Lisa Meeches is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the film industry. Lisa is Anishinaabe from Long Plain First Nation. After studying broadcasting in North Dakota, Lisa began her career in 1986 with the Native Media Network. She later began news reporting for Craig Broadcasting Systems in Manitoba and Alberta, where she established a liaison team who connected the newsroom with surrounding First Nations communities. Her journalism career recently came full circle with a Beyond Borders Media Award for her work on Taken as co-creator, executive producer, and host, for which Lisa has also been nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards (Best Factual Series, Best Cross Platform Project). Lisa is also an episode director on the series.

Lisa has produced numerous projects to critical acclaim including The Sharing Circle, Canada’s longest running Indigenous television series; the global sensation Ice Road Truckers; Tipi Tales, a Parent’s Choice award winning children’s series; and Elijah, a Gemini Award winning MOW; and the 3 times nominated 2-time winner of CSA’s JACK. She Executive Produced the 4-time CSA nominee and 2-time winner We Were Children, which is widely praised by residential school survivors for its power to heal, while general audiences have been moved by its accurate and truthful portrayal of the impacts of Canada’s colonial past. Prior to this project, Lisa traveled the country with her team interviewing residential school survivors about their experiences for the Legacy of Hope project. Recently Lisa served as Executive Producer for the National Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry. Her work was honoured with two gold medals at the international Shorty Awards for excellence in social media. Eagle Vision has produced 10 feature films under her leadership including: Finality of Dusk, Diaspora, Night Raiders, Lovesick, Reasonable Doubt, Walk All Over Me, Blue State, and best picture nominated, Academy Award-winning feature film Capote. Lisa spent the past four years as Co-Executive Producer of the CBC/CW/Hulu series Burden of Truth which was just nominated for as best dramatic series at the CSA’s.

Lisa also devotes considerable time to other causes. Lisa has been critical to the success of the Manito Ahbee Festival since its inception 15 years ago where she has acted in the capacity of board chair on a volunteer basis until recently stepping down to assume the role of Executive Director. True to her heritage, Lisa is a renowned champion fancy shawl dancer. Lisa is Executive Producer of Orange Daisy Project, a social action campaign in support of mental health for teen girls. Lisa was recently named to the Order of Canada and among her numerous other recognitions are: the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media & Communication, the 2009 YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the area of Creative Communications, the University of Manitoba's Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Award, the Women in Film and Television 2009 Crystal Award for Mentorship, the Order of Manitoba, and she was even Ms. Chatelaine.

Speaking on: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board