Biography
Sandra Faire is a philanthropist, television producer and CEO of SFA Productions Inc.
One of Canada's leading variety writer/producers, she was the show runner and executive producer of the hit TV reality dance series, So You Think You Can Dance Canada. During its 4 year run, the series garnered over 1.1 million viewers per season and won 2 Gemini awards, best variety show and best host.
Ms. Faire is the creator and executive producer of one of The Comedy Network's highest rated Canadian shows, Comedy Now! which airs on CTV and TCN. (Episodes also aired in the U.S. on Comedy Central.) The 15 season standup series that she created has provided a platform for over 200 Canadian comedians, including Russell Peters, Seán Cullen, Nikki Payne, Gerry Dee, Shaun Majumder and Harland Williams.
She created and served as executive producer and show runner, as well as story editor and contributing writer, of the award winning sketch series, Comedy Inc., for TCN and CTV, (which also aired in the U.S. on Spike TV for 2 seasons). During its 5 years on air, the series won the prestigious New York Festival Gold Medal three years in a row.
She was the executive producer, producer and wrote additional material for the feature film comedy, My Own Private Oshawa, which won an award at the Columbus International Film and Video Festival.
Ms. Faire has numerous other awards, including a San Francisco Film Festival Award, a record 17 Worldfest Houston Awards, several Canadian Gemini Awards, and honorary platinum and gold albums.
She has produced specials for, among others, k.d. Lang, Rita MacNeil and Buffy Sainte-Marie, as well as specials for Bryan Adams and Anne Murray which aired worldwide.
Her CBC-TV variety special, "Anne Murray's Family Christmas", still holds the record as Canada's highest rated variety special, with a 43 share.
Ms. Faire has also worked with internationally renowned artists, including Shania Twain (Rita & Friends), Barenaked Ladies (Anne Murray's Classic Christmas/Rita & Friends), David Foster and Neil Young (Tears Are Not Enough), Jann Arden (Rita & Friends), Paul Shaffer (CASBY awards), Joni Mitchell (Rita & Friends/ Tears Are Not Enough), Julio Iglesias (Anne Murray in Disney World), Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood (George Fox Country on Campus), Patti LaBelle (Anne Murray's Family Christmas/Rita MacNeil's Christmas), and Olympic gold pair figure skaters Jamie Salé and David Pelletier (Anne Murray's Classic Christmas).
Additional series, which she created and executive produced, include Rita & Friends, Comics and Ear to the Ground.
She is also a producer/investor of the musical stage production, Flashdance.
She is a member of the board for the National Ballet of Canada, Chair of the Producers Circle and has served as a board member for several organizations, including Canada's National Ballet School's Grand Jeté campaign and past Chair of the Board for Sheena's Place.
Ms. Faire has been a featured speaker at Deloitte & Touche's "Women of Distinction" series and received the Women in Film and Television [WIFT-T] Award for Outstanding Achievement.
In 2013, she and her husband, Ivan Fecan, received the Upper Canada Medal for their generous contribution to health care from Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation.
In 2012, she was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to her community and Canada.
In 2008, she received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from York University.
In addition, both have been honoured for their philanthropy by the St. George's Society, Canada's National Ballet School and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews.
They donate personally to many worthwhile organizations, especially in the area of arts, education and medicine, including The National Ballet of Canada, Canada's National Ballet School, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Four Seasons Centre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, York University, Toronto General Hospital, and the University of Guelph, OVC.
Separately and together,they have chaired and co-chaired a multitude of events,raising millions of dollars for many worthy organizations,including The National Ballet of Canada,the OVC's Pet Trust and the UHN's Transplant unit.
