Canada’s Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is taking a moment to recognize 10 important figures who have helped the non-profit organization and the domestic kids content industry it serves grow over the last 50 years.

The honorees are Robert Roy, Nina Keogh, Kim Yaroshevskaya, Ira Levy, Diane England, Agnes Augustin, Madeleine Lévesque, Nancy Chapelle, Marie-Pierre Gariépy and Toni Stevens.

They will be feted at a May 22 cocktail reception and annual awards gala hosted by Radio-Canada in Montreal, with Corus Entertainment throwing a companion cocktail party in Toronto that same night.

Roy is one of the founders of CBIO, which was set up to improve kids TV programming. During his career at Radio-Canada, he played an important role in promoting and supporting creators of children’s content.

Keough has an extensive career as a puppet builder/puppeteer that began in 1968. Her credits include shows such as The Friendly Giant, Mr. Dressup, Razzle Dazzle and Sesame Park. She has also served as an instructor and mentor at numerous Canadian universities and colleges.

Yaroshevskaya is the force behind Radio-Canada’s first children’s shows. She is best-known for the iconic series Fanfreluche, which she created, wrote and performed. And her work inspired childhood reading and introduced progressive ideas to early television concepts for this audience.

Levy has spent years producing content for all youth age groups across animation, live action and interactive media. Some of his notable projects include The Conserving Kingdom and The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon. He also co-founded Breakthrough Entertainment, and more recently established Spike & Sadie Media in 2021.

England, who joined Zone3 in the early ’00s, developed and produced an impressive portfolio of work such as Dans une galaxie près de chez vous, Subito texto, Jérémie and L’Effet secondaire. Her producing credits also include the 2013 Oscar-nominated short Henry.

Augustin is the president and CEO of Shaw Rocket Fund, and has continued to play a key role in expanding the global footprint of Canadian kids programming and providing funding for multi-platform content.

Lévesque has served on the YMA board for more than 22 years. She has worn many hats in her long production career, guiding talent on projects like 6teen and Total Drama Island.

Chapelle has spent four decades in the Canadian media industry, serving as executive director of the Bell Fund, as well as managing director of content and programming at TVO.

Gariépy is a prominent figure in the French-Canadian TV landscape and the founder of Ottawa-based production company Slalom. Her projects include La vie compliquée de Léa Olivier, Cirkus, Makinium, Mehdi et Val and Motel Monstre.

And finally, Stevens, an SVP of production at Spin Master, has driven brands including PAW Patrol and Bakugan to great global success. She also spent more than five years at Nelvana producing series such as Lucky Duck, Babar and Little Charmers.

This story originally appeared in Kidscreen

Photos courtesy of Youth Media Alliance; pictured (L-R) Robert Roy, Nina Keough, Kim Yaroshevskaya (top); Ira Levy, Diane England, Agnes Augustin, Nancy Chapelle (middle); Madeleine Lévesque, Toni Stevens and Marie-Pierre Gariépy (bottom)