Vancouver-based prodco Thunderbird Entertainment Group has appointed Marni Wieshofer as independent board member and lead director of the board following the company’s annual general meeting.

Wieshofer (pictured) has previously served as CFO and EVP of corporate development at Lionsgate Entertainment, where she oversaw mergers, acquisitions and other strategic financial initiatives. She was also managing director in Houlihan Lokey’s TMT Corporate Finance Group, managing director of MESA, and SVP of mergers and acquisitions and CFO of Media Rights Capital.

“I have had the privilege to work with Marni as our CFO when I launched Lionsgate over 20 years ago,” said Frank Giustra, major shareholder and board member of Thunderbird, in a statement. “I know firsthand that her experience and reputation in the media industry in the United States and internationally is second to none. I am so pleased to pass the role of lead director to Marni because the company will benefit immensely from her expertise during this period of growth for both Thunderbird and the industry.”

“I feel honored and humbled to be adding Marni to the board in such a pivotal role at this time in the company’s evolution. In building teams across many sectors, I live by the approach of surrounding an organization with the absolute best and brightest in their respective roles,” added Brian Paes-Braga, chairman of Thunderbird. “Marni fills this approach perfectly. Her financial ability, deal flow, deep industry relationships combined with expertise in the United States is invaluable for Thunderbird at this time.”

Other members elected to the board were Timothy Gamble, Frank Giustra, Frank Holmes, Azim Jamal, Jennifer Twiner McCarron, Mark Miller, Brian Paes-Braga and Paul Sparkes.

Francesco Aquilini, a Thunderbird board member since 2014, elected to not stand for re-election in order to pursue his many other business endeavors.