maxine bailey/Founder of Share Her Journey and formerly VP, Advancement for TIFF
maxine bailey is a dynamic member of Toronto's arts community. For eighteen years, maxine served as the Vice-President of Advancement at the Toronto International Film Festival. She was the principal liaison and chief fundraiser for the organization's government partners, donors, and members in their support of TIFF's festivals and year-round programming. She is particularly proud of founding Share Her Journey, TIFF's five year fundraising commitment to achieving gender parity both behind and in front of the camera.
Prior to TIFF maxine was in theatre. Recently, Sistahs, an award-winning play she co-wrote was remounted to much acclaim. An active representative in arts and community-based projects, maxine co-founded the Black Artists Network in Dialogue (BAND), which showcases black cultural contributions nationally and internationally. She currently participates in the advisory boards and steering committees for: the Toronto Arts Council/Foundation Advocacy Committee; ArtsVote; the City of Toronto's Film, Television and Digital Media Board; The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery Board and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund. A voracious reader, maxine sits on the jury for the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize and was recently named one of NOW Toronto's Local Heroes.
Mentor Bios for Put Your Best Foot Forward - November 22nd
Jen McNeely/Founder and Editor-in-Chief of She Does The City
Jen McNeely is the founder of Shedoesthecity, an online publication and real-life community dedicated to sharing the stories, projects and accomplishments of Canadian women, and connecting one another through creative events and thought-provoking culture. Before launching Shedoesthecity in 2007, Jen worked in publicity and marketing at MuchMusic, Alliance Films and CBC Television. She has also written for Toronto Life, FASHION Magazine, NOW and The Globe and Mail.
Laura Quinn/Director, Communications, United Way Greater Toronto
As United Way Greater Toronto's Director, Communications, Laura manages corporate, executive and key partner communications for the largest non-government funder of social services in the GTA. Previously, Laura was Director of Communications with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where she led the media relations and corporate communications efforts at one of Canada’s major cultural institutions. She was part of Alliance Atlantis Film Distribution's Publicity and Promotions team for six years, and has worked 10 editions of tiff. An IABC Accredited Business Communicator, Laura holds a B.A. from McGill University and a Masters Certificate in Marketing Communications Leadership from Schulich School of Business.
Sandy Sholes/EVP Global Human Resources, Entertainment One
Sandy has 20+ years of diverse human resources and management experience that spans high growth mid-size and established organizations. She has extensive hands-on experience leading HR initiatives including performance Management, learning and development programs, compensation, talent acquisition, Benefits administration, organizational design, and employee engagement. Sandy has worked for various Industry leading organizations spanning across technology, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, medical devices such as: Softchoice, CARA Foods, GlaxoSmithKline, Becton Dickinson, and most recently Entertainment One.
Sandy has a passion for Building great HR Teams, aligning HR Programs that create and drive organizational strategy. Sandy has also been instrumental in initiating and implementing best in class Engagement and Development Programs for several organizations and has been an active member of global HR Committees and local Executive teams.
Sandy holds a Bachelor of Administration and Information Management degree from Ryerson University as well as a Certificate in Human Resources Management.
