Celina Surniak
Intimacy Coordinator for Film/Television/Live Performance; Crisis Advocate, Peace Over Violence
Candidate Responses:
Please summarize the reasons you are submitting this nomination.
I have dedicated the majority of my adult life to make sure to help mitigate sexual assault, harassment and violence. I work in the entertainment industry as both an Intimacy (7 years) and Stunt Coordinator (11 years) to help tell these stories to the public. I protect artists in the room as they tell these stories. I protect artists telling these stories because it is much more likely than not that they have experienced this type of violence and violation at some point in their lives, as people. After several years of doing this work, I sought to learn more in the advocacy world and give back to fight for those who have been harmed irreparably by others. I found Peace Over Violence and trained to become a certified crisis advocate and help as a volunteer with their organization. I volunteered as a hotline correspondent, a DART (Domestic Abuse Response Team) advocate with the LAPD, and have also trained future crisis advocates as a coach. This work is deeply important to me, and I want to help on a deeper level. For college I did a huge case study with this partnership for a Political Science course during the pandemic. I watched 12 months worth of meeting recordings and talkbacks. I studied and wrote over 17 pages worth of notes and observations of study for that single assignment. I have followed the activity of this organization for the last 4 years and believe that I can help make a difference with my voice.
How does this person’s values align with the Partnership, including centering underrepresented voices?
I believe that my voice is valuable in this community. I have a unique perspective in the sense that my career in intimacy/stunt coordination and creating safe containers for artists who have to tell these emotional, vulnerable, and gruesome stories. Statistically speaking, almost all of the artists I work with have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault in their lives. They need to revisit this trauma while they work. I see the bravery and fear in them while they work. My job is to keep them safe and in a working container that keeps their minds, bodies, and souls safe while sharing the impact of this violence with audiences who don’t always truly understand how horrific this violence is to survivors. While seeing the impact of this on survivors who are desperately trying to share these stories- I see how it is pivotal to help stop and mitigate this trauma from the source. My heart breaks when I work with survivors both through Peace Over Violence and in my position as an Intimacy Coordinator and Stunt Coordinator. Survivors deserve a voice- and sometimes that is through art. But more often and most importantly, it is through organizations like this one and litigation. I want to be a part of the solution. I am young, hispanic, and part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I am an artist, an advocate, a storyteller, and a fighter. I believe that I can offer a lot to this organization, and I believe that it is rare to have a voice like mine in this area of support. I come from many backgrounds, and have fought for survivors my entire adult career. I would be honored to serve survivors and help to find solutions and aid in this manner and any other way that I can.
Describe your participation in the Partnership’s regional networks, policy committees, peer learning circles and other components of our Membership community.
I have mostly been an observer of this organization. I have virtually attended meetings throughout the years and I have been an avid reader of the newsletters, discussions, special guest speakers, etc. I understand that this is very minimal. However, I still believe that my voice would be valued in this organization.
Describe your skills, experience or interests that can benefit, strengthen or increase capacity of the Board.
I have a lot of experience in the following arenas: trauma intervention care, crisis intervention, conflict/mediation training, bystander intervention training, and more. I also have extensive study and experience in business, communications, psychology, and more. I have been studying in college since 2011. I am planning on going for my Grant Writer Certification this year, as well, and hope to add that to my list of skill sets.
What does leadership mean to you? How do you demonstrate leadership?
Leadership is by example. It is knowing how, when and how to apologize and stay accountable. it is being transparent about the status of whatever is being discussed. It is getting down in the trenches with others and showing them that you are willing to do the hard work with them. It is being willing to stand up for what is right for the collective. It is a lot. I demonstrate leadership by leaving my ego aside- I make sure that those I am working with are being taken care of. I try to embody my values of leadership that I list above. I also make sure to be very informed before making difficult decisions. I make sure to seek advice when needed and apply that advice according to what the situation and collective need. I also believe that it is important for leaders to take care of themselves. You cannot pour from an empty cup. I work to make sure that I am caring for myself in order to care for others.
Describe how your relationships can enhance the work of the Partnership and the Board (for example, with policy-makers, media outlets, culturally specific communities, and the broader community). Tell us how you intend to cultivate those relationships on behalf of the Partnership.
I work in the entertainment industry. While I may not always be on major sets or studio lots, the artistic community is rich and vibrant. There is much opportunity for collaboration and care in this industry. Telling stories and expanding information is what we do. There is a lot of opportunity to network in my industry to get the mission and needs of this organization out to the public- especially here in Los Angeles. I may not have a lot of money, and I may be very young, but I know there is a lot of value in what I do.
