Susan Kennard appointed on July 1, 2005 as director and executive producer of the Banff New Media Institute brings a wealth of experience in developing new media research, production, and events to the role. Since 1997, she has been the executive producer for BNMI, responsible for the implementation of all BNMI projects including summits, workshops, research, and co-production of new media and arts television works, and has frequently acted as faculty or moderator of BNMI events and partner activities.

Prior to her work with The Banff Centre, Kennard worked in television as an associate producer for the International Hour, CBC Newsworld, and Dateline NBC, and in radio as a writer/broadcaster for CBC Radio and as station manager for CKIZ radio in Pincher Creek, Alberta. She has extensive experience in policy development, training, and advocacy for the not-for-profit community radio sector across Canada, and is the co-founder of radio90.fm, a hybrid net/fm radio station.

 In June 2005, Kennard concluded a Masters degree in Communication for Development from the University of Malmo, Sweden, completing a thesis on the relationship between artistic practice and development, and the interplay between globalisation, contemporary art, and civil society in post-war Sarajevo.

 She participates on juries and review panels in the arts and sciences and is a co-director of the Interactive Project Lab, a new media accelerator program in partnership with The Canadian Film Centre (Toronto) and L'institue Image et du Son (Montreal).