EmpowerHer Media - U Multicultural

Supporting Women in Media Arts

EmpowerHer Media is a free training program created to support women pursuing careers in television, film, and digital media. Designed for emerging creators from all backgrounds, the program combines hands-on technical training with storytelling, media literacy, and digital content development. Participants gain practical experience in camera work, sound, lighting, editing, podcasting, and social media strategy while learning the foundations of ethical and effective broadcasting. A key pillar of the program is mentorship, pairing participants with local media professionals who provide guidance, feedback, and career insight.

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Technical Skills

EmpowerHer Media equips women with hands-on technical training in camera operation, audio, lighting, and editing. Participants learn by doing, gaining practical experience that prepares them for real media production environments.

Digital Tools

EmpowerHer Media builds essential digital media skills, including podcasting, content planning, and social media strategy. Participants learn how to shape stories for modern platforms and engage audiences effectively.

Mentorship Focus

EmpowerHer Media connects participants with experienced local media professionals who offer guidance, feedback, and industry insight. The mentorship component helps women build confidence, networks, and career pathways in media.

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Our Media Experts

Vicki Van Chau (周倩瑜) is a Calgary-based filmmaker and cultural worker on Treaty 7 territory whose award-winning short films explore Asian diaspora experiences. A second-generation Chinese-Vietnamese Canadian, she draws deeply from family and cultural identity to celebrate Chinese and Vietnamese heritage through a distinctly Canadian lens, with works screening nationally and internationally.

Paige is a queer Canadian documentary photographer based in Vancouver on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, whose work centres human impact stories at the intersection of environmental and social issues. Formerly a photographer at the Toronto Star, her work has appeared internationally in outlets including The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vogue, and her first book, Up, Up, & Away, is published by Little Cabin Press.

Kateryna Safis is a Ukraine‑born, Winnipeg‑based digital creator whose multidisciplinary talent spans film and television directing, self‑branding, personal styling, project creation, and personal development coaching. Rebuilding her life from scratch in Canada, she utilizes style, media expertise, and storytelling to empower women to recognize their value, grow confidently, and create bold new chapters for themselves.

Jagreet Dhadli is a cultural strategist, creative director, and founder of Himmat Media, a studio dedicated to building the infrastructure behind meaningful brands, movements, and communities. With over 15 years of experience across nonprofit, media, and grassroots spaces, her work centres story, memory, and lineage, guiding artists and organizations toward ethical, enduring strategies through her Ancestral Codes practice.

Gillian McKercher is a narrative-driven Canadian director. Originally from Calgary, she was a director resident at the Canadian Film Centre in 2019 and, in 2024, was selected to Playback’s 10 To Watch. Most recently, she completed her second feature film as writer/director, Lucky Star, which received the CFC/Netflix Development Accelerator.

Dmytro Gospodinov is the founder and executive producer of Ukrainian Radio of Canada (UCAN Radio) and a professional media and event producer with international experience across Europe and Canada. A former radio and television host in Ukraine, he later founded a media production studio in Canada through UCAN Radio, combining broadcasting, digital media, and large-scale community and cultural projects to empower new voices in media.

Chandra Schatz is a seasoned business affairs professional with over 25 years of experience in the Canadian film and television industry. A trusted advisor to producers in Canada and internationally, her background includes serving as a business analyst at the Shaw Rocket Fund, bringing strategic insight and industry expertise to every project she supports.

Anu is an accessibility professional with over two decades of experience working with community-driven organizations across vocational rehabilitation, training, and media. Drawing on her lived experience of sight loss, her practice spans radio, television, and podcasting, centering inclusive and informed approaches to accessibility.

Bali Deol, affectionately known as Lady B, is a pioneering voice in British Columbia’s Punjabi community and the longtime host of Swaraj Radio, Canada’s longest-running Punjabi FM radio show. Through cultural storytelling and a deep love for Punjabi language and folk traditions, she has shaped inclusive programming that celebrates identity, connection, and self-expression across generations.

Alan Wong is an award-winning, Canadian-born multidisciplinary performing artist, filmmaker, and arts and cultural leader of Chinese heritage who balances creative practice with leadership across the arts, cultural, and media industries. He is President of the FascinAsian Film Festival, former Executive Director of the Gimli International Film Festival, past president of ACTRA Manitoba, and an active advocate for pan-Asian storytelling, equity, and diversity through film, music, theatre, and media.

Janani Whitfield is a community engagement producer at CBC Saskatchewan who also edits feature storytelling and First Person columns, with nearly 20 years of experience in journalism. A former community newspaper publisher in Alberta, she has held roles at CBC Saskatchewan including web writer, morning show producer, and community engagement producer, while centering everyday heroes and small acts of kindness.

Nina Sudra is a Canadian writer, director, and producer whose work explores social issues within the multicultural experience, using film as a bridge between generations and cultures. Her award-winning films have screened internationally, sparking meaningful dialogue among diverse audiences ranging from children in impoverished communities to university students.

Roohi Sahajpal is a BC–based, multi‑faceted storyteller with over a decade of experience as a journalist, communications consultant, social media strategist, and freelance writer, working across arts, culture, health, wellness, and travel. She is the co‑founder of Didihood, Canada’s largest collective for South Asian women creatives, where she creates events, mentorship opportunities, and community spaces that support connection and creative growth.

Ryan Funk is a radio and television journalist and Communications and Marketing Director at U Multicultural, where he leads programming and community storytelling for U Radio on 88.7 FM. With a background in broadcast journalism, on‑air hosting, and award‑winning community media, his work centres connection, representation, and amplifying diverse voices. If you're creating a podcast or radio show, Ryan is the man for the job.

Yuliia Kovalenko is a Ukrainian-born media producer and host with a Bachelor’s degree in TV and Radio Hosting from Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, and the creator and host of Canada’s first Ukrainian-language podcast, with over 50 episodes released. As a mentor with U Multicultural’s media program, she has guided more than 30 first-time hosts, helping 10 participants successfully launch their own original radio shows.

Media Lessons

Sounds Like Radio (and Podcasts!) is a fast‑paced, beginner‑friendly introduction to the art of sound, breaking down how microphones, recording techniques, and delivery styles shape what audiences hear and feel. From choosing the right mic to understanding the key differences between radio and podcasts, this presentation reveals how great audio turns ideas into powerful stories. Whether you’re curious about broadcasting, podcasting, or levelling up your sound, this is your gateway to making audio that truly connects.

Here is an inspiring, hands-on guide to building a media project that truly stands out, combining confidence, storytelling, and strategy to transform ideas into impact. From on‑camera presence and personal branding to promotion, algorithms, and audience connection, this presentation breaks down exactly how creators can be seen, trusted, and remembered. If you want to grow your voice, own your story, and turn creativity into real‑world influence, this is the session you’ll want to dive into.

The Art of Communication and Image in Media reveals how energy, intention, voice, and visual presence combine to shape how you are seen, felt, and remembered in both real life and digital spaces. Blending emotional intelligence with practical tools, this presentation shows how authentic self‑presentation builds trust, confidence, and influence without pretending or performing. If you want to communicate with clarity, elevate your personal image, and make your presence truly resonate, this talk is a powerful place to start.

Grant Writing (and Where to Find Funding) by Gillian McKercher demystifies the grant process, breaking down how to craft a compelling proposal, build strong supporting materials, and align your story with what funders are truly looking for. Blending practical strategy with real‑world insight, the presentation guides creators through timelines, budgets, and long‑term planning while highlighting key funding sources across Canada. If you want to spend less time guessing and more time securing support for your creative vision, this workshop is your roadmap.

Pitch Perfect: How to Pitch Your Project Effectively and Leave an Impression breaks down the art of turning your idea into a concise, compelling story that hooks attention and clearly communicates why your project matters right now. From mastering structure, audience targeting, and unique selling points to delivering with confidence and authenticity, this presentation shows how to make your pitch both memorable and impactful. If you want to stand out, spark interest, and leave decision‑makers wanting more, this is your essential guide to pitching with purpose and power.

The Multiple Paths of Media by Bali Deol is a powerful reframe of what it means to build a career in media, moving beyond rigid ladders to embrace a dynamic, evolving ecosystem of storytelling, community, and creative expression. Through reflective exercises and real‑world insight, the presentation helps you uncover your authentic voice, navigate non‑linear paths, and build sustainable, meaningful work rooted in lived experience rather than performance or perfection. If you’re ready to stop chasing visibility and start cultivating a voice that truly resonates, this talk offers a grounded, inspiring roadmap to finding your place, and your power, in media.

Disability and Accessibility in Media invites you to rethink how the stories we consume shape who is seen, heard, and valued in society. In this compelling presentation, Anu Pala explores the hidden barriers that limit inclusion in media while highlighting powerful strategies to create content that is more accessible and representative of diverse experiences. Whether you’re a creator, communicator, or simply curious about equity in media, this talk will inspire you to see storytelling through a more inclusive and transformative lens.

Discover how an idea transforms into a finished film or television project in From Development to Distribution by industry expert Chandra Schatz. With over 25 years of experience, Schatz takes you behind the scenes of business affairs, financing, and the creative process that fuels successful productions. From securing intellectual property to pitching, funding, and navigating production logistics, this presentation reveals what it really takes to bring stories to life. Whether you’re an aspiring producer or simply curious, this insider’s guide will change how you see the entertainment industry.

In Cultural Strategy and Devotional Futurism in Media, Jagreet Dhadli invites audiences to rethink marketing as a deeper, more intentional practice rooted in history, power, and responsibility. She explores how storytelling can act as infrastructure, shaping culture and legacy rather than simply reflecting trends. Through her concept of devotional futurism, the presentation offers a compelling framework for building work that honors lineage while imagining more just and meaningful futures. It leaves audiences curious about how their own work could shift from short-term impact to something enduring, ethical, and culturally transformative.

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Supporting Women in Media Arts

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Technical Skills

Digital Tools

Mentorship Focus

Photo Gallery

Our Media Experts

Media Lessons

Check Out What Some of Our Participants Created

EmpowerHer Media Supporters

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