Our Staff

Winnie Luk
Executive Director
Winnie Luk is a visionary senior leader with over 25 years of progressive experience and proven expertise in strategic planning, project and events management, human resources, financial management, fundraising, and team development working across non-profit, film, entertainment, and public sectors.

Winnie is the inaugural Executive Director of the Disability Screen Office (DSO). The DSO is a national, disability-led, not-for-profit organization that works with the Canadian screen industry to eliminate accessibility barriers and foster authentic and meaningful disability representation on and off the screen. The DSO’s vision is to realize a Canadian screen sector that is fully inclusive and accessible.

Winnie has navigated various mobility disabilities throughout her entire life. She recently endured two years of battling sciatica caused by two extruded discs in her lower spine. Before the age of 30, Winnie had relied on mobility assistance due to injuries on more than 10 occasions and undergone three separate surgeries. The presence of severe arthritis in her right knee has often disrupted her ability to walk even short distances. Additionally, she has nerve damage in her right foot due to a near-fatal accident where her artery and nerve were severed. She deeply understands the challenges and barriers faced by the disability community. Her lifelong encounters with mobility issues and work with the city fuel her passion for advocating for accessibility rights.

Prior to her role at the DSO, Winnie served as the Managing Director of Rainbow Railroad for four years, a charitable organization that provides support to LGBTQI+ individuals seeking a safe haven from state-sponsored or enabled violence. Before that, she was the Director of Operations and Events at Inside Out, the presenter of the annual Toronto and Ottawa 2SLGBTQI+ Film Festivals and was with the organization for 16 years. Winnie also worked with the City of Toronto for eight years in the Parks and Recreation Department where her work included supervising disability recreation programming. Notably, her work with the city, Inside Out and Rainbow Railroad has further amplified her dedication to promoting inclusivity and ensuring equitable opportunities for all. Winnie channels her passion to empower others and foster a community that authentically represents and supports individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, Winnie is an Advisory Committee member for the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Advisory Committee member for CISF (Canadian Independant Screen Fund for BPOC Creators) Project Advisory Committee member for Independent Living’s Festivals and Events Accessibility Project and shareholder of the Glad Day Bookshop, the world’s oldest LGBTQI+ bookstore. Other select organizations she has contributed to as a senior volunteer include sitting on the Board of Directors for ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association of North America and the Caribbean), Board of Directors for Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Selection Committee for the Community One Foundation.

Winnie graduated from the University of Toronto with a double major in Semiotics and Communications and Women and Gender Studies, and a minor in Cinema Studies. She possesses a wealth of leadership and management experience and has developed a keen eye for cutting edge and innovative ideas.

Alethea Bakogeorge
Director of Programs & Development
Alethea Bakogeorge (she/her) is a physically disabled access professional, fundraiser, and actor with cerebral palsy. She comes to the Disability Screen Office from the National accessArts Centre in Calgary, where she was Director of Development & Performing Arts. Prior to her time at the NaAC, Alethea worked in fundraising and access for The Musical Stage Company in Toronto, where she was the first full-time Accessibility Manager to be appointed at an Ontario theatre company.

She is in-demand as an accessibility consultant, and has taught and lectured across North America on disability representation in the performing arts, access and accommodations, and disability-inclusive organizational change.

Alethea maintains an active acting career as a physically disabled VoiceOver and theatre actor. Some favourite credits include recurring as Mercedes Cohen-Davis on Lyla in the Loop (PBS Kids) and originating the role of Chrissie onstage in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day (US National Tour). Alethea holds a BFA in Music Theatre and a BFA in Arts Administration from Viterbo University, as well a Professional Development Award in Leadership in Accessibility and Inclusion from Toronto Metropolitan University. She lives in Toronto.

Elspeth Arbow
Executive Assistant/Operations Manager
Elspeth Arbow is an experienced arts administrator, film programmer, festival professional, and event host and moderator. Currently, Elspeth is the EA/Operations Manager at the Disability Screen Office, a Canadian organization focused on lowering barriers for disabled people in front of and behind the camera in the film and television industries. Additionally, she is an Associate International Features programmer at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. Previously, Elspeth helped oversee the Hot Docs’ nation Youth & Education program, Docs For School, providing free documentary programming for an average of 100k grade 5-12 students in Canada each year. She has served as the Disability Consultant for the Hot Docs Festival and as a jury member with Reel Abilities Toronto for multiple editions of each festival. Originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, Elspeth is currently based in Toronto, Ontario. She holds a BA in Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto.

Kássia Neves
Communications Manager
Kássia Neves is a communicator, creative and published author with over seven years of experience in communications focused on human rights. As a public servant in Brazil, her home country, she worked at the Federal Public Defender’s Office (DPU), focusing on making complex legal concepts accessible to the public. Storytelling, plain language, and UX design principles were her main tools in ensuring information was accessible to those who needed it the most. Her work contributed to DPU becoming one of the most digitally engaged public defender’s offices in Brazil, with an Instagram audience of over 80,000 followers. She has also worked as a volunteer supporting people with disabilities and individuals experiencing homelessness. Kássia lives in Ottawa, and her loyal dog, Fufi, helps her manage misophonia and sensory processing sensitivities.