Susan Millican is stepping down as CEO of the National Screen Institute - Canada, ending her tenure atop the Winnipeg school after eight years.

"Being the CEO of NSI has been an amazing and fulfilling experience for me," said Millican in a statement. "My intention was to be here for three years -- it's been eight. That's proof that I truly enjoyed the opportunities that NSI offered," she said in a statement late Friday. "I feel the time is right for me to explore new professional opportunities, work on special projects, travel, and spend more time with family."

Millican is credited with expanding NSI's various training programs and putting the school on the map of both the TV and film industries.

"Susan took a western-based, Winnipeg-headquartered organization with a solid reputation and a unique training model and transformed it into a vibrant national brand," said board member Carole Vivier.

She will stay on as CEO until a replacement can be found, the search for which will begin shortly.