Meet Our Judges

Anthony Chelvanathan
CCO
Edelman

Prior to taking on his current position as Chief Creative Officer at Edelman Canada, Anthony began working his way up as an Executive Creative Director at Leo Burnett Toronto, which culminated in his appointment to Senior Vice President. Along the way, Anthony has made a name for himself as one of the most prolific creatives in his industry. His work has garnered acclaim at nearly all the world’s top creative
shows, including 64 Cannes Lions recognitions (Anthony became the first judge to represent Cannes Lions in Sri Lanka while also representing Canada on numerous occasions) and 500+ international awards from institutions such as D&AD, The One Show, ADC, Communication Arts, LIA and Clios.

Throughout his career, Anthony has repeatedly landed at the top of Strategy magazine’s creative talent lists and has even been ranked 6th in the world by The Gunn Report. He has reached incredible heights (his TSN campaign promoting the Rogers Cup was among the most-awarded billboard campaigns in the
world) while ranking up tens of millions of views in the process (his follow-up video to the famous #LikeAGirl campaign alone received 90 million).

His passion and knack for zeroing in on unique human insights at the heart of a brand’s purpose has resulted in major accolades for both his clients and agencies throughout his career, including winning an International Grand Prix for his IKEA project ‘Cook This Page’. Anthony’s world-class expertise in bringing big ideas to life also knows no categorical bounds, with his creative leadership directly leading to agency wins and business growth across nearly every industry and category.

When he’s not unleashing juggernaut creative ideas onto the world and meticulously crafting his way to the number one Art Director spot in the country, Anthony can be found in his kitchen, treating his friends to his latest spicy curry recipe.

Alysha Hille
Director, Digital Marketing, Experience & CRM
Metrolinx

Alysha Hille is the Director, Digital Marketing, Experience & CRM at Metrolinx, the public agency that operates GO Transit, UP Express, and PRESTO. In addition to leading the largest digital transformation in Canadian transit history, Alysha is also an accomplished people leader who empowers her teams to take a data-led approach to award-winning ridership marketing campaigns and digital experiences.

Maxine Chapman
VP, Brand & Marketing Officer
OLG

Maxine Chapman is the VP of Brand & Marketing Officer at OLG, responsible for Brand Marketing, IMC, Media Planning and Optimization, Commercial Sponsorships, Social and Consumer Insights. Over the past 15+ years, Maxine has been a noteworthy leader in the Brand and Experiential space. Her work at Coca-Cola in both Canada and Internationally across 4 Olympic games garnered strong business returns and Brand sentiment for Coca-Cola, earning a prestigious Grand EX award by Event Marketer. Maxine is also credited with contributions for the viral Masterbrand refresh work at Cineplex which logged over 100M views (92% organic) leading Strategy to award Cineplex as one of their ‘Brands of the Year’ in 2016. With a passion for story-telling through innovative brand, event & content strategies that emotionally connect, Maxine believes how you do that is as important as what you do.

Maxine is also an avid scuba diver, boater and enjoys family time with her Olympic baby (born on the last day of the Paralympics at London 2012 – perfectly timed!), partner and pandemic puppy Archie.

Brent Choi
Partner, CEO
Angry Butterfly

As a ‘creative’ guy, for years Brent hid the fact he had graduated from one of Canada’s most prestigious business schools. And that he used to be an account person. And won numerous math competitions in high school. Okay, maybe keep that last one to yourself. Today, Brent is Partner & CEO of Angry Butterfly, leading a team of 40, working with some incredibly brave clients. Most recently as CEO/Chief Creative Officer of DDB Canada, Brent used his unique left-brain/right-brain approach to lead DDB’s total creative product and overall strategic direction across all offices. Previous to DDB, Brent spent 3 years in New York in charge of JWT’s flagship office where he helped transform them from old-school agency into the #5 Cannes Cyber Agency in the World and top 5 in NY overall. 

Before arriving in NY, Brent helped two different agencies transform into Canada’s Agency of the Year. He has 30 Cannes Lions, been a speaker at Cannes, and his work has been featured around the world including in the New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company and Sesame Street. Brent has been a judge at the One Show, Cannes, D&AD and Clios, as well as being ranked the #2 CCO in the world in the Big Won Global Rankings.

At home, Brent transforms back to a proud dad, insane NFL fan, and loving husband. His wife would add “In that order.”

Colin Craig
ECD
Performance Art

Colin Craig is the Executive Creative of Performance Art, a specialist creative data agency. As a creative leader, he helps bring together the best of data, technology and creativity to build brands and unlock new consumer experiences.

Colin’s had a 20-year career spanning boutique graphic design studios, digital agencies, and full service advertising firms. The opportunity to tackle everything from campaigns to design systems, and from branding to bleeding-edge tech is what keeps this business endlessly interesting and challenging for him.

His work has been recognized by major national and international competitions, including Cannes, One Show, the Webby’s, D& AD, and Communication Arts. Colin studied graphic design and illustration at Capilano University and studio art at the Hokkaido College of Art and Design.

Adrian Fuoco
VP, Marketing
Pizza Pizza

Since 2019, Adrian has served as Head of Marketing for Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 in
Canada and PZA Pizzeria in Mexico. In his role, Adrian is accountable for brand
strategies, omnichannel marketing planning, communications, food innovation and
menu strategy. Adrian believes great brands lead with creativity and bold ideas, backed by strategy and the courage to fail (sometimes).

At Pizza Pizza, Adrian has worked to bring renewed purpose through a new brand
strategy and investments in community, diversity, and food waste reduction. Launched in 2022, the supporting “Everyone Deserves Pizza” campaign platform has driven interest, relevance and record sales while delivering award-winning programs such as the Fixed Rate Pizza, Valentine’s Day Singles for Singles, The Dip Roller, and NHL/NBAScore a Slice.

Prior to Pizza Pizza, Adrian was at Boston Pizza and Canadian Tire, honing his
marketing skills in both the food service industry and hard goods retail. In 12 years at Canadian Tire, Adrian was instrumental in leading category marketing plans, launching the JumpStart brand and later the “Canada's Store” campaign, with supporting “Canadian Tire Guy” spokesman. During his five years at Boston Pizza, Adrian helped refocus the brand on pizza, family dining, sports and miniature patio chairs.

Personal: Lives in Toronto with his wife, two girls and cat

Education: Western University, Kellogg School of Management CMO

Vivianne Gauci
SVP & Chief Marketing Officer
HomeEquity Bank

As Senior Vice President, Customer Experience & Chief Marketing Officer, Vivianne Gauci leads HomeEquity Bank’s marketing and customer experience design and delivery teams. She is responsible for driving originations growth by leading award-winning brand and performance marketing that has increased awareness and demand. Ms. Gauci is also responsible for the evolution of the bank into a customer-centric organization, leading a team that uses the voice of the customer to design and deliver experiences worth sharing.

Ms. Gauci joined HomeEquity Bank in 2015 and has over 20 years of experience in marketing, product development, and strategy in financial services including over 10 years at companies such as American Express and Aviva. She graduated with a Hons. Bachelor of Business Administration and holds her Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

Ms. Gauci has led the creation of several award-winning campaigns and is regularly sought out to speak at industry conferences. She has been named a CMP Woman of Influence, sat on the board of the Canadian Association for Financial Institutions in Insurance, co-chaired the Financial Services Special Interest Group for the American Marketing Association and has been a judge for various industry awards.

Max Geraldo
Chief Creative Officer
BBDO

Max Geraldo is Chief Creative Officer at BBDO Canada and one of the most awarded Brazilian creatives of in his generation having worked for some of the best creative shops in Brazil, the United States and now in Canada.

Winner of 80 Cannes Lions with iconic campaigns like Nivea Doll and Protection AD, Speaking Exchange, Teddy Gun, Fedex Neighbours and Missing Matoaka and global brands like HP, Jeep, Leica, Boeing and The Red Cross. Max has also served in juries across the globe in the most prestigious Award Shows, appearing in the Top 10 rankings of the most awarded Creative Directors three times in the past decade and Number 1 Chief Creative Officer at The One Show 2023.

Max was born in Argentina, grew up in Brazil and is a father to Rosa and Lola.

Alana Lees
Co-Founder, Managing Partner & Chief Brand Strategist
BOOM InterTribal

Prior to co-founding BOOM InterTribal, an Indigenous owned, full-service agency, Alana spent over 20 years honing her craft at some of Toronto’s top-performing agencies, including Cossette, Grip and JWT, delivering results for world-class brand portfolios such as LCBO, Honda, Coca-Cola, Toyota and Tim Hortons. She went on to work Client-side on global brands and not-for-profit. 

Alana is of mixed descent, raised in Judaism, and a proud member of Fisher River Cree Nation. As an intergenerational survivor of the residential school system, Alana has spent the last two decades re-connecting to culture, exploring and living her passion for advocacy and the global movement towards Truth and Reconciliation.

Alana’s lived-experience in the Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds gives her an intimate understanding of the values, traditions, experiences, challenges, thought processes and ways of life – of both worlds.

Straddling these two worlds, Alana innately understands the human insights that transcend and unify them. Through the journey of discovery and strategic planning, she finds the common ground that opens lines of communication. She is a conduit between worlds helping to create meaningful campaigns that form genuine connections and an awareness of shared values.

By connecting Indigenous worldviews and marketing insights, Alana and her team at BOOM are elevating purpose driven work with clients such as TD, Telus, Deloitte and Sysco on their journey of Reconciliation. As well as supporting such Indigenous organizations as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and the First Nations Bank of Canada. Whether creating social impact or delivering business results, Alana firmly believes that awareness inspires action.

Claudia Mayne
Sr. Director Brand
Cadillac Fairview

Claudia Garcia Mayne is the Sr. Director Brand at Cadillac Fairview. For over 20 years, Claudia has led the Marketing and Advertising for some of Canada’s most well-known retail and automotive brands. From her tenure at IKEA Canada, Havas Worldwide to Honda, Claudia's diverse range of experience in corporate and advertising agencies, has shaped her into the leader she is today.

 

Throughout her career she has valued and championed diversity in the workplace and always found that different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are the catalysts for innovation and progress. As a first generation Canadian, Claudia has a deep appreciation and personal connection to the newcomer journey and in March 2023 Claudia joined the Impakt Foundation for Social Change whose mission is to create lasting social and economic change for newcomer communities in Canada.

Lisa Reid
Commercial Operations Leader of Beauty Care
P&G

Deborah Wilson
VP Communications
PortsToronto

Deborah Wilson is Vice President Communications and Public Affairs for PortsToronto, the owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, marine Port of Toronto and property holdings along the waterfront. An accomplished business strategist and communications executive, Ms. Wilson has worked in a range of industries including broadcasting, banking, professional services and technology for such companies as Astral Media, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Scotiabank and American Express.

Ms. Wilson holds an undergraduate degree from Western University, a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Communications, Culture and Public Policy from York University, and holds certifications in such areas as marketing, editing and governance. She is an IABC Gold Quill recipient for Excellence in Communications Management. She is a former board member of the Redpath Waterfront Festival, Canadian Women in Communications, and Youth Media Alliance, and currently sits on the Advisory Council for Hope Air.

Mark Bernardi
Director, Creative Marketing
Shaftesbury

Nicolas Boisvert
Partner, Creative Director
LG2

Nicolas Boisvert is Partner and Creative director at Lg2. He has worked with LG2 since 2001 and has participated on (many) Québec advertising juries. Nicolas's campaigns have been awarded by: Cannes Lions, One Show, Clio, ADC, ADCC, Epica, Communication Arts, London International Awards, Applied Arts, Marketing Awards.

Manuel Ferrarini
VP, Creative Director
Tam-Tam\TBWA

Now in his seventh year as Creative Director at Tam-Tam\TBWA, Manuel Ferrarini proudly headed outstanding campaigns that garnered STRAT awards (Quebec), Strategy Awards, Prix Médias, and Cassies. 

Previously, Manuel was ACD at Taxi’s Montreal office, acting as creative lead on the Telus account and prior to this, he worked for nearly 12 years as an art director at Saint-Jacques Vallée Y&R. Here he created major campaigns for Ford, Danone, Air Miles, Ontario Tourism and Sico. He began his career way back when with at Publicis. 

Keen to inspire the next generation, Manuel at one time lectured on/taught advertising at the Université de Montréal.

When not thinking up and perfecting advertising campaigns, Manuel occupies his spare time by bringing up his two kids and renovating, no… make that rebuilding, the house they live in.  

Brenda Gallant
Director of Marketing
Tourism PEI

Brenda is the Director of Marketing for Tourism Prince Edward Island.  She has been actively involved in the tourism sector for many years, both from an industry and government perspective. 

Prior to joining Tourism PEI, Brenda was part of the senior management team at Confederation Centre of the Arts and she also worked in management positions with Bell Aliant.

In addition to her work with Tourism PEI, Brenda sits on two program advisory councils for a local college (Holland College) and also for Parks Canada; is current chair of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Marketing & Research Committee;  has served on the executive of a local Rotary club; assisted with Canada Games and chaired and helped organized PEI study tours as part of a number of Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conferences. 

Tania Goecke
Vice-President, Marketing
Bimbo

As a highly effective and perceptive leader, Tania's commitment and passion elevate the
potential of people and partners around her. Her 20-year successful track record is in delivering
growth and transformation with insightful future thinking.

Currently, as VP of Marketing for Grupo Bimbo - (Canada) the largest baking company in the
world, she focuses on building, nurturing and growing iconic Canadian brands including
Dempster's, Villaggio and Vachon confidently driving the highest standards in the fields of brand development, shopper marketing, digital and e-commerce. 

Her action-oriented approach propels positive momentum to continue building purposeful
brands, that connect with consumers in meaningful ways.

Joel Holtby
Co-Founder & CCO
Courage

Joel Holtby is the Co Founder & Co-CCO of Courage. His work has earned more than 300+ international and national awards, including multiple Gold Cannes Lions as well as multiple medals at every major international show. Joel was named Ad Age's Creative Director of the year in 2020 and consistently ranks among the Top Creative Directors in Strategy Magazine’s Creative Report Card. His work has not only consistently become part of the cultural conversation, but also driven tangible business results for some of the biggest brands in the world.

Joel is also a proud dad to 2 wonderful little girls, June and Blair.

Marta Hooper
Group Creative Director
AntiSocial

Marta Hooper joined AntiSocial with an enviable portfolio of brands under her belt and has spent the last 20 years mastering her multi-disciplinary approach at some of Toronto’s most celebrated network and independent agencies such as TBWA\Toronto, Sid Lee, Leo Burnett, Taxi, and trevor//peter to name a few.

As a creative leader, she has dedicated her craft to creating culturally on point, creatively distinct, and results-driven work for a host of global and lifestyle brands such as Nike, Spotify, Foot Locker, Nissan, Honda, Ford, Dell/Alienware, Telus, Red Bull, Diageo, Labatt and HBO.

In her past life Marta *may* have been a race car driver, and when she’s not creative directing or stunt driving, she spends her time influencing the minds of industry hopefuls as a Sessional Professor at the George Brown College School of Design.

Meghan Kraemer
Partner, Creative Director
Hard Work Club

Meghan is Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director of Hard Work Club, leading a daring team that believes grit makes great. As a creative, her work is highly-crafted yet deeply human, capturing resonant insights in full technicolor. As an entrepreneur, she is heavily-caffeinated, relentlessly building an audaciously kind yet creatively wild corporate culture. 

Before founding HWC, Meghan rose the ranks at one of Canada’s oldest independent agencies, creating work for a few of the world’s biggest brands. She holds degrees from OCADU (BDes, Advertising) and Wilfrid Laurier University (BArts, Fine Arts & Communication Studies.)

Her work has been awarded internationally (LIA, Clio, D&AD, One Show) and featured in the pages of countless publications - among them, Forbes and Fast Company. 

She is an equal rights advocate for self-identified women and mothers in business, and “Mommm” to two indomitable young daughters. 

Natee Likitsuwankool
VP, Creative Director
Edelman Canada

Natee is an ACD/Art Director, currently working at Leo Burnett in Toronto, Canada.

Natee was born and bred in Thailand, but now he calls Canada home. Before he started his career in advertising, he earned a bachelor degree in Industrial Design from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

His work has won awards from shows such as D&AD, The OneShow, Cannes Lions, ADC, Clio, Communication Arts, Spikes Asia, Asia Pacific AdFest, Advertising and Design Club of Canada, the Canadian Marketing Awards, and Applied Arts.

In his spare time, he likes to build Lego with his son and daughter.

Mike Lo nam
Creative Director
Citizen Relations

David Lui
CEO
Kit and Ace

Rachel MacAdam
VP, Marketing
SkipTheDishes

Rachel MacAdam has recently joined the SkipTheDishes team as Vice President of Marketing. Rachel comes to Skip with over 25 years of international loyalty, retail, banking, travel and eCommerce experience, most recently as the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Rewards and Customer Care with the Air Miles Rewards Program.

In her role, she will be leading the marketing organization for Canada and will also be part of the global leadership team for Just Eat Takeaway. Her focus will be to help champion the customer experience across the organization to drive acquisition and engagement through a relevant and compelling brand story, personalized digital experiences, and enhancing the value proposition through brand offers, partnerships and sponsorships.

Keli Pollock
Creative Director
Daughter

DAUGHTER Advertising & Design Executive Creative Director, Keli Pollock possesses a wellspring of creativity that sets her apart. A staunch advocate for stepping away from the screen, she finds inspiration in pottery, photography, and, most recently, painting. Coupled with her formidable work ethic and ability to galvanize a team, Keli is a genuine creative force. Her impressive client roster includes WestJet, TELUS, The Calgary Stampede, Transalta and Shaw. Her trophy case overflows with awards and accolades. Today, her focus is on nurturing emerging creatives and actively supporting Calgary's creative community. During the pandemic, Keli organized a beloved outdoor public art exhibition showcasing the works of Alberta artists and illustrators.

Paul Riss
Founding Partner, Creative Director
Round

Mew-Lin Teh
E2E Connections & Media
Coca-Cola

Mew-Lin currently leads Connections and Media planning for all Coca-Cola brands in Canada. Her experience across publisher, agency, and client side of the industry has helped brands accelerate growth though innovative and consumer centric marketing programs.