Speakers

2023 SPEAKERS

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Catie Asip

Assistant Director, Children's Programming

PBS Kids

As Associate Director of Content for PBS KIDS, Catie Asip oversees the development of new broadcast, streaming, and interactive content. She works with creators from pitch to pilot, helping shape their projects for the PBS KIDS audience. She also serves as production executive for several current PBS KIDS series, including...show more


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Rob Aslett

Company Director, Artist Manager and Executive Producer

Avalon Television

Rob started at Avalon in 1991 as the Head of Live Promotions. He began to take on his own management clients in 1995 and has built a roster of supremely talented and successful comedians and actors which includes Lee Mack (BATFA winner whose BBC1 sitcom Not Going Out is currently...show more

Speaking on: Content Advisory Board


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Stephanie Azam

Director, Content Disney+ (Canada)

Disney ABC Television Group

Based in Toronto, Stephanie is responsible for content planning, acquisitions, and licensing at Disney+ Canada. Stephanie has 20 years of media-industry experience. Prior to joining Disney+, she was the Vice President, Development and Acquisitions at Sphere Films. Before that, she held the role of the National Director, Feature Film at...show more


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Jason Badal

Head of Canada, Disney+

Walt Disney Company (Canada) Ltd.

Jason Badal is Head of Canada for Disney+, the global streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company. In this role Jason leads the Canadian strategy for the platform with a specific focus on the content offering and technology.

Prior to Disney+, Jason was the global head of multinational merchants within...show more

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Kevin Beggs

Chair and Chief Creative Officer, Television Group

Lionsgate

Kevin is Chair and Chief Creative Officer of the Lionsgate Television Group and Chair of the BANFF Board of Directors. He has spearheaded the strategic expansion of Lionsgate’s television production operations into one of the largest independent television businesses in the world.  

Kevin has shepherded iconic series including eight seasons...show more

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Colin Bohm

EVP, Content and Corporate Strategy

Corus Entertainment Inc

Colin Bohm is Executive Vice President, Content and Corporate Strategy at Corus Entertainment Inc., Canada’s leading media and content company, with responsibility for Corus’ industry leading original content businesses, as well as strategic planning and domestic and international business development.  Colin oversees Corus Studios, a global producer and distributor of...show more

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Julie Bristow

Founder

Catalyst

Visionary media leader. Founder, entrepreneur, and angel investor. Creator and champion of women-led organizations. Her latest venture is dedicated to content creation for the global marketplace by powering women creators and investing in their ideas.

Bristow has been influencing how people watch television for the past 25 years. She has created thousands...show more


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Jessica Callahan

Vice President, Development

Hallmark Media

Jessica Callahan is Vice President, Development at Hallmark Media. Callahan reports to Elizabeth Yost, Senior Vice President, Programming & Development, and is based in Los Angeles. In this role, Callahan pilots original programs and movies through every step of the development and production process, from conception to scripting to post....show more


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Sally Catto

General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Sally Catto is the General Manager of Entertainment, Factual and Sports for CBC. She oversees the strategic direction for all Entertainment, Factual and Sports content across all platforms including CBC TV, CBC Gem and CBC Listen. Content includes drama, comedy, factual entertainment, arts, documentary, kids, sports, podcasts, books, radio &...show more

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George Cheeks

President and CEO, CBS and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+

CBS Entertainment

George Cheeks assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS in March 2020.

Cheeks oversees CBS-branded assets within Paramount Global, including the CBS Television Network, which encompasses CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports, as well as CBS Studios, CBS Stations, CBS Media Ventures, its first-run...show more


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Bing Chen

CEO, Executive Chairman

Bing Chen is an impact founder, investor, and new world builder. He is Executive Chairman and Founder of AU Holdings: a family of companies that incubate and invest in multicultural creators, companies, and communities to rebalance socioeconomic equity. He is also Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder of Gold...show more

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Aubrey Clarke

Commissioning Executive | BBC Children’s 7+

BBC

Aubrey is a Commissioning Executive in the 7+ BBC Children’s Content team with a remit that covers Live Action scripted drama and animation. He is the executive producer on popular brands such as The Next Step, Home Sweet Rome, The Deep, Theodosia, Scream Street, Odd Squad, Tee & Mo, My...show more


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Jo Clinton-Davis

Controller, Factual

ITV White City

As ITV Factual Controller Jo's commissions include: BAFTA -winning Long Lost Family; Diana Our Mother; Queen's Green Planet; 56 & 63 Up; Crime & Punishment strand; Trevor McDonald's Mafia; Joanna Lumley's Silk Road; landmark singles e.g Kate Garraway Finding Derek; Kevin McDonald’s Story of Us.
At the BBC, Jo...show more


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Sean Cohan

Board of Directors, Banff World Media Festival (former President @ Nielsen & A+E Networks)

Nielsen Company

Sean Cohan has been Nielsen's Chief Growth Officer and President, International since early 2020. He has been responsible for overseeing Nielsen's strategy, partnerships, corporate development, and a range of global businesses. In late 2022, Nielsen finalized a take-private acquisition by Evergreen and Brookfield.

Previously, Cohan spent decades in the media &...show more

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Philippa Collie Cousins

Sr Drama Commissioner

UKTV

Philippa is UKTV’s dedicated drama commissioner. Since joining in 2018, Philippa has commissioned seven high-performing original series, including two series of the hit forensic programme Traces and two series of detective thriller We Hunt Together, as well as the dark and original Ragdoll - a serial killer thriller based on...show more


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Tom Cox

Executive Producer and Managing Director

SEVEN24 Films

Tom Cox has been producing original scripted content for Canadian and world audiences for over thirty years. His credits include award-winning feature films, dramatic series, mini-series and television movies. SEVEN24 Films, specializing in unique scripted content with global appeal, was recently named Playback Magazine’s Production Company of the Year.
Current...show more

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Myiea Coy

SVP of Television

Confluential Films

Myiea Coy is an EMMY award-winning Executive Producer and writer known for Executive producing Lizzo's Watch Out for The Big GRRRLs for Amazon Prime; she is currently the SVP of Television of Confluential Films covering both scripted and unscripted. She previously served as Vice President of Development at Bunim Murray...show more


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Valerie Creighton

President & CEO

Canada Media Fund

Valerie Creighton is an industry leader in arts, culture, and media, recognized for reenergizing some of the country’s most important organizations in the sector over a period spanning close to four decades. An expert in organizational change, Valerie has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth.

Currently serving...show more

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Brad Danks

CEO

OUTtv Network Inc

Since 2016, Brad Danks, J.D, has been the CEO of OUTtv Network Inc. and OUTtv Media Global Inc., (collectively "OMG") the world's largest producer and aggregator of original LGBTQ+ film and television content. Brad began his career as an entertainment lawyer with a distinguished practice that included working for many...show more


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Deniese Davis

Founder and CEO

Reform Media Group

Deniese Davis is a three-time Emmy nominated Producer and the Founder and CEO of Reform Media Group. She began her career producing music videos, short films and digital content including Issa Rae's award-winning web series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl. Recent producing credits include: Co-Executive Producer on the HBO...show more

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Jennifer Dettman

Executive Director, Unscripted Content

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Jennifer Dettman is an award-winning television executive with 15+ years of experience leading innovative television and digital content creation. She is one of the top female executives in the country and an internationally respected voice in the industry. Jennifer has played a leading role in the industry's ongoing digital transformation...show more


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Sandra Dewey

Most recently President, Business Operations and Productions HBO Max, TNT, TBS & truTV

Until 4/1/2021, Sandra Dewey served as President of Business Operations and Productions for WarnerMedia Entertainment's streaming service HBO Max as well as TNT, TBS and truTV.  In her role, Sandra oversaw the business affairs and production teams for HBO Max originals. Sandra and her team established policy and process for the...show more

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Lisa Ducharme

Director of Online Content

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

Lisa Ducharme has dedicated her career to amplifying Indigenous storytellers through her various roles in the broadcasting industry and particularly at APTN. She is a proud member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation with family rooted in Goodfish Lake, Alberta. A graduate of the University of Alberta’s School of Business, Lisa...show more


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Greig Dymond

Director of Development, Comedy

CBC

As Director of Development for CBC Comedy, Greig Dymond is responsible for driving and overseeing the quality and diversity of the network's comedy-development slate. Since 2013, Greig has served as Development Executive and/or Production Executive on a variety of CBC Comedy series, including Schitt's Creek, Baroness von Sketch Show, Son...show more


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Vicky Eatrides

Chairperson and CEO

CRTC Canadian Radio Television & Telecommunications Commissions

Vicky began her career practising regulatory law at a national law firm in 2000. She joined the federal public service in 2005 and held a number of senior executive positions at the Competition Bureau, Natural Resources Canada, and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Vicky has experience across...show more


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David Eilenberg

Vice President and Head of Content

Roku

David Eilenberg is the Vice President and Head of Content for Roku Media. He is leading the charge to establish Roku’s free ad-supported streaming service The Roku Channel as a destination for both scripted and unscripted original content. He is responsible for overall vision, creative strategy, go-to-market execution, as well...show more


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Nora Felder

Music Supervisor

2X Grammy and 4 Time Emmy nominated Emmy Winner Music Supervisor, NORA FELDER’s tenure in music began booking artist events at a New York City lower eastside venue. It was there she met and began working with legendary music producer, Phil Ramone, coordinating and working closely on recording projects with...show more


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Halaifonua Finau

Co-Founder, Executive Producer and Showrunner

Tavake Ltd

A proud Tongan, born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Halaifonua Finau, or Nua as he's more commonly known, is at the forefront of bringing Polynesian stories to our screens.

He is a writer and producer, with a mission to take his little corner of the Pacific to the world. He...show more

Speaking on: Content Advisory Board


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Bart Fisher

Vice President, Development

Hallmark Media

Bart Fisher is Senior Vice President of Development for Hallmark Media, home of three linear networks; Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama and subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now. He is based in Los Angeles and reports to Randy Pope, Senior Vice President, Programming...show more


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Sarah Fowlie

Head of Production, Original Programming

Bell Media

Sarah Fowlie leads the Production of Original Programming across Bell Media's English Language platforms including CTV, CTV Speciality and Crave. Fowlie began her career at Bell Media in 1997 at The Comedy Network and has developed strong relationships with the Canadian and International content industry. She has held a range...show more


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Lauren Frasca

SVP, Content & Strategy

Warner Bros. Discovery

Lauren Frasca is SVP of Content and Strategy at Magnolia Network, where she has overseen hundreds of hours of content across linear, streaming and OTT, including the Emmy-nominated Fixer Upper: Welcome Home, Fixer Upper: The Castle and Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines.  She came to the role from Facebook’s Creative...show more


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Chris Fry

Joint Creative Director of Scripted

Sister Pictures

Chris spent the early part of his career as a first assistant director. After making the move into producing, Chris accrued producer credits on numerous high-profile series including 8, 9 and 10 of Spooks (two of which were BAFTA nominated for best series) and The Smoke written by the award-winning...show more

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Laura Gaines

Director of Development

Hallmark Media

Laura Gaines is Director of Development at Hallmark Media. She is based in Los Angeles and reports to Vice President, Development, Bart Fisher. Gaines manages elevated and high concept tentpole projects through every stage of production, working across the company’s broadcast channels Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark...show more


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Kelley Gardner

VP, Current Series Animation

Nickelodeon Animation Studios

Kelley Gardner is Vice President, Current Series Animation at Nickelodeon. She is the Executive in Charge on SpongeBob SquarePants, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, The Patrick Star Show, Middlemost Post, and Star Trek: Prodigy.

Gardner first joined Nickelodeon as an assistant in the Current Series Department in 2006. During her time at Nickelodeon, she...show more


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Kelly Garrett

Vice President, Development

Hallmark Media

Kelly Garrett is Vice President, Development for Hallmark Media. Garrett is based in Studio City and reports to Senior Vice President, Development Samantha DiPippo. Garrett plays an integral role in the development of Hallmark Media’s iconic holiday programming, sourcing material and spearheading projects from development to production to final delivery....show more


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Rebecca Gibson

Partner and Head of Development

Eagle Vision

As a writer, director, producer, series creator, story editor and actor, Rebecca’s work in documentary, drama, and comedy has played in festivals, in theatres, and on TV screens around the world. Currently nominated for two Banff Rockies (for Best Short Form Non-Fiction Series for Snapchat's Reclaim(ed), and Best History &...show more


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Brenda Gilbert

Co-Founder and President

BRON Media Corporation

Brenda Gilbert is the President of BRON Media Corp, a company she co-founded and leads with her husband, Aaron L. Gilbert. BRON Media Corp. is the parent company to operating units BRON Studios, BRON Releasing, BRON Digital, and BRON Ventures (holds an interest in a portfolio of 10 content companies)....show more

Speaking on: Board of Directors


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Rachel Goldstein-Couto

Head of Development, Original Programming

Bell Media

As Head of Development, Rachel Goldstein-Couto oversees the scripted and unscripted program development for CTV, Crave and the Entertainment Specialty channels of Bell Media. Rachel and her team work closely with independent production partners, writers and creatives to develop a slate of factual and scripted projects that are diverse, culturally relevant...show more


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Michael Gordon

TV Global Scripted Agent

CAA Creative Artists Agency

Michael Gordon is a TV Global Scripted Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Gordon is based in the Los Angeles office and has put together and represented many critically acclaimed global shows including Fauda (Netflix), Tehran (Apple), Euphoria (HBO), How to Sell Drugs Online (FAST)...show more


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Toby Gorman

President

Universal Television Alternative Studio

Toby Gorman is President of Universal Television Alternative Studio (UTAS), a division of Universal Studio Group. The studio develops and produces game shows, competition programs, true crime, documentaries and docuseries. Gorman reports to Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group, and has oversight over all aspects of the studio, including development,...show more


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Danelle Granger

Executive in Charge of Development + Scripted Production

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

Based out of Treaty 1 territory, Danelle Granger is proud to be reclaiming and reconnecting to her Métis roots. She began her career in the broadcasting industry upon graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in Winnipeg, Man. There, she majored in journalism while focusing on developing...show more


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Gwenllian Gravelle

Head of Scripted

S4C International

After a successful and long standing career at the BBC, producing high-end, award-winning dramas such as Keep Faith; Gwenllian Gravelle is Head of Scripted for Welsh-language broadcaster S4C. Building on the recent renaissance of Welsh drama and the S4C-led invention of Celtic noir, Gwenllian is focused on commissioning original drama...show more


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Joanna Griffiths

Founder & President

Knix

Joanna Griffiths is the Founder and President of Knix and Kt by Knix the direct-to-consumer intimate apparel brands reinventing intimates for real life. Since launching the company in 2013, Joanna has built Knix into one of the fastest-growing intimate apparel brands globally. Through a focus on impact work and product...show more


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Phil Gurin

President & CEO

The Gurin Company

Award-winning Producer/Writer/Creator and President & CEO of The Gurin Company (www.gurinco.com), Phil Gurin creates, acquires, sells and produces entertainment programs all over the world.  Gurin has won four Prime Time Emmy Awards as an Executive Producer on ABC’s Shark Tank, and an international Rose d’Or (Golden Rose) for the comedy...show more


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Megan Halpern

Senior Vice President

The Black List

Megan Halpern is Senior Vice President of the Black List, where she manages the Black List's film and TV slate and a robust array of programs and partnerships. Halpern began her career in book publishing and joined the Black List in 2014 to develop its lab programs and produce live...show more

Speaking on: Content Advisory Board


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Lisa Hamilton Daly

Executive Vice President, Programming

Hallmark Media

Lisa Hamilton Daly is Executive Vice President, Programming for Hallmark Media. Daly is charged with identifying, developing, and creating impactful, top-quality, brand-building content across the company's three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama, as well as its SVOD service, Hallmark Movies Now, and AVOD platform, Hallmark Movies & More....show more

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Jennifer Harkness

SVP, Unscripted Development and Production

Blue Ant Media

Jennifer Harkness oversees all aspects of Blue Ant Studios' unscripted development and series production for the US and international markets. Most recently, she Executive Produced Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies (Peacock), Banished: The Prince Andrew Story (Peacock, Channel 5), Evil By Design: Surviving Peter Nygard (Starz) and Epstein's Shadow:...show more

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Tom Hastings

Head of Original Programming in Canada, Paramount+

Paramount

Based in Toronto, Tom leads the commissioning strategy for Paramount+ Canadian originals. An industry veteran and former Director of Drama at Bell Media, Tom has extensive and long-standing relationships with Canada’s independent production and literary communities and is especially known for his respected relationships with Canadian writers, producers and agents.

Speaking on: Content Advisory Board


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Scott Henderson

Board of Directors, BANFF Television Festival Foundation

Most recently as Vice-President, Communications at Bell Media, Scott Henderson led the strategic day to day operations of program and talent publicity, internal and corporate communications, public affairs and community investment for Bell Media.  Henderson was responsible for all communications efforts for the company's two conventional networks, CTV and CTV...show more

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Beth Iley

Sr. Scripted Development Executive

Amazon Studios

Beth Iley is the Senior Development Executive for Amazon Studios, Canada. In her role, she sources, develops and oversees the production of original series for Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video. Upcoming releases from the slate include season two of The Lake starring Jordan Gavaris and Julia Stiles, the revival of...show more


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Monika Ille

CEO

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

Monika Ille is a member of the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak. She has built a rich and diverse portfolio over the course of 30 years in the broadcasting industry. After graduating with distinction from the Université du Québec à Montréal, she entered the industry by working for the Société...show more

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Tiauna Jackson

Agent, The Jackson Agency

The Jackson Agency

Tiauna Jackson is the founder of The Jackson Agency (TJA), a Hollywood based talent agency that has been breaking barriers in the entertainment industry since 2014. TJA became a household name when Jackson was featured alongside other Black agents in a New York Times’ feature entitled, “Uphill Battles of Black...show more


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Rob Kenneally

Agent

CAA Creative Artists Agency

Rob Kenneally is an agent in the Television Scripted department at Creative Artists Agency, a talent and literary agency based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to representing clients in all areas of television, he is instrumental in helping clients, studios, production companies, and networks explore new business models. His...show more


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Jeniffer Kim

Most recently Senior Vice President, International Originals HBO Max

Warner Bros. Discovery

Jeniffer Kim was most recently Senior Vice President, International Originals for HBO Max, responsible for leading International content for the streaming platform. In this role, Jeniffer was responsible for commissioning original series and co-productions for the platform in international markets targeted for U.S. and global audiences. In collaboration with some...show more

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Katrina Kowalski

Sr Director, Content Programming and Strategy, Paramount+ Canada

Paramount

Katrina Kowalski is the Vice-President, Content, Paramount+ and Pluto TV Canada, based in Toronto and the lead executive overseeing all Canada’s content acquisitions and originals. For the past two decades Kowalski has broadened the television landscape in Canada, programming the best from around the world and at home. In her...show more


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Marianne Lambert

Director Co-Productions & Acquisitions

TFO

With many years of experience in television production and content creation, Marianne is an expert at creating content for kids that is fun and inviting. Fully bilingual, she has worked in many areas in kids tv: first as a host, then writer, director, producer, executive producer and broadcaster. In her...show more


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Nick Lee

Head of Series Acquisitions

Channel 4

Nick Lee is Head of Acquisitions and International for Channel 4. Leading the broadcaster in licensing on all acquired series and the theatrical film slate for both their linear portfolio and VOD platform. In addition, Lee is responsible for driving wider content partnership deals and prebuying drama from script to...show more


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Jennifer Liang

Vice President, Acquisitions, Programming Strategy & Sales

Topic

Jennifer Liang is Vice President, Acquisitions, Programming Strategy & Sales at Topic. In this role, she oversees acquisitions, pre-buys and global co-production opportunities and manages the acquisitions & programming team. She is also responsible for sales of programming owned or controlled by Topic. Previously she has held positions in global...show more


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Graham Ludlow

Head of Development and Production

Incendo

Graham has been working with Incendo since January 2021. He has already been involved in the production of nine films for Incendo, as well as a limited series. Prior to joining Incendo, he served as an executive producer and production supervisor on numerous Canadian series and films, including the hit...show more


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Stephen MacDonald

President, Global Content Licensing & International

A+E Networks

MacDonald oversees the A+E Networks global multiplatform and library content licensing initiatives, as well as the company’s international activities.

MacDonald, a 24-year veteran of Fox, joins A+E Networks from Twentieth Television. Most recently he was Executive Vice President, General Sales Manager, Basic Cable with oversight of broadcast syndication. During his tenure,...show more

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Lea Marin

Director of Development, Drama

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Lea Marin is the Director of Development, Drama, for the CBC, and is responsible for driving and overseeing the quality and diversity of the drama development slate. A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Producers’ Lab, prior to joining the CBC, Lea was a Senior Producer with the National Film...show more


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Lisa Meeches

Founder and Executive Producer

Eagle Vision

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...show more

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Kathleen Meek

Manager, Original Content, Scripted & Factual

Corus Entertainment Inc

Kathleen Meek is Manager, Original Content, Scripted and Factual for Corus Entertainment. In this capacity, she is responsible for a portfolio of original scripted and factual series for Global Television, History® Canada, Showcase, Adult Swim and W. She is Production Executive on Global’s highly-rated event drama Departure and upcoming original...show more


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Dany Meloul

General Manager, Television

CBC Radio-Canada

Dany Meloul has been General Manager of Radio-Canada Television since October 2019. She is responsible for the ICI Télé, ICI ARTV and ICI Explora Channels, as well as the ICI TOU.TV streaming platform. With a long track record in the media industry in Quebec, she has in-depth knowledge, in a...show more

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Robin Mirsky

Executive Director, Rogers Group of Funds

Rogers Communications Inc

Robin Mirsky is Executive Director of the Rogers Group of Funds. Robin joined Rogers Communications in 1989.  She is responsible for the Rogers Group of Funds, which includes the Rogers Telefund, a $32 million interim financing fund for Canadian independent productions, the Rogers Cable Network Fund, a $6 million equity...show more

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Drew Mullin

Executive in Charge of Production, Kids

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Drew Mullin is an international award-winning writer, director and producer who joined CBC Kids team as an Executive in Charge of Production in 2016. At CBC, Drew has overseen several broadcast and digital series including Dot, Kingdom Force, Big Blue, Dino Ranch, Mitten & Pants, Addison, Napkin Man, Game Savers, Let's...show more


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Paige Murray

Executive in Charge of Development, Drama

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Paige Murray has worked at the CBC for over twelve years and is currently Executive in Charge of Development, Drama on the Scripted Content team. In this role, Paige oversees the development of one-hour drama series and actively looks for creators and stories that reflect the spectrum of the Canadian...show more


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Cara Nye

Director, Content Development and Production

Accessible Media Inc.

Since joining AMI-tv in 2012, Cara has moved from overseeing the channel’s internal productions to her current role as Director of Content Development and Production. She is now responsible for all of AMI’s current original content including Mind Your Own Business, Dish With Mary and returning series’ By Hook or...show more


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Brook Peters

Managing Director & Senior Vice President, Sales & Production Operations

Incendo

Brook Peters oversees sales and Ontario production operations out of Incendo’s Toronto office with a specific focus on expanding Canadian English-language production opportunities.  In addition to innovating domestic and global sales strategies, Brook is also credited as an Executive Producer where he contributes to the production of Incendo’s slate of...show more


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Quan Phung

SVP of Original Series

Quan Phung is SVP of Original Series for Topic Studios, where he further builds the studio’s presence in the television marketplace by sourcing, developing, and packaging premium ongoing and event series for the broadcast, cable, and streaming community. Before joining Topic Studios, he was a senior consultant for STXtv, the...show more


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Angela Polk

Vice President, Development

Hallmark Media

Angie Polk is the Vice President of Dvelopment at Hallmark Media. Polk is based in Los Angeles and reports to Senior Vice President, Development, Samantha DiPippo. Polk oversees the creation of original premiere movies and specials, managing all aspects of pre-production, development, production, and post-production. With a focus on increased...show more


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Sarah Quan

Executive in Charge of Development, Comedy

CBC

Sarah Quan is the Executive in Charge of Development, Comedy Scripted at CBC. Prior to joining CBC, she served as Creative Executive at Northwood Entertainment (Anne With An E, The Grizzlies) where she oversaw the day-to-day creative and logistical slate of television and feature film projects in development and production....show more


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Stefania Scarfo

Head of Content Strategy, Paramount+ Canada

Paramount

Stefania Scarfo is the Head of Content Strategy for Paramount+, Canada’s newest streaming service. As lead of the content team, she oversees the programming strategy. Scarfo is tasked with making strategic content acquisitions and commissioning decisions in alignment with the streaming services strategy to ensure Paramount+ offers a mountain of entertainment...show more


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Polly Scates

Senior Acquisitions Manager

Channel 4

Based in London, Polly leads on non-scripted presales and acquisitions for both the linear portfolio (C4, M4, E4 & E4 Extra) and VOD platform. Polly has been instrumental in developing C4’s unscripted pre-buy strategy, delivering successes such as, Chernobyl: The New Evidence, Griff’s Canadian Adventure and Grierson Award winner The...show more


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Jessica Schmiedchen

Director of Development, Unscripted Content

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Jessica Schmiedchen oversees development of original content and formats in the genres of factual, entertainment and documentary series at CBC - on both linear television and on the public broadcaster's streaming service, CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with...show more


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Larry Shuman

President

The Shuman Company

Larry Shuman is founder of The Shuman Company, an entertainment management/production firm specializing in the development of television & film writers since 1991. His many long-time clients have gone on to become some of the highest-level writers in the industry, including Shawn Ryan, Creator of The Shield, S.W.A.T, and the...show more


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Beatrice Springborn

President, UCP and Universal International Studios

Universal Studio Group

Beatrice Springborn is President of UCP and Universal International Studios, divisions of Universal Studio Group. She reports to Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group. Springborn oversees all aspects of UCP and Universal International Studios’ award-winning slate with a primary focus on growing the studios’ global production output.

UCP is genre-defying, ground-breaking and...show more


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Justin Stockman

VP Content Development and Programming

Bell Media

As VP, Content Development & Programming, Justin Stockman is responsible for English TV programming including CTV, Crave and Bell Media’s English-language specialty channels Discovery, MTV, E!, Much, CTV Drama, CTV Life, CTV Comedy, CTV Sci-Fi with a focus on developing groundbreaking new content.
Stockman’s role includes the ongoing negotiation...show more

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Karen Tsang

SVP Creative Affairs/Executive Producer

Pier 21 Films

As SVP of Creative Affairs at Pier 21 Films, Karen Tsang works with some of Canada’s most exciting talent to develop comedy and drama series for the Canadian and international marketplace. She’s passionate about creator-driven stories and fostering shows that explore characters and themes that have been underrepresented on screen....show more


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Kathryn Tyus-Adair

SVP Original Programming

Starz Media LLC

Kathryn Tyus-Adair is Senior Vice President of Original Programming at Starz where she has recently championed, developed and overseen the production of series: BMF, Blindspotting, Run The World, The Serpent Queen, Step Up and Vida.  She has also developed and served as a production executive on Outlander, Power and The...show more


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Erin Underhill

President, Universal Television

NBCUniversal

Erin Underhill is President of Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group (USG), where she oversees all aspects—creative affairs, casting, production and more—of one of the most successful television studios in the world. She  reports directly to Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, USG.

With Underhill at the helm, Universal Television currently produces...show more


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Jennifer Vaux

Head of Content Acquisition, The Roku Channel

Roku

Jennifer Vaux oversees content strategy, acquisition, programming and scheduling for the ad-supported component of Roku’s owned and operated channel, The Roku Channel. She is responsible for sourcing and executing innovative programming acquisition deals across a range of content and business models. She works to license content for The Roku Channel...show more


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Lauren Whitelaw

Head of Programming

OUTtv Network Inc

Lauren is the Head of Programming for OUTtv, currently with services in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.  With servicing multiple territories, she has successfully negotiated contracts with companies worldwide.  Lauren is part of the development team at the network and continues to work closely with...show more


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Barbara Williams

Executive Vice-President

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Barbara Williams became CBC’s Executive Vice-President English Services, on May 1, 2019.

In this role, Barbara oversees all of the public broadcaster’s English language programming services, including CBC News and CBC Newsworld, CBC Television, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Sports, CBC Kids, CBC Gem, CBC Listen, the documentary Channel, as...show more


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Trish Williams

Executive Director, Scripted Content

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

As Executive Director, Scripted Content at CBC, Trish Williams has creative oversight of the public broadcaster’s drama, comedy, film, radio comedy and YA digital originals teams across all original long-form programming. Current airing and streaming programming highlights on CBC, GEM and Radio One include Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience, Workin’Moms, Coroner,...show more


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Melanie Windle

Executive Director, Sustainable Production Forum

Sustainable Entertainment Society

Melanie Windle (BFA, MFA) is an award-winning producer, mentor, and media entrepreneur. She was recently appointed the Executive Director of The Sustainable Production Forum (SPF), a global event that accelerates decarbonization in content creation. Most recently, she served as Director of Industry Programming at Whistler Film Festival. Her favourite pieces...show more


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Tara Woodbury

Manager, Canada Series

Netflix-Toronto

Tara was tapped as the first content executive for Netflix Canada, where she develops and commissions English and French-language scripted series with Canadian talent. She previously served as an Executive Producer & VP of Development for Montreal-based production company Sphere Media Plus. She was an Executive Producer on the smash...show more


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Jay (Carolyn) Wu

Development Executive, Original Programming

Bell Media

Jay (Carolyn) Wu –they/them– is a development executive with a focus on scripted original series as part of Bell Media's Original Programming team. They take pitches and develop projects for CTV, Crave, and the Entertainment Specialty channels of Bell Media across both comedy and drama. They collaborate with everyone from...show more

Speaking on: Content Advisory Board


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Llinos Wynne

Head Documentaries and Specialist Factual

S4C

Llinos Wynne joined S4C in 2017 as Factual Commissioner and is currently Head of Documentaries and Specialist Factual. Before joining the Channel she spent 20 years with the BBC and then became a freelance PD. She has produced both factual and fact ent content, winning the BAFTA Cymru for best...show more


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Michele Zatta

Commissioning Editor in Charge of International Co-productions

Rai Fiction

Michele Zatta started his career in Rai as co-headwriter of Italy's first soap Un Posto al Sole, which has been on air since 1996. He's also been showrunner for the soap Agrodolc. Since 2008 he has been the Commissioning Editor and Head of International Coproductions. In that position he has...show more


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Cyle Zezo

Formerly VP, Alternative and Digital Programming

Cyle Zezo is an executive producer and former Head of Alternative Programming at The CW Network, where he oversaw series such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Whose Line Is It Anyway, Mysteries Decoded and Recipe for Disaster, specials including the Critics Choice Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Jingle...show more

“Life changing. What I learned and who I met in such a short period of time was Amazing.”
- Joy Haskell, Writer/Director/Producer
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