How this TV Producer took a deep dive into Canadian storytelling

As an emerging TV Producer, a Ted Rogers MBA graduate, and the founder of Swim Dock Studios (external link, opens in new window) , Paula Sanderson (MBA '24) finds a way to weave her passion for storytelling into her leadership style, helping Canadian stories be heard around the world. 

For Sanderson, her storytelling journey began on the swim dock at her childhood summer camp. From roasting s’mores beside crackling campfires to sharing stories with her friends under the starry sky. Sanderson learned here how stories can bring people together, spark new ideas, and create identity. 

“Stories are more than just fun narratives. They are an empowering tool that amplifies our ideas and makes a real impact on people.” Says Sanderson. With this insight in mind, she decided to pursue an MBA at the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM).

Her decision was fueled by a clear professional vision: “I’ve always been interested in the Canadian media industry: what gets greenlit, and what motivates the decision makers to make their casting choices.” While telling a good story was still the thing that Sanderson enjoyed the most, she wanted to learn more about the business side of the entertainment industry and one day start her own production company. 

In 2023, with the help of the Zones, Sanderson achieved that goal during the MBA program by launching Swim Dock Studios, a production company dedicated to creating authentic Canadian content. “I named my company after my favorite place: the swim dock at my summer camp. It is the place where I feel most authentic and connected.”

From a personal perspective, the MBA also gave her the tools to strengthen her community involvement, which has long been a priority for her. “The program fostered a strong entrepreneurial spirit in me and made me more resilient,” says Sanderson.

During her tenure (2023-2025) at CBC’s Dragon’s Den, she witnessed that resilience every day. When asked about her biggest takeaway from the job, Sanderson replies, “If you can dream it, you can do it. I met so many incredible entrepreneurs who turned their ideas into a reality. They faced great turbulence, resistance, and challenges, and yet, they continued to build and have built some of Canada's most incredible brands. They started from nothing, and they built something amazing.” 

This mindset is invaluable to her in advancing her career. “In Canada, it is difficult to get a project to the finish line while trying to make a decent living because of the complexity of our industry. So we have to be extra strategic and resilient.” 

Today, with all the successful experience Sanderson has, she sheds a new light on what a Canadian story really means: “A true Canadian story is simply a story that is deeply tied to our geography, to the place where we call home. You can say that Canadian identity is hard to define. But as long as we are the ones telling the story from our unique perspective, then it is an authentic Canadian story.”

Looking back to her time at TRSM, Sanderson highlights the importance of the community: “TRSM has the best ecosystem in the city to support its students’ growth. You learn from incredible teachers in class and build lasting connections outside of it. So don’t just get a diploma and leave, run an extra mile and build your community here. Because at TRSM, we want to see you thrive in whatever you do.”