Word Out: Word is Out and 16mm Distribution as Gay and Lesbian Activism” was the winner of the 2024 Peter Morris Prize from the Film and Media Studies Association of Canada. He is currently working on his first book, Intersectional Cinemas: Activist Film Festivals and the Politics of Solidarity, for Concordia University Press.

In 2026, Ken Alecxe was appointed President of the Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA) by the festival’s Board of Directors. With more than 36 years of leadership experience spanning public service, broadcasting, economic development, cultural development, governance, and organizational transformation, Ken provides executive leadership and strategic oversight in support of RIFFA’s mission and continued growth.

Ken is the founder and principal consultant of Alecxe Business Consulting, a successful management and business consulting firm that has been actively serving clients since March 2008. His consulting practice specializes in strategic planning, governance development, organizational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and executive leadership support for public, private, and non-profit organizations.

Prior to establishing his consulting firm, Ken built a distinguished 36-year career in both the federal and provincial public service, as well as within a university-based social survey and research centre. Throughout his career, he held senior executive responsibilities across a diverse range of portfolios, including Post-Secondary Education, Culture and Recreation, Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN), and Western Economic Diversification Canada (now Prairies Economic Development Canada).

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN), Ken successfully led significant organizational and technological advancements. During his tenure, he introduced new organizational and work processes, oversaw multi-million-dollar satellite signal service projects, and implemented strategic marketing and programming initiatives. Under his leadership, SCN established high-definition broadcasting capacity and worked in partnership with Telesat to modernize Saskatchewan’s satellite-based distance education broadcasting system, creating a North American footprint for educational broadcasting services.

While leading SCN, Ken also served as Chair of the Association of Tele-Educators of Canada, representing public educational broadcasters across the country. In this role, he made numerous presentations and representations to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the Department of Canadian Heritage on matters affecting public educational broadcasting in Canada.

During his time with Western Economic Diversification Canada, Ken contributed to several landmark economic development initiatives throughout Western Canada. His work included support for the development of beamlines at the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon, the establishment of hardwood sawmills in Meadow Lake, and expansion projects involving Hitachi Industries in Saskatchewan.

Following his retirement from public service, Ken founded Alecxe Business Consulting and quickly became involved in several high-profile organizational development initiatives. Among his most notable achievements was helping create Heritage Saskatchewan. In 2008, he was contracted by SaskCulture to conduct province-wide consultations with Saskatchewan’s heritage community, facilitate the development of a strategic plan, and design a governance model for a new provincial organization that would serve as the collective voice for heritage interests across Saskatchewan. Ken subsequently became the organization’s Interim CEO and guided Heritage Saskatchewan through its foundational year, including the development of its constitution and bylaws, governance structure, membership framework, inaugural annual general meeting, election of its first Board of Directors, staff recruitment, and office establishment.

Ken’s commitment to Saskatchewan’s screen-based industries is equally significant. For five years, he served as Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association (SMPIA), now known as Screen Saskatchewan. During his tenure, he successfully developed and advanced the business case demonstrating the economic impact and value of Saskatchewan’s film and television industry, helping strengthen industry recognition and support throughout the province.

Since 2014, Ken has also served in the public health regulatory sector as Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners, providing leadership in governance, regulatory affairs, and organizational administration.

A passionate advocate for arts and culture, Ken has dedicated countless volunteer hours to Saskatchewan’s cultural community. He was a founding member of the Regina International Fringe Theatre Festival and served as Chair of its Board of Directors for nine years, helping establish one of Saskatchewan’s most respected and enduring cultural events.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ken is the author of two published books based on symposiums examining the impact of technology on the prairie labour market. His contributions to public service, culture, education, and community development have been recognized through numerous honours, including the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal in 2005 and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.

As President of RIFFA, Ken provides strategic leadership and governance oversight while supporting the festival’s mission to celebrate exceptional storytelling, champion diverse voices, and strengthen connections between filmmakers and audiences from Saskatchewan, Canada, and around the world. His extensive experience in leadership, broadcasting, cultural development, and organizational growth positions him to help guide RIFFA through its next chapter of innovation, sustainability, and international recognition.

Dr. Melanie McLeod is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) and a recognized leader in mental health and addiction care within Saskatchewan. She currently practices with Mental Health & Addiction Services at the Saskatchewan Health Authority and serves as a psychopharmacology educator within the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

A passionate advocate for reducing stigma associated with mental illness, Dr. McLeod is a frequent speaker and educator for pharmacists, family physicians, psychiatrists, and psychiatry residents. Her work focuses on optimizing pharmacotherapy, advancing collaborative models of care, and expanding the scope of practice in mental health services.

In 2017, Dr. McLeod founded Canada’s first mental health-focused community pharmacy, Vital Care Pharmacy, addressing critical gaps in access to specialized psychiatric medication support. While she transitioned ownership in 2021, the pharmacy continues to serve as a vital resource for an underserved patient population — a legacy she remains deeply proud of.

Dr. McLeod brings to the RIFFA Board a strong commitment to community advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful social impact.

Alice Nguyen is a member of the Forensic Practice at KPMG. Alice holds a Bachelor of Business Administration major in accounting and is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over six years of experience in public accounting, audit services, as well as forensic investigations. Alice has worked with several high-profile clients from a variety of industries including Insurance, Financial Services, Pension Plans, Manufacturing, Crown Corporations, Public School Divisions, Not-For-Profits, Professional Sports, Gaming and Recreation. Alice has a deep passion for the performing arts, demonstrated through her active participation in dance showcases and music videos in Regina. As a member of the Board, she aspires to leverage her experience and enthusiasm to promote the growth and visibility of both film and performing arts within the Regina community.

Jeanette Tonita is a highly respected figure in Regina, Canada, known for her dedication to both the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce and a multitude of volunteer organizations.

As the Events Manager for the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce, Jeanette shoulders the responsibility of planning and executing all Chamber events. This role requires her to be a skilled organizer and a reliable point of contact for event committees.

Beyond her professional role, Jeanette exemplifies a commitment to serving her community. For over 30 years, she has volunteered extensively, earning recognition through prestigious awards like the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Jeanette’s leadership qualities have been evident in her various board positions. She has served as President and Vice Chair of the MacKenzie Infant Care Centre, a vital organization providing childcare for student parents attending the Shirley Schneider Support Centre. Additionally, she has held leadership roles with the Provincial Vice Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council, the Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA), and the Friends of the Saskatchewan Dragoons Regiment. Her commitment extends to memberships in the Royal United Services Institute and the Can/Am Fire Police Games Committee.

Jeanette’s past contributions are equally impressive. She served for a decade on the Board of Directors for the Regina Housing Authority and held leadership positions with the Karnevalgesellschaft Harmonie, an affiliate of the Regina German Club. Her volunteer efforts have included involvement with Mosiac, a Festival of Cultures, the RCMP Charity Ball, the Lieutenant Governor’s National Support Our Troops Gala, and fundraising events for the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Saskatchewan Cancer Foundation. Furthermore, she has been a dedicated blood donor to the Red Cross for 35 years.

Jeanette Tonita’s unwavering commitment to both professional excellence and community service makes her a true asset to Regina.

Victor Lam is an actor from Regina, Saskatchewan. He has been a scenario actor and facilitator with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. As well he serves as the president of ACTRA Saskatchewan. His notable principal role was Lamb of Love (2013), produced by Access Communication, which won a Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival.

Victor has roots as an immigrant from Hong Kong. He graduated with a BSc and MCP from the University of Manitoba and BFA from the University of Regina. Work brought Victor to Regina, first at the University, then provincial ministries, and finally SaskPower. Victor enjoys tai chi, yoga, and singing in choirs. His latest passion is backpacking through Europe and South America.