Industry Category: Data Analysis and Media Research

Brent Barron, BA’09

Director, Strategy & Transformation
CIFAR

Brent Barron guides transformational change at CIFAR – the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research – with recent focus on the adoption of Canada’s national AI strategy, the first of its kind in the world. Brent has been with CIFAR for 10 years working in a variety of roles including government relations, international partnerships and program management. Previously Brent worked on research policy and IT strategy for the Government of Ontario. He currently lives in Toronto with his Corgi, Miss Dolly Pawton.

Industry Category: Marketing and Advertising

Varsha Kumar, BA’12

Director of Digital Marketing Partnership
Live Nation Entertainment

Varsha Kumar is a passionate leader in the world of live music, digital innovation, and brand storytelling. She specializes in crafting unforgettable brand experiences and building vibrant digital communities that bring people closer to the magic of live events. Varsha has over a decade of experience spanning sponsorship, influencer marketing, social media and events and loves connecting brands with audiences in a meaningful way. For Varsha, the ultimate reward lies in creating moments that resonate onstage and online, and that inspire the next wave of marketing leaders to dream big and think boldly.

Industry Category: PR and Corporate Communications

Shaun Ferguson, BA’18

Account Executive, Brand Partnerships
EssenceMediacom Canada

Shaun Ferguson is a seasoned sports marketing professional with experience driving impactful campaigns and managing blue-chip brands. Bringing strategic expertise to the intersection of sports, media, and lifestyle, Shaun has led award-winning projects and brought success to clients such as KFC, Ford, Molson, DoorDash, and many others. Shaun began his career with OMD, another large media agency, where he first honed his skills. But he still credits his time as an MIT student and being on the FIMSSC Street Team as big factors in his success.

Industry Category: Emerging Technologies in Media

Cindy Pham, BA’07

Project Lead, AI Ethics Office
Sony

Cindy Pham is an AI ethicist with over 15 years of professional experience. Based in Toronto, Cindy works with global corporations on the responsible development and adoption of AI, collaborating across the private sector, academic institutions, and NGOs that form Canada’s AI ecosystem. Dedicated to harnessing AI’s potential while upholding ethical standards and advocating for AI literacy across generations, Cindy strives to ensure that AI’s transformational power is both accessible and responsibly integrated into society.

Industry Category: Media Production and Journalism

Samir Kashyap, BA’16

Associate Producer, Mayday, Air Crash Investigation, Air Disasters
Cineflix Media Inc.

Samir Kashyap begin his professional career with an internship at the television show Daily Planet, and he quickly found his footing working with factual content. After the internship, he had a short stint working at Toronto City Hall until he was hired back to Daily Planet as a researcher. Sadly, Daily Planet was cancelled in 2018, leaving Samir working freelancing gigs for CTV News Channel and Cineflix. Near the end of 2019, Cineflix hired him as an associate producer for Air Crash Investigation, and he has since been working steadily on that program as well as on a show about sharks.

Industry Category: Media and Entertainment Tech

Natalie Diezyn, BA’21

Publicity and Partnerships Specialist (The TARO Group)
The Walt Disney Company

Working out of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Toronto, Natalie Diezyn has led impactful national campaigns, increased public relations reach, and fostered collaborations with prominent brands like Air Canada and Rogers. Natalie has also supported major publicity campaigns for TIFF, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros. Separately, Natalie co-founded Marlow, a first-of-its-kind startup delivering innovative health care solutions. Her entrepreneurial spirit is matched by her dedication to sustainability. Natalie gives shout-outs to Tim Blackmore and John Reed, remembering them as two of the more influential professors during her time at university.

Industry Category: Media and Entertainment Tech

Mark Ollivierre, BA’10

Senior Game Producer
Blizzard Entertainment

Mark Ollivierre was practically born with a gaming controller in his hands. With some of his earliest memories being of watching his older cousins play Super Nintendo, he may have been destined for a career in the game development industry. Now a veteran with over 14 years of game development experience, Mark has worked on titles such as BioShock 2, Star Trek: The Video Game, The Darkness II, and Warframe. Mark was the first MIT student ever to do an internship at Digital Extremes and still counts many of his fellow FIMS alumni as core to his current professional network.

Industry Category: PR and Corporate Communications

Skylar Gomes, BA’21

Senior Account Executive
MacIntyre Communications

Since graduating in 2021, Skylar Gomes has worked on both the agency and the client sides of professional communications. She dabbled in marketing and advertising before discovering a passion for public relations and experiential marketing. She’s managed PR initiatives for global brands like L’Oréal Paris and UNIQLO, leading teams, cultivating relationships with media and staying ahead of industry trends. Skylar’s current role has allowed her to travel extensively across the US and Canada, as well as spending five months working in England.

Industry Category: NGO, Advocacy and Public Policy

Chris Pandza, BA’17

Design
Incite at Columbia University

Chris Pandza started his career in television marketing on networks including YTV, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network. He pivoted to telecom, where he led subscriber planning and analysis for a wireless brand until joining Incite in 2021. Chris is an oral historian, designer, and curator whose practice combines close reading, experiential design and artificial intelligence to create archives of stories that are more accessible, beautiful, and equitable. He’s curated large American oral history projects like the official oral history of the Obama presidency, and his work has been covered by the New York Times, MSNBC, NPR, and others.

Industry Category: Social Media and Community Engagement

Sarranya Surendran, BA’19

Account Manager
Snapchat

Sarranya Surendran joined Snapchat in late 2024 where she partners with leading Canadian retail brands to help them develop advertising strategies tailored to Snapchat’s dynamic platform. Previously she spent over five years honing her skills at top digital marketing agencies like Starcom, KINESSO, and Monks, collaborating with brands such as TD, TJX, Hershey’s, and Tim Hortons. Outside of her professional roles, Surranya further nurtures her creative side through photography, dance, and fashion.

Industry Category: Data Analysis and Media Research

Meghan Houlihan, BA’03

Manager, Marketing Intelligence and Strategy
Nestle

Meghan Houlihan has accumulated over 17 years of experience in market research and understanding Canadian consumers, and currently works with Nestle beverage brands like Nescafe, Starbucks, Coffee Mate, Carnation, Nesquik and Nestea. Meghan started her professional career doing market research for a small boutique firm, and has also worked across sectors like finance, consumer packaged goods, pharma and retail. She has a passion for creating equitable working environments and is a lead on the DE&I committee at Nestle Canada. Meghan lives in Toronto with her husband, two kids, and rescue dog named Farley.

Industry Category: Media Production and Journalism

Henry Standage, BA’21

Creative Manager
Bonus Track

Henry Standage made use of an “unglamorous” internship at Hockey Night in Canada to network and make connections with industry professionals. This ground work led to him becoming one of CTV Sportsnet’s youngest ever showrunners and hosts when he produced Painting the Pitch Red, a well-received narrative audio series chronicling the history of Canadian soccer, released in time for the 2022 World Cup. Now with Bonus Track, Henry leads content strategy for FanDuel in Canada as well as using his writing, directing, producing and even acting skills in work with Air Miles and other major brand campaigns.

Industry Category: Marketing and Advertising

Kate Wallace, BA’20

Marketing Lead
Apple Music and Apple News (former)

Kate Wallace has led marketing campaigns for Apple Music and Apple News, collaborating with global teams to adapt strategies for the Canadian market and driving retention and growth for Apple TV+, Apple Sports, and other services. Kate has also worked for OMD on digital marketing strategies for Mercedes-Benz and SickKids Foundation. She is now working with recruiters to find her next adventure. At every step, Kate has leveraged her professional network, remained curious, and embraced every opportunity, encouraging others to do the same.

Michelle Zuber, BA’13

Career Coach
Western University

Michelle Zuber graduated from King’s University College at Western with a BA in Social Justice and Peace Studies, and Child Studies & Institutions. She now works at Western as a Career Coach for undergraduate students, and is looking forward to sharing her wisdom and experience with conference attendees in a special session.