ACTRA promotes Kortnee Borden to Director, Performers’ Rights Society

Toronto—June 26, 2025—ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), the national union representing professional performers working in recorded media in Canada, has announced the promotion of Kortnee Borden to Director, Performers’ Rights Society (PRS).

Over his 20-year career at ACTRA, Borden began as a Data Processing Clerk and steadily advanced through numerous roles—including Administrator, International Coordinator, Senior Claims Officer, and Management Lead—before most recently serving as Associate Director, ACTRA RACS.

As Director of PRS, Borden now leads the division of ACTRA responsible for collecting and distributing residuals and royalties, ensuring that performers receive fair compensation for the use of their work. This promotion comes alongside a restructuring, bringing together the wider PRS team, which is composed of two departments, ACTRA RACS, focused on performers’ rights in music, and ACTRA PRS, which oversees performers’ rights in film, television, and digital media.

With Borden’s transition into his new role, Andrew Karis has been promoted to Associate Director, ACTRA PRS. Karis, who has been with ACTRA RACS for 13 years, previously held positions as Administrator, Interim Manager, and most recently, Senior Administrator. In his new role, he will support Borden in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the two departments.

Additionally, ACTRA RACS, the nonprofit musicians’ collective under PRS, welcomed two new team members within the past year: Brittany Chin, Repertoire Analyst, and Jeremy van Leeuwen, Administrator. Chin previously served as a Quality Assurance Analyst at the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), while van Leeuwen was a Music Production Manager at Nelvana.

“Kortnee has already done an incredible job in his time in ACTRA RACS, showing strong leadership and earning the trust of his colleagues. With his deep knowledge and experience in both sides of the PRS, Kortnee is well-positioned to thrive in his role,” said Marie Kelly, Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, ACTRA National.

These strategic appointments reflect ACTRA’s ongoing commitment to championing performer rights and strengthening internal leadership. With this team in place, PRS is strategically situated to advance its mandate, while upholding fair compensation and quality service to performers.

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