New board appointments reinforce Shine Global’s commitment to elevating children’s lives through storytelling while strengthening the independent film ecosystem

Jenn Frees (L) and Shirley Richter Hughes (R)

NEW YORK, NY — January 20th, 2026 — Shine Global, a nonprofit media company dedicated to elevating children’s lives through storytelling, today announced the appointment of Jennifer Frees and Shirley Hughes to its Board of Directors. The additions mark a significant moment of growth as Shine Global continues to expand its impact and evolve under the leadership of Co-CEOs Alexandra Blaney and Francile Mullen.

The appointments reflect Shine Global’s focus on strengthening leadership, partnerships, and industry relationships in service of its dual commitment: telling powerful, child-centered stories while supporting the independent filmmakers and creatives who bring those stories to life.

Jennifer Frees serves as Chief Business & Marketing Officer at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where she leads global marketing, brand strategy, partnerships, and revenue initiatives for one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions. With a career dedicated to championing social impact storytelling and building values-aligned collaborations, Frees brings deep insight into the creative ecosystem and the evolving needs of filmmakers navigating a rapidly changing industry.

Shirley Hughes is President & CEO of Visit Fargo-Moorhead and previously served as Global President of Brand Marketing & Communications at Rogers & Cowan PMK, where she led integrated communications and brand strategy for major studios, talent, and mission-driven organizations. Her expertise spans entertainment, culture, destination branding, and strategic storytelling at scale.

“Jennifer and Shirley join Shine Global at a defining moment,” said Francile Mullen, Co-CEO and Executive Director of Shine Global. “Their leadership, strategic vision, and deep industry experience will help us expand our reach, strengthen our partnerships, and continue supporting both children and the filmmakers who tell these essential stories.”

“Independent filmmakers are navigating an increasingly challenging landscape, and at Shine Global we see this moment as an opportunity to think bolder and more fearlessly about the future,” added Alexandra Blaney, Co-CEO and Creative Director. “We’re focused on building lasting infrastructure around storytelling so that child-centered stories, and the storytellers behind them, can thrive for the long term. Welcoming Jennifer and Shirley to our Board reflects that vision and the leadership needed to carry it forward.”

Since its founding, Shine Global has produced and supported films that center children’s resilience, agency, and lived experiences. Films produced by Shine Global have won Academy Awards® and Emmy® Awards, including Inocente, War/Dance, and Anuja. At the same time, the organization has remained deeply committed to the independent film community through initiatives such as its Resilience Awards, recognizing that sustainable careers for storytellers are essential to ensuring these stories continue to be told.

“I’m honored to join Shine Global at such an important moment in its evolution,” said Jennifer Frees. “The organization’s commitment to children and to the filmmakers who tell their stories aligns deeply with my own values.”

“Shine Global has long demonstrated how storytelling can drive empathy and meaningful change,” added Shirley Hughes. “I’m excited to support the organization as it continues to grow its impact and strengthen its role within the creative community.”

As Shine Global looks ahead, the organization remains focused on expanding its impact, strengthening its creative community, and deepening its partnerships—guided by leadership committed to ensuring that stories about children are told with integrity, care, and lasting impact.

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ABOUT SHINE GLOBAL

Shine Global is a nonprofit media company that improves the lives of children by telling powerful stories to raise awareness, promote action, and inspire change. We produce and support inspiring films and compelling content about underserved children. Through tailored distribution and outreach, we connect with our audiences in communities, classrooms, museums, and on Capitol Hill as part of a powerful engagement campaign to encourage social change.

Since our founding in 2005 by Susan MacLaury and Albie Hecht, Shine Global films have won more than 100 major awards, including an Academy Award® for Best Documentary Short Subject for Inocente, an Academy Award® nomination for Best Live Action Short for Anuja, and an Academy Award® nomination and two Emmys® for War/Dance. Recent films include the documentary-animation hybrid Liyana, the hit documentary The Eagle Huntress, Through Our Eyes: Homefront which is available on HBOMax, the Ariel Award winner Home Is Somewhere Else, and Comedy Against the Odds which is currently in film festivals.

ABOUT SHINE GLOBAL’S RESILIENCE AWARDS

The Shine Global Resilience Awards were created to honor films that highlight the strength, dignity, and power of children in the face of adversity. Past winners of Shine Global Resilience Awards include the feature documentaries Speak. (2025, Directed by Guy Mossman and Jennifer Tiexiera), Daughters (2024, Directed by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae), Name Me Lawand (2023, Directed by Edward Lovelace), and Lift (2022, Directed by David Petersen), Los Frikis (2024, written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz) in partnership with Nantucket Film Festival, the short Rise (2025, Directed by Jessica J. Rowlands), the short documentary Ayenda (2023, directed by Marie Margolius) in partnership with Heartland Film’s Indy Shorts International Film Festival, Okthanksbye (2023, Nicole Van Kilsdok) with ReelAbilities Film Festival, Savauges (2024, directed by Claude Barras), and Dounia – The Great White North (2024, directed by Marya Zarif and André Kadi) in partnership with the New York International Children’s Film Festival.