After more than 16 years at the helm, Joan Vogelesang has stepped down as President and CEO of Montreal-based animation production technology leader Toon Boom Animation, AWN has learned. Paul Gardner has been appointed as interim CEO while the company searches for a successor. Vogelesang will continue advising the company while it transitions to new leadership.   

According to the company, “Toon Boom's success is a direct reflection of Joan's passion for the business, and we wish her the best as she moves to the next stage of her distinguished career.”

Vogelesang, who has started a new international business consulting company, Joan Vogelesang (JV) Consultants, commented, “I have been honored to serve this great industry and thank everyone for their gracious support over the years. I look forward with great anticipation.."

Under Vogelesang’s hard-charging leadership, Toon Boom grew from a single product company into a global leader in digital content and animation production technology. The company’s products have won numerous awards, including ASIFA-Hollywood’s 2013 Ub Iwerks Award bestowed on the Toon Boom Pipeline as well as a 2012 Primetime Emmy Engineering Award to Toon Boom Storyboard Pro for its significant industry contribution.

Ms. Vogelesang can be reached at joan.vogelesang@yahoo.ca.