Staff

MediaSmarts' ability to deliver high-quality programs and resources is based on the expertise and dedication of the dynamic group of professionals listed here.

Visit our Speaking & Media Requests page to reach one of our digital media literacy experts.

Khadija Baig
Research and Evaluation Associate

Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin 
Director of Research

Tricia Grant 
Director of Marketing and Communications

Kathryn Ann Hill
Executive Director

Matthew Johnson
Director of Education

Julia Ladouceur 
Project Manager

Marc Alexandre Ladouceur
Media Education Specialist

Susana Mas
Manager of Educational and Community Outreach

Melissa Racine
Media Education Specialist

Bogi Tessier
Manager of Finance and Operations

Melinda Thériault
Social Media and Communications Specialist

Anika Wallia
Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Grants

Penny Warne
Web Manager

MediaSmarts Bloggers

 

Staff Biographies

Khadija Baig
Research and Evaluation Associate

As a Research and Evaluation Associate, Khadija is responsible for supporting the entire research process: conducting literature reviews, preparing research ethics’ applications, designing qualitative and quantitative research instruments and mixed-methods studies, designing and conducting internal program evaluation, conducting statistical (quantitative) and thematic (qualitative) analysis of data, writing research reports, and knowledge dissemination. Khadija holds a Master of Computer Science (M.C.S) degree from Carleton University, Ottawa. She is also a Research Associate at CHORUS (Carleton’s Human Oriented Research in Usable Security), from the School of Computer Science at Carleton University. Khadija brings extensive research and publication experience to our team and she has designed, lead, and collaborated on research involving usable online privacy and security. Her research interests include: the privacy complications of DNA (genetic privacy), the privacy of vulnerable populations, accessible privacy and security, and the spread of antagonistic content online.

Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin 
Director of Research

Kara Brisson-Boivin, PhD is the Director of Research for MediaSmarts. Kara is responsible for the planning, methodology, implementation, and dissemination of key findings from original MediaSmarts’ research studies as well as evaluations of MediaSmarts’ programs.  Kara also holds an appointment as an Adjunct Research Professor in the Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton, University. Kara works with a number of academic partners on tri-agency funded research projects, private and public sector interest groups, as well as federal departments on online issues including; digital parenting, privacy, hate, misinformation, activism, and algorithms and artificial intelligence. Kara brings to MediaSmarts extensive publication experience in academic journals, magazines, news op-eds and research blogs; and a background in presenting research to key stakeholders on parliamentary committees, at academic conferences, invited talks, panels, keynote addresses, and in media interviews.

Tricia Grant 
Director of Marketing and Communications

Tricia is responsible for MediaSmarts’ marketing and communications strategy, including digital outreach, media relations and event planning. Tricia comes to MediaSmarts from the book publishing sector, having worked in publicity and marketing for Penguin Random House Canada in Toronto and DK Books in London, UK. She has held communications roles for organizations like Volleyball Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada, and has experience in public relations, digital content, advertising, and strategic partnerships. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Carleton University. 

Kathryn Ann Hill
Executive Director

Kathryn is the Executive Director of MediaSmarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy. Kathryn holds a Masters of Social Work (1992) from Carleton University, and a Master of Management (2003) from McGill University. Her commitment to social justice has resulted in a career of over 30 years of service in the voluntary sector, serving in senior leadership roles at  both national and community-based organizations. Kathryn has contributed to research and articles, and has been a frequent presenter or panelist on issues related to media and digital literacy. She has served as an expert advisor and serves on the CBC Kid’s News Advisory Committee. She comments frequently in the media on issues related to media/digital literacy.  

Matthew Johnson
Director of Education

Matthew Johnson is the Director of Education for MediaSmarts, Canada's centre for digital and media literacy. He is the author of many of MediaSmarts' lessons, parent materials and interactive resources and a lead on MediaSmarts' Young Canadians in a Wired World research project. As an acknowledged expert in digital literacy and its implementation in Canadian curricula, Matthew is the architect of MediaSmarts’ Use, Understand, Create: Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian K-12 Schools. He has contributed blogs and articles to websites and magazines around the world as well as presenting MediaSmarts' materials on topics such as copyright, cyberbullying, body image and online hate to parliamentary committees, academic conferences and governments and organizations around the world, frequently as a keynote speaker. He has served on expert panels convened by the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Ontario Network of Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Services and others, consulted on provincial curriculum for the Ontario Ministry of Education, and been interviewed by outlets such as The Globe and Mail, BBC News Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, Radio Canada International and CBC's The National.

Julia Ladouceur
Project Manager

As Project Manager, Julia manages and coordinates the development of media education and awareness projects, initiatives and resources for MediaSmarts. Her responsibilities include assisting with project proposals, preparing and executing work plans, planning and maintaining budgets, and compiling reports. Julia previously worked for the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, as administrator of On the Identity Trail, a large multi-disciplinary research project.

Marc Alexandre Ladouceur
Media Education Specialist

As a Media Education Specialist, Marc Alexandre is responsible for creating resources for educators, parents and community groups and for conducting outreach activities with French language schools, school boards, education ministries, faculties of education and community organizations across Canada. He holds a Master’s Degree in Theology, as well as Bachelors’ in Education and Theology. Marc Alexandre has previously worked as a teacher in the Ontario and Alberta school systems, as a facilitator in Ontario schools and as an editor and translator. He believes in the well-being of all persons experiencing the rapid growth of technology through comprehensive digital literacy and intersubjective education.

Susana Mas
Manager of Educational and Community Outreach

Susana Mas (she/her/elle) is the Manager of Educational and Community Outreach. She is responsible for the implementation of the Teen Fact-Checking Network, a program from MediaWise, a nonpartisan and nonprofit initiative of The Poynter Institute. Susana is also responsible for overseeing the expansion of the national education program beyond K-12 to include new partners in underserved communities, and in supporting partnerships at MediaSmarts. Susana has over 15 years of experience in journalism, including 10 years working as a Parliamentary journalist for CBC (online and radio), CTV and the Ottawa Citizen. As an independent journalist, she has focused on collaborating with groups that support teaching digital and media literacy to immigrants, educators, students, and the public-at-large with a particular focus on fact-checking skills and mis – and disinformation. Susana is fluently trilingual (English, French, Spanish) and has her B.A. in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal.

Melissa Racine
Media Education Specialist

As a Media Education Specialist, Melissa updates existing educational resources for quality and relevance and creates impactful content and resources for parents, educators, and community groups. She holds a Bachelor of Education and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Technology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Melissa has previous experience teaching Quebec and Nova Scotia curriculums, and has taught English Language Arts, History and Citizenship, and English as a Second Language. She believes that the thoughtful integration of technology and instructional design in learning situations contributes to fostering active engagement, collaboration, and personalized exploration, ultimately empowering Canadians to construct knowledge and meaning in a dynamic and interconnected world.

Bogi Tessier
Manager of Finance and Operations

As Manager of Finance and Operations, Bogi oversees MediaSmarts financial and operational functions, playing a critical role in supporting the Executive Director in budget development, preparing reports and human resource management. With over 17 years in the not-for-profit sector, and as a key member of MediaSmarts dynamic team, she brings an extensive range of financial and administrative skills to meet MediaSmarts daily needs and long-term goals.

Melinda Thériault
Social Media and Communications Specialist

As Social Media and Communications Specialist, Melinda plays a key role in implementing MediaSmarts’ communications plan. She is responsible for maintaining MediaSmarts’ day-to-day social media presence and creating digital content. Since starting as a student intern in 2017, Melinda has also filled the short-term roles of Research Assistant and Project Coordinator at MediaSmarts. She holds an Honours B.A in Communications from Carleton University and a Master of Media in Journalism & Communication from Western University.

Anika Wallia
Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Grants

As Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Grants, Anika leads the implementation and direction of MediaSmarts' comprehensive revenue development strategy to ensure sustainability and growth for the organization. Anika focuses on building impactful, collaborative corporate partnerships as well as overseeing grant seeking processes with foundations and government agencies. Anika holds an Honours B.A. in Communications Studies, and Honours post-graduation in Event Management and has thrived in building relationships that serve the non-profit sector throughout her career.

Penny Warne
Web Manager

As Web Manager, Penny is responsible for the administration, development and maintenance of MediaSmarts’ websites. Prior to MediaSmarts, Penny worked as Web and I.T. Infrastructure Manager for the Canadian Library Association, and as a Web Developer and I.T. Manager for numerous organizations within both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. She brings with her many years of experience in website development and management, graphic design, and I.T. management and support.