On May 3rd, Corus Media Management Accelerator alumni, faculty, and industry guests gathered to celebrate the graduation of our third program cohort. Last fall, eleven women were selected from across our industry to complete two months of intensive managerial training, followed by one-on-one coaching with academic leaders via The Chang School’s Experiential Learning Exchange at Ryerson University.

Speakers at the graduation included: Maria Hale, SVP, Global Entertainment & Content Acquisition, Corus Entertainment; Jocelyn Hamilton, WIFT-T Board Chair; Elaine Lam, Executive Director, Business Development and Strategic Planning, Chang School; Heather Webb, WIFT-T Executive Director; and Muthana Zuri, Program Director, Communications and Design, Chang School.

We also heard from program participant, Magdalene John. Magdalene is the Senior Executive Producer and Co-host of 100 Huntley St.

I left with so much knowledge. The CMMA is intense and focused, with the goal of empowering women to take a seat at the table of leadership in one of the most influential industries. After learning everything from management skills to marketing and everything in between, I truly feel I’m a better leader because of it!

At WIFT-T, we invest in women by focusing on their career development. We believe that as women gain knowledge and experience, their capabilities multiply and so does their confidence; and that the screen-based industry is stronger and more innovative with a diverse, connected and well-trained workforce.

The Corus Media Management Accelerator was developed in response to the need for business training, at the emerging professional level, within the screen-based industry.

We believe that in order for women to succeed in the screen-based industry they need to have strong business and entrepreneurship skills no matter what area or role they occupy in the industry (producer, director, sales, festival programmer, etc.). That is why we focus on career and business education.

All of WIFT-T’s programs are designed with success in mind. Led by top creative and business professionals and academics, our programming supports continued innovation and business competitiveness in this ever-evolving media landscape.

The goal of this program is to provide foundational business skills and knowledge to emerging professionals so that participants can become effective team managers, decision makers and communicators and we are fortunate to engage the expertise of Ryerson University faculty to achieve this.

Thank you to our Presenting Partner, Corus Entertainment; Supporting Partner, OMDC; and Academic Partner, G. Raymond Chang School for Continuing Studies at Ryerson University for your ongoing support of women's advancement as leaders, changemakers, and entrepreneurs.