Tanya Woods

VP - Policy and Legal Affairs, Entertainment Software Association of Canada

Tanya is Vice-President, Policy and Legal Affairs for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada where she is responsible for ensuring that federal and provincial policies and legislation support Canada's thriving multi-platform video game industry. She regularly collaborates with a cross-sector of industry and government representatives to help make Canada the best home for video game companies and innovators.

Tanya has been working on complex and emerging legal and policy challenges confronting creators, innovators, and policy makers in private and public entities in the UK, US and Canada for more than a decade. Prior to joining ESAC, she served as the in-house copyright expert and regulatory counsel for a major Canadian telecommunications and broadcasting company. She has also been a member of Canada's intellectual property negotiating team for various trade agreements including the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement.

Tanya studied law at the London School of Economics, the University of Ottawa and American University Washington College of Law; and, is an accredited specialist in both Technology Law and International Intellectual Property Protection.

Tanya is a relentless cheerleader, mentor and advocate for individuals and groups seeking to make a positive social impact in the community. Her favourite hobby is creating and contributing to opportunities that empower others to succeed. Tanya's most recent social impact adventure is as co-founder of Girl Force (http://www.girlforce.ca/), a local volunteer organization teaching girls and young women to make video games.