Speakers
Learn from industry experts.
We’re excited to welcome an incredible lineup of local and international industry professionals who will be sharing their expertise through engaging workshops, insightful presentations, and real-world industry knowledge throughout the conference.
Jason Carlos
Executive Director, Departure
Jason Carlos is the Executive Director of Departure Festival + Conference.
Previously Departure's Senior Director of Brand, Marketing & Communications, where he oversaw the full rebrand and repositioning of Canadian Music Week, Jason now leads the organization’s next chapter of growth. He guides strategic and operational evolution, aligning its programming, stakeholders, and creative vision to deliver an experience rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and artistic excellence.
Prior to Departure, he served as Director of Content at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), driving digital transformation and content monetization while architecting historic, industry-first platform partnerships with TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, Letterboxd, and Twitter. His background in the arts also includes leading audience growth and digital strategy for Soulpepper Theatre Company across its year-round repertory season and 2017 Off-Broadway residency at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City.
Jason was named to The Peak’s 2025 Emerging Leaders in Media & Entertainment list, sits on the Marketing Committee for the Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival, and remains a dedicated advocate for sustainable representation in the arts.