Visit our Speaking & Media Requests page to reach one of our digital media literacy experts.
Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin
Director of Research
Danielle deBelle
Media Education Specialist
Diane Elliott
Executive Assistant
Tricia Grant
Director of Marketing and Communications
Kathryn Ann Hill
Executive Director
Lynn Huxtable
Senior Director, Administration and Education Relations
Matthew Johnson
Director of Education
Julia Ladouceur
Project Manager
Marc Alexandre Ladouceur
Media Education Specialist
Dr. Samantha McAleese
Research and Evaluation Associate
Bogi Tessier
Manager of Finance and Operations
Melinda Thériault
Marketing and Communications Assistant
Anika Wallia
Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Grants
Penny Warne
Web Manager
MediaSmarts Bloggers
Staff Biographies
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.
Danielle deBelle
Media Education Specialist
Danielle deBelle is a Media Education specialist at Media Smarts. She is responsible for creating resources for educators, parents, and community groups and for conducting outreach activities at school boards, education ministries, faculties of education and community organizations across Canada. She holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from Carleton University and obtained her teaching degree from the University of Ottawa. Danielle has worked as an elementary school teacher in Quebec and Ontario. Danielle is excited to combine her background in media scholarship with her passion for education. She believes that a thorough foundation in digital and media literacy is integral to strengthening the resiliency of our society against potential online harms and ensuring a strong future for people in an increasingly digital world.
Diane Elliott
Executive Assistant
As Executive Assistant, Diane works closely with the Executive Director and provides support to the executive functions of MediaSmarts, ensuring smooth operations for all employees and volunteers. She supports the Board of Directors, and its sub-committees, by scheduling and facilitating meetings, acts as recording secretary and compiling, preparing and ensuring meeting materials are available. Prior to MediaSmarts, Diane has been involved with both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. She brings many years of experience in supporting a team of dynamic and hard-working professionals in Ottawa.
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.
Lynn Huxtable
Senior Director, Administration and Education Relations
Lynn provides consultation on strategic policy, planning and promotion within the areas of communications, finance, human resources, operations, research, revenue and project development. She directs and manages licensing of MediaSmarts’ educational resources. Lynn brings a diverse range of administrative skills developed while working in the not-for-profit, film and television, international development and corporate sectors
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.
Dr. Samantha McAleese
Research and Evaluation Associate
Samantha McAleese, PhD is a Research and Evaluation Associate for MediaSmarts, working with the Director of Research to fulfill the organization’s comprehensive research agenda and complete internal program and project evaluations. In collaboration with staff and partners of MediaSmarts, Samantha conducts literature reviews, writes funding proposals, prepares research ethics applications, designs and implements qualitative and quantitative research studies, analyzes data, writes research reports, and disseminates research findings. In addition to building internal evaluation capacity at MediaSmarts, Samantha also connects with external research and evaluation partners (both academic and community-based). Samantha recently obtained her PhD in Sociology at Carleton University and has more than a decade of experience working and volunteering within the non-profit sector in Ottawa. Samantha brings to MediaSmarts extensive knowledge of qualitative research approaches, publication experience (including both academic and general media sources), facilitation and public speaking skills, familiarity with practices and resources in adult education, and a passion for strengthening the relationship between academia, non-profit organizations, and the community.
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
Marketing and Communications Assistant
As Marketing and Communications Assistant, 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.
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.