Culvenor, who joins Shine America from sister-company Shine Australia, will oversee day-to-day unscripted development for the Los Angeles-based production company.

"Chris is an outstanding creative executive with a track record for developing major un-scripted formats," says Fennessy. "His experience and expertise in un-scripted television make him the perfect person to lead Shine America’s development team."

Shine America President Eden Gaha, to whom Culvenor will report, stated, “Having worked closely with Chris over the last year, it’s great to now have one of Shine’s best here in the U.S.”

On the addition of McConnell, Shine America President Eden Gaha stated, “Christie is a rising star in the unscripted development world and we are thrilled to have secured her talents as part of the Shine America team.”

Since 2010, Culvenor has overseen the development and sale of Shine Australia’s television programs across all genres, managed third party creative relationships both domestically and internationally, acquired and sold third party television formats and created, implemented and managed the company’s development strategy.

During Culvenor’s time at Shine Australia, the company successfully launched Australian formats of such series as MasterChef, The Biggest Loser, The Voice Australia, Wag Nation, The Shire, Australia’s Next Top Model, Minute to Win It, The Renovators and Dating in the Dark.

Before joining Shine Australia, Culvenor served as Director of Digital Media and Alternative Programming for FremantleMedia Australia. In that role, he created and managed the digital media department and oversaw the company’s digital media strategy and business development. He was also responsible for the acquisition and sale of The Apprentice Australia and created and executive producedThe Myspace Road Tour, Dance Backstage, Idol Backstage, The Movie ShowandNerd News.

Prior to joining Fremantle Australia, he held director and producer positions for Insight Productions Canada, where he worked onCanadian Idol. Culvenor began his career in 2004 as an Associate Producer for Grundy Television Australia.

McConnell joins Shine America from Stephen David Entertainment, where she served as Vice President, Development since 2010. McConnell has developed concepts for a variety of major cable networks and brands including: Bravo, Comedy Central, Food Network, Travel Channel, WE, Barnes & Noble, and Glamour, among others. McConnell most recently oversaw development onThe Men Who Built Americafor History Channel, Extreme Cheapskatesfor TLC and Red Rum for Investigation Discovery.

Prior to joining Stephen David Entertainment, McConnell was a development executive at Notional, where she oversaw casting and developed formats for cable networks. McConnell began her career in development at City Lights Media, where she quickly rose through the ranks and oversaw the digital/branded entertainment development department. McConnell has moved to Los Angeles from New York City for her new position with Shine America.