BARBARA WILLIAMS
Executive Vice President, Content, Canwest Broadcasting
Since joining Canwest in February 2005 as Senior Vice President of Programming and Production, Barbara Williams has overseen a succession of landmark projects come to fruition for both conventional and specialty television. From the creation of stellar Canadian original productions and securing top U.S. acquisitions; under Barbara’s leadership and vision, Canwest has experienced many key successes.
Within a few short years, Barbara, along with her talented team have launched an amazing array of Canadian originals including Entertainment Tonight Canada, Deal or No Deal Canada, The Guard, Project Runway Canada, Holmes in New Orleans and Howie Do It to name a few; while further complementing the programming roster with top US hits such as The Office, Heroes, Brothers & Sisters, Lie To Me and Bones.
An experienced and accomplished media executive, in her previous role as Vice President and General Manager of Toronto1, Barbara oversaw the launch and management of Toronto’s newest conventional television station. Prior to her posting at Toronto1, Barbara was Senior Vice President of Lifestyle Programming at Alliance Atlantis, responsible for all programming on Life Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, and Discovery Health Channel.
Barbara brings innovative thinking and a real passion and understanding of our business from over 25 years in media; and most recently was acknowledged for her Outstanding Achievement at the 20th Anniversary Crystal Awards in December 2008.
