President

Kathryn McCarthy (she/her) is a feminist filmmaker and nonprofit founder. She is a passionate, enthusiastic storyteller and crew member. She has a strong work ethic and wants to help amplify voices that may not otherwise be heard. Since 2020, she has been working to produce her first feature length film of her award-winning script, With Her Own Hands.

She is fervently dedicated to supporting sex education, bodily autonomy, and reproductive rights. It is her mission to create art that is accessible from many different points of view in order to elicit social change. Kathryn founded She/Her Fest in 2025 to help emerging women filmmakers gain visibility and validation.

Vice President

Destiny Deming (she/her) is a filmmaker and marketing manager with a passion for storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices. She thrives in collaborative environments, ensuring that every project she touches is both visually compelling and socially impactful. With a background in Photographic Technology and a BFA in Film Production from the University of Central Florida, she has worked as a producer and director of photography on commercial, documentary, and narrative projects. Most recently, she produced a short film about empowering young women to take ownership of their bodies, written and directed by She/Her Fest’s founder, Kathryn McCarthy.

As both a programmer and marketing consultant for She/Her Fest, Destiny brings her expertise in visual storytelling and media strategy to champion work that inspires change and reclaims space for women in film—especially as their rights face growing threats.

Treasurer

Capriana Steg (she/her) is a culinary artist and an avid reader with a passion for the arts. She previously worked as a private chef at a writer’s retreat on Whidbey Island and has catered for multiple local film productions. She has also recently entered the film world by training as an assistant director. Capriana loves stories that portray strong female characters, evoke emotion, but are also able to find humor in the dark times.

Being a programmer for She/Her Fest is an exciting opportunity for her to explore new, original stories and support women artists.

Secretary

Kathy Vandermeer (she/her) is a lover of all things pop culture and a connoisseur of television, books, and films. With a keen interest in stories that highlight diverse perspectives of female characters around the globe, Kathy enjoys consuming films with an analytical eye, particularly focusing on female representation. In addition to her love for media, Kathy works in international development, dedicated to expanding health care access to women worldwide. With this commitment to promoting nuanced portrayals of women in media and improving women’s health globally, she is excited to be a programmer at She/Her fest. 

Some of Kathy’s favorite movies are Legally Blonde, Booksmart, and Lady Bird.

Board Member

Amber Vance (she/her) is a lover of storytelling in all its forms, with a deep appreciation for films that center women’s voices—especially those that explore identity, intimacy, and the nuances of queer experiences. She is drawn to stories that feel honest, emotionally grounded, and reflective of real life.

Amber values film as a way to build connection, spark conversation, and create space for underrepresented narratives to be seen and felt. She is proud to be part of She/Her Fest and contribute to a platform that celebrates and uplifts women in film

Some of Amber's favorite films include My Girl, SCREAM, & Catch Me If You Can.

Director of Operations

Lauren Megan McCarthy has been an actor for over a decade. She has starred in numerous narrative films, theatre works, and industrial commercials. She is currently in the process of publishing her first novel. Her love of storytelling has connected her with the local community since moving to the Pacific Northwest from Atlanta in 2019.

Her involvement in the film industry has taught her just how important it is to support filmmakers with limited resources, which is why she is so excited to contribute to She/Her Fest as a programmer. Lauren Megan’s favorite movies are Titanic and Practical Magic.