Festival Director
Kris Krüg
Runs Futureproof and the BC + AI Ecosystem behind it. Started the meetups because he wanted this festival and had no community yet, then the meetups took on a mind of their own.
Read why a festival →Festival staffThe people behind
The people behind
the festival.
Before the first conversation, someone has opened the doors, checked the sound and made room. Meet the crew bringing Futureproof together.
- Festival
- Oct 28–30, 2026
- General
- hello@bc-ai.ca
Many hands. One gathering.
Meet your crew.
The names, faces and roles behind the three days. Here is whose shoulder to tap.
Stage ManagerKevin Friel
Runs the stage and the show clock across the three days, and is Kris's second on everything else. He also directs the BC + AI Film Club's own festival, which is the title his speaker profile carries, and he speaks at this one.
Read his speaker profile →- House AV Lead
Allan Baedak
Leads house audio and video for Futureproof with WPM Media.
Production LeadAlex Salvador
Over the last three years, Alexandra has worn many hats around the BC + AI Ecosystem Association, always with a focus on taking care of the people who show up. When the community gathers at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre this October, she is the welcoming force behind the scenes, making sure everyone feels supported, at home, and ready to dive into the honest conversations shaping the future of AI.
CTOFiann O'Hagan
A founding member of BC + AI, Fiann serves as Futureproof's CTO, bringing a technical perspective to the team behind the festival.
Event CoordinatorGabriela Arana
Over the past year and a half, Gabriela has been involved in the BC + AI Ecosystem Association community, and she brings that community experience together with her background in live events. Her focus is on turning the team's vision into a thoughtful, well-organized experience for everyone attending.
Production AssistantKelly Krug
Kelly supports hospitality and supplies at Futureproof, keeping water and essentials stocked and helping the welcome area stay ready for the next arrivals.
Production AssistantDebbie Krug
Debbie helps welcome people to Futureproof, preparing badges and supporting the welcome desk so attendees can get settled and into the festival.
FixerSean Cranbury
Sean is a writer and organizational-development practitioner with more than twenty years of experience in nonprofits and the arts. At Futureproof, he is the fixer, working directly with Kris on whatever the day needs.
Photo: Michelle Diamond Volunteer Program LeadVolodya Trokhymenko
Leads the volunteer crew: who gets vetted, who gets briefed, who is on.
Photo: Michelle Diamond Volunteer ProgramAndrii Kavetskyi
Andrii brings a background in applied mathematics and machine learning to the Vancouver AI community. A returning monthly volunteer, he is joining the crew at Futureproof Festival.
Festival PhotographerMichelle Diamond
Builds the visual memory of this community, returning month after month to document people as relationships grow. The photographs of real rooms across this site and in the press kit are hers.
See the photographs →
VideoViktor Serbin
Viktor is a Vancouver cinematographer and photographer who documents the Vancouver AI community. At Futureproof, he helps capture the people, ideas and conversations that make up the festival.
Watch Viktor's films →
Social MediaApril Smith
April handles Futureproof's social media, sharing the people, ideas and moments that make up the festival.
Project Manager, AI Builders FellowshipMartin Montero
Runs the AI Builders Fellowship, the Internet Archive backed program whose recipients bring their projects to the festival.
- Volunteer Program
Maksym Tor
Maksym is a web developer with an interest in AI and creative technology. A returning Vancouver AI volunteer, he is joining the Futureproof crew to help bring the festival together.
Volunteer ProgramFarnaz Kimya
Farnaz is an architect, researcher and educator based in Vancouver. A returning Vancouver AI volunteer with experience supporting speakers, registration and guest experience, she is joining the volunteer team at Futureproof Festival.
LinkedIn →
Volunteer ProgramJeremy McMullin
Jeremy is a Vancouver product manager whose work spans e-commerce, payments, fintech and AI. A returning Vancouver AI volunteer, he is bringing his community involvement to the Futureproof crew.
LinkedIn →
