Our People
Marion Brown
Executive Producer / Development / Communications (she/her)
Marion has produced, directed and/or managed production for 600+ hours of broadcast television, including the acclaimed films, Monkey Beach and Kayak to Klemtu. A sought-after speaker, covering topics like “Indigenous Governance and Social Structure", “Television as an Indigenous Storytelling Medium”, and “Developing Budgets and Vendor Relationships”, she has also won many awards such as the Indspire Award and the Brinkman Forest Ltd Award in Aboriginal Business and Leadership. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marion inspired us by graduating with her MBA from SFU and is currently a Credential Candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Public Leadership! We don’t know how she does it all, but we’re so glad to benefit from her energy and passion!
Helga Ungurait
Producer / Production Manager / Post Supervisor (she/her)
Helga began her career in theatre in Toronto, then studied film and television in Vancouver. Beginning with The X Files, Helga worked as a script supervisor for 20 years. From Final Cut and Things We Lost in the Fire, to Snow White and Night at the Museum, she has worked with talents like Robin Williams, Benicio del Toro, Halle Berry, Owen Wilson, and Amy Adams. Five years ago, as Creative Producer, Helga was part of the team behind the success of Once Upon A Time. In the past, Helga has taught music and drama to people with physical and developmental disabilities, and worked on Dialogue Between Nations, a project offering members of Indigenous Communities an opportunity to record and share conversations with each other. Helga is generous with her time and knowledge, consistently using her skills for the good of others.
Lee Wilson
Camera Operator / Drone Operator / Photographer (he/him)
Lee is a member of the Haisla Nation, born and raised in Kitamaat Village and part of the Killer Whale or Blackfish Clan. After 12 years working with youth at a non-profit in Nanaimo, he changed careers to work as a creative and has worked exclusively as a photographer and filmmaker since 2017. This includes three intense and thought-provoking years as a video journalist for a national news broadcaster, telling important stories of the day from an Indigenous perspective. Lee is also an accomplished sound and music recordist - we love his studio! We're the lucky beneficiaries of his talent for making a mean cup of coffee…and his wicked sense humour!!
Emma Steele
Senior Graphic Designer / Motion Designer (she/her)
First studying fine arts at Emily Carr, then majoring in drawing and painting at OCAD and finally, honing her graphic design and interactive media skills at Toronto Film School, Emma is now a Toronto-based illustration, graphics, motion & web designer with a true passion for visual communication, unique graphics and illustrations. We love the joy she brings to her work - concepts, sketches, animation, typesetting, printing – she throws herself into every detail. Emma’s particular passion for design that supports non-profits and social impact organizations aligns with the MFR mission perfectly. We are so lucky to benefit from her unique, colourful style as well as her social conscience, integrity and enthusiasm!
Rhys Waters
Podcast Producer / Editor / Strategist (he/him)
Originally from beautiful Wales, Rhys, our editor and podcasting guru, now calls Canada home, and we’re so glad! Winner of multiple BAFTAs and other awards, Rhys has produced, directed and edited 60+ hours of broadcast TV, Radio and comedy for global brands like the BBC, NBC Universal and The Comedy Store. His work has been aired globally and has traceable viewing figures of 80+ million. With a firm belief that podcasting is one of the best tools to reach mass audiences today, Rhys excels at working with our partners to truly engage listeners by giving subjects dimension, thoughtfulness and depth. He is also an accomplished editor, bringing creativity, positivity and humour to work every day!
Sophie Lemoine
Social Media / Photographer (she/her)
Sophie splits her time between Ontario and Atlantic Canada, having spent many years with CTV in both cities, as a technical director, camera operator, ENG shooter and editor – she is our “Jill” of many trades! In addition to her work on shows like Your Morning, Marilyn Denis, The Social and eTalk, Sophie has shot and edited corporate documentaries and recently traveled to Los Angeles and New York as second camera on the feature documentary Assholes: A Theory, produced by award-winning filmmaker, John Walker. For eight years Sophie has helped raise funds for medical equipment at the IWK Health Centre, and has participated in the Ride for Cancer. She brought her creativity and her knowledge of the film business to bear on our social media platforms and has never looked back!
Kelly Steele
Executive Producer / Director / Founder (she/her)
Working in the theatre, including the Stratford Festival, was great preparation for Kelly’s career producing, writing and directing documentaries, social impact campaigns and podcast content across the country. Today her focus is on supporting Indigenous communities, colleagues and storytellers who are communicating the importance of conservation, environmental, heritage and cultural sovereignty. For over a decade Kelly produced Fight for Independence, a charity event raising operating funds for women’s shelters, and The Concert I Never Gave…with Eric McCormack, to benefit Stand Up To Cancer. Allyship, amplification, and advocacy through storytelling - this is an ongoing learning process and the single most important priority for her and MFR.
Paul Windsor
Senior Artist / Illustrator (he/him)
Our resident artist, Paul is Haisla/Heiltsuk from Kitimaat and Bella Bella and currently resides in Vancouver. His work has been displayed in many galleries including the Museum of Anthropology (MOA). He began drawing as a young child and is an ancestral designer who comes from a family of artists. He often incorporates his love of music, animals and the planet into his work. Although his paintings are typically on the mediums of paper and wood, Paul has designed on fabric and leather, and he is an accomplished book illustrator as well. Animating images that Paul creates is such a privilege and we’re grateful for the many joyful moments discussing ideas and developing creative concepts together. Paul says, "I feel as though my art is the language that communicates not only cultural, but also personal stories, like songs do.”
Ian Lister
Director of Photography / Cinematographer (he/him)
With 17+ years in the film and television industry Ian has experienced a wide variety of formats, projects and locations. He has filmed around the world, below the ground, high in the sky and on the water, on feature films, documentaries and TV series for Discovery, CTV, HGTV, Slice and BBC and most recently collaborated with the Black Foot Nation on The Secret History of the Wild West series for APTN. Ian has been nominated for awards by the Canadian Society of Cinematographers and the Alberta Media Production Industry Awards. Always in service to the story, we value his talent, love of experimentation, creativity, integrity and kindness enormously. And he’s a new father! Congratulations!!
Julie MacAlpine
Editor / Sound Designer / Colourist (she/her)
After studying science, and even exploring a fascination for taxidermy, Julie moved on to study sculpture and film at NSCAD. Now with over 15 years of editing experience, Julie is an accomplished and stellar storyteller, whose insight and creativity always make our films better. We are lucky to also benefit from her talents in sound design and colour grading. We’re always excited to receive her beautifully finished final files. “We'll fix it in post” could have been written about Julie! When she has some time to spare, you’ll find her working on her latest degree or helping out the GBS/CIDP Foundation of Canada. We are grateful to have Julie’s positive, reliable, 'can-do’ attitude, in addition to her creative skills!
Mary Beth Stott
Finance (she/her)
With a degree in Radio & Television Arts, Mary Beth combines her love of numbers with her creative background and training. Over her 20+ year career, she’s grown from Production Coordinator to Production Manager to Production Accountant, for productions like Canada’s Walk of Fame and Foreign Objects. She then added to her skills the roles of Business Manager and HR Manager, rounding out her amalgamation of production, finance and business acumen. During quieter times (read: not tax season!), if she’s not sailing with her husband, you’ll find Mary Beth making the time to help someone...whenever and wherever needed. Her experience is indispensable to us, along with the wisdom, kindness and humour that Mary Beth brings to all she does.