By Pepper Parr
October 9th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A lot of questions.
Several paragraphs below take you through the current Board level leadership of the Performing Arts Centre that lost its Executive Director quite suddenly on xxxx
Rumours of unacceptable financial behaviour, making decisions well outside the level of responsibility that an Executive Director is given was kept away from the public.
The Executive Director was gone and the search was on for a new one. That was in June – and not a word from the Board since.
The City found that it had to provide the 2024 Sound of Music (SoM) event a significant sum to keep the organization afloat until they had some cash coming in from the event which at the time of the financial rescue was days away.
All this was during that period of time when Performing Arts was “presenting” the Sound of Music – it was never quite clear what “presenting” meant.
A lot of people thought that tucking Sound of Music under the wing of Performing Arts was a great idea – that isn’t our view.
The structures of these two organizations is radically different – SoM has a large dedicated roster of volunteers who work very well together – groups like that don’t work all that well within a structured organization like city hall, which in Burlington is still a collection of silos. It’s getting better but they aren’t yet the well-oiled machine that has every moving part perfectly synced with every other part.
June 10, 2024
Since 2011, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) has been committed to bringing the best of the arts to its patrons. BPAC is thrilled to welcome seven new faces to its Board of Directors, who will join the hard-working directors currently on the Board and continue to drive and enhance the centre’s commitment to the community. The following new Directors were announced at the AGM on May 30, 2024:
Stephen Bell – Owner of Burlington’s Pepperwood Bistro with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, in both restaurants and hotels, Stephen has been a proud sponsor of BPAC for many years. Pepperwood Bistro’s charity efforts have raised thousands of dollars for Cystic Fibrosis of Canada as well as other local charities.
Dr. Anna Danielova – Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Accreditation at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, Anna has spent two decades as a teaching professor and researcher in financial management, corporate finance, investments and valuation at McMaster as well as prominent universities in the US and Armenia.
Carrie Gervais – VP of Finance at MetriCan Group of Companies, with a solid reputation for providing strategic financial solutions to assist business growth. A trusted advisor and leader, Carrie brings a focus on building relationships and effectively collaborating with others.
Max Honiball – Associate Lawyer at Frederikse Law, practicing across all of the Firm’s practice areas. Max loves travel and is an avid musician; two hobbies which are serendipitously supported by his role as a British Army Reserve Musician.
Kari Pimentel – VP of Human Resources at TD Bank. A 25-year HR veteran, Kari is known as a strategic and pragmatic leader, adept at balancing business realities and employee experience while cultivating strong and collaborative relationships.
James Sweetlove – Formerly a lawyer with Ross & McBride, Jim retired in 2015 after over 40 years practicing in the areas of estate administration, planning and litigation. Jim has called Burlington home for over 50 years and has embraced community involvement since retiring, chairing, vice-chairing and sitting on a number of Boards.
Jim Thompson – A retired executive business leader, Jim spent 40 years working for the world’s #1 retailer, Walmart. Jim has lived in Burlington for 30 years and his not-for-profit activities keep him very busy – he currently spends his time as a Board Member, Consultant, Mentor and Speaker.
In addition to the new Directors, BPAC has named its new Youth Ambassador to the Board. Mark Mazuco, a 13-year-old student, will bring a youthful perspective and a vibrant energy to BPAC, and will serve as Burlington’s Youth Voice for the Arts. Mark’s leadership potential has been recognized through his participation in the Canadian Cadets program, as well as his selection to represent Burlington at the 2024 Ontario Model Parliament. These experiences honed his teamwork, communication, and diplomacy – all important skills he will bring to the Youth Ambassador role.
These new appointments join current Board members Ken Smithard (Board Chair), Peter Van Dyk, Deirdre Flynn, Emilie Cote, Kelly Gleeson and Angelo Bentivegna. Cote and Bentivegna represent the City and Council.
Not quite a full house – but more than respectable audience size
BPAC’s Board of Directors’ Statement of Purpose is to lead a progressive performing arts centre that is a gathering place, offering a balance of community and professional programming guided by artistic vision and excellence.
The objective of the Board is to build, foster and celebrate cultural vitality and diversity in the City of Burlington so that the performing arts are seen as an important component of everyday life.
Related news stories:
Performing Arts Director resigns
SoM to take place despite the confusion at BPAC
