Staff
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
Joycelyn Mmrah
Executive Assistant
Melissa Racine
Media Education Specialist
Sarah Tate
Media Education Specialist
Bogi Tessier
Manager of Finance and Operations
Melinda Thériault
Social Media and Communications Specialist
Vanessa Turyatunga
Research and Evaluation Associate
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, a lead on MediaSmarts' Young Canadians in a Wireless World research project and the architect of MediaSmarts’ Use, Understand, Engage: Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian K-12 Schools. He has served on expert panels convened by the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Sexual Information and Education Council of Canada and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, among others.
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.
Joycelyn Mmrah
Executive Assistant
In her position as Executive Assistant, Joycelyn provides administrative support to both the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. She has worked in multiple administrative positions including the legal sector and the non-profit sector. She holds a degree in Public Policy and Administration.
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.
Sarah Tate
Media Education Specialist
As a Media Education Specialist, Sarah is responsible for updating existing educational resources and creating content and resources for parents, educators, and community groups. She is a PhD candidate in Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where she previously obtained a Master’s degree in the same field. Sarah has experience in research, writing, and curriculum development. She has previously taught Anthropology and Indigenous Studies and has updated and developed educational resources for K-12 and college students. Sarah believes strongly in the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the need to aid the public in developing strategies for the effective use of an ever-increasing body of digital resources.
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.
Vanessa Turyatunga
Research and Evaluation Associate
As a Research and Evaluation Associate, Vanessa is responsible for supporting the entire research process: conducting literature reviews, preparing research ethics’ applications, designing mixed-methods studies, designing and conducting internal program evaluation, conducting statistical (quantitative) and thematic (qualitative) analysis of data, writing research reports, and knowledge dissemination. Vanessa holds a Master’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ottawa, and is currently conducting her PhD in Anthropology at Carleton University, Ottawa. She brings extensive publication and knowledge mobilization skills, as well as interdisciplinary, community-based and participant-focused research and program coordination experience to our team. Vanessa's research interests include: participatory action research, empowerment-based research methods and trauma- and violence-informed digital media literacy education.
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.