Women in Film & Television Toronto (WIFT Toronto) and the Foundation for WIFT Toronto are pleased to announce the election of their 2021-2022 Board of Directors.  Elected on Tuesday, April 27 at the WIFT Toronto AGM, the organization is pleased to welcome Barbara Escoto, VP, Content Platforms,Bell Media; Sarain Fox, Director/Host, Land Back Studios Inc.; and Umber Hamid, CEO & Partner, Boombox Sound.  

Linda Stregger, Chief Operating Officer at Reel One Entertainment, will continue to lead the WIFT Toronto Board as Chair; Argie Eliopoulos, Director, Partnerships and Events at Canadian Film Centre (CFC), will move into the role of Vice-Chair; Janet Chant, Director of Finance, Toronto Blue Jays, will continue as Treasurer, and Susan Alexander, Production Executive, Corus Entertainment, will move into the role of Secretary.

Additional re-elections included Noora Abu Eitah, VP, Product Operations – Innovation Lab, Secret Location; Tanya Green, Head of Preschool, Mainframe Studios; Sam Linton, VP, Head of Original Content, Blue Ant Media; Terry E. Markus, Lawyer, Independent Business & Legal Affairs Consultant; Cailyn Michaan, Marketing Manager, Media and Experiential Marketing (XM), Walt Disney Studios; Dylen Postinkoff, VP, Global Brand Strategy, Shaftesbury; Karen Walton, Screenwriter/Executive Producer, Inkling Entertainment Inc; and Gloria Ui Young Kim, Writer/Director.  

WIFT Toronto extends a sincere thank you to the following outgoing directors for their significant contributions to the success of the organization:  Sonia Brar, VP, IT at Bell Media; Susan Karnay, Head of Legal Affairs, Tangent Animation; and Virginia Thompson, Co-Founder, Vérité Films.

“The care, commitment and collaborative spirit of the WIFT Toronto Board of Directors cannot be overstated, especially after navigating the challenges of this past year,” said Linda Stregger. “It is a great pleasure and privilege to chair this board of passionate professionals and industry leaders as we continue to strive for a screen based media industry that is equitable, inclusive and accessiblefor all.”

The Foundation for WIFT Toronto is pleased to welcomethe following new directors: Julie Kumaria, SVP Marketing & Content Distribution, Hollywood Suite Inc.; Lindsey Scully, Head of Communications, Netflix Canada; Sundra Sefa, Financial Controller,Visage Cosmetics Ltd.; Jennifer Shin,Director of Development, Comedy, CBC; and Fennella Bruce, Media Consultant, Producer, Writer, FKB Media Solutions, who joined the Foundation Board in December, 2020.

The Foundation board will continue to be chaired by Terry E. Markus. Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director, Banff World Media Festival and Playback will return to the Board as Vice-Chair; Helen Argiro, Writer, Executive Producer, Director, Rebel Street Productions, will continue on as Secretary; and Janet Chant will continue her role as Treasurer.

Additional re-elections to the Foundation board include Carolyn Allain, Account Manager, National Bank of Canada; Argie Eliopoulos, Director,Partnerships and Events, Canadian Film Centre (CFC); and Laura Heath-Potter, Independent Producer.

“We are honoured to welcome Sarain, Umber and Barbara to the WIFT Toronto Board; and Fennella, Julie, Lindsey, Sundra, and Jennifer to the Foundation Board,” says Karen Bruce, Executive Director, WIFT Toronto. “These trailblazing leaders all bring a wealth of unique insights and unmatched experience from across the industry that will ultimately serve WIFT Toronto members and the community at large.”

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