Phyllis Yaffe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Governor General's Award (2015)
- Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Broadcast Hall of Fame (2007)
Phyllis Yaffe C.M. | |
|---|---|
| Consul General of Canada in New York, United States | |
| Assumed office July 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949 (age 76–77) Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Awards |
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Phyllis Yaffe (born 1949) is a Canadian politician and media executive and the former Consul General of Canada in New York, United States.[1]
Yaffe obtained a BA from the University of Manitoba and Bachelor of Library Science from the University of Alberta. She subsequently moved to Toronto to obtain a Masters of Library Science at the University of Toronto. After graduation, she worked as a branch librarian at the Winnipeg Public Library from 1972-73. Following this, she worked as a librarian at Seneca College in Toronto before becoming the executive director of the Canadian Children's Book Centre in 1976.[2] Between 1973 and 1979 she launched and co-edited Emergency Librarian, alongside Sherrill Cheda, a publication focused on feminist issues in librarianship.: 136 [3]: 89
Publishing, media and directorships
In 1980, Yaffe became the executive director of the Association of Canadian Publishers. In 1985, she became the vice-president of marketing for the popular Canadian children's magazine OWL.[2]
Yaffe joined Alliance Atlantis Communications in 1993, subsequently serving in several C-suite and executive positions including as COO from 2004 to 2005 and CEO from 2005 to 2007.[4] While at the company, she oversaw the development and launch of several popular specialty channels, including Showcase and the History Channel and the popular CSI television franchise.[5][6]
During and since her time at Alliance Atlantis, Yaffe has been involved with several media, publishing and entertainment companies. She has served on several boards for corporations and non-profits. These include: the Cineplex Entertainment Group, for which she was chairman of the board from 2009 until 2016; independent director of Torstar Corporation from 2009 until 2016, ending her time as lead director; director of William F. White International Inc. until 2016; independent director of Astral Media since 2009; and director of Blue Ant Media.[4]
Non-profits on whose boards she has served include: the Ontario Science Centre, the World Wildlife Fund; chairman of the Canadian Abilities Foundation Board; chairperson of the foundation to Underwrite New Drama for Pay Television; and chairman of the board and vice-chairman of board of governors at Ryerson University. She is the founding chair of WAMS (Women Against Multiple Sclerosis), which was cited in the announcement of her Governor General's Award.[5]