About Us
Canadian stories reflect who we are. They connect us. And when they travel, they carry something unmistakably Canadian with them.
As the country’s largest funder of screen-based content, we champion authentic Canadian and Indigenous stories that meet audiences where they are and reflect how producers create, at home and around the world.
We know that investing in Canada’s cultural industry is a nation-building project. We support creators and companies that contribute over $11 billion to Canada’s GDP and support countless small- and medium-sized businesses from Victoria to Iqaluit to St. John’s.
Since our creation, the CMF’s role has been to convene, to invest, and to help build the conditions for success. This is how we do it.
Vision
Canada’s stories are a force worldwide.
Mission
We invest in Canadian creators and companies to tell stories that reflect and connect us all.
Strategy
Modernize: Reimagine the way forward
Mobilize: Ignite the spark in Canadians
Maximize: Unlock the industry’s full potential
Monetize: Fuel growth
Our Team
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 as President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, Valerie positions Canadian programming at the forefront in world markets, promoting successful, innovative Canadian content and software applications for current and emerging digital platforms. Valerie has taken part in foreign trade missions, is a passionate industry advocate, and is regularly called upon to present the CMF model internationally.
Valerie was invested into the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2016 and the Order of Canada in 2019. She was named one of 2016’s 20 most powerful women in global television by The Hollywood Reporter (THR), was recognized in 2017 by Women in Television and Film – Vancouver for her major contribution to promoting gender equality in media, and was bestowed the Honorary Maverick Award at the 2017 Female Eye Film Festival. She was inducted into Playback’s Hall of Fame in 2018 and received C21’s 2020 Content Canada Impact Award.
In 2022, THR named her one of the 20 most powerful women in global entertainment, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Regina, and she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal by her home province of Saskatchewan. In 2024, she appeared on THR’s list of the Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment and received the Glass Ceiling Award at the inaugural THR Women in Entertainment Canada Summit. Valerie also received two honours in recognition of her advocacy and support for Indigenous creators and the establishment of the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO). The ISO honoured her with a blanket ceremony and Elder Vincent Yellow Old Woman of the Siksika Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, bestowed upon Valerie his deceased sister’s name—Ayitapyaki, Courageous Woman—a great honour given in recognition of her contributions.
In 2025, Valerie was the recipient of the Reelworld Foundation’s first-ever Ally Award and named to three THR lists: Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment, Canada’s Top Dealmakers and Decision-Makers, and Most Powerful Women in International Television.
Valerie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, has served on a variety of regional, national, and international juries and boards and has produced radio dramas for the CBC in Saskatchewan, where she owns and operates the Red Horse Ranch.
Trent brings over 30 years of industry and financial experience to the CMF. Before joining us, he spent eight years as VP of Finance and Chief Operating Officer at Portfolio Entertainment, where he was responsible for business growth, development, and strategy, as well as overseeing the finance team and day-to-day operations. Trent was integral in launching Portfolio’s animation studio in 2014, and he built a reputation for developing strong partnerships and creating new business opportunities that saw Portfolio’s programming land on prominent television networks and digital content providers.
Prior to joining Portfolio, Trent spent 14 years at Teletoon Canada as VP of Business Operations, where his initial responsibility for finance and strategic planning quickly grew to encompass several other portfolios, including Affiliate Relations, Sales Promotions, Traffic, and New Business Development. Trent was responsible for overseeing launch operations of Teletoon Retro, which achieved the highest level of distribution of any digital network in Canada. He has also previously worked in financial roles at the Family Channel and Diversey.
Based in Toronto, Trent has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a minor in Economics from Brock University and holds the designation of CMA.
Mathieu’s grandfather was a head technician at the CBC and his father was the HR director at the National Film Board, so you might say it was written in the stars that Mathieu finds himself working in Canada’s screen-based industry. Born and raised in Montreal, he’s an award-winning communicator and marketer. In his younger years he published over one hundred stories in La Presse before moving to Toronto to be a participant in Canada’s first reality TV show U8TV: The Lofters. An accomplished journalist, Mathieu frequently appears on Radio-Canada, covering a wide range of social, cultural, and political affairs, and he has published over a thousand stories in French and English entertainment magazines.
Mathieu spent over a decade working as an executive at Famous Player and Cineplex Media, and as a volunteer, he has raised substantial funds for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, The 519 Community Centre, Cinéfranco, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto.
Mathieu holds a BA in Communications from l’Université du Québec à Montréal, a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, and recently completed a Certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School.
He joined the Canada Media Fund in 2019 and is now back in la belle province with his husband and two children. He’s a strong advocate for more inclusion on and behind the screen.
Nathalie Clermont has been working in the film, television and digital media industry for more than twenty-five years, with extensive experience in policy development and financing. Since joining the organization in 2007, she has been a key advisor on CMF policies and programs. She also ensures consistency in service standards and application processes for all CMF programs, with a focus on developing alternative funding partnerships to leverage CMF investments.
Prior to joining the CMF in March 2007 as Director of Program Management, Nathalie spent 15 years at the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), where she was the team leader of the Business Affairs Unit, which was responsible for equity investment programs in cinema and television.
Nathalie holds a B.A. in Film, Communications, and Public Relations from the Université de Montréal.
As VP of Industry Development, Joy leads the development, design, and delivery of the CMF’s strategies to foster inclusion and drive industry growth.
Prior to joining the CMF, Joy served as CEO of the National Screen Institute, where she spearheaded the creation of professional development programs designed to serve and support underrepresented storytellers, including Access BIPOC Producers and the Disabled Producers Lab. She was also a founding member of the programming team that launched the Women’s Television Network (now W Network), and curated feature films for screening at the Gimli International Film Festival.
Based in Winnipeg, Joy holds a bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson Polytechnic (now Toronto Metropolitan University). She is a dedicated community volunteer and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Winnipeg Foundation and Canada’s National Ballet School.
Joy’s commitment to community and equity has been recognized through several meaningful honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) for outstanding service to her province, Playback Canada’s Changemaker of the Year (2023), East by Northwest’s Global Connector Award (2024), and Women in Film and Television’s Special Jury Award of Distinction (2024).
Richard Koo has over 20 years of experience in audience research and leads the analytics, strategic reporting, and foresight teams at the Canada Media Fund (CMF).
At the CMF, his work focuses on leveraging data to address equity challenges and promote growth and economic opportunities in the media industry.
Richard began his career at CBC Sports, contributing to programs like Hockey Night in Canada and the Olympic Games. He is also a 3-time Boston Marathon finisher, an international umpire with World Rowing, a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and a former president of the International Olympic Academy Participants Association.
Originally from Canada’s west coast, Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto.
As VP, Content & Regulatory at the Canada Media Fund, Rod is responsible for developing CMF policy and analyzing and advising on legal and regulatory issues that impact the CMF.
Prior to joining the CMF, Rod worked at the Writers Guild of Canada and Entertainment One.
A trained lawyer, Rod obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Queen’s University and his Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree in Media, Information and Technoculture from Western University.
Hailing from the southern shore of Nova Scotia, Courtney has built her human resources career working across diverse industries—including media, aviation, law, and government—and supporting organizations through transformation and workforce growth. As a trusted advisor, Courtney has led initiatives in policy modernization, leadership development, and organizational design, with a consistent focus on aligning talent, culture, and business strategy. Passionate about building workplaces where people thrive and organizations succeed, she brings both strategic insight and a people-first approach to every engagement. Now based in St. John’s, Courtney holds a Master’s degree in Employment Relations from Memorial University, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Saint Mary’s University.
Based in Toronto, Emmanuelle has over 20 years of experience in Canada’s media and screen industries, with expertise in brand management, marketing, and partnerships. She started her career at Teletoon Canada, working in programming and advertising before taking on the role of Brand Manager for the specialty channel. She spent a few years at Astral Radio overseeing marketing for 20+ radio stations across Canada, including Virgin Radio, before moving to Shaw as Brand Manager for the Food Network. Emmanuelle joined the CMF in 2014 as Marketing Manager, then shifted to strategic partnerships in 2020, where she has played a central role in growing the CMF’s 70+ national and international partnerships. She holds a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Toronto.
Based in Vancouver, Janine is an experienced media producer and arts administrator with a focus on digital strategy and immersive technologies. She will help develop policy and programs to ensure the CMF’s mandate is fulfilled in consistency with the distinctiveness of Canada’s IDM market. Prior to joining the CMF, Janine held senior roles provincially with Creative BC and federally with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). While at the NFB, she was responsible for all their digital products and platforms, and managed award-winning collaborations with key partners, such as Google, the Guardian, imagineNATIVE, and VICE Media. Most recently, Janine was a programs manager at Creative BC, responsible for the Domestic Motion Picture Fund and the Interactive Fund. In that role, she designed several industry-leading funding programs, including the first digital media funding available in BC, and the first targeted funding for equity seeking motion picture creators in BC.
An experienced communicator with an academic background, Jared brings to the table expertise in writing, research, crisis management, media relations, and shaping an organization’s voice and leadership profiles. He joins the CMF from BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada), the country’s largest child- and youth-serving nonprofit, where he honed his communications skills across several positions during his tenure. Jared holds an Honours BA in English Literature from the University of Toronto and an MA in English Literature from the University of British Columbia.
Originally from Penetanguishene, Ontario, Jessica (Métis/Scottish-Settler) is an arts leader and creative collaborator with over 15 years experience in Canada's media, arts, and culture spaces. Based in Tkaronto (Toronto), Jessica's interests and skills have seen her engage with organizations such as the Independent Media Arts Alliance, the City of Toronto, the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, Luminato, New Harlem Productions, Regent Park Film Festival, Indigenous Fashion Arts, Native Earth Performing Arts and most recently at imagineNATIVE, where she was Associate Director until February of 2022. As a director and producer, Jessica has credits with TV series through TFO and APTN, as well as award wins and nominations for her short films and music videos. A multilingual innovator, Jessica looks forward to applying her experience in strategic planning, programming, skills development, and community engagement toward greater access and growth in Canada's screen and digital realms. Jessica is an avid gardener with a keen interest in seed exchanges and sustainable harvesting practices.
As the Director of English Content at the CMF, Karen manages the linear content programs for the English market and is responsible for helping develop, draft, and interpret CMF policy and guidelines. Prior to the CMF, Karen negotiated business deals for premium formats and unscripted content at the CBC for all platforms in her role as Business & Rights Manager. In addition, Karen has had the pleasure and rather unique experience of working in many sectors of the Canadian media industry, including stints in public and private broadcasting, production, distribution, and financing.
Based in Ottawa, Kyle is responsible for developing and implementing the CMF’s national public affairs strategy. Prior to joining the CMF, Kyle worked at the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA). In his role as Director of Policy, Kyle was responsible for monitoring and reporting on emerging policies relating to the Canadian independent production sector, communications to government, regulatory agencies, production funding bodies, media, and CMPA members. He oversaw production of Profile, the CMPA’s annual economic report, and other research activities. He also previously worked in the CMPA's communications department as Manager of Media Relations and Communications, where he was a lead organizer for their annual conference Prime Time and contributing editor of the CMPA’s flagship Indiescreen magazine.
Michael has over 15 years of experience in Canada’s screen industry, working on the sets of film, television, and commercial productions.
Since joining the CMF, he has led key initiatives such as the development of the organization’s Data Strategy and the Program Evaluation Unit.
As Director of Strategic Reporting, Michael oversees the CMF’s data reporting framework, ensuring it supports actionable insights. He also plays a key role in advancing the organization’s strategic priorities, driving innovation, and shaping initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of Canada’s screen sector.
Mireille has over 25 years experience in the screen industry, including nearly 15 years at Telefilm Canada, where she was instrumental in streamlining and improving internal processes in her role as Deputy Director for the CMF’s Program Administrator. Prior to that, she worked as a producer in the Francophone film and TV sector, as well as a lecturer at the Institut national de l'image et du son (INIS).
Svitlana Levit is Director of Finance and Administration at the Canada Media Fund, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. She oversees financial planning and reporting, administrative operations, and IT infrastructure, ensuring strong fiscal stewardship, operational efficiency, and accountability in the management of public and partner funds. Based in Toronto, Svitlana holds a CPA designation.
Michael Schmalz is the former President of Digital Extremes, a top Canadian development studio in the interactive entertainment industry. He has over 20 years of experience in the digital media industry, focusing his attention on innovation in the gaming sector. Prior to that, he practiced as a civil engineer.
Dr. Schmalz holds several degrees including a PhD, MA, and MESc from Western University, an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, as well as BA in French from the University of Waterloo. Dr. Schmalz is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Licensed Professional Engineer, and a Chartered Director.
As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Barry Chapman has over 30 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry at the executive level, extensive knowledge in regulatory affairs, mergers and acquisitions, as well as strategic and financial planning.
He held the role of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Bell Canada between 1989 and 2017. He brings extensive corporate governance experience, having sat on numerous boards.
Ms. Dignard is a distinguished legal and strategic executive, renowned for her strong professional reputation. With over 35 years of experience in law—more than 20 of which were spent in the telecommunications sector—she brings deep expertise in organizational compliance, risk management, and regulatory affairs.
Throughout her career, she has notably served as Vice President of Legal Affairs and Chief Privacy Officer at Cogeco Connexion, where she led major governance initiatives focused on transparency, data privacy, and stakeholder accountability.
As co-founder of the Cogeco Women’s Network—which she co-led for over five years in addition to contributing as a mentor—she embodies a modern governance model attentive to human and societal issues.
Her commitment to diversity and inclusion, along with her collaborative leadership style, makes her a valuable ally within teams and organizations.
Complementing her legal background, she holds a joint EMBA from McGill–HEC Montréal and a certification in diversity and inclusion, further strengthening her ability to contribute to high-level strategy and sustainable organizational performance.
A lawyer by training, Chantale Coulombe practiced intellectual property for nearly 20 years at the national firm Norton Rose Fullbright, where she was a partner. Subsequently, she held the position of Vice-President, Corporate and Legal Affairs of the ComediHa! Group, a major creator of audiovisual content in Québec. Ms. Coulombe is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the College of Corporate Directors at Laval University. She chaired the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Québec, was one of the founding members of the Center de la Francophonie des Amériques and sat on the Board of Directors of the Table de concertation de l'Industrie cinématographique et télévisuelle de Québec. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Arsenal Media and of the Ethics and Governance Committee of the Office du tourisme de Québec. Ms. Coulombe is a Chartered Director (C.Dir.).
Based in Calgary, Gary Pizante has since 1988 held positions with increasing responsibility in the Canadian telecommunications, cable, and satellite business.
He brings extensive experience in financial and economic analysis. Mr. Pizante was previously Vice President, Pricing and Analytics at Shaw Communications. He has a Master’s Degree in Economics from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of Denver.
Mr. Fournier is an author, playwright, story editor, film producer, and screenwriter, with more than 300 television dramas to his credit. He was a founding member and President of the Institut québécois du cinéma and served as National Vice President of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television and President of the Academy’s Quebec chapter.
He has served on the boards of Oxyx-Films Inc., SMA Inc. Télé-4, Les Productions du Verseau Inc., Télévision Quatre-Saisons, Télé-Québec, and CBC/Radio-Canada. He currently serves on the Board of Le Théâtre du Rideau Vert and is a founding Board member of La Fondation Jeanne-Mance. He is a member of the Order of Canada.
An independent public affairs consultant, Heidi Bonnell is a public policy and stakeholder relations expert on regulatory affairs and consumer interests in the telecommunications sector. For almost two decades, Heidi held the role of Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, Rogers Communications. During that tenure, she also served as the National Capital Region President with responsibility for employee and community engagement. Prior to Rogers, Heidi spent ten years in increasingly senior communications roles within both federal and Newfoundland and Labrador governments.
A past Board Director of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and former President of the Canadian Club of Ottawa, Heidi currently sits on the board of The Rooms Corporation. A Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government crown corporation, The Rooms is responsible for the province’s combined museum, archives, and art gallery facility. She also serves as Revenue Co-Chair of the 2025 Canada Games.
Recognized for her service to Canada, Heidi is the recipient of both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Russell has been involved in the Protection, Preservation and Promotion of Nova Scotia’s Black Culture and History for over 29 years, through the capturing and recording of an important part of Canadian History. He has been an employee of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia since 1994, starting off as a summer student and holding various development and supervisory roles including Operations Manager, Project Manager, Assistant Director and in December 2012, Russell was appointed to the role of Executive Director which he currently holds.
Utilizing the latest in innovative technology Russell has developed a virtual museum platform and hundreds of hours of multimedia content to help build awareness of Black history, and cultural events. Executive Producer of several community cultural productions and artistic showcases that support the promotion of Black Culture and History both in Nova Scotia and Nationally. Russell has also consulted on many ground-breaking media projects that help elevate diverse cultures and share stories.
A native of the historic Nova Scotia multi-generational Black Community of Cherry Brook, Russell truly believes in the importance of serving the community and creative collection of history. Russell’s leadership has elevated the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia beyond the boarders of Nova Scotia, as well as the promotion of Nova Scotia’s extensive history as a member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Under his leadership and innovation, significant growth and the use of media technologies to promote a little-known culture has been achieved. Russell brings over two decades of multi-media and board experience to this new appointment.
Sanae Takahashi is an experienced strategic planner and marketing professional, now retired, with 20 years of executive experience in the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications industry. She served since 2016 as Senior Vice President, Planning, Insights and Business Models at Shaw Communications after holding various senior leadership roles at Shaw. Prior to that, she held the role of Vice President, Consumer Marketing at Rogers Wireless. Her professional experience has centered on responding to customer needs and expectations in the context of media and telecommunications products and services. She holds a BSc in Molecular Biology from Concordia University.
Our Funding Contributors
The Canada Media Fund receives contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors. The CMF thanks its financial contributors for their continued support of Canadian television and digital media content.
