Staff
About NSI > Staff
JOHN GILL
Chief Executive Officer
John was previously an independent media consultant providing strategic, business and programming consultation to various organizations. He also worked as senior vice president, dramatic content for Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc; launched BBC Canada and BBC Kids; has directed the programming for the National Geographic Channel; and was director of network scheduling at TV Ontario. John's educational credentials include a MBA from the Ivey School of Business and a BA from Queen's University. "
What inspires me every day is seeing my two boys grow up and become intelligent, strong and caring people.”
Send John an email.
DAVID POLLOCK
Director, Finance
David has been with NSI since 2003. He manages all financial aspects of the organization, oversees human resources and is NSI’s Personal
Information Officer. He received his Certified Management Accountant designation in 2000 and has worked in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors. He’s also an expert in anything related to
James Bond, Indiana Jones and Frodo. "
Libraries inspire me. You walk in and they're full of ideas, stories and information – you can’t help but be inspired."
Send David an email.
MELISSA KAJPUST
Director, Programming
Melissa
is an award-winning author, screenwriter and playwright. She has worked
on and developed programs for CTV, W, Slice, A-Channel, APTN,
Treehouse, Citytv, YTV and Movie Central. Her two books for children,
A Dozen Silk Diapers and
The Peacock’s Pride
were published by Disney’s Hyperion Books for Children. Melissa has
worked as a development executive for Super Channel and Frantic Films.
She is also a wine connoisseur and has completed level one of the
International Sommelier Guild’s Sommelier program. "
I am inspired by the passion, the promise, and the courage of the young filmmakers I meet."
Send Melissa an email.
CHRIS VAJCNER
Director, Communications & Revenue Development
Chris has been with NSI since 2003, first as publicist and now in business development and marketing, including writing and management of the NSI annual report. She’s been in communications for 17 years, including at WTN. Chris can prove that all roads lead to the Olympics or figure skating. "
Brainstorming inspires me. Planned or spontaneous – a period of time with no restrictions or barriers, just blue sky ideas often leads to the most creative and achievable plans."
Send Chris an email.
LIZ HOVER
Manager, Digital Media
Brit gal Liz has worked for NSI since arriving in Canada in 2003. Liz and her dog
Sadie Shih Tzu are avid bloggers. Sadie’s blog was nominated for three Canadian Weblog Awards in 2010 and won Best Design. Liz has been named one of the world’s
top 125 fearless female bloggers and regularly teaches social media marketing workshops. "
Reading inspires me - I read zillions of blogs. And the people I work with. We have some great idea sparring sessions."
Send Liz an email or
follow Liz on Twitter.
BRANDICE VIVIER
Manager, Programs & Development
NSI Totally Television, NSI Aboriginal Journalism
Brandice runs
NSI Totally Television, is co-manager of
NSI Aboriginal Journalism, sits on the
NSI Online Short Film Festival selection committee and helps deliver the
Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program.
She develops training curricula and has worked on many NSI training
programs. Brandice is a cheese connoisseur – the more aromatic the
better. "
My favourite part of my job is NSI Totally TV bootcamp.
Working with the always passionate and creative teams striving to
strengthen their concepts inspires me to become better at what I do."
Send Brandice an email |
Follow Brandice on Twitter.
URSULA LAWSON
Manager, Programs & Development
NSI Global Marketing, NSI New Voices, NSI Aboriginal Journalism
Secretary, NSI Board of Directors
Ursula has been with NSI since 2004 and has worked on many NSI training programs in various capacities. She is co-manager of
NSI New Voices; co-manager,
NSI Aboriginal Journalism; coordinator,
NSI Global Marketing; and executive assistant,
NSI Board of Directors. She also enjoys cooking international dishes and being outdoors, and loves the adrenaline rush she gets doing crossword puzzles in ink. "
I am inspired by the creativity and passion of our program participants and the steadfast commitment of our staff and faculty to help them succeed."
Send Ursula an email.
LAUREN MACDIARMID
Communications & Programs Coordinator
Lauren has been with NSI since 2004. In addition to working on communications and marketing collateral, she coordinates training programs including
NSI Totally Television,
NSI Features First,
Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program,
NSI Drama Prize and the
NSI Online Short Film Festival as well as industry receptions and events. In her spare time Lauren enjoys supporting the local arts community and participates in as many sports as she can. "
I am inspired by the passion of our participants. Their creativity and commitment to their projects never ceases to amaze me!"
Send Lauren an email.
ELISE SWERHONE
Manager, Programs & Development
NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First
Elise joined NSI in 2011. She is an award-winning writer, director and producer. Her extensive work includes the feature documentaries TuTu Much and Ballet High, several documentaries for CBC’s The Nature of Things, episodes for the Adventures of Shirley Holmes, Miss Manitoba, Now & Then and the MOW My Mother's Ghost. Elise is also an alumna of NSI DramaLab. "I am inspired by good stories and the efforts of filmmakers who turn those stories into magnificent films." Send Elise an email.
NSI on the web