Who We Are
The IATSE is the largest union in the entertainment industry, representing behind-the-scenes workers across film, television, live performance, and tradeshow. From cinematographers to costume designers, or riggers to ushers, our members are the people who make sure the show goes on. We ‘get’ the gig lifestyle of arts & entertainment workers, because that’s exclusively who we represent. And we’ve been doing it for well over a century.
Canadian Department
The IATSE’s Canadian Department is spread across the country. They function as a tight team, and each person has a specialty or two. Read on for who does what!
John M. Lewis
International Vice President
Director of Canadian Affairs
Director of Canadian Affairs
John (he/him) operates from the Canadian Office in Toronto. He leads the Canadian Department, and also serves as one of two Canadian Vice Presidents on the IATSE General Executive Board.
International
Damian Petti
International Vice President
Damian (he/him) is based out of Calgary and works full-time within the Canadian Department assisting all types of local unions.
He is one of two Canadian Vice Presidents on the IATSE General Executive Board and is also the President of IATSE Local 212.
He is one of two Canadian Vice Presidents on the IATSE General Executive Board and is also the President of IATSE Local 212.
Siobhan Vipond
CLC Delegate
Siobhan (she/her) works fulltime as one of two Executive Vice Presidents at the CLC (Canadian Labour Congress) in Ottawa.
She is the elected CLC delegate for the IATSE.
She is the elected CLC delegate for the IATSE.
International Representatives
Cindy Jennings
International Representative
Cindy (she/her) operates out of the Canadian Office in Toronto and her work occurs largely with stagecraft locals in District 12 (Western Canada).
Isabelle Lecompte
International Representative
Isabelle (elle/she/her) based out of Montreal and she works mainly with film production in the province of Quebec.
She can assist in both French and English.
She can assist in both French and English.
Jason Vergnano
International Representative
Jason (he/him) operates out of Montreal and his work occurs largely with stagecraft locals in District 11 (Eastern Canada).
He can assist in both English and French.
He can assist in both English and French.
Jeremy Salter
International Representative
Jeremy (he/him) is based in Toronto and he leads the IATSE's efforts in Canada in helping unrepresented workers to join the IATSE.
He can assist in both English and French.
He can assist in both English and French.
Jiaming Li
International Representative
Ming (she/her) works out of Vancouver and her work involves helping unrepresented workers to join the IATSE, with a focus on animation and gaming.
Krista Hurdon
International Representative
Krista (she/her) is based out of the Canadian Office in Toronto and the majority of her work is around the IATSE’s Canadian political and communications concerns.
Monty Montgomerie
International Representative
Monty (he/him) is based out of the Canadian Office in Toronto and he works mainly with film production locals in District 11 (Eastern Canada).
Nancy Hum-Balbosa
International Representative
Nancy (she/her) is located in Vancouver and she works mainly with film production locals in District 12 (Western Canada).
Rajean Hoilett
International Representative
Rajean (he/him) is based out of Toronto and he helps unrepresented workers to form a union in their workplace and join the IATSE.
Will Gladman
International Representative
Will (he/him) is located in Vancouver and he helps unrepresented workers in getting their voices heard by coming together to join the IATSE.
Canadian Full-Time Staff
Nate Richmond
Operations Manager
Nate (he/him) works out of the Canadian Office in Toronto and is the person working behind the scenes to make sure the department runs smoothly.
He is also the Chair of the IATSE Pride Committee.
He is also the Chair of the IATSE Pride Committee.
Mitch Cocroft
Administrative Assistant
Mitch (he/him) is our newest Admin Assistant at the Canadian Office in Toronto. He comes from the production office and is always ready to assist with whatever comes up.
Leadership & Structure
The leadership of the IATSE is elected every four years at our International Conventions. Using input from Department Directors, International Representatives, Local leaders and IATSE members, they are the people who chart the course.