Jennifer Harkness is stepping down as executive director of the Banff World Television Festival at the end of July, exiting the organization after three years. She will be moving to New York City with her husband Gavin McGarry, a consultant at Joost.com.

‘It is difficult to leave,’ she tells Playback Daily. ‘I love the festival and really believe in the opportunity it provides for producers.’ The 29th edition of the Banff festival wrapped last week, having brought some 1,500 delegates to the Alberta resort town, according to organizers at Achilles Media.

Harkness says she will pursue other opportunities in the U.S.

‘Jennifer’s work can be described with one word — excellence,’ said Achilles CEO Robert Montgomery in a Banff newsletter, adding that Harkness created a conference program that attracted some of the biggest names in television, including David Shore (House), Paul Haggis (The Black Donnellys) and Ben Silverman (Ugly Betty).

Achilles will conduct a search for her replacement.