The City of Toronto has found its new program manager, film sector development with former Canadian Film Centre (CFC) producer Jessica Menagh.

Effective Oct. 17, Menagh will be responsible for accelerating the growth of Toronto’s film and television production industry, including building strategies and initiatives for the enhancement of the city’s workforce and infrastructure.

The position was previously held by Magali Simard, who departed Toronto’s film office earlier this year to join Cinespace as director of industry and community relations.

Menagh most recently served as technology manager at VFX and animation studio DNEG’s Toronto location, working with the virtual production, research and development, and real-time teams. Before that Mengah was supervising producer at the CFC, leading production on more than 30 projects per year, as well as providing mentorship. She is also experienced as a freelance producer, including the feature My Ex-Ex.

“With her experience in production, post-production, VFX, and talent development, she is ideally suited to advance the film office’s work in sector development,” said Marguerite Pigott, film commissioner and director of entertainment industries, in a statement.

The City of Toronto saw a record-breaking production spend of $2.5 billion in 2021. Mayor John Tory led the industry’s first L.A. mission since 2019 earlier this year to attract more U.S. partners to Toronto.