Emily Andras

Creator, Showrunner and Executive Producer, Wynonna Earp

The Boston-born, Calgary-bred Andras has a diverse list of television credits to her name. Currently, she is the Creator and Showrunner of SYFY’s hit series Wynonna Earp. Previously, she spent three seasons as the Showrunner and Executive Producer of Lost Girl, and recently worked as the Supervising Producer on Killjoys,...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board,Showrunner Screen Time: Emily Andras, Frank Spotnitz, Anna Winger, Anthony Farrell, Loren Bouchard

Sylvia Bugg

Chief Programming Executive & General Manager
PBS

As Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Sylvia Bugg oversees all non-children’s content and leads PBS’s programming strategy across its broadcast and digital platforms. She is also responsible for the acquisition and development of world-class programming for PBS and its member stations, with a particular focus on sharing important stories that reflect...more

Speaking at: What it means to run a public broadcaster in 2021 (and beyond),Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Deniese Davis

Founder and CEO
Reform Media Group

Deniese Davis began her career producing music videos, short films and digital content including Issa Rae's award-winning web series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl. She is currently an Co-Executive Producer on the HBO Emmy-nominated comedy series Insecure and a Producer on HBO’s Emmy-nominated A Black Lady Sketch Show. After 8 years of producing for Hoorae Media (fka Issa Rae Productions), Deniese...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board,Expanding your audience through the power of diverse storytelling (panel + mixer)

Sara Geater

Chief Operating Officer
All3Media

Sara Geater was appointed Chief Operating Officer of All3Media in 2015, joining the senior executive team created after the acquisition of the business by Discovery and Liberty Global. Sara works closely with the businesses in the Group to drive growth, both organically and through acquisition. She brings her expertise as...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Athena Georgaklis

Executive Producer, Creative & Business Strategy
Nelvana Ltd

Athena Georgaklis is the Head of Development for Nelvana.  A highly respected animation executive, Athena leads the acquisition of rights and the development of all original content for Nelvana. Athena is committed to develop creator-driven content, working with the studio’s producers, creators, and talent around the world that will resonate...more

Speaking at: 30 Minutes With: Nelvana,Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Michael Gordon

TV Global Scripted Agent
Creative Artists Agency

Michael Gordon is a TV Global Scripted Agent at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). At CAA he has put together and represented many critically acclaimed global shows including Fauda (Netflix), Tehran (Apple), Euphoria (HBO), How to Sell Drugs Online (FAST) (Netflix), Feel Good (Netflix), War of the Worlds (Epix) and...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board,Meet an Expert: Agents - CAA, United Talent Agency, Gary Goddard Agency

Melanie Nepinak Hadley

Executive Director, Equity and Inclusion-Canada
WarnerMedia

Melanie is an Ojibway Woman and member of Pine Creek First Nation. Growing up in an underrepresented community, she has the unique life experience to give her the drive, ambition, and perseverance to explore the power of change through storytelling. 

In her 15+ years working in the entertainment industry in Canada she...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board,Chatroom: Creating a healthier and more inclusive industry

Andy Harries

Chief Executive
Left Bank Pictures

Andy Harries is Chief Executive and co-founder of Left Bank Pictures, a multi award-winning UK-based film and television production company. Established in 2007, and a majority stake acquired by Sony in 2012, Left Bank Pictures has produced a huge range of TV and film including Wallander, Mad Dogs and Strike...more

Speaking at: Tales from the hitmakers: strategies for the streaming era,Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Monika Ille

Chief Executive Officer
APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

Monika Ille is a member of the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak. She has built a rich and diverse portfolio over the course of nearly 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...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board,In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - APTN,A cultural conversation: the future of Indigenous broadcasting and streaming

Angela Jain

Director, Unscripted, UK
Lifted Entertainment

Angela is Managing Director of Lifted Entertainment (FKA: ITV Studios Entertainment), the largest producer of entertainment programmes in the UK. The label produces a wide variety of award-winning and acclaimed shows for all of the UK broadcasters and increasingly internationally too. Ranging from University Challenge, to Love Island to Ant...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Marika Makaroff

Founder and CCO
Gutsy Animations

Marika Makaroff is an award-winning content creator, producer and creative director hailing from Finland. Currently the Creative Creative Officer and founder of Gutsy Animations, Makaroff has worked in media for over 20 years with past roles including creative director at Fremantle Media and Filmlance International and additionally, CEO at Fremantle...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board,Master Class: Moominvalley

Matt McGowan

Director and General Manager
Snap

A born and bred New Yorker turned Torontonian who has lived on 3 continents; Matt has worked alongside many of the world's best-known and thousands of lesser-known corporations including brands, agencies, and technology companies. 

Matt is the Director and General Manager of Snapchat Canada, the camera company that owns Snapchat, Spectacles,...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Ivan Pehar

Ad Sales Director
Spotify Canada

Ivan Pehar is the Head of Canada Ad Sales at Spotify. He is an accomplished strategic digital marketing professional with over 20 years’ experience in brand building, media innovation, and technology for some of the world’s most respected brands.

Ivan is responsible for developing the Spotify Canada go-to-market strategy that assists...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Lucie Quenneville

Director General , Programming Strategies and Acquisitions
Bell Media

Lucie Quenneville joined Bell Media in July 2020 as General Manager, Programming Strategies and Acquisitions. She has 25 years of experience in the television industry and was most recently Senior Manager, Youth Acquisitions and Content Monitoring, at Radio-Canada, where she put in place the first strategic content intelligence unit.

Before that, she...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Tamra Simmons

CEO and Executive Producer
The TSB Agency & Live Always Productions

Who is Tamra Simmons?

Tamra Simmons is an internationally acclaimed CEO, producer, writer, talent director, and entrepreneur. She is most recognized for her work as the creator and executive producer of the ground-breaking Lifetime documentary series, Surviving R. Kelly. The docuseries has reached over 26.8 million viewers & over 20 million...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board

Emily Smith

VP, International Original Programming
WarnerMedia

Emily Smith is the Senior Director of International Originals at HBO Max, which launched in May of 2020. Since joining, she has been involved with a number of international series, working with writers, producers, and directors to deliver quality content on the popular streaming service. Prior to joining, Max, Emily was an Executive...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board,Chatroom: Commissioning FAQ

Vinay Virmani

Partner and Chief Content Officer
Uninterrupted Canada

Vinay Virmani is a graduate of Toronto’s York University, known for its progressive programs in media, arts and performance. Also a student of the esteemed Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York City, Vinay is the Founder of the Toronto film and TV production company First Take Entertainment.

His...more

Speaking at: Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board