The Canadian entertainment industry is growing fast in 2025. It is fast-changing and is finally giving credit where it is due. At the center of the action are some powerhouse women who are not only leading in music, media, and visual effects but changing how the whole industry thinks.
Here are the top 5 powerful women who are leading the Canadian entertainment industry in 2025:
Julie Adam
In 2024, Julie Adam stepped up as CEO of Universal Music Canada. Since then, she has continued to make waves. Adam supercharged ecommerce, turning merch, bundles, and online drops into serious revenue. The CEO is not waiting for fans to come to artists. She is bringing artists to fans in fresh ways.
Julie / IG / Universal Music Canada CEO Julie Adam is one of the most influential women in the Canadian entertainment industry.
But what makes Julie stand out in entertainment is her sharp push for artist empowerment. Her leadership puts control back into the hands of creatives, which is rare and refreshing in a business that usually plays gatekeeper.
Jully Black
Earlier this year, Jully Black funded her own national tour, the first in 17 years. No big label, no corporate backing. Just guts, grit, and full creative control. Her Black History Month performance in Ottawa was a cultural moment.
However, what makes Jully a force in entertainment is her refusal to play the age game. She is calling out the industry for sidelining older women and proving that talent doesn’t expire. Jully’s success is personal, political, and powerful. She is making room for others just by taking up space.
Neishaw Ali
VFX CEO Neishaw Ali has been building the backbone of big-name entertainment for years. Her company, Spin VFX, has powered visuals for shows like The Umbrella Academy. But when the industry hit a slump, she didn’t sit still. She rebuilt her team from the ground up, making Spin stronger, leaner, and smarter.
Spin VFX / IG / What really sets Neishaw apart is her fight for artistry in a tech-heavy world. She is speaking out about the rise of AI in entertainment and calling for balance.
For her, VFX is about imagination and soul. Neishaw is holding the line between tech and creativity in a much-needed time.
Valerie Creighton
Valerie Creighton runs the Canada Media Fund, and she is not afraid to shake up the status quo. She helped bring global hits like “Schitt’s Creek” to life by backing bold, offbeat content before it was cool. In 2025, she made an even bigger move, transferring the Indigenous program’s control to the Indigenous Screen Office.
That one decision speaks volumes. It was not a handout or a headline stunt. Valerie called it “sovereign,” and she meant it. She is pushing for real ownership and long-term impact, not just representation.
Jennifer Dodge
Jennifer Dodge knows how to spot a hit and turn it into a world. She didn’t just produce PAW Patrol, she turned it into a billion-dollar franchise. From TV to toys to movies, she built an empire out of a pup squad. In a cutthroat part of the entertainment world, that is a rare kind of magic.
But Jennifer is not all business. She is a mentor, especially to young women breaking into the industry. Her advice? Trust your gut. Today, she is using her seat at the table to help others pull up their own chairs. With her mix of strategy and instinct, Jennifer is proving that entertainment for kids can be a serious power play.