Telefilm Canada executive director and CEO Christa Dickenson is to depart the organisation on September 9 after more than four years in the role.
A leadership search for a replacement is underway. Dickenson assumed her role on July 30, 2018, following a career in television, technology, telecommunications and digital media and during her tenure has led Telefilm through a period of transformation including the launch of Telefilm’s largest pan-Canadian consultation on the Success Index, the Development Program and the Talent to Watch Program.
She modernised the programmes, promoted access to those programmes for a greater diversity of Canadian voices, and implemented action plans in the areas of environmental responsibility, and equity and representation.
Under her leadership Telefilm was allocated CA $105m ($83m) in additional funding over a three-year period. The body was also administered the Canadian Audio-Visual Short-Term Compensation Fund and additional funding to support the recovery and reopening of the arts and culture sector during the pandemic.
Thanking Diskenson for her “vital” service, Telefilm Canada board chair Robert Spickler said, “She has been rigorous, bold and skilled at leading the change within the organisation and has put in place an experienced executive leadership team that will ensure continuity in the service of Telefilm’s mission.”
“It was a difficult decision to make, but since I set out to make meaningful change, I felt that after all we accomplished together, I could leave to take on a new challenge within another organisation,” said Dickenson. “I am proud of the Telefilm team, an accomplished and passionate team of dedicated professionals who have proven to be particularly agile and determined during this period of profound transformation. Telefilm has a solid foundation to continue to support the audiovisual industry as a whole and enable it to flourish. The future of this industry is promising.”
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