The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (Canadian Academy) has revealed the seven participants for the second iteration of its Executive Residency Program.

The initiative, which was introduced by the Canadian Academy in 2022, aims to grant executive-level access to mid-career industry professionals who are Black, Indigenous, or persons of colour and bring down barriers for the next generation of creative executives and business leaders.

The cohort for year two of the program will be matched with high-level executives, referred to as advocates, in an eight-month program to provide insight into how creative and business decisions are made on a senior level. The participants will have the chance to learn about how to develop their creative, business and leadership skills as well as making industry connections.

The sophomore cohort of the executive residency program includes a diverse array of specialties and expertise. The group was curated through a selection process from a committee of media industry professionals and collaborative partners, led by Angela Moritsugu, director of talent development, to ensure a multifaceted perspective.

Four participants hail from Toronto and the surrounding area. They include Laura Friedmann, who will be partnered with advocate Karen Bacchus, director, standards and practices and compliance for Bell Media; Mazna Ahmad, with advocate Shaleen Sangha, VP, content, kids and family at Boat Rocker; Leandro Matos with advocate Paige Murray, executive in charge of development, drama at CBC; and Brampton’s Audreanna Lartey with advocates Mélanie Lê Phan, executive in charge of current production, comedy at CBC, and Sarah Quan, executive in charge of development, comedy at CBC.

Representing B.C. are Vancouver’s Jessica To, with advocate Manny Groneveldt, director and executive producer for Bell Media Studios; and Surrey’s Abubakar Khan with advocate Julie Chang, EVP, business strategy and co-productions, global media for Blue Ant Media.

Rounding out the participants is Calgary’s Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker, who will be paired with advocate Sarah Adams, director of current production, drama at the CBC.

Other talent development programs from the Canadian Academy include the recently announced Misdirect: The Nick Nemeroff Comedy Grant, which is aimed at supporting and celebrating emerging Canadian comedians; the WBD Access x Canadian Academy Writers Program and the WBD Access x Canadian Academy Directors Program; and Women in Post.

Pictured (L-R): Abubakar Khan (photo by Dekko U Studios), Audreanna Lartey, Jessica To, Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker (photo by Wyatt Sawyer) (top), Laura Friedmann, Leandro Matos and Mazna Ahmad (bottom).