SPEAKERS
Toronto is about to become a global stage
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Our first wave of Conference speakers is full of the heavy hitters and the high-risers. No fluff, just the future.
Maggie Kang
Award-winning Creator and Director, KPop Demon Hunters
Russell Peters
Award-winning Comedian and DJ
Jenna Andrews
Grammy-nominated Songwriter, KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s Hitmakers
Amber Grimes
Executive Vice President and General Manager, LVRN Records
Dr. Chayim Newman
Co-Founder, Amber Health
Daniel Turcotte
President, Monstercat
Deep Jandu
Producer, Recording Artist
Eric Nguyen
SVP, Create Music Group
Erika Savage
Music Attorney, King Holmes Paterno & Soriano, LLP
Gus Canazio
SVP Booking, Rock World (Rock in Rio, The Town, Lollapalooza Brazil)
Kevin Johnson
CEO, WPP Media Canada
Kevin Lyman
Founder, Vans Warped Tour
Whipped Cream
DJ and Record Producer
Simon Adler
Senior Producer / Correspondent
Alison Broddle
Senior Managing Director: CBC British Columbia
Craig Bruce
Talent Programming/Consultant: Australia
Bobby Carter
Host + Series Producer, NPR/Tiny Desk
Alan Cross
Host, Podcaster, Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, Ongoing History of New Music
Ross Davies
Consultant/AdvisorDeparture/RDNA
Vicky Eatrides
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Amy Goodman
Democracy Now: Broadcaster & Journalist
Nik Goodman
Consultant/Bounce UK
Paul Harper
Host, JACK 102.3 Morning Show London
Steve Jones
President of Radio, Stingray
Vassy Kapelos
CTV News Chief Political Correspondent – Bell Media
Frans Kok
COO – Nationaal Media Onderzoek (NMO)
Samantha Moy
Head of BBC Radio 6 Music
Ben Mulroney
Recognized TV, Radio, and Podcast Host
Peter Niegel
General Manager CEO – Radiodays
‘Shem’ Shemroy Parkinson
Executive Producer of the Roz and Mocha Show
Patrick Rogers
CEO Music Canada
Scott Shortliffe
Vice President Broadcasting CRTC
Ronnie Stanton
Programming / Mornings Evanov Radio CIDC-Z103
Tom Webster
Partner, Sounds Profitable
Shawna Whalen
Host, Q107 Morning Show Toronto
Susan Wheeler
VP Regulatory Broadcast Rogers Communications
Melvin Sleeking
Managing Director, Pure Jingles
Sarah Cummings
Director of Radio Content, iHeartRadio Canada and Orbyt Media
Frequently Asked
Who is speaking at the Departure Festival + Conference?
Departure Festival + Conference hosts hundreds of visionary speakers each year at the intersection of music, art, technology, business, and culture. Attendees hear from industry leaders, creative innovators, and thought leaders driving trends and shaping the future. The lineup celebrates diverse perspectives and cross-disciplinary ideas, sparking conversations that inspire, challenge, and connect.