A Board of Directors made up of individuals with interests in the Canadian comedy industry will govern CANCOM.
A Board of Directors made up of individuals with interests in the Canadian comedy industry will govern CANCOM.
The Board will have the authority to implement and establish the vision of the organization. This includes, but is not limited to, responsibility for its decisions related to CANCOM’s operating budget and its funding decisions relevant to the allocation of any revenues received, which will be managed by its Executive Director and their Leadership Team personnel.
The Board will also approve and supervise the implementation of comedy arts service programs, as well as an effective application and objective appraisal process for CANCOM’s funding decisions, as per the foundation’s Proposal Guidelines.
The Board of Directors is elected by CANCOM Members and Member organizations.
READ OUR BY-LAWS:
Bylaws – The Foundation for Canadian Comedy (CANCOM)
There are up to fifteen (15) positions on the Board, with current directors including:
For over 30 years, Adam has been performing on radio, television, stage, and at conferences and events. In addition to hosting Discovery Channel’s Cash Cab, Adam is an accomplished stand-up comedian starring in Just for Laughs, Comedy NOW!, CBS’s Star Search, and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. His career portfolio includes event and conference Host/MC, moderating panels, keynote presentations, and one-person theatre shows.
Adam and his wife have three kids and live in Toronto, where they foster babies with the Children’s Aid Society.
years working behind the scenes to help comedians shine. With a background in talent
booking, show production, and artist support, she’s passionate about building spaces where
performers can thrive, both on stage and off.
Sareeda is especially committed to championing underrepresented voices and creating more
inclusive, accessible pathways into the comedy industry. Whether she’s coordinating and
helping to sell out shows or advocating for Canadian comedy as a recognized art form, she
brings care, curiosity, and a deep love of comedy to everything she does.
She is a founding member of The Canadian Association of Stand-up Comedians and continues to work voluntarily for the association.
She is currently working on her own comedy brand, Red Fedora Comedy, and will be launching its first tour CANFRAN Comedy Tour in 2022.
Andrew currently serves Executive Producer in Residence at Toronto Film School. He is a member of the Canadian Media Producers Association, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (USA) and the Academy of Canadian Film & Television.
He holds an MA in Communications and Culture from Ryerson and York Universities, a BAA from Ryerson University’s Radio and Television Arts Program and a BEd from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Previously, Neil worked at Just For Laughs, where he scouted and booked top comedy talent across Canada. Over his tenure, he scouted over 900 comedians, organized live showcases in 9 provinces and 12 cities, and produced 8 audio albums under the Just For Laughs Originals label, featuring more than 100 Canadian artists. He also played a key role as a talent programmer and producer for “Roast Battle Canada” (CTV Comedy) and “The New Wave of Stand-Up” (CBC Comedy).
Leadership Team
Executive Director (ED) – is responsible to the Board and is responsible for creating, proposing and managing the foundation’s annual operating budget, as well as the structure and definition of the foundation’s respective funding streams and service support programs to comedy artists.
The ED will consult with the leadership team under their supervision to determine the final recommendations for successful funding recipients and present them to the Board for approval. The ED’s other responsibilities include: monitoring the progress and results of comedy arts service programs, all successful applicants for the duration of their funding contract, and report all findings regularly to the Board; and, developing policies, strategies and procedures to recommend to the Board and carrying out any such policies, programs and directives they approve.
Program Manager (PM) – is responsible for executing the directives they receive from the ED related to the implementation and management of the foundation’s comedy arts service programs and funding streams. The PM evaluates employee, contractor and volunteer candidates specifically related to the administration of the foundation’s service programs and funding streams.
The PM oversees the service programs and funding Proposal Guidelines, which includes: receiving and categorizing application proposals; the administration of the evaluation process; summarizing assessments provided through the jury process; informing all applicants as to the status of their proposals; and tracking outcomes and results.
The PM also reviews the challenges and opportunities for improvement of the application, evaluation, and administration process with all Leadership Team members and presents outcomes and success story data, as well as a summary of recommendations to the ED.
Peer Assessors (Assessors) – are short-term contractors who, in consultation with other Assessors, are responsible for evaluating the merit of proposals submitted to the foundation’s funding streams in terms of whether they satisfy the criteria described in the Proposal Guidelines.
Assessors are contracted based on their experience, knowledge, impartiality, and credibility within the Canadian comedy industry. The PM assigns Assessors categories and a selection of applicants to assess, as per directives from the ED. In determining recommendations for successful applicants for funding, Assessors must follow a strict evaluation, privacy, and documentation process that is audited by an independent consultant.
