In Memory

Remembering Tracey Friesen: A Legacy of Impact

I’m deeply saddened to hear of Tracey Friesen’s passing. I met Tracey when I joined the board of Story Money Impact (SMI), the nonprofit she founded after publishing her influential book, Story, Money, Impact: Funding Media for Social Change. She was a visionary who believed in the power of people to create meaningful change and saw film as a transformative tool for fostering social and environmental justice.

Tracey’s contributions to the documentary and media world were immense. She was a gifted community-builder, spearheading nearly 40 films during her time at the NFB’s Pacific Region Studio, co-founding Roundhouse Radio, and championing countless initiatives like the annual Media That Matters gathering. Since 2020 she served as the Managing Vice President of the CMPA BC Branch where she continued to make an impact on the BC industry in particular. Prior to joining the CMPA, Tracey was the Director of Communications and Engagement at the David Suzuki Foundation. Her relentless passion for connection, inclusion, and knowledge-sharing defined her work and her life.

At events like CMPA’s Prime Time or the Banff World Media Festival, Tracey always took the time to ask about my work and connect me with others who could inspire or support me. That’s who she was—a connector, a changemaker, and a mentor.

Her loss is profound, and my thoughts are with her family and friends. I’ll forever be grateful for her guidance, her vision, and her friendship.

(some details as shared by Story, Money, Impact and the CMPA)