Jane Hawkes is founder, with Cliff Lonsdale, of the Forum and also serves as its executive producer and secretary-treasurer.

She is an independent television documentary producer whose work has included topics as varied as criminal forensics, artificial intelligence, medical innovation, consumer health and safety, and the politics of climate change.

After a first career in music, she joined the CBC and worked primarily in radio for many years. Jane also spent five years as Assistant to the Secretary-General of NANBA (the North American National Broadcasters Association).

Jane joined Black Inc. Productions in 1994, based first in Hong Kong and later in Toronto. She has edited abroad for CBC TV News and others, filmed on her own documentaries in Asia, Europe and Africa and reported on Asian arts and culture. She has produced six one-hour television documentaries and two four-hour series seen on The Discovery Channel and sold to broadcasters in over 90 countries.

Jane served on the executive board of the UK-based International News Safety Institute from 2010-2013 and as its global treasurer from 2012-2013.