Marcia Douglas. Photo: Courtesy

Montreal and Toronto, December 7, 2023.

Following a national search led by recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson, the Bell Fund today announces that industry expert Marcia Douglas will be joining as its new Executive Director, effective January 1st, 2024. 

Douglas’ appointment comes after the recent announcement that current Executive Director, Nancy Chapelle will be retiring and stepping down as the organization’s Executive Director on December 31st, 2023, having led the organization for the past 9 years. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors of the Fund, Douglas will assume responsibility for directing, managing, administering, and overseeing the national activities of the Fund across its offices in both Toronto & Montreal. 

Douglas brings over 20 years of experience in production financing, policy, advocacy, regulatory and corporate social responsibility in the screen-based media industry. She comes to the Bell Fund having most recently been the Vice President of Growth and Inclusion at the Canada Media Fund (CMF), where she led the organization’s efforts to advance EDI, accessibility, and environmental sustainability. During her time at the CMF, as Director of English Content, International & Export, Douglas also launched and implemented national and international strategic partnerships and programs for the development and production of linear and interactive digital media content. Prior to that, Douglas was Vice President of Business and Industry Affairs at the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) where, as part of the executive team, she worked closely with its producer members in multiple areas, with a particular focus on production financing.  

Douglas’ appointment as Executive Director also marks a return to the Bell Fund, having previously worked with the organization as it’s Program Manager nearly a decade earlier where she managed its day-to-day operations and was a key member in program and policy development and implementation. 

 “Marcia is a leader in our industry, possessing a strong blend of business acumen, industry knowledge, and strategic focus to lead the Bell Fund going forward,” said Naveen Prasad, Board Chair of the Bell Fund, “She’s a tireless advocate for the Canadian production community and, as our new Executive Director, Marcia will continue our mandate to the benefit of Canadian audiences, artists and content creators, as well as Canada’s overall creative economy.”  

 “I’m thrilled to be joining the Bell Fund, a constant innovator, who’s history of adapting the evolving needs of producers and creators is one I’ve always admired. I look forward to keeping to this principle, thoughtfully and efficiently, with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as key tenants in our overall mandate,” said Douglas. 

As previously announced, the Bell Fund’s outgoing Executive Director, Nancy Chapelle will be moving to a consulting role upon Douglas’ start on January 1st, 2024, to assist in the transition and complete undertakings related to the organization’s 2023 fiscal year. Chapelle’s last day with the Bell Fund will be March 31st, 2024.