The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada is delighted to announce that Barbara Williams will take the stage at the May 28 event in Toronto for a special feature interview reflecting on her decades of leadership, innovation, and impact on the Canadian entertainment industry.

As one of the industry’s most respected and influential figures, Williams has not only guided some of the country’s most important media organizations, but also helped break barriers for women at the highest levels of leadership.

More than a retrospective, this is a conversation about legacy — the enduring mark that Williams leaves on the industry, and the path she has helped to pave for the women who follow.  Offering candor, insights, and inspiration, this is a moment not to be missed.

Williams enjoyed an extraordinary 40-year career in Canadian media, opening doors and setting new standards along the way.  Most recently Williams served as Executive Vice-President of English Services at CBC/Radio-Canada, a position she held from 2019 until her recent retirement.  

Before that, Williams served as Shaw Media’s President, overseeing all aspects of the company’s business.  Prior to that role, she was Senior Vice President of Content for Shaw Media, responsible for the creation of Canadian original productions, acquisition deals of top U.S. and international series, and scheduling for the company’s conventional network and 19 specialty channels.  Williams also served as Executive Vice President Content at Canwest Broadcasting, Vice-President and General Manager of Toronto 1, and Senior Vice-President of Lifestyle Programming at Alliance Atlantis.

Williams is an award-winning executive who has been recognized with numerous prestigious industry accolades including being a two-time The Hollywood Reporter Canadian Women in Power List Honouree (2024, 2025). 

The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada is a first-of-its-kind summit and awards event that brings the Canadian industry together across film, television, and music to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women who are driving the industry forward in their respective fields.

Previously announced honourees include Andrea Martin who will receive the ICON Award, Malin Akerman who will receive the Impact Award to be presented byThe Hunting Wives co-star, Brittany Snow, Rachel Reid who will participate in a main stage feature interview and receive the Changemaker Award, and North of North co-creators Alethea Arnaquq-Baril and Stacey Aglok MacDonald who will receive the Breakthrough Award at the May 28 event. Additional honourees and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

For tickets and more information, including schedule and programming details, visit womeninentertainment.ca.  Early-bird pricing ends on April 30.

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