Foundation Board Members

A veteran television producer and writer, Fennella Bruce is now at the helm of FKB Media Solutions and FKB Media Productions Inc – a media consulting business and a media production house. Having worked in the field of journalism for over 20 years, Fennella has produced both of Canada’s national morning shows – Your Morning and Canada AM. She has been the senior writer or producer at numerous major market television stations including CTV News Channel, CTV National, CP24, CityTv, Toronto 1 and BET.

For six years, Fennella taught Media Literacy Theory at Centennial College and has also served on journalism boards and on many critique juries, including the Canadian Screen Awards, The New York Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards and the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for the Juno Awards. She has her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University.

Fennella served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors and was a Board member for four years with Dr. Roz’s Healing Place - a centre that aids women and children escaping from violent situations. She was named the 2023 Rogers IABC/Toronto Communicator of the Year, 2022 Businesswoman of the Year by the Women Empowerment Awards and is one of 2020’s 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women.

Kim’s experience in the television industry spans over two decades. She joined Super Channel in 2012 and currently serves as the company’s Chief Communications Officer. In this role Kim oversees a diverse portfolio, including media relations, programming publicity, corporate communications and industry outreach. Prior to joining Super Channel, Kim was Director of Marketing, Publicity & Promotion at 20th Century Fox / Incendo Television Distribution for over a decade. Kim began her television career with Alliance Broadcasting as a publicist for Showcase & History Television. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from McMaster University and a post-grad certificate in PR from Humber College. She is also a graduate of the WIFT Toronto Media Leadership Program.

Michelle, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and Senior Director of Finance and Administration at Brunico Communications Ltd., enjoys working with the entertainment industry which stems from her enjoyment of working with innovative minds. Throughout her 23 years of accounting experience, she has enjoyed working with cross-functional teams to use her creativity. With 13 years at Brunico, Michelle has held several roles and now leads the department with her creative mindset and embraces working alongside like-minded individuals. While she majored in accounting and minored in human resources, Michelle feels fulfilled when her work makes a positive impact on others’ lives. She is looking forward to using her experience and enthusiasm to do this through her work with WIFT.

Nellie Lindner has worked in the insurance industry for 37 years and specializing in Film Television and Entertainment for the last 22 years. She has worked as a Senior Underwriter in both Property and Casualty insurance for some of the largest Insurance Companies in Canada and then 13 years ago transitioned to an Entertainment Insurance Broker.
Nellie holds her Chartered Insurance Professional and Canadian Risk Management Designations. Her technical knowledge and her understanding of innovative products and Insurance needs has been a tremendous asset to her clients.
Having worked with experienced Risk Managers on major Entertainment risks, Nellie has been fortunate enough to have expanded her knowledge and expertise internationally.
Nellie is a member various industry associations and sat on the North American Contingency Association Board acting as Co-President.

The Boston-born, Calgary-bred Andras is the Creator and Showrunner of SYFY/CTV's hit series Wynonna Earp. Previously, she worked as the Showrunner of Lost Girl, and as Supervising Producer on Killjoys.

Andras’ other credits include Co-producer of the police drama King, and Showrunner of Instant Star. She has written for numerous other television series such as Degrassi: The Next Generation, Sophie, and Total Drama Island.

Andras is known for her fresh take -- CNBC called her “a genre darling” with a “cult following”. But what Emily is most proud of is being pulled on stage to dance with Springsteen. Which totally happened.

Described as the lead conduit of talent and the PR face that drives operational success while leveraging diverse talent, Rhonda has 20 years’ experience in Human Resources. She is a People and Culture Leader with a strategic, innovative partnership approach to relationship engagement. Rhonda has experience in various areas in HR with contributions in various industries such as Financial Services, Government, Sports, and Entertainment. 

Throughout her career she has made efforts to create community linkages welcoming opportunities to demonstrate her commitment to supporting and shaping women and equity deserving youth. Rhonda looks forward to providing support to the WIFT Board.

Sue Haas is a respected leader in the Canadian media industry with over 20 years of experience building successful TV and digital-first products, content and brands that reach global markets. She recently became President & COO of NLogic, a leading data-driven solutions company targeting the media sector. Sue currently spearheads NLogic’s strategic vision and oversees operations and growth. She is dedicated to transformative data solutions that will propel clients towards stronger business results and decision-making. Prior to NLogic Sue was the SVP of Digital at Blue Ant Media.

Laura Mingail is the Founder of Archetypes & Effects, known for developing innovative solutions to engage audiences for both established and emerging storytelling industries.

With a track record of success across film, TV, XR and consumer products, Laura has led marketing, communications, and new business initiatives for prominent brands such as Disney Junior, CTV, Cineplex Entertainment, Entertainment One and PepsiCo.

In addition to her work with Archetypes & Effects, Laura contributes to the evolution of the marketing and entertainment industries as an Advisory Board Member for SXSW, media contributor and speaker. She is an invited speaker and jury member at leading events and festivals such as AI World Forum, Augmented World Expo, Guanajuato International Film Festival, Series Mania, SXSW and Tribeca Festival, as well as for intellectual organizations ranging from University of Toronto to Mensa Canada.

Tamara Shannon is Senior Vice President at Universal Pictures Canada where she oversees the marketing for all of the studio and Focus Features films. Recent and upcoming releases include the Academy Award Winning Oppenheimer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Despicable Me 4 and Wicked.  Prior to joining Universal, she held senior leadership positions at Entertainment One, Endeavour Advertising and Lions Gate Films. 

Tamara is currently Chair the NBCU Canada Social Impact Fund (“CSIF”), which she helped develop to support community and cultural organizations. Investments have included The Black Academy’s Skills Development Program,  Women In Film & Television’s Mentorship Program and the Toronto International Film Festival’s Every Story program.

Tamara is a committee member of the #EmpowerHerForum through the Canadian Media Directors Council, a committee member of the CIBC Toronto Run for the Cure Race Committee and a Downie Wenjack Fund Ambassador focused on reconciliation planning and learning for NBCU.

Jennifer Shin joined CBC as Director of Development, Comedy in February of 2022. A film and television producer with over 15 years of experience in the industry including such acclaimed films as Rebecca Addelman's Paper Year and Patricia Rozema's Mouthpiece, Jennifer joins us from the Peabody Award-winning production company Banger Films, where she served as Head of Content and launched a scripted division. Prior to that, she was VP of Feature Film at First Generation Films,where she oversaw the development and production slate of their projects. Jennifer has also had a rich career in entertainment journalism, working as a producer on entertainment television shows including CBC's George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight/The Hour. Jennifer is the co-chair of the Reel Asian Film Festival.