Leena is the Director of Youth & Emerging Media Makers (YEMM) at BAVC Media, supporting both our SF youth programs and Reel Stories in the East Bay. Through curriculum development, instructor support, and program evaluation, partnership, and capacity building, Leena supports the learning of young media makers and growth of BAVC Media’s youth programs on both sides of the Bay.
Leena joined BAVC Media in March of 2024 with experience leading Digital + New Media arts and writing initiatives within SFUSD, as well as at Oakland-based studio for disabled artists, Creative Growth Art Center. As an artist who came of age within DIY, punk, and queer communities, Leena values working toward collective liberation through the empowerment of young and systemically marginalized voices.
They hold an MFA from UC Berkeley’s department of Art Practice, a BA in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Washington, Seattle, and are a musician, filmmaker, and poet.
Outside of BAVC Media, they enjoy time in nature, road trips, weekly film-watching at Bay Area movie theaters, and making lush dinners with friends and family.
