TORONTO – Heather Conway, CBC’s Executive Vice President English services, has announced her departure from the public broadcaster to pursue other opportunities, the company announced today.
She will remain in her role until December 7, 2018.
"Heather has been instrumental in spearheading CBC's digital transformation on all of our platforms and across all genres, helping us meet our goal of doubling our digital reach, two years ahead of schedule," said Catherine Tait, president and CEO, in the release announcing the departure. "She has been passionate about reflecting Canadian diversity in our content, ensuring that it is more distinctly and identifiably Canadian.”
Prior to her hiring at CBC in 2013, Conway (pictured above at the CMPA conference in February) had been chief business officer at the Art Gallery of Ontario but her primary media experience was her six years at Alliance Atlantis where she was EVP marketing, communications, creative services and affiliate relations. She has also worked in the financial sector.
"It has been a privilege to serve Canadians and Canadian creators and to lead the incredible public broadcasters who work at CBC. The experience and the CBC will be with me always, as the CBC always has been and should always be for all of us," said Conway in the release.
"I am thinking about next steps in terms of how I will go about filling this very important position. In the meantime I look forward to continuing to work with Heather and her team over the next month to ensure a smooth transition," concluded Tait.
Below is Conway's announcement to staff about her departure:
It is with very mixed emotions I write to tell you that I will be leaving CBC at the end of this year (December 7, 2018).
After five years in the role, it was a natural moment for me to reflect on what we have accomplished together and determine whether it was time to move on.
When I came to the CBC in 2013 I had a vision of what I hoped we could do together:
- To be more distinctly and identifiably Canadian
- To be more diverse on and off air
- To be more digital across every service and genre
We have made incredible strides across all three of those. Our content is critically acclaimed and enjoying international success. Our news is the most trusted in the country and our audio and music services are used and beloved by Canadians. We have made great progress in increasing our diversity and most importantly our commitment to true inclusion. And we are the most successful Canadian digital media organization, going from strength to strength.
As our new president Catherine Tait embarks on developing a new multi-year vision for CBC/Radio-Canada, I know she will enjoy your unqualified support and commitment as public broadcasters. I am excited for all of you and for CBC audiences.
I offer my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your incredible support over the past five years. I know you will have continued success, and my pride at having been associated with you will only grow.
It has been a singular privilege to work with you. To share in the success we have created together and to serve you to the best of my ability as your leader.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
