Amanda Cupido is an award-winning audio producer, TEDx speaker, author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Lead Podcasting, an agency that produces podcasts for enterprise organizations. She is also the author of Amazon bestseller, Let’s Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right. As an adjunct professor she helped redefine the radio courses at both Seneca Polytechnic and Toronto Metropolitan University. Previously, she worked as a radio producer, reporter and news anchor, most recently as Director of Talk & Talent at 640 Toronto.
Karyn Pugliese, also known as Pabàmàdiz, has worked as an investigative journalist, media executive, and press freedom advocate. Her 20-year career includes roles at Canada’s National Observer, managing editor of CBC’s Investigative Unit, and five years as a visiting professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. But she’s probably best known for her time on Parliament Hill and her seven-year tenure as Executive Director of News and Current Affairs at APTN, where she oversaw the network’s news division. Beyond that, she’s left her mark in daily news and investigative work at outlets like ichannel, VisionTV, and CTV. She sits on the board of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). Karyn’s work has been celebrated with honours like the Hyman Solomon Award for Public Policy Journalism, the Canadian Screen Awards, and the CAJ Awards. She’s also a Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellow from Harvard University.
Dani Elwell has worked as a host, programmer and imaging voice at various radio stations and networks since 1984, including CKFM, CFNY, Q107 and CBC. Elwell, who has also done several stints teaching Radiolab at Humber College, was part of the group that founded jazz enthusiast site JAZZCAST.ca and her Alternative Bedtime Hour Mixtapes were heard on nythespirit.com. In April 2021, she returned to Toronto’s JAZZ.FM91 as Creative Strategist and the host of Voice Tracks, which continues to air Tuesday evenings. As of this fall, she began Night Music on INDIE88 Toronto, which airs Sundays at 8 p.m. Elwell has served as both a Polaris Music Prize juror and a JUNO Award delegate.
Dave Cadeau is a seasoned media and sports executive with over two decades of experience. He began his career as an intern at Toronto’s The FAN 590, quickly building a diverse skill set in producing, reporting, hosting, sportscasting, and play-by-play commentary on platforms including The FAN, 680 NEWS, The Score, and Rogers Television. After a stint at TSN, he returned to Sportsnet 590 The FAN, advancing to Program Director and eventually Director of Programming, Sports Radio. In this role, he led the successful launch of Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 and managed Sportsnet’s radio properties. He is the founder of Cadeau Media, a consultancy specializing in dynamic sports and media solutions. Most recently, he’s built a top-tier live broadcast team for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and led end-to-end Marketing, Communications, Content Strategy, and In-Stadium Presentation for the Hamilton Sports Group, and developed integrated audio networks for the Ticats and Forge FC, creating a suite of podcasts for each team that have transformed fan engagement and set a new standard in Canadian sports media.
Matt Berry spent over 15 years at Calgary Alternative Rock Station X92.9 where he began doing overnights & weekends, before slipping into evenings, middays, and afternoon drive, and eventually becoming Director of Music Programming for all of Harvard Media. Berry holds the distinction of being the Canadian Radio Awards’ “winningest” Music Director of The Year with two wins and placing as a two-time runner up. He now makes cocktails through The Chelsea Room & Nite Cap Club, along with mentoring up-and-coming musicians through Groover music promotion.
Chris Scheetz worked at CISN COUNTRY 103.9 Edmonton for 35 years, doing most every job along the way. Scheetz is a five-time Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Major Market Personality of the Year, ending his chapter at CISN on the morning show. He’s known for raising millions for charity in many unique ways and helping his community rally for those in need. Now a Marketing and Media Specialist, he talks sports a couple of hours a week as a guest host on Sports 1440 in Edmonton.