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Our Team

FACTOR maintains an office and staff of 20 people in downtown Toronto, along with 11 Regional Education Coordinators (RECs) located across Canada. We are governed by a Board of Directors of 11 representatives from both the radio broadcast and the independent music sectors, with consultation from our National Advisory Board (NAB) comprised of representatives from all provincial and territorial music industry associations, the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), the Music Publishers Canada, and the Music Managers Forum (MMF).

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Board of Directors

Under FACTOR’s current constitution, the Board of Directors is comprised of a volunteer group of 11 individuals, six of whom represent the independent music industry and five who represent Canada’s private radio broadcasters.

Under the current by-laws there are eight members of the organization who control eight seats on the Board. These members are responsible for the appointment of Directors. The Directors they appoint are responsible for electing the remaining three seats on the Board. The eight members are:

  • Canadian Independent Music Association
  • One member, admitted by Board resolution, drawn from the Independent Recording Industry
  • Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB)
  • Music Publishers Canada
  • Music Managers Forum Canada
  • Bell Media Inc.
  • CORUS Entertainment Inc.
  • Rogers Communications Inc.

In an effort to embrace as many sectors of the industry as possible, the Board of Directors gives consideration to both regional and sectoral representation.

FACTOR also has two Observer positions on the Board. The Diversity and Inclusion Observer represents the interests of FACTOR’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. The role of the Diversity and Inclusion Observer is to channel the voices and leverage the knowledge of the committee to help FACTOR develop its decision, program and policy making process through a series of lenses that prioritize the inclusion of diverse people, places and ways of being in the music industry. FACTOR also has a provision for a representative of the Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA) to attend meetings of the Board of Directors as a non-voting Observer, as well as Chair the National Advisory Committee (NAB).

FACTOR has a Director Emeritus, Duff Roman, who is also the founding President of the organization. He has remained an active supporter of FACTOR throughout its history. His presence ensures that there is an historical memory and ongoing guidance available to new Board members.

Serving on the FACTOR Board

Eight members of the FACTOR Board are appointed by its founding members. However, the FACTOR Board reserves three seats for independently elected members. Of these three seats:

  • One seat is reserved for a representative from private radio broadcasting
  • One seat is reserved for a representative from the independent music industry
  • One seat is reserved for a representative from the music industry who is ideally an artist

Elected Board members must be nominated by the Nominating Committee of the Board. Candidates for the seats are elected (or appointed by acclamation) by the founding members at FACTOR’s Annual General Meeting. The radio seat and the music industry seat are elected on even-numbered years; and the independent representative is elected on odd-numbered years.

Elected Board members serve a two-year term and may serve up to four consecutive terms.

  • Steve Parsons

    Chair

    CAB Appointee

    Stingray Radio

    National Director of Programming

  • Amy Eligh

    Vice-Chair

    MPC Appointee

    Arts & Crafts Publishing

    Director, Publishing & Licensing

  • Justin West

    Justin West

    Treasurer

    CIMA Appointee

    Secret City Records

    President

  • John Lewis

    John Lewis

    Secretary

    Independent Radio Representative

    SiriusXM Canada

    Senior Vice-President, Programming and Operations

  • Sarah Cummings

    Board Member

    Bell Appointee

    Bell Media

    CHUM FM Program Director - Regional Program Director Ontario & Atlantic Canada

  • Julien Paquin

    Independent Music Industry Representative

    Elected Member

    Paquin Artists Agency

    President

  • Tim Potocic

    Tim Potocic

    Board Member

    CIMA Appointee

    Sonic Unyon

    Co-Founder

  • Julisa Ly

    Board Member

    Rogers Appointee

    Rogers

    Program Director, JACK 96.9 Calgary

  • Gayatri Thirunadarajah

    Board Member

    Corus Appointee

    Corus

    Director of Finance, Planning & Analysis

  • Andrina Turenne

    Andrina Turenne

    Artist Representative

    Elected Member

    Singer/Songwriter

  • Jermayne Clayton

    Board Member

    MMF Appointee

    Awesome Productions & Management

    Co-Owner/President Management Division

  • Sean McManus

    Observer

    NAB Representative

    Manitoba Music

    Executive Director

  • Kwende Kefentse

    Observer

    Diversity & Inclusion Committee Representative

    CKCU FM 93.1

    Executive Director

  • Duff Roman

    Duff Roman

    Director Emeritus

    Duff Roman Media Inc.

    President & CEO

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FACTOR Staff

  • Meg Symsyk

    President and CEO

    Meg Symsyk is the new FACTOR President and CEO.

    Email Meg Symsyk

    Phone 201

  • Phil Gumbley

    Phil Gumbley

    Director, Operations

    Phil joined the team in 2006 as a Program Administrator and has worked in various roles. Now, he is responsible for implementing and improving systems, procedures and policies. In his free time, Phil cans his own salsa, skips FACTOR’s music industry curling league team and enjoys teaching his toddler niece how to play the drums with chop-sticks at the dinner table.

    Email Phil Gumbley

    Phone ext 206

  • Marina Anianova

    Marina Anianova

    Accounting Manager

    Marina Anianova has been FACTOR's Accounting Manager since 2000. Prior to that, she worked for a chartered accounting firm, and provided accounting services to CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association) from 2006 to 2008. Marina has a Bachelor Degree in Finance and Accounting.

    Email Marina Anianova

    Phone ext 209

  • Danitza Nolasco

    Danitza Nolasco

    IT Manager

    Danitza Nolasco joined FACTOR in November 2013. Her duties include the maintenance, improvement and technical support of FACTOR's portal, as well as the design, creation and automation of the emerging processes to keep FACTOR at the forefront in technology. She received her B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Systems in '09 and her Technology Specialist from Microsoft in '10.

    Email Danitza Nolasco

    Phone ext 231

  • Courtney Holroyd

    Office Coordinator

    Courtney has an enthusiasm for making things happen. She has several years of experience in non-profit administration, and holds a diploma in Radio, a HBFA in Visual Arts and a BEd which have all contributed to her current expertise. Outside of work, she’ll be at a live show, rep cinema, making art, or befriending stray cats.

    Email Courtney Holroyd

    Phone ext 200

  • Karina Moldovan

    Manager, Communications

    Karina joined FACTOR in the spring of 2015. Hailing from a small town in Romania, with the help of her wonderful parents she made it to the big city. Karina graduated from the Artist Management Program at the Harris Institute in Toronto. Currently she oversees FACTOR's external communications and works closely with FACTOR's senior staff and government and industry stakeholders.

    Email Karina Moldovan

    Phone ext 242

  • Anastasiia Danylova

    Communications Coordinator

    Anastasiia joined FACTOR in February 2018. She used to work at the Peter Triantos Art Galleries and the Royal Ontario Museum. On the side she is doing media research at the University of Toronto and writing articles about media industry at INKspire. Asiia is committed to improving accessibility to arts and culture and fostering cultural engagement within Canadian communities.

    Email Anastasiia Danylova

    Phone ext 241

  • EC

    Evelyn Cream

    Manager, Collective Initiatives, Sponsorship, & Outreach

    Evelyn joined FACTOR late 2016 and brings extensive experience from the Canadian and International music industry to the Collective Initiatives program. She has worked at labels, in management, publishing, helped start a jazz festival, worked with JUNO & Grammy-winning artists and 2 members of the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. A big concert fan, Evelyn has attended 1,000+ shows.

    Email Evelyn Cream

    Phone ext 219

  • Paige Guscott

    Project Coordinator, Collective Initiatives

    Paige has been with FACTOR since September of 2019. She joins us from Vancouver, where she became well-versed in the world of grants through working in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors of the music industry. Paige has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Queen’s University, with a minor in Film.

    Email Paige Guscott

    Phone ext 210

  • Anthony Johnson

    Project Coordinator, Sponsorship & Outreach

    Anthony joined FACTOR in March 2020. Growing up in Switzerland, he eventually made Canada his permanent home. As a lifelong music fan, he gained experience in the industry both in administration at Warner/Chappell and SOCAN, and as a musician in Toronto’s underground pop and hip-hop scene. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto.

    Email Anthony Johnson

    Phone ext 214

  • Gail Phillip

    Manager, Client Services

    Gail will be responsible for the department management of Factor’s core staff in Client Services. Gail has extensive media experience that includes working in television, an independent label owner, artist management and radio experience at G987FM & JAZZFM91 as Account Manager and Director of Sales. She looks forward to helping Canadian Artist become international success.

    Email Gail Phillip

    Phone ext 221

  • Eryka MacLean

    Assistant Manager, Client Services

    Eryka has been a core member of FACTOR’s team since the summer of 2009. In this role she works with and assists the client services department. Being a Toronto native, Eryka is proud to support the homegrown talent coming from these streets.

    Email Eryka MacLean

    Phone ext 218

  • Angela Kozak

    Angela Kozak

    Senior Project Coordinator

    Angela Kozak joined FACTOR in 2010. Angela has previously worked as a music writer for Chart and Shameless, and holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Ryerson University. She moved to South Africa immediately after graduating and spent a year working at a graphic design firm and cage-diving with great whites. She is a proud supporter of the Fauna Foundation in Montreal.

    Email Angela Kozak

    Phone ext 227

  • Beth Hamill

    Beth Hamill

    Senior Project Coordinator

    Beth joined FACTOR in 2007. Prior to ditching the corporate world and landing happily at FACTOR, Beth earned a B.A. in journalism from Michigan State University, and spent 13 totally forgettable years as a management liability underwriter in both the U.S. and Canada. These days, she can usually be found travelling, collecting old junk, or mending fences on her farm.

    Email Beth Hamill

    Phone ext 207

  • Derek Wilson

    Senior Project Coordinator, Envelope Funding

    Derek has been with the foundation since 2012. As a former FACTOR-funded artist in the Juried Sound Recording & Demo Programs, he’s acquired hands-on experience with management, publicity and booking domestic & international tours in support of independent & label releases. He holds a Bachelor in Social Sciences from Ottawa U & an Audio Production diploma from Harris Institute.

    Email Derek Wilson

    Phone ext 244

  • Amanda Lewis

    Project Coordinator, Envelope Funding

    Newfoundland transplant Amanda joined the FACTOR team in early 2020. She has ten years’ experience as an administrative Jill-of-all-trades, working in festivals, studios, granting, academic research, and music publishing. When not at work Amanda fills her time making music, watching horror movies, and playing hours upon hours of video games.

    Email Amanda Lewis

    Phone ext 208

  • Natasha Roldán

    Jury Supervisor

    Natasha joined FACTOR in 2019 as the Jury Supervisor. She has several years of experience in the non-profit sector, radio, civic media and other areas in the music industry. Natasha is also a composer/performer and is currently pursuing a Masters in Music at York University. Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, Natasha has now made Toronto her home.

    Email Natasha Roldán

    Phone ext 223

  • Chayne Japal

    Project Coordinator

    Prior to joining the FACTOR team, Chayne was at Blue Ant Media as music director on channels AUX and A.Side. He also served as staff writer and producer handling video content, artist relations, festival and brand partnerships, and contesting. His writing has been published on Exclaim!, BeatRoute, Complex, and The Fader.

    Email Chayne Japal

    Phone ext 222

  • Jeff Hayward

    Jeff Hayward

    Project Coordinator

    Jeff joined the FACTOR team in early 2015. He is a life-long fan and ambassador of Canadian independent music, hailing from the great city of Brantford. His love for data and spreadsheets is surpassed only by his love for Whitney Houston. By night you can usually find him DJing or watching a movie (or three). He finds it very difficult to write in the third person.

    Email Jeff Hayward

    Phone ext 245

  • Geoff Stairs

    Project Coordinator

    Geoff joined FACTOR’s client services department in the autumn of 2016 after four years spent in the worlds of artist management and grant writing. Hailing originally from New Brunswick, he previously co-founded – and acted as lead programmer for – a successful regional arts and music festival in the Upper Saint John River Valley.

    Email Geoff Stairs

    Phone ext 220

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Regional Education Coordinators

FACTOR is committed to serving Canada’s regions from coast to coast to coast. This is why we work with 13 Regional Education Coordinators (RECs) across the country. With the exception of Quebec, each of the RECs is associated with a provincial or territorial Music Industry Association. RECs are engaged in providing one-on-one consultation about FACTOR and its programs to local artists and music entrepreneurs, running local workshops and seminars, and in recruiting and training FACTOR jurors.

Learn more about Canada’s Music Industry Associations.