Executive Director
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Director of Fund Development & Strategic Initiatives
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Director of Programs, Outreach & Inclusivity
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Director of Communications
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Associate Manager, Programs
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Associate Manager, Programs
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Associate Manager, Communications
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Associate Manager, Marketing
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Events & Screenings Coordinator
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Fund Development Coordinator
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Associate Manager, Administration
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Evening Operations & Volunteer Coordinator
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Operations Coordinator
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Operations Coordinator
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Facility Caretaker/Ceramics Technician
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Vic Lewis Band Festival Producer
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Indigenous Liaison
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Inclusivity Liaison
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Chair

Kathi Irvine is the founding partner of The Watershed Group, an organizational development consulting firm here in Canmore that works to engage people and transform organizations. Watershed partners with numerous organizations in Canada and the United States to support business sustainability and employee development. Kathi has been educated in Canada and the US, she has an undergrad in business, a graduate degree in organizational leadership, and a certificate in dialogue and negotiation. She is an advocate for community involvement and has been a board member of several not-for-profits before joining artsPlace.

Vice Chair

Heather has been a lifelong advocate in combining education and the arts. As a freelance writer, filmmaker, environmental educator and presenter with the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, her belief is that creativity is available to us all. A longtime resident of Canmore, Heather has served on other arts boards in the Bow Valley including the Bow Valley Chorus (as founding President) and the Canmore Public Art Committee. Heather feels grateful to live, work and play in this beautiful Bow Valley with her life partner, Patrick McCloskey.

Treasurer

Bruce served as Vice President, Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Banff Centre from 2015 to 2020. Prior to Banff Centre, Bruce spent five years as CFO of a TSX listed public company in Calgary and 11 years as a partner at Grant Thornton LLP in both Calgary and Toronto where he held numerous senior leadership positions. Bruce has a long history of community involvement. Before moving to the Bow Valley, he served on the boards of Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society in Calgary, Rotary Club of Calgary Heritage Park as Vice President, the Calgary Chapter of Financial Executives International and York Support Services Network (YSSN) in Ontario.

Secretary

Kitty Thompson is a cellist by night and by day, the Director of Employee Experience (HR) for CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures. After relocating from Toronto to Canmore 6 years ago, Kitty found her home in the Bow Valley music community. She quickly became immersed in artsPlace programs and is excited to champion the arts by serving on the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation Board. Kitty’s approach to both art and profession are defined by a passion for experiences, and a deeply held belief in human equality, dignity, and right to opportunity. Kitty holds a CHRP designation, received her Bachelor of Music (Cello) from Wilfrid Laurier University, Masters in Adult Education from the University of Calgary, and a Post Degree Certificate in Organizational Coaching from the University of British Columbia.

Past Chair, Chair of the Nominating Committee

Sandy's professional career spanned 40 years within the Winnipeg School Division, as a Speech Clinician, Service Director and Assistant Superintendent responsible for Student Services. She lectured in the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Education; and was a guest lecturer and program consultant nationally and internationally. She has a Master's degree in Education and has published several peer reviewed journal articles and is a contributing author of two books.

Director

By day, Meredith is a communications and public relations leader with experience in libraries, hospitality, and not-for-profits, both provincially and internationally. Her expertise is in communications strategy, brand architecture and management, creative design, and facilitative leadership. She brings her creative experience in writing, illustration, pottery, printmaking, and podcasting from personal projects. She is passionate about community engagement and advocacy. Meredith has varied board and volunteer experience ranging from the 2010 Paralympics to artsPlace's Creative Combat.

Director

As an immigrant to Canada, Juan understands the importance of cultural and demographic diversity and the benefits they provide to the broader community.

"It is a privilege and a great honour to live in the Bow Valley. Nature and the Arts are alive here, and both are a vital part of my life. As a resident of Canmore, I wish to give back to this wonderful community, to help build it further and to enrich others’ lives through the arts. As a member of the board of artsPlace I believe I can help make this possible."

Director - Chair, Governance Committee

Linda is a seasoned business professional with over 30 years of experience in the Transportation and Energy industries. Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including Operations Management, Customer Service, Information Technology, Strategy Development, and Logistics. Currently, Linda serves as the Board Chair for Homefront Calgary and sits on the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation Board, where she also chairs the Governance Committee. A resident of Canmore since 2021, Linda is actively engaged in the community.

Director

Throughout his 45-year career as a lawyer and securities commissioner, Ed has been engaged in the non-profit arts sector and has been a passionate supporter of the arts. Prior to retiring to live in Canmore in 2017, Ed lived and worked in Toronto and also in Calgary and London, U.K. He was a member of McCarthy Tétrault LLP from 1971 until 2010 and was a Commissioner of the Ontario Securities Commission from 2011 until 2017. Ed has served as a director and executive on the boards of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Canadian Stage Company, University of Toronto, a private charitable foundation and private and public corporations.

Director

Simmi has been blessed to call Canmore home for the past 28 years, raising two children here. She has been involved in the very early days of the arts/creative community as a member of Canmore Art Guild. As a local artist, Simmi has a strong commitment to the arts/creative community while fostering personal relationships with many local artists. She holds a strong belief in communicating the benefits of artsPlace and the many activities artsPlace delivers to our community.

Director

Jerome Laycock brings valuable experience from his background in environmental conservation and program management. He has worked with the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University and has been involved with WWF and TRAFFIC, focusing on natural capital assessment and local community integration. Jerome is bilingual French/English and has a history of leading initiatives in gender equity and climate adaptation. He has a deep love for the Bow Valley and a passion for the arts, which aligns with the mission of artsPlace.

Director

Stewart is an accomplished marketing leader with international business and national board experience. He possesses leadership, strategic vision, and a strong understanding of marketing and technology. Stewart has extensive board and volunteer experience, most recently serving with the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. Creating and supporting a safe, vulnerable, and purpose-driven culture is at the core of his approach to business. He currently holds the title of VP, Marketing with Banff & Lake Louise Tourism.

Director - Chair, Fund Development Committee

Patti is a leader in the social profit sector who has been striving to bring best practices, innovative strategic thinking, and visionary leadership to positions for over three decades. She holds a Masters of Continuing Education Degree with a specialization in workplace learning, focused on creating and shaping learning environments that foster individual and organizational success. Presently Executive Director of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, Patti has also held roles such as: Founding CEO of Wellspring Alberta, Executive Director of the Alberta Mentor Foundation for Youth, and Executive Director of the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary.

Town of Canmore Council Representative

Wade Graham is a long time local and the Town of Canmore Council Representative on the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation Board of Directors.