Get to know them...

Co-Chairs

Athena Georgaklis

Executive Producer, Creative & Business Strategy | Independent

Athena Georgaklis is an experienced Canadian children's media executive and producer with deep expertise in content development, creative strategy and business development. Now-a-days, Athena is an independant executive producers on many wonderfull projects. She previously held senior roles at Nelvana and TELETOON, where she was instrumental in developing and commissioning children's content for Canadian audiences. Athena brings extensive experience across production, broadcasting, animation and international partnerships.

Maria Kennedy

Owner & Executive Producer | Little Engine Moving Pictures

Maria Kennedy is the Owner, Executive Producer and co-founder of Little Engine Moving Pictures. She oversees the company's development, production and distribution activities and has secured significant Canadian financing for children's and family content. Maria has built strong relationships with broadcasters, funders and international partners and brings a producer's perspective to KIMS Canada's focus on financing, partnerships and international growth.

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Advisory Board Members

Marianne Lambert

Senior Director, Content | TFO

With more than 25 years of experience in content production, Marianne Lambert is a bilingual children's media specialist with expertise spanning production, development, acquisitions and co-productions. She has held roles at both TFO and TVO and previously led Mini TFO and TVOKids initiatives. In her current role at TFO, she oversees content strategy and continues to play a key role in acquisitions, partnerships and children's programming.

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Nancy Roy

Head of Content, Youth & Family | Télé-Québec

Nancy Roy brings more than 20 years of experience in entertainment, broadcasting and content acquisition. At Télé-Québec, she focuses primarily on international acquisitions for youth and family content and brings an extensive network of Canadian and international industry relationships. Previously with Québecor, Nancy developed significant expertise in rights, licensing and content acquisition in a rapidly changing media environment.

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Nathalie Chamberland

Director, Youth Programming | CBC/Radio-Canada

Nathalie Chamberland is a senior children's media executive with extensive experience across production and broadcasting. As Director of Youth Programming at CBC/Radio-Canada, she has been involved in the development and delivery of content for young audiences across platforms. Her experience provides KIMS Canada with an important public-broadcaster perspective on Canadian content, audiences and the evolving children's media landscape.

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Marianne Culbert

VP Production, Animation | Sphere Media

Marianne Culbert is a veteran Canadian animation executive with more than 30 years of production experience. She has held senior production roles at leading Canadian animation companies including Nelvana, Mercury Filmworks and Portfolio Entertainment. At Sphere Animation, she oversees production and has worked on numerous series for major international partners including PBS, Disney, Netflix and Teletoon.

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Renaud Sylvain

CEO & Executive Producer | Happy Camper Média

Renaud Sylvain is the CEO and Executive Producer of Happy Camper Média, a Québec-based production company and 2D animation studio. He founded the company in 2018 with the ambition of developing, producing and distributing original children's content with international potential. Happy Camper's work includes the successful Agent Jean! franchise and a growing slate of original animation and family projects.

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Steve Couture

Co-CEO | Epic Story Media / Co-founder, Epic Storyworlds

Steve Couture is an entrepreneur and producer with deep experience at the intersection of children's entertainment, gaming, animation and technology. He co-founded Frima Studio and later co-founded Epic Storyworlds with Ken Faier. Today, he focuses on developing globally scalable children's IP and franchises that can extend across television, digital platforms, games, toys and other experiences.

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Guillaume Boulerice-Choquette

Development Producer & Screenwriter | Zone3

Guillaume Boulerice-Choquette is a development producer and television screenwriter at Zone3. His work includes children's and family productions such as L'île Kilucru, as well as other scripted television projects. His combination of creative development and production experience brings a valuable Québec producer's perspective to the KIMS Canada Advisory Board.

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Julie Lavallée

Partner & Producer | Trio Orange

Julie Lavallée is a partner and producer at Trio Orange and has extensive experience developing and producing television and youth content. She has been involved in numerous successful Québec productions, including children's and youth programming such as Cochon dingue, Les Cavaliers and Les Millimus. She brings strong creative, production and development expertise to the KIMS Canada Advisory Board.

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Gráinne McNamara

Vice President, Development | BBC

Gráinne leads creative development at BBC Studios Kids & Family, helping to originate and grow new intellectual property (IP) into globally successful brands. She works closely with creators and production partners to develop distinctive, scalable series for preschool, kids, and family audiences.

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Sarah Haasz

Founder & Creative Facilitator | Pillango Productions

After more than 20 years in children’s television with networks such as YTV, Treehouse TV, CBC Kids, Disney XD Canada, Disney Jr Canada, and Family Channel, Sarah now brings her extensive industry expertise to production, developing original IP and supporting producers in bringing their projects to life. She recently wrapped Season 2 of Gangnam Project, a live-action series she created based on her experience as a first-generation Korean Canadian. Her credits also include the Emmy-nominated series Circuit Breakers for Apple TV and Step By Step: Let’s Dance for TVO Kids. Throughout her career, Sarah has contributed to the development of more than 2,500 hours of children’s programming and series such as The Next Step, Raising Expectations, Backstage, and Justin Time. She has also taught at Centennial College and currently serves on the board of the Youth Media Alliance.

Marie McCann

Senior Director, Children's Content | CBC Kids

Marie McCann leads CBC Kids' children's content strategy, overseeing development, production and acquisition across television, streaming, digital and third-party platforms. Since taking the lead at CBC Kids, she and her team have launched and supported numerous award-winning Canadian children's productions and international acquisitions. She brings extensive expertise in commissioning, audience strategy and multi-platform children's content.

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Agnes Augustin

President & CEO | Shaw Rocket Fund

Agnes Augustin has led the Shaw Rocket Fund since 2004 and is one of Canada's leading advocates for children's and youth media. Under her leadership, the Fund has become an important source of financing for Canadian children's content while expanding its advocacy, research and industry partnerships. Agnes brings a unique perspective on financing, policy, sustainability and the future of Canadian kids' media.

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Kirsten Hurd

Commissioning Editor, TVOKids | TVO

Kirsten Hurd is responsible for commissioning and programming the TVOKids broadcast block and its suite of branded digital channels. She oversees acquisitions and original commissions across educational children's programming and works to ensure content supports the learning pathways and diverse needs of children across Ontario. Kirsten brings valuable expertise in public broadcasting, commissioning and the evolution of children's content across platforms.

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Vince Commisso

President & CEO | 9 Story Media Group

Vince Commisso is President and CEO of 9 Story Media Group, one of the world's leading independent children's and family content companies. He co-founded 9 Story in 2002 and has helped build the company into a global producer, distributor and brand owner with operations across North America and Europe. His expertise spans production, distribution, international markets and children's entertainment franchises.

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Katie Wilson

VP, Global Acquisitions & Sales | WildBrain

Katie Wilson is a senior children's media executive with extensive experience in programming, content strategy, acquisitions and distribution. At WildBrain, she has held leadership roles spanning channels, curation and content management and now leads Global Acquisitions and Sales. Her expertise in identifying, acquiring and commercializing content makes her an important voice on KIMS Canada's international market and deal-making agenda.

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Jennifer Twiner-McCarron

President, Kids, Family & YA | Blue Ant Media

Jennifer Twiner-McCarron leads Blue Ant Media's Kids, Family & Young Adult division, overseeing creative strategy, development, production and operations across animated and live-action programming. Previously CEO of Thunderbird Entertainment and Atomic Cartoons, she has helped build some of Canada's leading children's production capabilities and executive produced internationally recognized series including The Last Kids on Earth, Dogs in Space and Molly of Denali.

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Caroline Tyre

VP, Global Content Distribution | Spin Master

Caroline Tyre is Vice President, Global Content Distribution at Spin Master, where she works at the intersection of children's entertainment, global distribution and major IP. Her role provides insight into how Canadian-created and internationally recognized children's brands are positioned, distributed and monetized around the world. Caroline brings a valuable commercial and international perspective to KIMS Canada's market strategy.

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Tatiana Kober

President | Bejuba! Entertainment

Tatiana Kober is the founder and President of Bejuba! Entertainment, an international children's content company specializing in executive production, financing, co-production and distribution. She works closely with producers to bring projects from development through financing and international sales. With more than two decades in children's media, Tatiana has developed extensive experience building international partnerships and bringing Canadian content to global audiences.

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Rick Clodfelter

Executive Director, Content Acquisitions & Partnerships | Disney Branded Television

Rick Clodfelter leads content acquisitions and partnerships for Disney Branded Television, identifying series, movies and short-form content from third-party creators for Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and other Disney platforms. His work includes major international acquisitions such as Bluey, and he brings extensive insight into global children's content trends, commissioning needs, rights and strategic partnerships.

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Justine Bannister

Founder & Creative Facilitator | JUST B

Justine Bannister is a trilingual international children's media consultant with nearly 30 years of experience across production, development, acquisitions, distribution, co-production, financing and brand strategy. Through JUST B, she works with producers, distributors, festivals, funders and media companies around the world. She is also active as a moderator, advisor, mentor and international project evaluator

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Sarah Muller

Senior Head of Commissioning, 7+ | BBC

Currently Senior Head of Commissioning, 7+ at BBC Children’s and Education, Sarah is responsible for content decisions across multiple genres for young audiences, including drama, animation, factual, and entertainment. Previously, she was Vice President of Children’s and Youth Programming at Sony Pictures Television, where she was responsible for the Pop and Sony Music channels. She also served as Head of Children’s at Channel 5, overseeing the Milkshake! brand. She later became Creative Director, Scripted, Animation and Co-Productions at CBBC In-House, following her role as Head of CBBC Acquisitions, Animation and Drama Development. Prior to joining BBC Children’s, Sarah was Managing Director of Elephant Productions.

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