FXHQ TEAM

AMAN GUPTA
PRESIDENT

A man who needs no introduction. (See what we did there). Aman Gupta, President of FAN EXPO HQ lives, breathes and oversees everything at this fan-charged mothership. Seeing as he has no interest in wasting time here is what you need-to-know: his hero is Superman, he may be related to the person who invented the number zero, he will never go white water rafting, January should be eliminated as a month, if Fred Flinstone was real they would be best friends, and finally, his favourite quote is, “Get to the point”!

Hmm. This might’ve been longer than he would want.

ANDREW MOYES
VICE PRESIDENT

Andrew Moyes, Vice President is a busy man. Across all of our many many huge shows, he has the ability to make it appear as if he’s in several places at once. Usually to everyone’s shock though he actually isn’t. But, he notes, it’s a superhero power he very much wishes he had. Maybe one of his clones can take a vacation on the beach for some much-needed sun and fun.

EDLIRA NURKA
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

Edlira Nurka, Vice President, Commercial Operations has many titles but there is one she goes by often here at FAN EXPO HQ; the “Problem Solver”. Every day presents a new challenge and she deftly adapts and finds a solution. But everyone needs a break so when the work is done she unwinds with some episodes of Friends, hangs with family, and daydreams of Julia Roberts playing her in a movie about her life. So what’s the one problem she cannot fix? Drivers who drive slow in the fast lane. Us too, Edlira. Us too.

KATHRYN EVES-MAHARAJ (SHE/HER)
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING

During the day, Kathryn Eves-Maharaj spends her time directing FAN EXPO’s many branding initiatives. However, her secret identity is that she is... Wonder Woman. With style and countless pairs of shoes, Kathryn is capable of lassoing together ambitious projects with focus and vision. On her off hours, she takes flight in the skies, traveling to new cities. But like all great heroes, she has an arch-nemesis: exclamation marks. Nevertheless, nothing will stand in the way of her destiny of being a wonderful mom to her newborn child and leading the charge for new creative opportunities.

BROCK BOYD-TAYLOR (HE/HIM)
STRATEGY & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Are you game? Because Brock is. He’s a big fan of board game nights becoming a legit social plan. Brock is always down to roll the dice with friends, especially since his library of games has expanded. Step aside Risk and Monopoly, there’s a ton of new players in town. Okay, maybe Monopoly: Star Wars can stay. That game was Brock’s first encounter with the world of fandom and his family’s copy is still standing strong. Besides board games, Brock is also a fan of video games, sports — call it football, not soccer — and his cats. His cats could use a playmate though, which is why Brock would love to get them a dog. That’s the dream.

JANIE POPE (SHE/HER)
SHOW MANAGER

Janie’s first experience in Fandom was watching Star Wars and Jurassic Park as a kid. It’s a good thing her little brother introduced her to those worlds or she might not be the fan we know today. Janie has way more stuffed animals than she thinks any adult should, mainly from Disney and Universal. She says that plush of the Minions, Porgs (from Star Wars), Grogu and a variety of Pixar characters are just too cute to resist so she must have them. If you ever meet Janie, please just know that she is not actually related to the Pope, despite her last name. She gets that a lot.

KATIE LOOMIS (SHE/HER)
SHOW MANAGER

The Proclaimers may be willing to walk 500 miles, but Katie will never again drive 1600 miles alone. You can usually find her spending time with family & friends, being an aunt to the “coolest kid on the planet”, walking her dog or planning her next adventure. You’ll also find her watching British crime dramas. They’re her go-to viewing content right now. Knowing that, we think it’s easy to deduce which fictional character she’d be best friends with: Sherlock Holmes. Holmes wasn’t her first taste of fandom though. Her first experience was watching hockey as a kid; something that she hasn’t stopped doing since then.

CHELSEA MANGOLD (SHE/HER)
SHOW MANAGER

It’s time to meet Mike Mangold, the world champion Red Bull Air Racing Pilot. Wait. No, sorry. He’s Chelsea’s uncle. It’s pretty cool to be related to someone famous! What’s not cool is E.T. - Chelsea is terrified of that alien movie & will never watch it again. Chelsea grew up watching Disney movies as a kid & she’s been a fan ever since. She loves spending time with her family, with her dog, and traveling the world as often as she can. What Chelsea doesn’t love is when people don’t return her calls. Just call her back! It’s not that hard. Plus, then you can hear all about her love for tacos, shoes, & Schitt’s Creek.

JACKIE BRUCE (SHE/HER)
SHOW MANAGER

Jackie is a Star Wars fan through and through. From dressing up as Darth Vader in Kindergarten to searching far and wide for a Hot Toys Princess Leia (Hoth), she spends her days dreaming of being in a galaxy far, far away. Jackie truly believes that seeing Luke Skywalker in his prime return in The Mandalorian was one of the most emotional moments of her entire life. That being said, Luke is actually not the character she would be best friends with. That honor goes to Han Solo. Jackie relates to his desire to do the right thing, but without always making the wisest of decisions.

AARTI PATEL (SHE/HER)
ASSOCIATE SHOW MANAGER

Aarti Patel believes in punctuality. You see when you have to monitor the day-to-day of huge events you don’t have the luxury of being slow or the patience for people who suddenly stop to check their phone. No, every day is go-go-go. So what does she make time for, you ask? Well, she loves painting and cooking new recipes. She also moonlights as The Diamond Lady at the office. But under that luxurious exterior, there is one thing she desires: being friends with Brooke from One Tree Hill.

KENNY GAUDINEZ (HE/HIM)
PROJECT MANAGER

Seen any fun things to buy on TikTok recently? Kenny loves scrolling TikTok to find new products he never knew he needed. He's always ready to hit "add to cart." His intro into fandom was the 2002 Spider-Man movie and the web-slinging teen has been his fave superhero ever since. Speaking of movies, Kenny's #1 is Back to the Future. If he stumbles across it on TV, he has to finish it. He also loves it for nostalgic reasons as it was the movie him and his wife watched on their first date. The other love of his life? Gaming. So, if you’re looking for recs on the latest and greatest games, Kenny is your guy.

BETTY FAN (SHE/HER)
PROJECT COORDINATOR

If you asked Betty what the number one Pokémon is, she’d say Bulbasaur, and that’s not just because it’s the first entry in the Pokédex. Betty has been a fan of Pokémon since elementary school and has now built up a collection of Bulbasaur memorabilia with everything from shirts and earrings to figures and posters. Also, a real life Bulbasaur would’ve been very helpful for the time she dropped her phone in a sewer. Vine whip? A lifesaver. Besides Pokémon, Betty also loves gaming, Pride and Prejudice, The Hunger Games, and Taylor Swift.

TONI CHIN (SHE/HER)
OPERATIONS MANAGER

Once upon a time, Toni Chin, Operations Manager was busy doing her job and being a superstar at it. She was answering emails on time and recalling memories of being a Summer Camp director when something stopped her in her tracks. Someone had emailed a “Thank you” for a job well done for another awesome birthday party game she had created--- but something was off. She inspected the email closer until she found it: the [REDACTED] individual had spelled her name as “Tony” instead of Toni. And that’s how she became The Riddler.

BREANNE RUSKOWSKY (SHE/HER)
SENIOR OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

You can sum up Breanne with two words: Books & Mugs. If she isn’t reading, she’s looking for more books to read. If she isn’t doing that, she’s finding new mugs to add to her ever-growing collection. She firmly believes that there is always a different mug for every mood and situation. Breanne’s favourite movie is Jurassic Park (although she does enjoy Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World. And Jurassic Park 3. and Jurassic World. Oh, and also Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.) On an emotional level, Breanne is sure she’s related to Alan from the Jurassic Park franchise.

KAYLA SMITH (SHE/HER)
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Grab your dancing shoes, a reliable fanny pack, & a copy of Singing in the Rain: it’s time to meet Kayla. If you’re a fan of glitter & Minnie Mouse, we think you two would get along. When Kayla isn’t helping put on amazing FAN EXPO shows, you can find her hiking, going to concerts, and collecting Broadway Playbills. You’ll never find her skydiving again though. Kayla’s perfect evening would include watching Below Deck and eating a loaded baked potato. Her earliest experience with Fandom was going to all of the Jets home games with her Grandfather. She’s been a football fan ever since.

AUTUMN HATHAWAY (SHE/HER)
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Pop-ups? She’s there. Autumn loves unique experiences, themed spaces, and sharing good company. As a fan of pop-culture, she started out with New Kids on the Block and Teen Beat magazine and is now also a fan of movies and shows, especially Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you want to talk '90s or Buffy, she's your girl. Autumn is also a frequenter of pop culture conventions–hey, she loves what she does. So, if you see her on a show floor, be sure to wave hi. Like many fandom fans, she’s a collector and proudly owns the magic that comes with many Minnie Mouse ears.

LEAH SALINAS (SHE/HER)
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Since she was young, Leah has loved magic. It started out with trips to Disney World and has now expanded into the magic of DIY, the enchanted feeling behind creating the perfect outfit, and Harry Potter. In particular, the world of witchcraft and wizardry holds a special place in Leah’s heart as her fave actress, Helena Bonham Carter, is in the series and she relates a lot to the brightest witch to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts, Hermione. Like Hermione, Leah loves to read and would be very clever with her use of magic if she’s ever sent an owl.

ALEJANDRA ANDERSON (SHE/HER)
EVENT OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Alejandra, AKA Ale, loves the movie Finding Nemo. It takes her back to her childhood and she can relate to many aspects of the movie, especially Dory. Just keep swimming, you know? Speaking of swimming, Ale is an incredible swimmer and was part of the national swimming team for El Salvador. She even held two national records. Aside from swimming, she enjoys spending her free time attending musicals, walking her dogs, and eating avocado toast. If you have a restaurant recommendation for avocado toast and eggs, pass it onto Ale. It’s her fave.

ERIN LUCCA
TALENT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Don’t forget to proofread your writing before you send it over to Erin. Her biggest pet peeve is bad spelling and Erin has done her fair share of reading, especially with comic books. Erin’s love of fandom started in junior high when she hit up a hobby store for the first time and picked up some comics. Since then, her collection has only grown and she’s still collecting them to this day. Her dream find would be a Giant-Size X-Men #1, so if you see one while you’re out and about, let her know. Erin’s other favorite thing to collect? Shoes. Her husband says she has too many, but that’s subjective. If you’re going on a caffeine run, don’t forget to pick up a cup for Erin. She takes her sugar with a splash of coffee.

DEANNA SCHWENDIMAN (SHE/HER)
TALENT BOOKING COORDINATOR

Deanna, otherwise known as D, has been part of the FAN EXPO fam since 2021 but became full-time in 2023. She first encountered the wonderful world of fandom when she volunteered for Comic Con back in 2015 with the hopes of catching a glimpse of Matt Smith. Her dreams came true when she was stationed at the end of his table and her love of all things geeky only grew from there. Now, she’s a big fan of the movie The Crow and the show Outlander. If you were to ask D what she like collecting, she’d tell you bottles of lotion. She has a whole bookcase of them – self-care is important. If you’re ever looking around for her at a show, just look for the one wearing all black.

KIMMIE DIAMANDOPOL
TALENT OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

If you have a life-sized stormtrooper that you’re looking to rehome, Kimmie's very down to take them in. She’s a big Star Wars fan and would gladly take The Empire Strikes Back on loop as her only source of entertainment. Despite her love of the action-packed sci-fi epic, Kimmie is known for being the calm within the chaos in her team. She always keeps a level head and a positive attitude no matter what’s going on. She also just loves the energetic con atmosphere overall. She remembers the feeling of walking into her very first comic con and the thrill of being part of something grand. That collective energy is incomparable.

BROOKE MARCHAND (SHE/HER)
TALENT BOOKING COORDINATOR

If you want to get to know Brooke, just strike up a conversation about witchcraft and wizardry. She's been a fan of fantasy since she watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in theatres about a decade ago. Despite her love of fantasy, the one movie she could watch on repeat is Almost Famous — it makes her happy. It’s not hard to find Brooke in a good mood though as she’s known for being a ray of positivity. She’s also known for saying “slay” too much, and that's not just because her current favorite TV show is House of the Dragon.

LIAM FLEMING (HE/HIM)
PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

When Liam Fleming is not busy being the Partnerships Director US, he’s a man who has many questions about this thing called life. For instance, he asked on one particularly frigid Sunday, “Why ride an e-scooter with one wheel and not two”? Then, in the early hours of dawn on a Wednesday, he said under his breath: “ Does February truly exist? Also, why do people get on the subway before other people have gotten off”? Perhaps, Liam, some questions aren’t meant to be answered. Fortunately, his curiosity is an asset to FAN EXPO HQ.

CLAUDIA WIESE (SHE/HER)
SENIOR MANAGER, EXHIBITOR & SPONSORSHIP RELATIONS

Claudia’s earliest adventure into Fandom was waiting in line for the 4th Harry Potter book release at Chapters. Since then, you can catch her watching True Detective (Season 1), Grand Budapest Hotel, or daydreaming about being best friends with Deb Morgan from Dexter. If someone from the Fandom world were going to play Claudia in a movie about her life, it would have to be Jennifer Lawrence. That’s for sure. If you’re the type of person to wear socks & sandals while watching TikTok, it’s generally best to steer clear of Claudia. Just a fair warning. If you like yoga, hiking or veggies & humus however, you and Claudia will get along just fine.

GEORGE ZOTTI (HE/HIM)
SALES & EXHIBITOR RELATIONS MANAGER

From being a vendor at the very first FAN EXPO HQ to becoming Sales and Exhibitor Relations Manager, George Zotti aka G-man has seen it all… maybe too much. So it’s no surprise that if he was a superhero he would want the powers of the Vision or Martian Manhunter because, well, they seemingly have every power. When he’s not being an all-powerful God (get it? G-man?) you can find him solving problems on the fly and making sure everyone has a good show.

ALEX WER (HE/HIM)
SALES MANAGER

Introducing the award-winning pumpkin artist, The Pumpkin Geek. When Alex isn’t winning awards for his jaw-dropping pumpkin carvings, he’s writing and recording music in his studio. Did we mention that he once got offered a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1993? He’s also managed to master the art of becoming Spider-Man… he’s jumped off his roof many times and never been hurt. In his off time, you can find Alex watching Friends, Modern Family, This is Us or any of Emily Blunt’s projects (he loves everything she does).

RICHARD CAPOBIANCO (HE/HIM)
ACCOUNT MANAGER

We advise not doing a TikTok dance in front of Richard. He’s not gonna like that. You can ask him about his interview with Todd McFarlane though. He managed to successfully get through an interview on stage without prepping anything in advance. Richard says it’s his greatest achievement. He got hooked on fandom when he was only six years old and met Jerry Robinson (creator of The Joker). He’s been in the fandom world (and collecting Comic Sketches) ever since. Speaking of comics, if Richard could have anything in the world that he doesn’t already have, it would be an Action Comics #1. Someone get this man his comic!

JIMMY ZHAO (HE/HIM)
SALES ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

Kung Fu Panda is the perfect movie, according to Jimmy. Don’t bother trying to argue with him about it though since he would use the power to freeze time to think of the perfect comeback to your argument. As the movie lover he is, Jimmy will never understand why things that could be on the big screen end up as television shows. Except for sitcoms about married couples who don’t hate each other; those we could use more of. Speaking of married couples, Jimmy loves his wife very much and considers her his hero. He also has a love for spicy food with his favorite meal being spicy sesame liang pi, which makes sense since the one thing he couldn’t live without is hot sauce.

DD HERNANDEZ (SHE/HER)
CLIENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR

With her 75lb pomsky named Koa at her side, DD is ready to take on the robot uprising. No really, why are you all giving AI and ChatGPT so much power? If you are going to keep talking to them, then at least befriend them like how DD would with Light Yagami. It’s always a smart idea to be on the good side of the guy with the pen and scary notebook. Along with her real dog, she’s also a big fan of dog plushies, but has rules about collecting them: they must be found at a convention as DD loves the thrill of the hunt. However, she may slow down on buying Gundam models as she already has many in boxes yet to be built. Hey, it’s a commitment to start one.

NIKO HARRIS (HE/HIM)
SALES ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

Niko is always ready for a throwback, especially if it’s related to The Golden Girls. Thank you for being a friend, Niko. And thanks to Niko’s older brother for introducing him to fandom through comic books. Now, as an adult, Niko is a fan of Daredevil and Black Panther. You never forget your first fandom. Niko is also a hero himself as he's a dad to two incredible twins.

ALICIA CASTILLO (SHE/HER)
SALES ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

Meet Alicia, a proud member of the Star Wars, Marvel, and DC fandoms. When she’s not helping fans get the most out of their FAN EXPO experience, you’ll find her sewing, crocheting, or working on her organic garden. She has three sons, a passion for Italian food, and has been collecting Star Wars memorabilia since 1992. True to her character, Alicia’s philosophy is simple: say what you mean and mean what you say.

KRISTEN LUTZ (SHE/HER)
SALES COORDINATOR

Kristen was born in the wrong time period. She was made for the ‘80s. Her fave movie is even an '80s classic: Arthur, starring Dudley Moore. As for music, she been a big fan of alternative since her Warped Tour days. But if you play any Duran Duran or Tears for Fears, you know she'll be there. Kristen also loves fun dresses and has a collection of them, but what’s one more? If you’re ever trying to find her at a show, just keep your eyes peeled for a bucket hat and matching scarf. That'll be Kristen.

TYLER ROBINSON
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

If you want to get Tyler to chat, start up a conversation about movies. He’s a huge movie buff. Though he can’t pick a fave, some of his top titles are Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, and Girl Interrupted. With TV shows however, Tyler has a clear fave. So, con-drag-ulations to RuPaul’s Drag Race for being his top choice. Besides Drag Race and movies, Tyler also loves hitting up the gym, taking trips to the beach, and cooking. Though you may want to steer clear of Tyler after he eats. He’s known for burping a lot.

VALERIE CISNEROS (SHE/HER)
CREATIVE & BRAND MANAGER

What's one item Valerie has always wanted? Her response: "Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman suit in Tim Burton's Batman Returns." When she isn’t daydreaming about being Selina Kyle's alter ego, Valerie is cuddling her cat and binge-watching TV, including rewatching her fave shows like Friends, Alias, RuPaul's Drag Race, and anything HBO. Know the quote from her photo above? If so, shantay, you stay. If not, sashay away. As a Florida girl, you can catch Valerie being out in the sun - kayaking in the springs, going to the beach, or even just hanging out by a pool. If she can’t be outdoors, you can find her in her happy place: the movie theater. She's a true movie buff.

STELLA SIMEONOVA (SHE/HER)
MARKETING MANAGER

Has anyone else here won an Anime-themed game show and walked away with a $700 Anime shopping spree, or is it just Stella? That shouldn’t come as a surprise – those who know Stella know that she used to wake up at 6 AM to watch Sailor Moon reruns on TV as a kid. She also grew up reading The Golden Compass, which has evolved into Stella collecting every different edition of the His Dark Materials series that she can find. She now has way too many books - including duplicates of books that she already owned - but she has no regrets. When she isn’t reading or winning contests, you can find Stella trying to prove that her Bulgarian heritage would somehow make her related to Nina Dobrev or Stanislav Ianevski.

MEAGHAN POLAND (SHE/HER)
DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

If you think you’re the biggest Seinfeld fan, think again. Meaghan has that title for sure. She grew up watching the show, and even years later, she will still put it on whenever she can. So what if she’s seen every episode a million times over, it’s STILL funny. When she isn’t watching Seinfeld, Meaghan is hoping to one day be BFF’s with Hilary Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel Air or buying more shoes than she could possibly count. When Hollywood inevitably makes a movie about her life, Maya Rudolph is the number one pick to play Meaghan on screen.

LAURA MAYES (SHE/HER)
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Hear ye, hear ye for Laura Mayes, Customer Service Manager and Queen of the FAN EXPO HQ Service Desk, Mother of Travel and The Supreme Conqueror of Pasta with loads of Parmigiano Reggiano! What can we say about Laura that hasn’t already been said in this extremely long title? She dislikes people who don’t have manners and is currently exploring the ability to bring people back from the dead. So, it’s probably in your best interest not to irk her or prepare to suffer her WRATH… and a room-filling smile.

MARISA ROBERTS-HAUPTMAN (SHE/HER)
CUSTOMER SERVICE COORDINATOR

If you’re looking to watch Marisa’s perfect movie, then prep the popcorn and get ready for The Princess Bride. It has fighting, revenge, giants, monsters, true love, and miracles. What more could you wish for? Speaking of epic battles, Marisa is from the sci-fi gen that grew up with a galaxy far, far away, and she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t involved with fandom. From family watch parties to toys and movies, she grew up with it all. She does wish that someone told Leia that cinnamon buns on the sides of your head aren’t the best look though. Oh well, still iconic. When she’s not diving into the world of fandom, Marisa loves spending time with her family, going to concerts, and playing with her three dogs. But please, no dog slobber on the glasses.

AMANDA BORGES (SHE/HER)
CUSTOMER SERVICE COORDINATOR

Amanda loves stories that keep her on the edge of her seat. Whether it's the thrilling twists of Stranger Things or the unpredictable chaos of The Boys, she's all about the kind of shows that keep you guessing. But when it's time to wind down, Seinfeld is her ultimate comfort show. When she's not diving into her favorite fandoms, you'll find her exploring museums, hunting for vinyl records, or recharging in nature.

ASHLEY BAKER (SHE/HER)
SR. DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR

Fun fact: did you know that Ashley Baker, Customer Service Coordinator is also a vampire slayer? This fact became particularly obvious to the FAN EXPO HQ staff when Ashley would note her annoyance with people who chew (*hiss*) loudly and lack common decency. In addition, she really loves eating brunch (which is obviously when the sun is out). Now, let us not forget she is wonderful, kind, and enjoys spending time with friends but if you are a vampire… it’s probably best to stay away.

MONIQUE SI (SHE/HER)
DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR

If you’re ever looking for a lipstick or eyeshadow recommendation, Monique is your girl. She loves cosmetics and has been collecting them since she first learned to do makeup. She loved Barbie when she was a kid and that's where her love of beauty started. Just like Barbie, Monique is a strong advocate for women being capable of whatever they set their mind to. The bravest and strongest woman Monique has ever known, and Monique's personal hero, is her grandma whom she loves very much.

ASELIA ATABEKOVA
DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR

There is no better way to relax than curling up with a cup of tea and watching Twilight, according to Aselia that is. Twilight is her comfort movie and she’s seen the trilogy over 100 times. While she is a big fan of series like Twilight and Teen Wolf, what really draws Aselia into fandoms is the feeling of companionship. Watching Avengers: Infinity War on premiere day and the emotions that came from seeing the trailer for the last season of Attack on Titan with fellow fans are memories she’ll never forget. Outside of the realm of fandom, Aselia is a collector of bags. She has too many of them, yet, she still has her eye on about 20 more she’d like to add to her collection. They’re hard to resist.

EMILY FAUSTINO (SHE/HER)
PROJECT MANAGER

Emily grew up watching the original Star Wars movies on repeat every Christmas and has been hooked on Fandom culture ever since. She even streams on Twitch playing games like Star Wars: The Old Republic. The Force must really be with her. If only she could use The Force on the bus, which always seems to leave before she gets on. If she had any superpower in the entire world, she would choose time freezing, specifically to keep the bus waiting for her. Oh, did we mention that Emily’s ideal best friend is Pennywise the Dancing Clown? Not exactly Star Wars related, but probably as loyal as Chewbacca.

DARRYL DEMERS (HE/HIM)
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Darryl Demers, Designer is a man who believes in speed and efficiency. Since 2015, when he started working at FAN EXPO HQ, Darryl has made it his mission to defeat all who stand in the way (literally) because they’re walking slow. Unsurprisingly, he has dreams of flying so hopefully he’s one step closer to avoiding all those molasses-inclined foot steppers. Let us all grant his wish that he gets his pet dragon, Toothless sooner rather than later.

ALLEN SIA (HE/HIM)
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

By royal decree of Allen, everyone shall get free Krispy Kreme donuts every Tuesday of every month forever! That is, unless you’re one of those people who changes lanes without signaling. Allen can’t stand that. In the movie about his life, Allen wants to poach Marvel’s newest star: Simu Liu. In the movie, he can finally live his dreams of being best friends with Teen Titan’s Beast Boy. There’s never a dull moment with him, so imagine the adventures! By the way, we can’t believe you haven’t figured out the celeb Allen’s related to. Hint: she sings Chandelier. Get it? No? Look at Allen’s last name!

SELENE MELGAR DIAZ (SHE/HER)
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Meet Selene, a true fan of all things Disney, horror, and Halloween. When she’s not listening to true crime podcasts, you'll find her reading horror novels at the park or hanging out with friends. She’s always expanding her world, whether it's through learning Russian or collecting sunglasses and Disney Park mugs. Known for her ability to drop the perfect pop culture reference at any moment, Selene is someone who lives and breathes fandom every day.

DUSTI TRAMONTANO (SHE/HER)
MARKETING COORDINATOR

By far, Dusti is the most humblest. She’s the number one at the top of the FAN EXPO humble list. When she isn’t watching Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Whiplash, Avatar or even yes, Hotel Transylvania 3, you can find Dusti out living her best life. From seeing the Jonas Brothers in concert to flying cross country to watch Just for Laughs, you never really know where Dusti will be. She brings the fun with her everywhere she goes, so you can always count on a good time if she’s around. A little tip: don’t ask her about the Roomba - she may have spent too much money on the little robotic friend than she should have. To get back on her good side, just mention Adam Driver. She loves him so much that she recently got a giant Kylo Ren tattoo on her arm.

JASMINE CURL (SHE/HER)
MARKETING COORDINATOR

If you’re thinking Jasmine’s name sounds familiar, you're right. Being named after the iconic Disney princess from Aladdin, she was destined to be in the Disney fandom. For as long as she can remember, Jasmine has always wanted an animation cel from Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938). Maybe she’d settle for a Snow White Pop! Vinyl. She used to live near the Funko HQ, so she has quite the collection now. Jasmine’s greatest achievement is graduating from the University of Hawaii at Manoa during a pandemic. Her worst achievement? Jumping off the Maunawili Falls on Oahu, Hawaii. She will never do that again. When Jasmine isn’t working, you can always catch her hanging out at local theme parks.

BECCA FLYNN (SHE/HER)
MARKETING COORDINATOR

Becca is best known on the FAN EXPO team for how much she loves horror & Halloween. For proof, let’s throw some rapid-fire facts at you. Favourite movie? Evil Dead 2. Item she’s always wanted? Replica of Leatherface’s mask. Item she’d bring on a desert island? The book You’ve Got Red On You – the story behind the making of Shaun of the Dead. When she isn’t thinking about Horror (which isn’t often), you can find Becca looking at social media accounts for people’s pets or scouting out the newest Pop! Vinyl to add to her ever-growing collection.

KARLI IRVINE (SHE/HER)
MARKETING COORDINATOR

It's time to meet Karli. You could also say you met Troian Bellisario, since everyone seems to think they look alike. While she may not resemble Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation appearance-wise, Karli swears they are twin flames. They’re both planners, coordinators and over-celebrators for any birthday, accomplishment or moment worth commemorating. She was also told once that she’s the distant relative of Colonel Irvine, who helped name Calgary. Is it actually true? Karli can’t confirm, but it’s a good story. If you want to get on Karli’s good side, add to her never-ending collection by sending her a post card from your next adventure (with a very detailed story of your travels).

SHELBY O'CONNOR (SHE/HER)
MARKETING COORDINATOR

Shelby is always ready to add a new book recommendation to her TBR list. Just don’t expect a review anytime soon, her reading list is over 1,600 books long. She blames BookTube. As a book collector, she also faces the constant question of “can I donate this, or will I want to read it again?” – every reader’s greatest conundrum. Aside from books, Shelby is also a fan of One Piece, The Witcher, Arcane, Pachinko, and The Haunting of Bly Manor, but her very first fandom was Pokémon. She had a ton of board games, pajamas, clothes, bed sheets, travel bags, plush toys, and backpacks. Literally everything except the video games and cards since she wasn’t allowed to play with them. Her gaming goals have changed as an adult, and now all she wants is a well-built PC so she can live her best Sims life.

TIM MORRELL
MARKETING COORDINATOR

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Tim Morrell. Tim is a huge fan of DC and Marvel and has been a fan of superheroes since he saw Superman: The Movie when he was just 5 years old. Even now, he’d say his fave TV show would have to be the animated Justice League series because of all the S-tier heroes in it. Aside from heroes, villains, and vigilantes, Tim is also a big fan of Nintendo. He always has his Nintendo Switch in hand and is down to jump into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at any time. He also collects merch that he personally deems as "cool," which just happens to include a lot of amiibo. Don’t try to count them.

RILEY WILLIAMSON (SHE/HER)
MARKETING SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR

If she has her phone and an iced coffee in hand, Riley is a happy camper. Oh, and a sandwich would be nice; nothing beats a good sandwich. As a foodie, Riley is always down to go out and eat something good, but please avoid rush hour. The traffic is really not worth it. She’s also a big fan of movies, TV shows, music, and books. So, if you need any recs, Riley’s your girl. Especially books, as she has an ever-growing collection of them. While it’s hard to pick, Riley says her fave movie is La La Land for the music, casting, and cinematography.

RENESHA MONACO (SHE/HER)
MARKETING CONTENT CREATOR

What do wasabi Oreos, taco flavored jelly beans, and mac and cheese ice cream have in common? They’re all snacks Renesha has hunted down during her travels. When she’s taking a break from venturing across the globe and trying unique foods, Renesha can be found winning axe throwing championships and zooming around the city on her scooter. From red carpet screenings and gallery shows to the latest restaurant opening and fashion events, she's always down to try something new and exciting.

NICK CRAMER (HE/HIM)
MARKETING CONTENT CREATOR

Are you following yet? Nick loves creating amazing video content and building a supportive community. He wishes he had more time to stream because he believes that entertainment can help people through tough times. As a gamer, he’s into Sea of Thieves, Killer Instinct, and Banjo-Kazooie. He’s also a movie buff who calls Back to the Future a timeless classic. Beyond entertainment, Nick is known as the 'bird guy,' with two feathered friends, Jinjo and Medli, that he and his wife adore.

TAJSHEN CAMPBELL (SHE/HER)
CONTENT MANAGER

Tajshen was always going to be in the Fandom world. She never stood a chance since her mom took her to see Batman (1989) when she was literally one week old. She has three different answers when you ask for her favourite movie. The usual answer: The Godfather: Part 2. The real answer: Clue. The Fandom answer: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. She thinks they’re all excellent movies (and we agree). She has always wanted a quality lightsaber and collects anything that looks like it would be in Indiana Jones’ office. She can’t prove this, but her grandfather always told her that she was related to Mary Todd. What she can prove is that you should never trust gas station coffee. Ask her about it sometime.

BRITTANY RIVERA (SHE/HER)
EVENT CONTENT LEAD

When Brittany was in middle school, she used to tell people that she was related to Mariano Rivera (famous pitcher for the New York Yankees). Is that true? Next question. Will Brittany watch any TikToks she’s sent but won’t download the app? Also, next question. Brittany’s earliest experience in fandom was collecting all the figures from the animated Disney movies and re-enacting her favourite scenes. When she’s not working, you can find Brittany trying new foods, watching hockey or posting on her verified Twitter (BTW, getting verified is her greatest achievement to date).

CHRIS CARRUTHERS (HE/HIM)
FULL CONTENT COORDINATOR

Now introducing, The SilverNoble. At least, that’s what Chris Carruthers’ friends call him. Breaking your leg at 6 years old may seem like the end of the world, but it was actually the start of a whole new realm for Chris. His mom’s friend let him borrow a PS1 with Spyro & Crash Bandicoot while he recovered, and he’s been hooked on Fandom ever since. Chris has always wanted a library/office in his house that has a secret entrance hidden away. It’s the perfect place to store his ever-growing collection of books, video games, & more. Chris was the Valedictorian of his college, climbed Mt. Sulphur in Banff in the dark (which he will never do again), and is best known on the team for playing Dungeons & Dragons.

JENNIFER NORMOYLE (SHE/HER)
EVENT CONTENT COORDINATOR

Jennifer is the ultimate Disney fan. From first visiting the Parks at 5-years-old and still going to this day, to dreaming of the Nightmare Before Christmas Tsums series, and adding to her toy collection from all-things Disney (including Star Wars and, yes, more Nightmare Before Christmas), Jennifer has always been the biggest Disney enthusiast. When she’s not living and breathing Disney, you can find Jennifer working through her over 40 TV shows. A self-proclaimed TV junkie, she literally has an app dedicated to tracking every show she watches. She’s also a huge fan of Howl's Moving Castle. Between the characters, the stories, and Sophie's transformation, what's not to love?

KEVIN BOYD (HE/HIM)
COMIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Kevin Boyd, Comic Relations Coordinator and ultimate Spidey fan is a web (pun intended) of industry sources in the world of comics. Since the age of 12, Kevin has been wall-crawling through comic book conventions to feed his endless curiosity. Now for FAN EXPO HQ, he swings around from city to city, on the hunt for awesome comics and… pancakes with bacon. So yes he does have complicated feelings about Spider-Pig.

KATIE MACK (SHE/HER)
CONTENT COORDINATOR

If you’re looking for Katie Mack, keep an eye out for the girl with a Stanley cup in hand. She loves her Stanleys. As far as fandom goes, Katie has been part of it for as long as she can remember. She met a Wolverine cosplayer when she was just four years old and never looked back. She has since fallen in love with the world of comics and comic-related cartoons with her current obsession being X-Men ’97. If you asked her to recommend a movie though, you’ll be watching The Princess Bride and Frozen in no time. There’s something about those two that Katie just finds comforting yet enchanting. In the realm of fandom, she’s also a big fan of DnD with dice being her weakness. Who can blame her though? They have a +7 charisma for being shiny and so very, very collectable.