Advisory Board

Adam’s career includes over 10 years of experience at some of Canada’s top production companies and broadcasters. Most recently, Adam worked at marblemedia managing the development of scripted series. He was part of the team who launched the scripted department for the company. Previous to marblemedia, Adam worked at Shaw Media in their Original Drama Content department on programming across Global TV, Showcase and History Television. as well as at the CBC as Executive in Charge of Drama Development, where he was responsible for reviewing and evaluating pitches for new scripted drama series. Currently, Adam is the Development Executive at Incendo Media, managing the creation of television series and movies.

By championing inclusion, diversity and distinct talent, Adam has garnered strong relationships with a vast range of different writers, directors and creative’s across the country. Adam got his start in television at Canwest Broadcasting where he worked for Entertainment Tonight Canada, and as a Network Programmer for Global Television.

Adam has a strong understanding of the broadcast landscape; he identifies the marketability of ideas and talent, and is an innovative thinker when it comes to translating viewership habits and industry trends. He is a strong advocate of mentorship and has participated as an industry mentor with the CFC Prime Time Writers’ Program, Banff World Media Festival, Innoversity and The Reel World Film Festival.

David Di Benedetto is the Digital Strategies Project Manager for the City of Vaughan. In this role, Di Benedetto responsible for delivering, in conjunction with the CIO, the project on time, to budget and at the required quality standard. Di Benedetto continues to build upon a dynamic career culminating in experiences such as Creative Development + Marketing Coordinator at the City of Vaughan where he took the lead on strategic grassroots and City-wide marketing campaigns, art direction and corporate branding initiatives. His work with the City has led to multiple prestigious award designations. As an entrepreneur in the private sector, his projects have included Arabella Magazine and the development of progressive branding programs for numerous corporate clients and the Township of Oro-Medonte.

Jenny Arena is the founder of Jen’s Slice of Life, a lifestyle brand that encompasses full service event planning and execution along with content writing. With fifteen years of experience behind her, along with a passion for organization, style and design, she is able to bring visions to life. Whether a small scale gathering or a large scale gala Jenny is able to manage every facet of the event.

Her creative style and attention to detail have garnered her not only an industry-wide reputation but accolades as well. She has worked, planned, and consulted on events for charity and non-profit organizations, government agencies, boutique firms, and corporations. A degree in foreign literature and linguistics along with a natural flare for storytelling make her skillful, qualified, and expertly positioned to write great content. Jenny is an active member of the community and believes in giving back through sponsorship, volunteering and collaborative mentoring. A combination of knowledge, experience and intuition has given Jenny the ability to deliver to her clients, a high standard of excellence, raising the bar of professionalism. 

It is this skillset that she proudly brings with her to the management of events and sponsorship at Critique Week.

Jessica is a management consultant with a passion for retail and consumer markets. She is currently the Manager of Strategy at GALE Partners, a business agency built to collaborate with brands to drive measurable results. Her previous experiences at Jackman Reinvents focused on reinventing customer experiences of leading North American retailers.

Jessica is a graduate of the Ivey Business School (HBA) at Western University, as well as the VP Marketing and Communications for the MLSE Foundation Game Changers and on the Business Advisory Council of the Harbourfront Centre’s Craft & Design Artist-in-Residence program.

Michael Guglielmin is an Operations Manager and Director of Health and Safety at Norbel Metal Service. A major element of his role at Norbel Metal is the navigation and interpretation of government legislation in order to develop company policy that complies with government regulations. Furthermore, Michael is responsible for ensuring government policy objectives are met without impeding production targets.

Michael has been involved as a volunteer in federal politics serving as President and Chairman, and as a Director on local riding executive boards where he was responsible for leading successful fundraising and community outreach initiatives. Additionally, he served as an advisor to a successful candidate for federal parliament.

A dynamic, action-oriented visionary, and a creative artist who possesses visual and social communication skills that reach beyond the imagination.  Mina’s innovative ideas and concepts have been showcased at industry, social, charitable, and networking events around the GTA.  Her ability to build and maintain strong business relationships makes her a well-known professional in fashion, the arts, design, and marketing.

Mina is the Owner and Creative Director at Façade Academy of The Arts Inc. where she instructs and mentors students and professionals of all ages in different facets of the arts and design industries. Mina is also a Fashion and Costume Designer, Certified Image and Branding Consultant.  Mina’s personal brand of fresh style and a polished image exudes energy, creativity and professionalism.  With a Bachelor of Design Engineering, specializing in Fashion and Costume Design from Ryerson University, and Business Communication, Mina is making a life-long dream reality.

Currently a Cultural Development Officer with the City of Vaughan, Mirella is responsible for the management, planning, development and activation of initiatives and programs for the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Community Engagement Plan (VMC) as it relates to the economic development of Culture identified in the Culture and Public Art Strategy for City of Vaughan. As the lead for the development and implementation of projects/programs instrumental in fostering and enhancing the cultural growth of the City of Vaughan as a vibrant and creative municipality, she provides her expertise and leadership in knowledge of cultural trends and development in the cultural sector; assesses any required resources; formulates strategies and proposes initiatives to increase Cultural impact on the economic and social aspects of the VMC and City of Vaughan. Mirella is also the project lead for citywide National, Provincial and Local cultural initiatives and events.

Mirella’s exceptional facilitation and negotiating techniques in innovative partnerships serves to support the advancement and development of Culture, tourism sectors and related creative industries as it relates to the Culture and Public Art Framework. She also serves as the Arts and Culture Liaison to the arts community of Vaughan and greater GTA, including working with various arts committees and creative industries to facilitate initiatives and programming citywide. Mirella consults and collaborates with external cultural industries and organizations, including the development of contacts with others at the Municipal, Provincial, and Federal levels, non-governmental organizations and interest groups, other agencies and the private sector.

With over 20 years of experience in arts and culture, as well as business development, and years of experience in the film and music industries, her accolades also include the launch of a unique art studio for children and youth, cumulatively resulting in the mentoring and teaching of over 5000 students in a 10 year period with a 100% success rate in portfolio development programming for students applying to art programs at both the secondary and post-secondary educational levels. A successful Honors Graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Mirella is a skilled artist having had many successful exhibits.

A contributing writer for Fredi Magazine, Panoram Italia Magazine and Snapd Newspapers, Romina is continuously engaged in the community covering a wide range of cultural and political events including matters of human interest. Film is one of her greatest passions and believes that this medium is vital for self-expression as well as raising awareness to social issues. “Critique Week is a great way for young people to express their views and develop their talents while giving them the resources necessary to excel in the world of film. Film is a reflection and gateway to understanding the human condition,” says Romina who is committed to assisting this initiative and providing youth with a platform to showcase their work.

With nearly 20 years of experience in multiple marketing disciplines, Sarah understands how to start conversations that compel action.  With formal education in public relations, Sarah’s expertise lies in communications strategies ranging from traditional media (print and outdoor) to social and other new media.

Vanessa Galle, the creative force behind Vanessa Galle Photography and Design Inc., is proud to bring her years of experience in photography in design to the Critique Week Board.  With over a decade of experience, she has garnered an impressive reputation for her corporate, commercial and lifestyle photography and design, bringing with it, a notable client list that includes Fortune 500 Companies, financial institutions, fashion brands, fine dining establishments, and charitable organizations to name a few.

Her attention to detail and ability to transform thoughts into images are a testament to her talent and passion as both a photographer and graphic designer.  Taking into consideration the latest industry trends, she is able to conceive creative and modern graphics to establish, enhance or reinvent her clients’ brand.

A combination of knowledge, experience and intuition has given Vanessa the ability to deliver to her clients and their audiences the best creatively, an achievement she can proudly celebrate over fine food and a glass of wine.