Monika Ille is a proud member of the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak and has made a lasting impact on the broadcasting industry over the course of her 35-year career.  Graduating with distinction from the Université du Québec à Montréal, she began her career in the industry by working for the Société Radio-Canada and then, for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). 

While at the NFB, Monika played a crucial role in developing a new training program for Indigenous filmmakers, which led to her producing her first documentary, French Man, Native Son. Throughout her career, she has also worked with organizations such as Quebec Native Women in Montréal and the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa. 

In 2003, Monika joined APTN as the Quebec liaison officer and quickly rose through the ranks to become the executive director of programming and scheduling.  Her exemplary leadership and visionary approach culminated in her appointment as CEO of APTN in 2019. In 2020, Monika completed the McGill-HEC Montréal Executive MBA program. 

In addition to her role at APTN, Monika serves as vice-chair on the Université de Montréal board of directors and is a council member of the Ordre de Montréal. She is also an industry adjudicator on the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council – Quebec Regional Panel. Monika has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Maison Saint-Gabriel’s Exceptional Women, the Desautels Management Achievement Award from McGill University and named Executive of the Year by Playback in 2022. In 2023, The Globe and Mail listed Monika as one of the 25 most influential people in Canadian television, and in 2024, she appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s first list of Canada’s most powerful women in entertainment. Most recently she has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Indigenous storytelling in Canadian media.