November 21, 2017
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Spotlight

Spotlight: Diane Williamson, 2017 Digital Trailblazer Award winner

Diane Williamson is a highly accomplished and innovative entrepreneur whose visionary instinct pioneered the digital media industry in Canada.

In 1993, Diane and a team of colleagues launched the first programming website for CBC. Recognizing the enormous potential of the internet and the possibilities it held for media production, Diane founded her own company, Digital Wizards, in 1996. Under her leadership, the company has produced award-winning digital media properties for such clients as: Parks Canada, the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, the Virtual Museum of Canada, Pearson Education Canada, and Penguin Books. 

In the mid 2000’s Diane consulted for Corus Entertainment. She was then hired by marblemedia to lead its burgeoning interactive division as VP Interactive. In 2007, she became the Director of Interactive Business Development.

Diane’s career later took her to The University of Waterloo where she was responsible for the operations of an innovation lab that explored new digital technologies including Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, among others.

As a champion for the digital media industry, women, and young entrepreneurs, Diane has served as a mentor, advisor, and thought-leader. She was one of the first board directors of Interactive Ontario and was instrumental in the organization’s advocacy efforts. Diane has also lent her expertise to the Mobile Experience Innovation Centre at OCAD University and the Innovation lab at the University of Waterloo.

An active WIFT-T board member from 2009-2014, Diane Chaired the Steering Committee for WIFT-T’s three-day International Women in Digital Media Summit held in October 2011, featuring 55 presenters from five countries and keynotes by Arianna Huffington and Dr. Sara Diamond.

 

The Crystal Awards is Women in Film & Television – Toronto’s (WIFT-T) annual tribute to women working in the Canadian screen-based industry, as well as the men who champion them. Since 1988, WIFT-T has honoured over 130 industry trailblazers for their excellence in creativity, innovation, and leadership in Canada’s screen-based media industry (film, television and digital media).

The 30th Annual Crystal Awards Gala luncheon will take place on December 5, 2017 at the Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario.

Nourish your spirit with more stories of WIFT-T and women in action:
WIFT-T Showcase 2020 WORTH THE WAIT
The 11th annual WIFT-T Showcase will celebrate nine compelling new works that will make you laugh, cry and think.
Dianna Bodnar and Andrew Pope awarded Ontario Creates funding for web series, Down to Earth
Dianna and Andrew were among 9 content creators selected for the inaugural WIFT-T Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Futures program in 2018.
Sonia Brar and Cheryl Fullerton announced as 2020 Women in Communications and Technology award recipients
Sonia and Cheryl will receive their awards at the WCT Leadership Excellence Awards on May 7th at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.