Animation Career Excelerator (ACE CANADA) announces the formation of its first Board of Directors

ACE CANADA ANNOUNCES FIRST BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 The team behind the Animation Career Excelerator (ACE CANADA) is proud to announce the formation of its first Board of Directors and the official launch of a new not-for-profit organization: The Animation Career Excelerator (ACE CANADA) Society. Chairing the board is independent producer and founder of the ACE Program, Rose-Ann Tisserand. The new board is composed of experienced professionals from across Canada, reflecting the national scope and growing influence of ACE. With guidance from both the new Board of Directors and an expanded advisory board, the Society will continue to support and expand the impact of the ACE Program—dedicated to advancing the careers of women and non-binary professionals in the animation industry.

"Forming the ACE CANADA Society and our first board is an important step in ensuring the long-term sustainability and national reach of the program," says Tisserand. "We’re excited to build on the incredible momentum of ACE and create even more opportunities for underrepresented voices in animation."

The board includes: 

Board Chair: Rose-Ann Tisserand,Rose-Ann Tisserand, Independent Producer, Flying Kraken Creative Studios and Executive Producer and Founder of the ACE Program

Treasurer: Tracey Mack, Head of Production and Producer, Imagine Create Media and Executive Producer of the ACE Program

Secretary: Heather Renney, Supervising Producer, Atomic Cartoons and Associate Producer of the ACE Program

Directors:

Emma Gignac, Supervising Director, Mercury Filmworks

Melissa Graham, Director of Production, Nelvana

Stephanie Morel, VP Talent & Culture, Reel FX

Janet Perlman, Independent Filmmaker

Heather Puttock, President, Kickstart Entertainment

Sarah Serata, Director Entertainment Assets, Spin Master

Amanda Strong, Independent Filmmaker

Nadine Westerbarkey, Studio Creative Director, Atomic Cartoons

The Animation Career Excelerator (ACE Canada) Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the Canadian animation industry by supporting underrepresented professionals through career training, education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Its signature initiative, the ACE Program, is a nationwide effort designed to advance the careers of mid-level animation professionals who identify as women and non-binary. Through mentorship, training, and hands-on experience, the program prepares participants to step into senior and key creative roles while creating original intellectual property telling their authentic stories.

The program is sponsored by Netflix Canada, the Canada Media Fund, Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, Telefilm Canada, Toon Boom Animation, Autodesk, Atomic Cartoons, the National Film Board and many more. 

For more information about the ACE Program please visit: ace-program.com