Our NSIP Board of Directors is a group of passionate people. It is made up of nine (9) official members composed of members and industry partners/experts. The positions are elected at the Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM) in April. A director of the Board serves a term of three years and then must be re-elected by the members at the annual general meeting. The members of the Board assist in the strategic direction of the society, financial health and maintenance, supporting and creating governance while holding committees accountable to their goals. Board meetings occur a minimum of four (4) times a year but will be called additional on an as-needed basis. (Board Policies)(Bylaws)
Megan Gilron (She/They): Co-Chair
Megan Gilron (She/They): Co-Chair
Megan is a comprehensive sexual health and sexuality educator, an actors’ advocate and an Intimacy Coordinator for film and television. She has an extensive background in theatre costume design, acting, and directing; film and TV costuming (IATSE 891 member); and youth facilitation (with Safeteen International). They have been a sex and relationship educator for 10+ years, with training under the infamous Betty Dodson and from several programs through Options for Sexual Health. Her work is diversely informed by training and experience in mental health first aid, conflict resolution, consent and boundaries negotiations, alternative sexual practices (including kink and BDSM) and facilitation of somatic bodywork. Their intimacy coordination training is informed by the 5 pillars and Intimacy Choreography modalities popularized by Intimacy Director’s International and Theatrical Intimacy Education.
She is a Co-Chair of The National Society of Intimacy Professionals, collaborating to develop an accreditation program for Intimacy Professionals. They currently work with Principal Intimacy Professionals on film and television productions in Western Canada (IMDb) and she facilitates classes on “representations of sex and sexuality for performance”. Megan lives, loves, creates and resists within the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-waututh) Nations (Vancouver, Canada).
Phay Moores (She/They): Co-Chair
Phay Moores (She/They): Co-Chair
Phay Moores (she/they) is an intimacy director/coordinator, director, internationally-trained actor combatant, and professional actor who currently lives on the stolen traditional territory of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlim) Nation and often works in what is colonially known as Vancouver.
After starting her training in 2016 with Intimacy Directors International, Phay has trained with organisations and mentors across Canada and North America, and helped in the creation of the National Society of Intimacy Professionals. They have worked with Principal Intimacy Professionals as an intimacy coordinator/director and instructor, and earned a BA in Theatre and English with honours from University of the Fraser Valley. Phay has supported productions all over the Lower Mainland as an intimacy professional in film, television, and theatre. Recent credits include Jessie Award winner Bunny (Search Party Productions), Superman & Lois (Warner Bros), A Million Little Things (ABC), UBC’s Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again., Machinal, Oil, and Coriolanus, and Jason Karman’s Golden Delicious.
Guy Gilron (He/Him): Board Director
Guy Gilron (He/Him) MSc, RPBio, ICD.D: Board Director
Guy Gilron is a senior environmental biologist/toxicologist who manages his own private consulting firm, Borealis Environmental, in North Vancouver; Borealis specializes in integrating science into policy and regulation, environmental impact assessment, and scientific communication, for industry clients in Canada, the United States and Australia. Guy holds MSc (1988) and BSc (1984) degrees – both from the University of Guelph – and a Directors Education Program Certificate (2016) from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Moreover, Guy is a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio; College of Applied Biology, British Columbia).
Guy is an accredited Board Director (Institute of Corporate Directors), with specific expertise in strategic planning and funding, recruitment and mentoring, board governance/ethics, corporate insurance, legal issues, and document archiving. He has recently served on several Boards (and sub-committees) of a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations, as follows:
- National Society of Intimacy Professionals (NSIP) Board: Director;
- Wildlife Preservation Canada Board: Vice-President/Director, Conservation Committee Chair, Member, Strategic Fundraising Committee;
- Hanson Vancouver College: Advisory Board Member; and,
- Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Journal (Senior Editor).
Previously, Mr. Gilron has served as Board Director for the Mining Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop. He also served as Alumni Senator (College of Biological Science) for his alma mater, the University of Guelph.
Guy is a strong supporter of arts organizations in Canada, most notably, his recent contribution as one of the initial members of the NSIP Board. Guy is a frequent patron and supporter of independent theatre and film in Canada and participates as a musician in a local Concert Band, where he plays Tenor Saxophone. Guy and his wife, Joanne, live in North Vancouver and Sechelt, British Columbia. Guy enjoys world travel, kayaking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Alix Sideris (She/They): Board Director
Alix Sideris (She/They) Intimacy Directory, Coordinator, and Choreographer: Board Director
Alix is presently living in Tkaronto/Toronto, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and covered by Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaty (signed by the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Chippewa people).
Alix is an accomplished actor, intimacy professional, movement director/choreographer, movement instructor, physical performer, writer, director, and meditation leader. Her life principles point to kindness, transparency, playfulness, a deep respect for our planet, advocacy, and a calling to uplift the beings that inhabit it. She’s also an intuitive body/spirit worker, helping people channel a clearer connection to their being through presence and deep somatic exploration.
Some heart-based, community-expanding initiatives she’s proud of include: offering embodied meditations as an act of generative/healing justice, serving as a two-term Canadian Actors’ Equity Association Councillor, helping with Wrecking Ball events (political cabarets), establishing the peer-assessed professional theatre awards Prix Rideau Awards, and being the Curator/Artistic Associate for Magnetic North Theatre Festival’s Industry Series.
Alix has basic stage combat training (knives, swords, sticks, unarmed) and certificates in Mental Health First Aid; Boundaries and Consent; Health and Safety; and Workplace Violence, Harassment and Bullying. Her present and ongoing training includes Cultural Sensitivity/Implicit Bias training; Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression training; and Supporting Trans Actors and Creatives.
Fun fact: Alix’s first short documentary film chemography: a study in light will be available on CBC Gem soon. So exciting!
Website: alixsideris.com
Instagram: @alikisideris
linktree: lintr.ee/alikisideris
Amanda Cutting (She/Her): Board Director
Amanda Cutting (She/Her): Board Director
An award-nominated actor and director, Amanda Liz, has been active in both professional and semi-professional Theatre, Film and Television for 22+ years. Amanda has worked as an actor advocate and Intimacy Professional for the last six years. She has a variety of certifications to qualify her in the field, among them basic firearms for film, stage combat and mental health first aid. Amanda works internationally, assisting in creating safe workplaces for artists on both stage and film sets. She is one of the few Intimacy Directors that also specializes in youth intimacy and safety. Amanda is in the process of creating a physical movement lexicon for Intimacy which hopefully will be published by 2022. She has worked for shows such as Game of Thrones Prequel (HBO) The Magicians(NBC/Universal), Brand New Cherry Flavor (Netflix), The Bold Type(Freeform), The Good dr (ABC), Radio Nowhere(CBS).
Karyn Mott (They/Them): Board Director
Karyn Mott (They/Them): Board Director
Karyn Mott lives on the unceded and stolen lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Watuth), Stó:lō, and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations of the Coast Salish peoples and was raised in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). They are an Intimacy Professional and actor. A graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA in Acting Program and an active member of CAEA and ACTRA/UBCP. They have acted in the role of Workshop Coordinator for NSIP since September 2020 and became an official member of the board in May 2021.
Karyn (aka Lil’Ginge) knew at age 6 that they would pursue a career in the arts and is honoured to be part of this amazing and integral society and board. Karyn has been working professionally in theatre for the past 16 years and in Film and Television for the past 8 years. They are grateful to have the opportunity to bring their skill set to another branch of the arts discipline.
Karyn specializes in nonviolent/compassionate communication, anti-bullying, and actor liaison and advocacy. Karyn’s deepest sense of purpose has come from maintaining the physical and mental well-being of those they work with and as such has sought accreditation in Standard and Child First Aid and CPR, Mental Health First Aid, Psychological First Aid, Trauma and Addiction, Workplace Bullying and Harassment and Bystander Intervention Training.
Karyn has spent the last two and a half years immersed in training with various Intimacy Professional Organizations and is currently in their apprenticeship stage with Principal Intimacy Professionals. A passionate learner, they are always looking for opportunities to broaden, expand and enhance their skill set.
Their years working in several different capacities in the arts make them a valuable and integral part of any team. Always infusing gratitude, laughter and passion into their work, they have an intrinsic ability to connect with others.
Karyn has daily practices for her physical, mental and spiritual well-being and on days off can be found adventuring in the wilderness or cooking up a meal to share with others. A proud Zaza, Aunty and Dog parent. They thrive in human connection.
GO RAIBH MAITH AGAT
JOIN US!
NSIP is currently inviting new members to let their name stand for election to our Board of Directors at our AGM.
Our Board has an interest in consent and the arts with high social impact and are strong advocates for change in the arts industries. To be considered for election, interested parties can express their interest in a board position and be nominated for election at the yearly AGM. Nominations need to be submitted fourteen (14) days before the AGM. Only positions coming up for re-election are available for nomination submission.
NSIP Board Directors:
- Grow and help make decisions to shape the direction of the society
- Building relationships to support the society
- Monitor and plan the yearly budget and finances of the society
- Maintenance, support and creation of governance
- Support committees success with accountability to their goals
- Participate in monthly board/committee meetings where applicable
- Review Membership applications
Previous board experience is undoubtedly an asset but not required.
For more information, please reach out through our contact form and put “ATTN: NSIP Chair” at the top of the message.
Location of Opportunity: Canada
Meetings: Will take place online (no requirement for travel)
Duration: Long-term, Ongoing (1-3 years)
Certification or Education Required: just your passion!
What we are looking for: Critical thinking, advocacy, community connections, passion for change
Areas of experience: Background in law, finance, fundraising/fund development, diversity and human resources.
Applicable Interests: Theatre, Education, social issues, community and business relations, accounting, finance, fundraising, human resources, law