Former Toronto Mayor John Tory has been named the new Chair of TIFF’s Board of Directors.
Tory also serves as a director of Rogers Communications and has had a multi-faceted career as a lawyer, executive, and broadcaster, including serving as the President & CEO of Rogers Cable from 1999-2003 and Rogers Media from 1995-99. He went on to serve as Mayor of Toronto from 2014-23.
He succeeds longstanding board member Jeffrey Remedios, who had held the role since 2021.
“I look forward to taking the helm from Jeffrey and building on the strong foundation he has established,” said Tory, in a TIFF announcement Thursday. “TIFF is an extraordinary institution with an important role to play for Toronto, Canada, and around the world. I’m excited to work with the Board, leadership team, artists, filmmakers, and the broader TIFF community to help shape its next chapter. Together, we can continue to champion bold storytelling, foster diverse voices, and ensure TIFF remains a vital platform for the future of film and culture.”
Remedios, the President & CEO of New York City-based record label REPUBLIC Collective, owned by Universal Music Group, is credited with helping TIFF navigate its post-pandemic recovery and the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023, as well as prepping for the upcoming 50th anniversary edition and launch of B2B content marketing initiative, TIFF: The Market.
“Building human connection and community has never been more important. TIFF exists to connect audiences with stories that challenge, inspire, and bring us together, and it has been my great honour to serve as Chair of TIFF’s Board,” added Remedios. “Under [CEO] Cameron Bailey’s phenomenal leadership, TIFF continues to champion artists, and artistic expression in all its forms, creating vital space for new voices and perspectives. As I finish my time as Chair, I share my gratitude and thanks to John, Cameron, the TIFF team, and my board colleagues, past and present. TIFF is one of the things that makes our city and country so special, and I’ll be forever proud of the part I’ve played in its journey.”
Alongside Tory, TIFF is welcoming three new board members: Deborah Flint, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority; filmmaker David Furnish; and Daniel Tisch Echevarría, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Asha Daniere, former Executive Vice-President, Legal & Business Affairs at Blue Ant Media, departs the board after serving a term of nine years, including six years as Chair, Governance, Nominating & HR Committee.
The TIFF Board of Directors also includes Michael Chisholm, Mary DePaoli, Christa Dickenson, Damon D’Oliveira, Joanna Griffiths, Tawfik Hammoud, Ana P. Lopes, John Ruffolo, Awanish Sinha, Andrea Van Leeuwen, and Michael Worb.
