The Corus Media Management Accelerator (CMMA) is a biennial certificate program designed to provide screen-based professionals with the tools they need to strengthen their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The 56-hour intensive program kicked off on October 4 and will run on Fridays and Saturdays until November 16 at Corus Quay.

“We’re proud to partner with Corus and The Chang School once again in delivering this career accelerating program. Through programs like the CMMA, women are better prepared to succeed in decision-making roles, grow as entrepreneurs, and launch sustainable careers in media.”

— Laurie Januska, Director of Programming, WIFT-T

“Corus is proud to support the CMMA program given its focused and targeted approach to six essential management competencies that provide a strong foundation for participants. Skills built through this program will not only help shape future career opportunities, but also future contributions and successes in our industry.”

— Cheryl Fullerton, Executive Vice President, People and Communications, Corus Entertainment

"The Chang School is thrilled to partner with WIFT-T to provide emerging media industry leaders with a foundation in management principles. The six core competency areas of the CMMA program offers participants the unique opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that inform the type of manager they aspire to become."

— Fred Anger, Interim Dean, The Chang School

The Corus Media Management Accelerator covers key managerial principles including: business communications, project management, financial reporting, marketing, and strategic planning. Over 40 women have graduated from this program.

This year’s participants include:

• ‍Katie Blodgett (coordinator, original content; drama, kids, factual, Corus Entertainment);
• ‍Karen Carrington (talk show host, emcee, Frequency5 FM);
• ‍Michala Duffield (head of core product, Secret Location);
• ‍Solange Fermin (producer);
• ‍Melissa Houghton (account director, Ove Brand Design);
• ‍Bernice Kim (producer);
• ‍Renata Mohamed (filmmaker; deputy director, Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto - LIFT);
• ‍Danielle Peckitt (ad operations manager, Blue Ant Media);
• ‍Liat Shalom (creative director); and,
• ‍Erica Shallow (manager, production, Corus Entertainment).

Instructors for the 2019 edition of the Corus Media Management Accelerator are: Veronica Chail (journalism; professor, Seneca College); Paul Gillespie (general manager, County BrewCo; professor, marketing, advertising & entrepreneurship, Ryerson University); Jerry Kafieh (AVP, IT & Portfolio Governance, TD; instructor, project management, Ryerson University); Dr. Wilson Leung (Director, Graduate Leadership Institute & lecturer, Ryerson University; co-founder & chair, Thinking Forward); Brad MacMaster (assistant professor, Ted Rogers School of Management, School of Accounting & Finance, Ryerson University; principal, eCFO Consulting); Catherine Meyer (president, CEO, Catalyst Leadership Solutions); and, Philip Walsh (associate professor, department of entrepreneurship & strategy, Ryerson University; managing director, Smith, Walsh & Associates).

Following completion of the program sessions, participants will choose from a select number of topics and be teamed with a Ryerson University faculty member to further explore a specific subject, chosen by them, with a strategic outcome. These one-on-one sessions will focus on career-building skills, and will be task and goal-oriented. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Recognition of Completion award from the The Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University.