CIMA Board of Directors : 2024- 2027 Nominees
CIMA is pleased to announce the following Board of Directors nominees for the 2024-2027 term.
Incumbency and committee participation within the last three years will be noted for each candidate. Nominees were asked to provide a short mission statement answering: "Why do you wish to sit on CIMA's Board of Directors?".
Voting will take place prior to our Annual General Meeting which will be held virtually on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 3 PM (ET). Register Here!
CIMA voting level members (Class A, B & C) are eligible to vote.
Ballots have been sent directly to the main contact email address of all voting class members; if your company hasn't received your ballot OR you would like the ballot to be sent to a different staff member, please contact the Administrative Coordinator, Kaiesha Grey (kaiesha@cimamusic.ca).
Shauna De Cartier (Incumbent)
Six Shooter Records - CEO
Committee Participation: Executive Committee, Government Affairs Committee
Mission Statement: I love CIMA for so many reasons, the first of which is how well it fosters our incredible community of music entrepreneurs. I value our cooperative approach to advocacy, the free exchange of information, and the collegiality between our members. I look forward to bringing my perspectives as a manager, as a label, and as a publisher to the issues and changes of the day, including international issues such as the impact of AI on our business, equitable remuneration and other proposed changes to the streaming payment models, and the potential change in our national government and how that might impact our funding. As a long-standing member of the Board, I also bring valuable institutional knowledge to draw upon as we forge our path in the future. It would be my honour to serve another term for CIMA.
Colin McTaggart
Amelia Artist Inc. - Manager
Mission Statement: I have over 20 years of experience in the Canadian music industry, initially as a musician and subsequently as a manager and label owner. CIMA's advocacy for the independent music sector has been instrumental to my businesses, and I am eager to contribute to this vital work by joining the Board of Directors. As a business based in Western Canada, I believe it is important to have more representation on Canadian music boards. My diverse background as a touring musician, artist manager, and label owner provides me with a well-rounded perspective from all facets of the industry.
Kieran Roy (Incumbent)
Arts & Crafts - President & Co-Owner
Committee Participation: Executive Committee, Finance and Audit Committee
Mission Statement: I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving on CIMA’s Board of Directors. I am committed to advocating for the rights of our independent music community and creating new business opportunities both at home and abroad. I bring almost 25 years of music industry experience, including 18 years in the independent sector and the perspectives of a record label, music publisher, artist manager, and event producer.
Jeff Nedza
Cadence Music Group - VP, Marketing
Mission Statement: I began my music career 25 years ago, driven by a passion for becoming a musician. Over the years, I've gained diverse experience in the industry, most notably serving as Senior Manager of Marketing at Universal Music Canada. My love for independent music led me to Cadence Music, where I now hold the position of Vice President of Marketing. In this role, I play a pivotal part in developing our roster across four label divisions, including Known Accomplice, where I curate and manage all A&R activities and oversee our artist management division. I'm eager to represent the CIMA membership on the board. I believe my unique set of skills aligns perfectly with the challenges our industry faces, particularly within the ever-evolving digital marketplace, as well as navigating complex issues and opportunities such as AI and copyright. I am committed to exploring and implementing innovative solutions that drive recognition and success for our artists and labels, and I look forward to contributing these ideas to CIMA.
Kesi Smyth (Incumbent)
604 Records
Committee Participation: Equity Committee
Mission Statement: I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving on the CIMA Board of Directors. I have served over 20 years in the Canadian independent music industry in my career at 604 Records and bring a valuable indie label perspective to the table. I will continue to advocate for our artists and companies while also tying in my recent experience sitting on other boards such as FACTOR and the Canadian Starmaker Fund.
Mélina Amegbleame (Incumbent)
Moonshine Music Inc. - Label & Publishing Manage
Committee Participation: Membership Affairs Committee
Mission Statement: I would like to contribute to the growth of the Canadian music industry, and I believe that serving on CIMA's Board of Directors would allow me to assess how we can join our efforts to achieve this goal. My experience at Moonshine in Montréal has provided me with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Canadian artists and music professionals. I believe that my fresh perspective could bring new ideas and energy to the board.
Michel Benac
LaFab Musique Inc
Mission Statement: I have been active in the Ontario francophone music industry for 25 years and strongly Believe that I could add an understanding from the francophone industry outside Quebec. I would also love to be able to help in the development of MUSIC ONTARIO for the years to come.
Renan Yildizdogan
Gypsy Soul Entertainment Inc.
Mission Statement: I have been a proud member of CIMA since 2010, actively participating in numerous export missions over the years. As the founder of Gypsy Soul Records, I bring extensive experience in the music industry and a proven ability to help artists grow, ultimately gaining international recognition. As a CIMADirector, I will leverage my industry connections and expertise to create new opportunities for the community. My focus will be on fostering growth, increasing international exposure, and supporting artists in reaching new heights. One of my greatest strengths is my wide-reaching network of international contacts, which I will use to open doors for CIMA members, helping them extend their influence beyond local and national markets.
Michelle Allman-Esdaille
The HOOK & Company - CEO & Founder
Mission Statement: I am deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and equity within the Canadian music industry. As CEO of The HOOK & Company and through my roles with ADVANCE and Women In Music Canada, I have empowered underrepresented voices, particularly from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and female communities. By creating pathways for independent music creatives through an online marketplace, education, and sync opportunities, I aim to drive innovation and economic sustainability. Serving on CIMA’s Board would enable me to continue advocating for these communities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued across Canada while collaborating to build a more inclusive and economically sustained future.
Ryhna Thompson (Incumbent)
Envision Management & Production - Founder & President
Committee Participation: Equity Committee
Mission Statement:For over 20 years, I have built, sustained and grown an internationally active Canadian music company. I have been a musician, artist manager, producer and label owner. I have collaborated with many dozens of artists, across creative industries, with different levels of government and sat on numerous boards. I am passionate about seeking pathways to make long-term careers in music viable and competitive on the world stage, placing a great focus on authenticity and innovation. In addition to contributing my perspective as a member of the official language minority in Quebec, I am putting my name forward to offer my experience to help lift up this industry and those working within it.
Sandy Pandya (Incumbent)
ArtHaus Medic Inc. / ArtHaus Community
Committee Participation: Equity Committee
Mission Statement: Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the transformative work CIMA does on behalf of its members and beyond. It has become evident what a critical role CIMA plays in the lives of artists and entrepreneurs. To ensure CIMA can continue its important work, a healthy ecosystem is essential for securing long-term financial sustainability. In support of this, I’ve dedicated the last few years to building relationships with corporate partners that align with CIMA's mission and mandate. I would love the opportunity to continue my advocacy on the board and further solidify this new chapter.
Fannie Crepin
House of Supercool
Mission Statement: I want to join the CIMA board to address crucial issues in 2024, bringing my experience as a founder and advocate for various causes. I founded House of Supercool with two other women, a label service company specializing in marketing, social media, and new technologies. I also co-founded the non-profit Musique Bleue. Having served on the board of l'ADISQ, I felt like I had a significant impact and aim to do the same for the Canadian music industry. My key priorities include the representation of women, diversity, and equity, and defending Canadian interests. As an ex-manager of artists and active in consultation groups like SODEC and CRTC, I am passionate about the politics of music and eager to contribute meaningfully.