Thunderbird appoints ex-Lionsgate exec

Vancouver-based prodco Thunderbird Entertainment Group has appointed a former Lionsgate chief financial officer (CFO) to be new lead director of its board of directors.

Marni Wieshofer

In her new appointment, Marni Wieshofer is rejoining Lionsgate founder Frank Giustra, who also sits on the Thunderbird board and is the company’s largest shareholder.

Prior to joining the Thunderbird board, Wieshofer served as CFO and executive VP of corporate development at Lionsgate Entertainment for almost a decade. During her time at Lionsgate, she oversaw a number of mergers as well as the sale of Lionsgate Studios.

After her time at Lionsgate, Wieshofer served as senior VP of mergers and acquisitions and CFO at Media Rights Capital as well as being MD at financial consultancy outlets Houlihan Lokey and Mesa.

Brian Paes-Braga, chairman of Thunderbird, said: “In building teams across many sectors, I live by the approach of surrounding an organisation with the absolute best and brightest in their respective roles. Marni fills this approach perfectly. Her financial ability, deal flow, deep industry relationships combined with expertise in the United States is invaluable for Thunderbird at this time.”

Thunderbird is currently in production on 21 series for international partners including Disney+, Netflix, NBCUniversal and Amazon among others.