Shauna Hardy-Mishaw

 Shauna is the Executive Director and Co-founder of the Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS). She has been instrumental in the Whistler Film Festival becoming one of Canada’s leading film festivals, and establishing its leadership role in offering professional development programs and opportunities for filmmakers and youth. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010, the Whistler Film Festival generates an annual economic impact in Whistler of over $10 million, employs 5 full-time and 30 part-time staff, and counts on up to 150 volunteers. Shauna is driving force behind the WFFS’ Future in Focus fundraising campaign to transform Whistler's Rainbow Theatre into a state-of-the-art digital theatre, create a permanent home for the Festival and implement plans for even greater international impact. With 20 years experience in sales, marketing and event production, she runs the charitable organization with entrepreneurial vigor, and with over 80% of its annual operating budget generated from private and corporate support, WFFS is a testament to why arts means business. Shauna was named the 2008 Whistler Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, and received the 2009 Wayne Black Service Award from Women in Film & Video Vancouver for her role in supporting BC’s entertainment industry. She served on the Whistler Arts Council Board from 2003 to 2009, and joined the Whistler Chamber of Commerce Board in 2010. Shauna holds an honors degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario and a Marketing Communications Diploma from BCIT. An avid skier, she lives in Whistler with her husband and two sons.