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 Radio-Canada and then, for the National Film Board (NFB).

During her time at the NFB, she was instrumental in the development of a new training program for Indigenous filmmakers. This experience introduced her to the world of film production, eventually inspiring her to film her first documentary, French Man, Native Son. She has also worked with Quebec Native Women in Montréal and the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa.

Monika brought her strong creative vision to APTN in 2003. She joined the team as the Quebec liaison officer before moving into the programming department. Most recently, she served as the executive director of programming and scheduling. Her accomplishments at the network led to her appointment as chief executive officer of APTN on Dec. 16, 2019.

Monika sits on the Boards of Université de Montréal and Canadian Museum of Nature and is also on the council of the Ordre de Montréal. She is also an industry adjudicator on the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council – Quebec Regional Panel. In 2019, Monika was named one of Maison Saint-Gabriel’s Exceptional Women and in 2022 received the Desautels Management Achievement Award from McGill University. In 2020, she completed the McGill-HEC Montréal Executive MBA program.

Speaking on: Best Case Scenario: Canadian Industry Perspectives