Leadership
Prem Gill, CEO
Prem Gill is the Chief Executive Officer of Creative BC, the agency designated by the Province of British Columbia to unite, sustain, and grow the province’s dynamic and diverse creative sector. This includes motion picture, music and sound recording, interactive and digital media, and magazine and book publishing.
An acclaimed sector leader, Prem has been recognized among The Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter, named to Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 list, the Business in Vancouver BC500, and received the Community Catalyst Award from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. She brings over 20 years of experience in the digital media and entertainment industries to her role as CEO, where she leads the delivery of programs and services that advance B.C.’s creative economy to reach its economic, social and creative potential both at home and globally.
Prior to joining Creative BC, Prem spent eight years at TELUS, most recently as Director of Production & Original Programming. There, she led the development and launch of TELUS STORYHIVE and the Optik TV community channel, initiatives that continue to support emerging creators and diverse storytelling.
A long-time champion of Canadian IP and domestic creators, Prem has represented the sector to media, industry, and all levels of government. Her previous work spans government and regulatory affairs, independent media consulting, cross-platform marketing, communications, research, public affairs, and multicultural programming.
Prem currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Bell Fund and the BC Tech Association. She also chairs the Association of Provincial and Territorial Funding Agencies and sits on the City of Vancouver Mayor’s Business Growth Task Force.
Contact
Media requests: media (at) creativebc.com
General inquiries: info (at) creativebc.com
Robert Wong, Vice President
After working for several years in a Vancouver chartered accounting firm, Robert first joined Creative BC when it was BC Film + Media. At that time, he became part of the organization’s newly forming tax credit team.
Now Creative BC’s Vice President, Robert markets British Columbia internationally as a destination of choice for projects and companies seeking a world class creative industries centre in which to do business. In his role, he leads the administration of Creative BC’s tax credit and granting programs, balancing attraction of international business with support for BC’s domestic content creators.
During his tenure with the organization, Robert has become the expert on motion picture tax credits, originally helping to launch the BC film and television tax credit program in 1998. He went on to play an integral role in the evolution of British Columbia’s motion picture industry tax policy.
Tel: +1 604 730 2236
Email: bwong (at) creativebc.com
Marnie Gee, BC Film Commissioner
As BC Film Commissioner, Marnie Gee leads the BC Film Commission at Creative BC, delivering motion picture industry services ranging from locations marketing and physical production support to industry and community relations. Under her leadership, the commission also drives forward key initiatives in environmental sustainability through Reel Green™, workforce development through Creative Pathways™, and regional production growth, ensuring that the benefits of B.C.’s thriving screen industry are shared across the province. Her work ensures world-class service and fosters ongoing collaboration among the industry and government stakeholders who drive B.C.’s success in film and television. Marnie also serves as Board Chair of the Association of Film Commissioners International, which connects film commissions and industry partners worldwide.
With over 25 years of experience in location and production support in the film and television industry, Marnie has worked throughout British Columbia and brings specialized knowledge of local communities and geographical areas, as well as a strong understanding of the dynamics between communities and motion picture production.
Contact
Direct Tel: +1 604 730 2247
Main Tel: +1 604 736 7997
Email: mgee (at) creativebc.com
Karin Watson, Director, Business Operations
Karin brings broad experience to her role, including expertise and education in a variety of key areas from strategic brand-building and talent development to research and knowledge.
Previously, she worked with Emily Carr University of Art and Design for close to three years, most recently in the capacity of Digital Strategist and before that as their Media Relations and Communications lead.
Karin also spent five years as an independent professional consultant, providing strategic and hands-on expertise to organizations in the areas of brand positioning, marketing and communications; human resources and employee engagement; as well as operations and organizational development.
Prior to these professional activities, she worked for 10 years in various operational roles for Korn/Ferry International, a leading global talent management firm. Karin has a BA in Art History and certificates in both digital strategy and professional writing
Tel: +1 604 730 2250
Email: kwatson (at) creativebc.com
Kimberley Hollett, Director, Finance + Administration
Tel: +1 604-730-2234
Email: khollett (at) creativebc.com
Board of Directors
Michelle Grady, Co-Chair
Michelle Grady is President of Sony Pictures Imageworks, responsible for overall operations, strategy, planning, and production. The award-winning visual effects and animation facility most recently completed work on SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA, the Academy Award®-nominated THE SEA BEAST and THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES, IN VAULTED HALLS ENTOMBED, an episode of the Netflix animated anthology LOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS, SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME, and the Academy Award®-winning SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE.
Michelle has spent over two decades in the Visual Effects and Post-production industry in Vancouver, where her career grew alongside the expanding film production business in the city.
She joined Imageworks from the visual effects studio MPC, where she served as head of film, managing projects including: SUICIDE SQUAD, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, GODZILLA, MALEFICENT, and the Academy Award®-winning LIFE OF PI.
Prior to MPC, Grady was vice president and general manager at Technicolor, overseeing a 35mm film laboratory, digital post production and VFX divisions.
Michelle is Chair of the Animation & VFX Alliance of BC, Board Member of Screen BC, and Executive Committee Member of Creative BC.
Bill Tam, Co-Chair
Bill Tam is recognized as one of the pre-eminent leaders of the Canadian tech sector. A lifelong entrepreneur, Bill has been actively involved with technology and start-ups as a founder, executive, investor, advisor and board member for the past 20 years. Bill co-founded the development of the Digital Technology Supercluster – a signature innovation program in Canada to drive large-scale collaboration among industry leaders, small and medium enterprises, and post-secondary institutions to develop new technology breakthroughs in digital health and climate adaptation.
Bill forges partnerships across private and public sectors to accelerate economic growth and foster inclusiveness. He serves on the Steering Committee of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor initiative – a cross-border partnership between British Columbia, Washington and Oregon to develop and promote a globally recognized hub of innovation and commerce.
Bill serves as a director of CBC-Radio Canada and Creative BC. In addition, he serves as an advisor to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, Founders Institute, the Rideau Hall Foundation and is as an industry advisor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He is a recipient of UBC’s Dean’s Medal of Distinction for his contributions to the engineering and tech community.
Laura Lightbown, Secretary-Treasurer
Laura Lightbown, President of Terra Films Inc., is a CSA (Geminis) and Leo Award-winning prime-time dramatic television producer. Laura has produced and consulted on feature films and projects across Canada, including her work in 2023/2024 as a consultant with Lark Productions Inc. on their three series and development slate.
Laura is best known for her work with Creator/Writer/Showrunner, Chris Haddock, beginning in 1998 with the critically acclaimed eight-season series for CBC, “DaVinci’s Inquest” and continuing on as CEO of Haddock Entertainment, where she executive produced the successful CBC series “Intelligence”, “Da Vinci’s City Hall”, and “The Romeo Section”, as well as MTV/CTV’s “4Real” and several TV movies. Laura went on to be VP Business Affairs/Producer with Brent Butt’s company Sparrow Media Inc., where she produced the feature film NO CLUE, and executive produced two seasons of the series “Hiccups” for CTV.
Laura has sat on both the National and the B.C. branch boards of the Canadian Media Producers Association and has long been committed to mentoring a diverse group of professionals starting and building their careers in Canada’s motion picture industry.
Jeevyn Dhaliwal, Board Member
Jeevyn Dhaliwal, K.C. is a Vancouver lawyer who represents public sector and business clients in connection with workplace immigration and related employment issues. Jeevyn is active in the legal community as an elected Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia, of which she is the President for 2024.
As selected by her peers, Jeevyn has been included in Best Lawyers Canada since 2014 and she is a Lexpert Zenith Award winner.
Her larger community involvement extends to singing at charitable and sporting events and she has, over the years, been a frequent guest anthem singer for the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team.
Matt O’Grady, Board Member
Amy Lang, Board Member
Amy previously held the position of Director of Finance & People at Bosa Development for the past 5 years and prior to that worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (Vancouver) from 2007 to 2017. During her years with PricewaterhouseCoopers Amy worked with both public and private companies across a broad range of industries including real estate, mining, forestry, financial services, retail, film & entertainment, and technology. Her time there also included working with PricewaterhouseCoopers (San Jose) focused exclusively on private equity venture capital in the life sciences & bio-medical field.
Amy was also involved in leading the training and development programs for the CA (CPA) exams and has also worked as an Adjunct Professor in the accounting department at UBC Sauder School of Business. Amy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan, and is a CPA-CA.
Shirley Lew, Board Member
Shirley Lew is the Dean, School of Arts and Sciences at Vancouver Community College (VCC). Prior to this, she was a librarian specializing in systems and automation in public and academic libraries in BC for over twenty years. Shirley has taught in the library and information sciences graduate program at UBC. Before a career in libraries, she was a bookseller in Vancouver for over ten years.
Shirley has served on the boards of Vancouver Writers Fest and West Coast Book Prizes Society, and for two years was a juror for the City of Vancouver Book Awards. She was President of BC Libraries Association and past Chair of the BC Libraries Cooperative board. She co-edited and contributed to the collection Feminists Among Us: Resistance and Advocacy in Library Leadership, published in 2017. With her co-editor, Shirley was recognized with the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Significant Achievement Award in 2018.
Shirley has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography and a Master of Library & Information Studies. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education at UBC.
Farnaz Riahi, Board Member
Farnaz Riahi is a seasoned financial executive currently serving as the Vice President of Finance and Corporate Operations at Destination Vancouver. She brings a wealth of experience in financial management, strategic planning, and corporate governance from her previous roles, including Chief Financial Officer at SkilledTradesBC and various leadership positions at Canada Wide Media, MVBC, Corus Entertainment, and Ernst & Young.
Passionate about storytelling and the creative arts, she was a board member and Treasurer of the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), supporting the promotion and celebration of diverse voices in film. Her commitment to the arts reflect her belief in the power of creativity to inspire and connect communities.
Finding balance between nature and culture, when not in the office, Farnaz can be found enjoying the mountains and the seawall, or immersing herself in the movies or art galleries.
Kesi Smyth, Board Member
Kesi Smyth began her career in Canada’s music industry in 2003, undertaking roles of progressive responsibility at Simkin Artist Management and 604 Records where she now holds the title of General Manager & Human Resources. With studies in marketing and human resources management, Kesi now oversees both label operations for the 604 Label Group and the many clients it serves, as well as professional development, people management, and inclusive practices for the company and its staff.
Most notably, Kesi was Sr. Project Manager for Carly Rae Jepsen during the peak of her Grammy-nominated blockbuster hit, “Call Me Maybe”. During that time Kesi was responsible for an array of activities including strategic marketing, day-to-day operations, and logistical planning for performances like the MuchMusic Video Awards, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and more.
Kesi is a Board Member of both FACTOR (The foundation assisting Canadian talent on recordings), and the Canada Independent Music Association (CIMA).
Jamie Sterritt, Board Member
Jamie began his professional career as the First Nations Liaison for Klohn-Crippen Consultants, an environmental consulting firm based in Vancouver BC. At Klohn-Crippen, he built a solid reputation in community engagement, consultation, and commercial information technology applications.
In 2005, Jamie launched Sahetxw Consulting, where he has planned and delivered a wide range of successful projects for his clients, from broadband network projects and customized computer science courses to community capacity development and planning.
Now, as both an Information & Communications Technology (ICT) expert and a seasoned Aboriginal Governance consultant and facilitator, who has a background in traditional and digital arts, Jamie brings a truly unique blend of expertise, a remarkably diverse skill set, and a wealth of experience to any project he takes on. He also brings his passion and boundless energy.
He is a member of the Gitxsan Nation and currently sits on the Board of Governors for the Justice Institute of BC and First Peoples Cultural Council. He relishes the overlap between his various disciplines and fields of knowledge, embracing both the traditional and the modern.
Kate Wattie, Board Member
Kate Wattie is an entrepreneur in B.C.’s dynamic music industry and a leader within the province’s broader arts and culture community, where she also currently chairs the board for Karen Jamieson Dance.
Kate is both co-owner of boutique guitar store, Exile Electronics, and artist manager and general manager of her own boutique record label and management company, Tonic Records. Kate brings a global perspective of the industry, combined with a deep understanding of the business behind music.
Her career in the music industry began with Virgin Records in London, UK and led her back to B.C., with increasing responsibilities and experiences spanning from management of vintage guitar store, Not Just Another Music Shop, to serving previously for four years as a board member of the industry membership association. Her company Tonic Records has been recognized by the Western Canadian Music Awards for Impact in Artist Development and its current and past roster of award-winning clients includes: The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer, Leeroy Stagger, Rebecca Lappa, We Are The City, Ryland Moranz, The Harpoonist, Terence Jack, Buckman Coe, Bocephus King, Rodney De Croo, and Jody Peck.
Staff
BC Film Commission
Katharine Pavoni, Deputy Director, BC Film Commission
Julie Bernard, Manager, Production Services + Reel Green™ Partnerships
Seán Hernández, Consultant, Production Services + Business Intelligence
Mike Jamont, Consultant, Production Services + Lead, Reel Scout
Andrea Connacher, Specialist, Reel Scout + Business Listings
Julie Stangeland, Regional Initiatives Lead
Justin Barnes, Lead, Reel Green™
Elise Vout, Coordinator, Reel Green™
Katannya Yee, Lead, Creative Pathways™
Sina Moazeni, Coordinator, Creative Pathways™
Peter Klassen, Manager, Motion Picture Industry + Community Affairs
Giovanna Vargas, Consultant, Motion Picture Industry + Community Affairs
Aidan Kyle, Coordinator, Motion Picture Industry + Community Affairs
Shahla Islam, Specialist, Client Services
Creative Industry Programs
Mathew Parry, Manager, Creative Industry Programs
Robin Macabulos, Analyst, Funding Programs
Miranda Ryan, Analyst, Funding Programs
Raquel Dominguez Simpson, Analyst, Funding Programs
Nicholas Klassen, Analyst, Funding Programs
Heather Campbell, Analyst, Funding Programs
Katie Czenczek, Coordinator, Funding Programs
Music + Sound Recording Programs
Joseph Bardsley, Analyst, Music Programs
Nicole Maine, Analyst, Music Programs
Shannon Hunt, Coordinator, Music Programs
Navreet Dhaliwal, Coordinator, Music Programs
Lu Slone, Coordinator, Music Programs
Leslie Ken Chu, Coordinator, Music Programs
Motion Picture Tax Credits
Biljana Radovic, Manager, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Joanne Chow, Data + Administration Lead, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Lea Chambers, Certification Lead, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Jill Reilly, Senior Analyst, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Andrée Laplante, Senior Analyst, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Patricia Lee, Analyst, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Troy Taillon, Analyst, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Krista Mitchell, Analyst, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Stephanie Taylor, Analyst, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Nikki Yee, Coordinator, Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
Operations
Luiza Wokan, Executive Operations Lead
Lisa Escudero, Manager, Brand + Communications
Nashlyn Lloyd, Manager, Systems + IT
Angie Santamaria, Senior Human Resources Generalist
Cristina Basgan, Specialist, Communications + Systems
Finance + Administration
Daniel Gallant, Manager, Finance
Valentina Pagetto, Finance Analyst
Leona Choi, Accounting Coordinator