WTJ? Live Arts Career Stories Unplugged

WTJ? Live: Career Stories Unplugged is an engaging series of live episode recordings of the What The Job? (WTJ?) podcast, produced by the U of A Alumni Association. WTJ? offers an authentic and unfiltered look into the professional lives and experiences of U of A alumni. Each event in the WTJ? Live series features a dynamic panel discussion on a unique topic, recorded in front of a live audience and later edited into an episode for the WTJ? podcast. Attendees also enjoy a networking reception following the panel discussion, where they can connect with the panelists and fellow guests.

This event is open to all alumni and their guests.

Program begins at 6 p.m.

About the speakers

Jinting Zhao ՚09 BA

Jinting Zhao is the founder of SHE-Q Audio, an advocacy organization that supports women and non-binary individuals in production and audio engineering fields, and works as one of the few female commercial music producers and engineers in Alberta out of Up In Arms Studios in Edmonton. In 2024, she was selected for the Women in the Studio national production accelerator program, as a Canadian Innovator for the Keychange EU development program for women in music, and received the Edmonton Artists Trust Fund prize.  

 

This has been complemented by a parallel career in the civil service for over 15 years. She has held leadership roles in strategic policy, legislation, and planning for various Alberta government ministries, including Health, Education, Transportation, and Executive Council. She was the recipient of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada's Promising New Professional Award, as well as two Premier's Awards of Excellence, and was the winner of the Alberta Public Service Policy Innovation Competition. She believes that success is not defined by a single, linear path but by embracing the diverse experiences that make individuals unique.

Kelly Mellings ՚00 BA

Kelly Mellings is an award-winning art director, illustrator, and designer. His work has appeared in comic books, TV commercials, magazines, apps, museum exhibits, and video games. He is the co-writer of the middle-grade graphic novel Ghoster Heights and illustrator of the Canadian best-selling graphic novel, The Outside Circle. He is the owner of the acclaimed illustration, animation, and design firm Pulp Studios, and his clients include Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Microsoft and The Edmonton Oilers.

Fawnda Mithrush ՚04 BA

Fawnda Mithrush has enjoyed working in Edmonton’s media, arts, and event sectors for over a decade. Prior to spending eight years in the stacks as executive director of LitFest: Canada’s premiere nonfiction festival, she played general manager for Theatre Network and the Freewill Shakespeare Festival. A storyteller by trade, she has managed development portfolios and programming for the likes of Edmonton Fringe, Shumka, KDays/Explore Edmonton, and the Alberta Podcast Network. Accolades include awards from the International Association of Business Communicators, Edify’s Top 40 Under 40, the Canadian Online Publishing Awards in podcasting, and inclusion in the 2024 Emerging Leaders cohort for the national Business / Arts Association. Currently you'll find her consulting for all manner of clients and collaborators, including creative weirdos, circus cohorts, innovative and in-need nonprofits, and Boards of Directors seeking practical expertise.