Toronto, ON (May 3, 2022) — Women in Film & Television Toronto (WIFT Toronto) and the Foundation for WIFT Toronto are pleased to announce the election of their 2022-2023 Board of Directors including a new Chair. Elected on Tuesday, May 3 at the WIFT Toronto AGM, Argie Eliopoulos, Director, Partnerships and Events, Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and former Vice-Chair, will now serve as Chair of the Board of Directors, with Barbara Escoto, VP Content Platforms, Bell Media taking on the role of Vice-Chair. Additionally, Sundra Sefa, Accountant, CPA, CGA was announced as the new Treasurer and Terry E. Markus, Lawyer, Independent Business Legal Affairs Consultant will move into the role as Secretary.

Newly elected to the Board of Directors, the organization is pleased to welcome Tracy Alves, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Engagement, William F. White International Inc.; Sara Chan, Associate General Counsel, Head of Technology, Legal Operations and Rights Management, Corus Entertainment; Jennifer Chen, Head of Studios, VP Content, Channel Zero Inc.; Sharon Hinds, Manager, Rogers Sports & Media, All IN; and Sundra Sefa, Accountant, CPA, CGA.

Re-elections included Noora Abu Eitah, VP, Product Operations – Innovation Lab, Secret Location; Sarain Fox, Director/Host, Land Back Studios Inc.; Tanya Green, Head of Preschool, Mainframe Studios; Umber Hamid, CEO & Partner, Boombox Sound; Sam Linton, VP, Head of Original Content, Blue Ant Media; Cailyn Michaan, Marketing Manager, Media and Experiential Marketing (XM), Walt Disney Studios; and Karen Walton, Screenwriter/Executive Producer, Inkling Entertainment Inc.

WIFT Toronto extends a sincere thank you to the following outgoing directors for their significant contributions to the success of the organization: Chair, Linda Stregger, CPA CMA; Treasurer, Janet Chant, Chief Financial Officer, Casey House; Secretary, Susan Alexander, Production Executive, Corus Entertainment; Dylen Postinkoff, VP, Global Brand Strategy, Shaftesbury; and Gloria Ui Young Kim, Writer/Director.

“I am honored to take on the role of Chair of the Board with this organization I deeply respect and have been so closely involved with throughout the years,” said Argie Eliopoulos. ” The challenges we have collectively faced during the pandemic have also brought about opportunities to further solidify the spirit of the WIFT Toronto community. From increasing programming, connecting more mentees and mentors than ever before, and celebrating the women who have truly made a difference, WIFT Toronto’s commitment to educate, engage, and empower has not waivered.

On behalf of the entire Board and the organization, we thank and applaud Linda Stregger for her leadership in steering us through these times while always maintaining our vision to be a leader in building an equitable, inclusive, and accessibility in our industry. We will continue our mission to empower our members at every stage of their careers. I take on this opportunity with excitement, knowing that as women, we face obstacles, but the work we accomplish together with our members, sponsors, and community partners will benefit the Canadian screen-based media industry”.

The Foundation for WIFT Toronto appointed previous Vice-Chair Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director, Banff World Media Festival, VP & Publisher at Playback as Chair; Janet Chant, Chief Financial Officer, Casey House will continue her role as Treasurer and a new Vice-Chair and Secretary will be announced in the weeks to come.

The Foundation is pleased to welcome the following new directors: Kimberley Ball, Chief Communications Officer, Super Channel; Suzanne Haas, Vice President, Digital Media, Blue Ant Media; and Nellie Lindner, Vice President, National Practice Leader – Film and Entertainment, BFL Canada.

Additional re-elections to the Foundation board include Carolyn Allain, Account Manager, National Bank of Canada; Fennella Bruce, Media Consultant, Producer, Writer, FKB Media Solutions; Julie Kumaria, SVP Marketing & Content Distribution, Hollywood Suite Inc.; Laura Heath Potter, Independent Producer; Lindsey Scully, Head of Communications, Netflix; Jennifer Shin, Director of Development, Comedy, CBC.

The Foundation for WIFT Toronto extends a sincere thank you to the following outgoing directors for their significant contributions to the success of the foundation: Chair, Terry E. Markus, Lawyer, Independent Business Legal Affairs Consultant; Secretary, Helen Argiro, Writer, Executive Producer, Director, Rebel Street Productions; Argie Eliopoulos, Director, Partnerships and Events, Canadian Film Centre (CFC); and Sundra Sefa, Accountant, CPA, CGA.

“WIFT Toronto plays an integral role in supporting, championing, connecting and training women+ across the industry by raising funds to provide members with professional development, peer support, scholarships and bursaries as well as mentorship opportunities,” said Jenn Kuzmyk. “It’s a privilege to work as Chair on behalf of the Foundation, and I look forward to collaborating with Karen, the WIFT Toronto team, the Foundation Board of Directors and industry supporters to advance the mission and impact of the organization.”

“We are honoured to welcome Tracy, Sara, Jennifer, Sharon and Sundra to the WIFT Toronto Board; and Kimberley, Sue and Nellie to the Foundation Board,” says Karen Bruce, Executive Director, WIFT Toronto. “I look forward to working with these incredible women and the wealth of experience and knowledge they each bring from all areas of the industry. Our members and the community at large will greatly benefit and I’m excited to see where the next year takes us”.