Evaluation Juries

Dr. Emilia King (nee Zboralska) is an award-winning creator, educator and researcher with a focus on challenging the status quo in Canada’s media system. She has a unique profile that combines professional creative practice with cutting-edge, rigorous research on media entrepreneurship and policy.

Emilia is the co-founder and executive director of Pink Moon Studio, an end-to-end media company that focuses on bold and distinctive storytelling through both its branded and original content divisions. Emilia is also an Assistant Professor at Ontario Tech University, and previously led Toronto Metropolitan University’s entertainment media innovation incubator, the Transmedia Zone. Under her tenure, the incubator surpassed sector representational norms, with more than half of founders identifying as people of colour and more than half identifying as women.

Emilia’s research investigates the political economy of entrepreneurship in the Canadian independent production sector, with a particular focus on digital linear series. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and she has presented at conferences worldwide.

She is the current president of the Independent Production Fund, and the former president of WebSeries Canada.

With 20 years of experience in media and communications, Gina Desjardins has stood out since her early career in journalism and research, laying the foundation for her rigor and deep understanding of media. As a producer and content lead, she has guided teams in the creation of diverse media projects. Her expertise in digital strategies and discoverability helps optimize project visibility, meeting the challenge of attracting and retaining audience attention. Deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, she prioritizes projects that reflect these values.

Jennifer Park has been with TELUS Communications for the past 8 years and is the Manager of TELUS STORYHIVE and Community Content. This is a funding program within TELUS that supports new and emerging digital content creators and filmmakers with grant funding, training, mentorship and distribution opportunities. STORYHIVE provides underrepresented voices an opportunity to grow and learn in the media landscape while sharing locally reflective authentic stories. Their programs range from short form documentaries and episodic content, to livestreaming and video podcast productions providing an opportunity for various types of creators across Western Canada.

Prior to this role, Jennifer was a Senior Community Investment Manager within the TELUS Corporate Citizenship and Communications Team overseeing numerous Community Boards, Disaster Relief programs, Cause Marketing campaigns and led the launch of TELUS' Indigenous Communities Fund.

Outside of TELUS, Jennifer recently launched her own non-toxic and cruelty free cosmetics company Lashily Cosmetics. She is passionate about health and well-being and spends her time training as a nationally qualified figure competitor, Certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist with a focus on functional health practices. Additionally, she is a District Manager with Arbonne Canada. When she is not working, she volunteers with Make a Wish Canada and has been Wish Grantor for the past 19 years. Jennifer resides in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with her family.

A graduate of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)'s Cultural and Media Production Strategies program, Laurence Grondin-Robillard also holds a master's degree in communications with a concentration in sociometric media from the same university. She is currently writing her doctoral thesis in communications. Her thesis, co-supervised by Marc Ménard and André Mondoux, is based on the model of content and information circulation specific to TikTok. Her research is part of a wider interest in digital social media with a particular focus on the issues surrounding information, such as infodemic, disinformation, and misinformation. She is also passionate about the mechanisms of recommendation algorithms, online virality, and generative artificial intelligence.

Recognized as an expert in her field, Laurence has already taken part in over 100 interviews in Quebec and Canadian media. In addition, she has appeared as an expert witness before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs of the House of Commons of Canada concerning foreign interference in elections.

Laurence is a lecturer in the Digital Media program at her alma mater. She is also research coordinator at the Groupe de recherche sur l'information et la surveillance au quotidien (GRISQ) and a student-member of the Centre de recherche interuniversitaire sur la communication, l'information et la société (CRICIS). Before becoming involved in research and teaching, she worked in communications for a Canadian eyewear chain, significantly developing their online presence and digital content output.

Nicolas Saint-Cyr is a creative director based in Montreal, Canada, renowned for his award-winning international achievements in digital medias, immersive experiences, exhibitions, interactive storytelling and brand experiences.

With a solid background in design, communication, art, media, and technology, he has collaborated on a wide range of projects and has led numerous creative teams across multiple sectors, highlighting his commitment to pushing the boundaries of Digital Creativity and Contemporary Experience Design. Entertainment companies, design & architecture studios, museums, science centers, interpretation centers, multimedia and event production companies, exhibition design firms, cities & public spaces, international brands, art and culture organizations, social and environmental groups, broadcast and media companies, travel and tourism agencies, real estate groups, retail areas, social impact strategy firms and advertising agencies.

Nicolas is passionate about leveraging his expertise to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Through his projects, he seeks to create impactful experiences that engage viewers/visitors and deepen their understanding of important scientific, social, cultural and environmental topics. His strategic mindset and multidisciplinary approach with his teams focus on co-creation and a holistic perspective, always seeking innovative ways to develop meaningful, engaging, and entertaining stories and experiences.

His collective offers a variety of strategy, creative & digital content production services across numerous project types, including immersive, interactive & ‘‘phygital’’ experiences, omnichannel brand campaigns, museum exhibitions, multimedia installations, interactive walls, pubic activations, online docuseries & digital content, retail experiences, marketing spaces, experiential events and brand experiences.