2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
TIFFANY VOLLMER, PRESIDENT Tiffany Vollmer has been working in the entertainment industry for the past 25 years. She is best known for her voice work as Bulma on the hit anime cartoon Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT from 1998-2008 with Funimation Productions. She continues to work professionally on both sides of the camera, stage and microphone as an actress and in all aspects of production. Her favorite role in life began in 2015 as she became a mother with the birth of her only child and daughter MaryElla. Currently, Tiffany is the author and Department Chair for the Acting for Media and Master Makeup Artistry Applied Arts degrees at MediaTech Institute in Dallas, Texas. Tiffany served as the President of Women In Film Dallas 2021 and is honored to continue on as President in 2022. WIFD is an organization that since 1985 has been integral in supporting Women’s rights and equal pay in an often times male dominated industry. She is excited for the opportunity to share her talents and skills to give back to the industry she loves through WIFD and their mission to “Empower. Promote. Mentor.” Contact Tiffany at president@wifdallas.org.
 GAIL CRONAUER, VICE PRESIDENTGail is a long-standing member of WIFD, having served on the Grants and Scholarships Committee and was a presenter at the 2019 WIF Expo. She led the theatre program at Collin College where she taught acting for stage and film and directed plays after holding positions at Webster College, Illinois State U., UW-Green Bay and Southern MethodistU. She has performed off-Broadway and in regional theatre. Gail is a certified National Michael Chekhov Association (NMCA) instructor. She has been honored by the USA Film Festival for her work onscreen and most recently received stellar reviews as Mabel Blanche in The Vast of Night. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA, Actors Equity Association, Women in Film/Video and is the current VP of WIFD. She specializes in helping actors and non-actors utilize the Chekhov technique regardless of their previous training and experience. She currently teaches classes and coaches online. www.gailcronauer.com, #gailcronauer, @gailcronauer. Contact Gail at vp@wifdallas.org
A devoted member of WIFD, Sharon is an actor, acting coach, director and producer based in Dallas. She began by performing in the music industry, singing on local TV when she was only five years old, had a top-10 recording on the Dot Label in the 1960s and toured with an all-girl rock band before settling down to focus on acting and teaching. Sharon holds a BFA in Theatre/TV (Minor in Business) and a MS in Media Studies from Texas Christian University. A member of Actors Equity, SAG and AFTRA since 1975, she serves on the DFW SAG-AFTRA local board and chairs their ProACT Conservatory program, developing training, panel discussions and mixers for professional actors throughout Texas. A regional theater actor for many years, Sharon turned to the film and TV industry, pursuing work in a variety of markets across the country. Considered a pioneer in the field, she strives to raise the quality, opportunities and SUCCESS of self-taped auditions. In 2013, she was invited to present a SAG Foundation YouTube workshop on preparing virtual auditions. Her TV work includes recurring roles in the NBC series, Game of Silence, Del Shores’ Sordid Lives the Series and a 4-year stint as Judge Amelia Sanders on the Lifetime TV series, Drop Dead Diva. On TV, Sharon appeared in TNT’s Claws, AMC’s Preacher. and American Horror Story. Recent films include Bomb City, A Very Sordid Wedding, Midnight Specialand Pitch Perfect 2, plus a number of Lifetime and FX films! A certified drama teacher, Sharon has taught film studies, acting and drama classes for several north Texas colleges, Dallas ISD, Casa Manana Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theater and WaterTower Theater. Sharon continues expanding her ever-evolving creative tribe and states: “Your tribe provides both emotional support and creative inspiration when you need it!” Sharon along with husband, Bill Mervis, have produced several award-winning short films through their small production company, Velvet Ribbon Entertainment. Contact Sharon at treasurer@wifdallas.org
Nikki Dixon is an actor, casting director and woman of many hats. Nikki has served on the Dallas-Fort Worth Board of SAG- AFTRA for the last three terms and is currently the 1st Vice President. In previous terms, she led the SAG-AFTRA Awards Party committee, as well as, the UpCast Committee. Nikki also serves as Co-Chair of the Next Gen National Committee of SAG-AFTRA. Nikki is a producer as well and has become known for Queen of the South (2016), Claws (2017), and The Golden Voices (2018). She earned her first on-screen credit in 2003 in the short film ‘Mere Acquaintance’. Her latest acting credits include Sharon in ‘Snowfall’ and Jewel in ‘Bid for Love’. Nikki Dixon hails from Los Angeles and currently resides in Dallas, TX. Contact Nikki at secretary@wifdallas.org |
SHARON GARRISON, TREASURER
NIKKI DIXON, SECRETARYCHAIRS |
ABBEY KILLIN, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Abbey Killin is a professional actress, producer, and singer/songwriter, active in the Film/TV, music, & theatre industry since 2006. She loves dogs, collecting cool rocks (from new places traveled), and inviting people into her work.
Abbey went to Collin College where she received the Wendy Brantley Memorial Scholarship for Most Promising Incoming Theatre Student. There, she studied Film & Television under an incredible working film-actress (and now Vice President of WIFD), Gail Cronauer. She learned an immense amount from her teaching and direction after being cast as Emily Webb in Our Town her Freshman Year, then Jill/Lisa/Debbie in The Heidi Chronicles her Sophomore Year, working with different characters. Since then, she’s booked a film called “A Good Man” where she won Best Actress at Salt House Creative’s Independent Film Festival! She’s also booked commercials and print work, notably for WinStar, Tractor Supply, Karbach Brewing, Visit Dallas and more. She enjoys keeping up the work by attending workshops and practicing at home.
When she’s not on-screen, she works behind the camera filling various roles for a 4K Video production company. She is passionate about writing scripts for businesses and helping people connect further with their audience. Abbey is thrilled for the opportunity to be a chair member of WIFD and work alongside amazing women in their ventures to grow opportunities for women’s careers in DFW and expand the film community!
Contact Abbey at membership@wifdallas.org
Beyond being in love with the film industry…Nicole is proud to serve on the WIFD Board! She is currently a SAGAFTRA DFW Board Member and on the SAGAFTRA National Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee. She owns her own Production companies, Rack It Productions and the award winning Nightmare Collective. She is a member of TXMPA, SAFD certified in six weapons of stage combat, in training with IDC in Intimacy Coordinating. Actor Creds: ABC’s All my Children, Comedy Central’s Important Things with Demetri Martin with H Jon Benjamin, The Irregulars viral comedy hit, Nudity Probable; Los Angeles honorable mentions: Amazon/Unmanned Media POP, IFC’s The Birthday Boys directed by Bob Odenkirk. Contact Nicole at scholarships@wifdallas.org  CAROL COOKE, WHITNEY DAVIS & KENA SOSA TOPAZ FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTORS Women in Film Dallas is excited to bring on these 3 women as our new Topaz Film Festival Directors for 2023. Whitney Davis was born and raised in Tulsa, Ok. A native of Dallas for almost ten years, she has brought with her passion for film and theater to Texas. An author, screenwriter, and actress, Whitney’s passion for the arts and desire to grow in the Dallas film community lead her to Women in Film Dallas. And her love for film lead her to the Topaz Film Festival. Whitney is interested in all things film. She loves supporting women, uplifting women, and watching women win! This is her first year heading Topaz Film Festival and she’s very excited for the opportunity.
Kena Sosa is an award-winning author and emerging screenwriter and percussionist. Growing up in San Antonio, she earned her BA from Our Lady of the Lake University. She finished her Masters at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she currently lives with her two sons. She has published three children’s books, including two award-winners: The Unhuggables and Kindertransport-a child’s journey. Kena is also an endorsed Creative Percussion Artist and a performing member of Goisagi, a taiko ensemble based in Fort Worth. She wrote and directed several short films to hone her craft and develop her own style, including Pineapple, Unrest and Surprise!? She is currently writing and producing her first feature film.
Contact Carol, Whitney & Kena at topazfilmfest@gmail.com
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NICOLE HODGES, SCHOLASTIC GRANT FUND CO-CHAIR
KimChi Nguyen, SOCIAL MEDIA KimChi Nguyen currently serves as WIFD’s social media chair and is an actress coming back from a 15 year hiatus! She has a background of modeling, film and commercial acting, and is so excited to be back in front of the camera. KimChi is continually expanding her knowledge of the film industry and is excited to become involved with the local creative community by serving as a board member of Women in Film Dallas. Contact KimChi at publicity@wifdallas.org |
Erin Nicole Parisi is an award winning, Emmy nominated producer, director, production designer, and writer. She was born in Chicago and raised in Texas. She is the co-founder of Kinetigraf Entertainment, a digital media company based in Dallas. Erin has worked for film festivals since 2009 and has served as the director of several Dallas film festivals, including Best of Fest and Dallas VideoFest. She served on the Board of Texas Association of Motion Media Professionals, and currently serves on the Boards of Women in Film Dallas, Pegasus Media Project, Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation, and the Asian Film Festival of Dallas. For Texas’ oldest Asian festival, Erin has served as Director of Development, Membership, Special Events, and Marketing including handling social media and serving on the programming team. In 2022, Erin was the lead programmer the hostess for the 2022 Women’s Film Showcase and dinner celebration. She has been a member of the Dallas Producers Association, Texas Media Production Alliance, and the National Press Photographers Association. Erin is a philanthropist at her core who deeply values giving back to her community. Her company, Kinetigraf Entertainment, has been responsible for donating over $600,000 in consulting, media, and design services to help local nonprofits and film festivals including sponsoring the Dallas International Film Festival, Women Texas Film Festival, and the Asian Film Festival of Dallas. She has been honored for her charity work by the City of Dallas, the Dallas Morning News, and received the Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation’s ExtraordinaryIs Community Impact Award. Erin is a lover of life and seeker of knowledge. She enjoys going on all types of adventures. Always an optimist and romantic, her life mottos are the “golden rule” and “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Contact Erin at psa@wifdallas.org |
ERIN NICOLE PARISI, PSA PROGRAM DIRECTOR