Leadership & Advisory Board

PAMELA EARLE

CEO and Board Chair

Pamela acquired CMU in 2007. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Education from McGill University and has 5 years of teaching experience. From 1992–1995, Pamela was Vice President, Development and Production, for Primedia Entertainment. In 1995, she formed her own production and distribution company, Actuality Films, acquired the distribution rights to the Primedia Catalogue, and began producing films, documentaries, and television series.

Pamela was a member of George Brown Theatre School’s Advisory Board for 8 years. She managed the fundraising cabinet for George Brown’s Young Centre for the Performing Arts, founded two community theatre groups for youth, and has played an active role in The Yonge Street Mission. Acquiring CMU and maintaining an active role in charitable organizations has furthered Pamela’s commitment to encouraging young people in the arts.

RICHARD EARLE

Co-Owner

Richard is co-owner of CMU and President of Actuality Holdings Inc., a small investment company. He serves on the Board of Directors of several early stage companies including Greenius, UM Labs Inc., and B2B2CHaute Vitesse Inc. During his career Richard has been a founding partner of a number of successful start-ups including iPass, Borderware Technologies, and iRoam Mobile Solutions.

DONNA TAKACS

President

Donna Takacs is an accomplished business leader with extensive North American and international experience. With more than 25 years of marketing, communications and business development experience, Donna has been recognized for her achievements in strategic planning, market development, brand management, and stakeholder relations in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. Donna’s previous positions include Vice President Marketing at The Royal Conservatory, Managing Director of The Conservatory School & Learning Through the Arts, Vice President Marketing & New Business Initiatives at Lumira Capital, Vice President Marketing & Business Development at Frank Schaffer Publications, and Director of Business Development, Overseas Division of Harlequin Enterprises. Most recently, as principal of her own consulting practice, Donna led many successful assignments for organizations in the biotechnology, health care, financial services, social services, arts and culture, education, agricultural research, digital and web-based technology markets. Donna earned a Bachelor of Commerce (magna cum laude) with a major in marketing and a minor in finance from Concordia University.

MARCIA MCCLUNG

Advisory Board Member

Marcia is a marketing, publicity, and communications consultant. She has worked for many organizations including the National Ballet of Canada, Harbourfront, and The National Arts Centre. Marcia also formed her own agency, Applause Communications Inc. She has served on many not-for-profit boards as a community activist.

SKIP BASSFORD

Advisory Board Member

Dr. Skip Bassford is well known for his work in applied and professional ethics. While he was Dean of Atkinson College at York University, he launched their continuing education division, founded the York Nursing program, and helped bridge the gap between Ontario colleges and universities. Skip also served two terms as President of University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). During his tenure, Skip led UFV’s development from a university college to a full university. He also oversaw the creation of UFV’s first graduate programs and the world’s only centre for Indo-Canadian studies. While he was president, the university more than doubled in size.

ODESSA PALOMA PARKER

Advisory Board Member

Odessa is a Toronto-based style expert and a writer, editor, and stylist for various platforms, publications, and personal clients. She received an Honours BA from the University of Toronto and a diploma in Book & Magazine Publishing from Centennial College. Odessa is the Contributing Fashion Editor at The Globe and Mail and former Head of Content for Hiku Brands. In 2010, she co-founded the Canadian design-focused publication Plaid Magazine, overseeing all business operations and editorial direction. She also co-founded the seasonal shopping event Vintage Crawl Toronto in 2012. Odessa serves on the nomination committees for the British Fashion Awards and CAFA. She recently co-chaired galas for the Design Exchange and the Canadian Opera Company.

STEPHEN LYNCH

Advisory Board Member

Stephen has had an extensive career in film and television. He worked as Head of Makeup Department for major television shows and movies including Queer as Folk, Slings and Arrows, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Haven, and Camp Rock. He was also the recipient of the 2016 and 2018 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Achievement in Television Makeup for the hit show Orphan Black. His work and artistic prowess has been spotlighted in magazines including Vanity Fair, InStyle, Glamour, and Make-Up Artist Magazine. Stephen has made valuable contributions to CMU as both an advisory board member and as an instructor for the Film & Television course.

DONALD MOWAT

Honorary Board Member

Donald Mowat is one of North America’s leading makeup artists, with over 60 feature films and 25 television projects to his credit. He has received numerous awards including a 1992 Primetime Emmy award, a 1998 Special Achievement Gemini award, and Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers 2018 for his work with BAFTA LA youth filmmaker education. Donald has also received 6 Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Award nominations and two awards (2014 and 2017). Donald received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his service to the film industry and related charities.

Donald’s long list of credits as Makeup Department Head or personal makeup artist include First Man, Velvet Buzzsaw, Blade Runner 2049, Nocturnal Animals, Spectre, Skyfall, Nightcrawler, Prisoners, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Fighter, The Departed, Sicaro, 8 Mile, Three Kings, Mimic, Fly Away Home, and Harriet the Spy. His upcoming releases include Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated adaptation of the Frank Herbert's novel, Dune, for which he was the Makeup Department Head/Makeup Hair and Prosthetics Designer.

Donald is an active member of IATSE New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, and has served three terms on the Board of Directors for the Actors’ Fund of Canada (2008–2014). He was elected to the National Board of Directors for The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, representing the Art Department for two terms (2007–2011). During his tenure on the Board, he was instrumental in the creation of an annual makeup category for Gemini and Genie Awards (now Canadian Screen Awards).

He is a longstanding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is active in the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, where he volunteers on the membership committee and is a mentor in the LA Outreach Program.

RICHARD COBBING

Advisory Board Member

Richard is the President of The Strategic Management Group Limited. He holds a BSc in Business Administration from S.E. Missouri State University and an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business. Richard has provided consulting services to small businesses focusing on tax, accounting, and financial advisory services for over 25 years. He also assists with the structuring and negotiation of commercial transactions, sourcing of financing, and strategic planning and implementation. He is an active member of MENSA Canada, the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Trade, and The Old Allanian Society.