Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Council President Tracey Vieira and Vice President Suzanne Ryan, on behalf of the SPA Council, are today pleased to announce the participant selected for the SPA Council Leadership Diversity Mentorship.
Stephanie Dower (Freelance screen producer, writer, consultant, and speaker) will be mentored by SPA councillors, participate in Council meetings, and bespoke activities to develop skills and experiences, with the goal of generating pathways to formally become members of the Council as well as pursue other leadership roles in the sector in the future.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie in the second iteration of our leadership diversity mentorship. We are hopeful that through participation in SPA Council meetings, and mentorship by current Council members that Stephanie will build on her existing skill sets and gain fresh insight into proven leadership techniques used by SPA Council members,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
“Our Council contains some of Australia’s most prolific and renowned screen industry professionals who together with SPA strive to bolster new growth within the Australian screen sector and support new opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders.” Said Mr. Deaner.
Stephanie expressed strong interest in developing the types of leadership skills and knowledge that are sought from the SPA Council given its wide-ranging functions including governance responsibilities; strategic expertise; finance and legal skills; risk management; industrial and government relations; as well as events, marketing, and communications.
Tracy Vieira said
“Screen Producers Australia knows that meaningful change starts at the top and it’s why our mentorship program is a central part of our actions for Diversity and Inclusion. Through this, we are actively supporting the next generation of leading producers by smashing the glass ceiling into the room where decisions are made and forever changing who sits at the table. We welcome film producer, Stephanie Dower into this year’s program of mentees and celebrate that our previous mentee Tsu Shan Chambers has been elected to the Council in 2023.”
Suzanne Ryan added
“Diversity is one of the high priorities for Screen Producers Australia and the organisation is successfully working to show that every individual matters through the SPA Leadership Diversity Mentorship Program. I am delighted to welcome Film Producer, Writer, and Editor Stephanie Dower joining the SPA Council in this mentorship role and wish her every success. I also wish to congratulate previous mentee Tsu Shan Chambers who has been elected to the Council in 2023.”
Stephanie’s biography can be viewed on the SPA Council listings, found on the ‘About’ page on the SPA website. The Council were also extremely impressed by the quality and range of the applicants across the board and has undertaken to implement a broader program to assist them in strengthening their applications for future intakes.
Media Release – Screen Producers Australia