Media, Entertainment and Sports

Jacob is a Creator Partnerships Lead at Shopify, where he works with some of the biggest creators on the planet like Ryan Trahan, Colin & Samir, Jake Carlini, HopeScope, Donut Media and more to promote Shopify’s support of creator entrepreneurship. Before Shopify, Jacob managed Grubhub’s gaming/esports program at the Outloud Group. He worked on partnerships with the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), Call of Duty League and 100 Thieves as well as celebrity partnerships. Prior to this, Jacob held sales and marketing roles with eOne, Sunset Produce and 3M and was an on-air radio personality for Bell Media and Central Ontario Broadcasting. In his spare time, he’s usually playing the latest games and talking about them on one of his gaming podcasts. You can find him @JacobMcCourt on social media. 

Paula Sanderson is an emerging Canadian television producer with extensive experience in factual entertainment and unscripted content, currently working on CBC's Dragons' Den. She loves partnering with companies and individuals who value creativity, innovation, and sustainability, and who champion Canadian stories at home and on the global stage. Paula is a recent graduate with an MBA from the Ted Rogers School of Management where she focused on Entrepreneurship, Strategic Leadership, and Innovation. Bringing together her broadcast and business backgrounds - she is proud to work on CBC's Dragons' Den, where she finds the best businesses and founders from across the country. Over her short tenure on the show, she has helped Canadian companies raise over 12 million dollars. She is also a champion for community partnerships - using the show’s brand to organize entrepreneurial workshops with public libraries across Canada and give back to local organizations who support Canadian entrepreneurs. She believes in television with impact - previously working on the in-house television channel at SickKids’ hospital and on Still Standing, showcasing the hardworking Canadians who keep Canada’s small towns thriving. When not working, she leads programming with Girl Guides of Canada and is a media mentor for GGC's youth spokespersons program. She also volunteers with Amici Camping Charity and SeriousFun Camps.

Cody Hock is a rising force in sports media, known for his visionary leadership and business acumen. As co-founder of Enjoy Basketball, he has transformed it into the fastest-growing basketball media platform for Gen Z in just two years. His ability to identify opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and foster community-driven content has solidified his reputation as a creative and business-savvy leader. Under Cody’s leadership, Enjoy Basketball has amassed over 1 million fans across platforms, delivering engaging content through five digital shows and podcasts. His strategic foresight secured high-profile partnerships with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and ESPN, expanding the brand’s reach and content offerings, including alternate broadcasts and branded collaborations. Cody’s impact extends to podcast production, where he played a key role in growing Numbers On The Board to 145,000 YouTube subscribers and over 1 million downloads monthly. He also co-created Small Ball with Kenny Beecham, securing a Vox Media partnership in 2024, further cementing Enjoy Basketball’s influence. Additionally, Cody spearheaded a collaboration with the NBA during the 2023 playoffs, launching joint social media campaigns that amplified both brands. His ability to integrate partnerships while maintaining authenticity highlights his strategic and creative leadership. More than just content creation, Cody’s work is about building a community and elevating basketball culture. With his vision, execution, and relentless drive, he continues to shape the future of sports media, proving himself to be a powerhouse in the industry.

Nate is a community journalist and editor, writing about parks, housing, local politics and policy, arts and culture, and sports for Vancity Lookout and The West End Journal. He’s previously worked with the National Observer, CBC, Canucks Army, The Mainlander, BCIT’s The Crow, and was an inaugural fellow with The Athletic’s Botchford Project. Nate lives in East Vancouver with his dog Sola.

I'm Hamza! I am a creative entrepreneur at heart, but for my day job, I manage Shopify's brand partnerships, with a particular focus on the brands and the entrepreneurial endeavours of celebrities and influential people. Born and raised in Ottawa, a son of immigrant parents, I am a proud Canadian and love this city. My hobbies include working on creative side projects, hiking and camping, playing and watching hockey, being my own mechanic, I love finding new music, gaming, and travelling when I can. Having been at Shopify for almost 10 years now (April 2015), I have had the immense privilege of working with some brilliant folks - both from our team internally and our merchant base. I have been responsible for managing some of our most high visibility marketing activities with folks like Drake, Chrissy Teigen, Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky, Marshawn Lynch, Lily Singh, LeBron James, Shay Mitchell and many more incredibly talented founders and creatives. I try to understand the world through many different lenses, and thoroughly enjoy the discovery of new information. Research is important to me! 

Dr. Charlie Wall-Andrews dedicates her work to fostering inclusivity and innovation in the creative industries. Recognized with the King Coronation III Medal and named Change Maker of the Year by Women in Music Canada in 2025. She has developed national initiatives such as the TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator to help emerging artists build sustainable careers, and the Equity X Production Program to empower women to learn music production. A newly minted PhD in Management and recipient of the Gold Medal for academic excellence at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Dr. Wall-Andrews is also a scholar and educator at The Creative School. In addition to her academic pursuits, she contributes to the broader arts community as a Board Member of the Canada Council for the Arts and serves as the inaugural Vice-Chair of Music Canada’s Advisory Council. She is also an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre. Through leadership, research, and creative endeavors, Dr. Wall-Andrews remains committed to empowering the next generation of artists and leaders shaping a more equitable future for the cultural sector. Learn more: www.charliewallandrews.com

Shaiyan has made a career out of helping independent brands punch above their weight class— first as an early employee at Shopify Plus, and most recently as one of the first ten hires at Substack. Over the last decade he has been lucky to have a front row seat in watching the shift of power from institutions to individuals, and can't wait to see how media evolves from here. He's a writer but mostly avoids it by training Jiu Jitsu, blundering pieces in Chess, or engagement baiting on Twitter.

AmandaRachLee is Chinese-Canadian artist and content creator who has been sharing her doodles online for over 12 years. She also runs a stationery business, ShopARL where she sells planners, stickers & other goods that she has designed. Her goal is to make art approachable and to encourage people to inject a little bit of creativity in their lives.

Cole Hock is a rising force in the sports media and lifestyle industry. As the co-founder of Enjoy Basketball, the fastest-growing basketball media brand for Gen Z, Cole has played a pivotal role in shaping a community-driven platform that blends basketball culture with innovative content and strategic collaborations. Since launching Enjoy Basketball, Cole has helped grow its audience to over 1 million fans across platforms while securing high-profile partnerships with industry leaders such as Vox Media, Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, and ESPN. Beyond digital media, he has led the brand’s expansion into lifestyle and merchandise, overseeing the launch and sellout of over 13 apparel and product campaigns, cementing Enjoy Basketball as a cultural force. Cole’s creative direction has been instrumental in driving the brand’s success. He led Enjoy Basketball’s collaboration with Omaha Productions and ESPN, producing a campaign featuring Peyton Manning that garnered over 2 million views. He also spearheaded the brand’s first collaboration with ICEE, expanding its reach into the consumer product space. In addition to his work at Enjoy Basketball, Cole has made a significant impact in podcasting. As a producer and co-creator, he helped propel Numbers On The Board to 145,000 YouTube subscribers and over 1 million downloads per month in just one year. He also co-created Small Ball with Kenny Beecham and played a key role in securing a major deal with Vox Media in 2024. With a forward-thinking vision and a relentless work ethic, Cole continues to push the boundaries of sports media, establishing himself as a leader in the industry.

Construction is boring and journalism is dead—I beg to differ. After cutting my teeth as an investigative crime reporter in the deep south of the U.S., I returned to Canada where I have spent nearly a decade reporting on the Canadian construction sector. Tired of traditional media, I joined SiteNews where we have worked to revolutionize the B2B media space with a modern, digital voice. I craft our twice weekly newsletter, work with ad clients, film video segments and help launch other innovative content pieces. Starting from scratch we have built up an audience of thousands through innovative marketing campaigns, in-person events across the country and creative storytelling.

​​Dashawn Stephens is a sports media and entertainment entrepreneur. A graduate of the University of Waterloo, where he played football, Stephens founded PRSVRE Media Group in 2022. The sports media and production company reimagines the Canadian college sports fan experience through in-depth coverage and storytelling while operating at the intersection of sports, business, culture, and innovation. Reaching 2.5 million sports fans monthly, PRSVRE has partnered with renowned brands such as Under Armour making it Canada’s largest college sports media company and one of the fastest-growing sports media entities. Beyond leading PRSVRE, Stephens is a football analyst for CBC Sports, serving as the lead colour analyst for the Vanier Cup—Canadian college football’s national championship—for the past three seasons. He is the youngest analyst ever to call a Vanier Cup and only the second Black analyst to do so. Stephens also contributes to the growth of Canadian football as a board member at Football Ontario, further solidifying his impact on the industry.

Thomas Johnston is a Talent Manager and Producer based in Toronto with a background in theatre, film/TV and talent management. Founded by Johnston in 2021, Shifted Digital is Canada’s leading digital-first talent management company where Johnston supports his clients’ career growth and development across the creator economy, traditional, and new media.

Jason Carlos is a strategic marketing and content professional with a proven track record of elevating brands in the arts, culture, and entertainment industries. His career spans over a decade, marked by significant achievements at leading organizations like the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Soulpepper Theatre Company. At TIFF, as Director of Content, he navigated the challenges of hybrid festivals during the COVID-19 pandemic by pioneering digital strategies that not only engaged global audiences but also generated revenue through innovative first-to-market content partnerships with platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, Twitter and Letterboxd. He led the organization's content strategy from end-to-end, including social media, video production, content capture, TIFF’s Live from the Red Carpet Show, and official interview suite and portrait studio. At Soulpepper, Toronto’s largest not-for-profit theatre, he contributed to the success of numerous award-winning productions, including their celebrated Off-Broadway residency in July 2017. Now, Jason is channeling his expertise into the relaunch of Canadian Music Week as Departure, a reimagined festival and conference bridging music, art, comedy, and technology. The inaugural Departure takes place May 6–11, 2025.

Jacob MacDonald, or “Jmac” to most, is a marketing and creative executive specializing in bridging brands into sports, music, and entertainment. Although Jmac’s foundation was built in the CPG world, his experience extends globally, focused on building relevance for brands, properties, and talent. Grounded by a mantra of ‘making people give a shit’ Jmac is passionate about building true connections to the modern day ‘fan’ and having a good time while doing it.

Dr. Alexander Sallas is an Editor-at-Large with the Literary Review of Canada, where he has held various editorial positions since 2019, including Senior Editor. In addition to assigning and editing contributions for one of Canada’s most respected cultural magazines, he has published more than fifty of his own works, ranging from literary criticism and philosophy to public policy. Dr. Sallas holds a Ph.D. in English from Western University, where his dissertation on the deus ex machina as a conceptual limit of narrative possibility evolved into his first book, The Impossible Is Possible: Deus Ex Machina and the Boundaries of Imagination, forthcoming from McGill-Queen’s University Press. Beyond academia and publishing, he has brought his critical voice to The Globe and Mail as an opinion writer, delivered public talks at Massey College, and twice judged the National Magazine Awards. An advocate for public intellectual engagement, Dr. Sallas has been a featured guest on CBC radio and a mentor in Massey College’s Meeting of Minds program. His teaching experience spans Fanshawe College, McMaster University, and Western University, where he has guided students in writing, literary analysis, and critical thought. Last year, he received a Digital Publishing Award nomination for his work on the Literary Review of Canada’s newsletter, Bookworm. With a career at the intersection of literature, culture, and public discourse, Dr. Sallas continues to shape Canada’s intellectual landscape through writing, editing, and mentorship.

Zechariah Thomas is a young entrepreneur, public speaker, and the founder of Swift Hockey, a company revolutionizing hockey equipment with high-performance sticks and apparel. His journey from self-taught businessman to a recognized leader in the hockey industry has garnered attention from major brands and media outlets. Born on December 10, 2002, Zechariah is not only a successful business owner but also a former professional hockey player, bringing firsthand experience and insight into the game. He did not pursue post-secondary education, instead learning everything he knows through books and YouTube. His hands-on approach to business has allowed him to grow Swift Hockey into a competitive brand known for its craftsmanship, affordability, and commitment to the sport. Beyond business, Zechariah is deeply involved in community outreach, working to make hockey more accessible to underprivileged kids. He has spoken at numerous schools, participated in youth empowerment events, and collaborated with professional organizations like the Toronto Raptors and Alibaba to motivate and inspire young athletes. Zechariah’s ambition extends beyond Swift Hockey—he aspires to build a hockey team of elite players, including a women’s team for women of color, to increase diversity in the sport. He is also a potential Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee, a testament to his impact in both business and community initiatives. With a passion for public speaking, Zechariah shares his story to empower youth to stay in school, work hard, and avoid crime, using his personal journey as proof that success is possible through dedication and perseverance.

Mylene is a storyteller exploring the intersection of design, filmmaking, and personal growth. As a former engineer and startup enthusiast she pulls lessons from her past experiences to help others reflect on their own lives and inspire millions. Previous to content creation she was known for her advocacy work in empowering women in STEM across Canada. She has paved the way for change in the content creation world by telling stories rooted in authenticity, impact, and mindfulness while inspiring others to chase their dreams. In one year she has gained over 450K followers and has been covered by The Information and Forbes for her rise in this new wave of content creation. She was also recognized as a RODE 2024 Creator of the Year and aspires to continue creating content and building a career around showcasing the power of being authentically yourself. 

Charlie Senack is editor of the Kitchissippi Times and Ottawa Lookout. He began his journalistic career in high school at 15 and was also produced content for the Barrhaven Independent and Manotick Messenger. You can also read Senack’s opinion columns in the Ottawa Citizen. The Ottawa journalist has won 13 OCNA awards.

Justin Alliman is a globally recognized basketball trainer, author, and the Founder of Dream Chaserzzz Basketball Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering underdog athletes through affordable, high-impact training programs. With over a decade of experience, Justin has worked internationally in countries such as India, China, and Hong Kong, where he helped establish basketball academies and player development programs in partnership with the NBA. Justin has served as an NBA Summer League and G-League coach, as well as an NBA player development coach with the Toronto Raptors organization, where he earned an NBA championship ring. Driven by a mission to inspire athletes to pursue their dreams with purpose and resilience, Justin leverages his expertise and personal journey to motivate others. As an author and community leader, he amplifies messages of dedication, perseverance, and the power of community.

Katrina "Kat" Kernaghan began her career in live music, working at Corus Entertainment. From there, Kat landed a job with Wax Records as Head of Marketing, while also serving as the day-to-day manager for indie-pop artist bülow. Kat joined the TikTok Canada team in March 2021 as Label & Industry Partnerships Manager, leading several projects including the re-launch of MuchMusic, coordinating two TikTok Tailgates with the NHL, and serving as the go-to-market lead for TikTok's Ticketmaster integration. In August of 2022, Kat moved into the role of Head of Music for Canada, leading the country's music operations team.

Rob Kraszewski is a dynamic leader in partnerships and business development, with a decade-long track record of driving strategic growth, securing high-value sponsorships, and fostering meaningful brand collaborations. As Senior Director of Partnerships and New Business at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Rob plays a key role in shaping innovative sponsorship strategies that enhance the festival’s global presence. In 2024, he was responsible for driving a record 25% increase in partnerships for TIFF. Prior to this, he spearheaded revenue-generating initiatives as Director of Global Partnerships at the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he expanded the league’s commercial portfolio and deepened brand engagement. Rob’s expertise extends across industries, from his tenure at Cadillac Fairview, where he led business development for first-to-market innovations, to his earlier years at TIFF, where he managed multimillion-dollar partnership pipelines and negotiated high-profile integrations with brands including Nespresso, Fairmont and Twitter. His work has consistently resulted in increased sponsorship investment and groundbreaking collaborations, including pioneering the first cannabis marketing partnership with a major international film festival. With a keen eye for innovation and a talent for stakeholder engagement, Rob excels at building partnerships that deliver impact and long-term value, all while ultimately supporting the mission, vision, and values of the organizations he serves. Rob holds a BA and MA from the University of Guelph, and a certificate in International Project Management from the University of Toronto.

Nikhil Seetharam is a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning Canadian composer and producer, known for his outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry. With a unique blend of classical and contemporary styles, Nikhil has built a versatile career that spans film scores, television, and popular music. He has composed scores for numerous high-profile projects on Netflix, Apple+, Disney+, Crave, and more. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists in the music industry such as Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Sia, to name a few. Nikhil is celebrated for his ability to fuse traditional orchestral compositions with modern electronic elements, creating immersive soundscapes that enhance storytelling across various media. His innovative approach has earned him multiple accolades, including multi-platinum certifications and a Grammy Award, marking him as a leading force in the industry. Beyond his professional achievements, Nikhil is dedicated to mentoring emerging composers and musicians. He regularly shares his knowledge through workshops and speaking engagements, helping to inspire and guide the next generation of talent. Drawing inspiration from his cultural heritage, Nikhil brings a distinctive perspective to his compositions, pushing the boundaries of music and sound design. He continues to be a driving force in both the Canadian and international entertainment landscapes, contributing to a wide range of groundbreaking projects.