BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2024-2025)

President
Christine McWillis
 is currently the Cultural Services Manager for the City of Kelowna where her responsibilities include the development, implementation and evaluation of the communities Cultural Plan. Christine is a highly skilled community developer. During the completion of her MBA, she explored the topic of interagency collaboration within the nonprofit sector. Today, she aims to incorporate her learnings as the way forward for successful community development.

Vice President
Carly Frey
 is a specialist in the design and implementation of policy interventions for the growth and impact of the global creative economy, as well as a recording and touring artist with the Canadian folk band, The Fugitives. As a Partner at Nordicity, she leads policy development, strategy and economic analysis across the creative and cultural industries for clients as diverse as UNESCO, the British Council, Canada’s Federal Creative Economy Working Group, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Danish Centre for Culture and Development (CKU), the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), Arts BC, and numerous local and international governments and multilaterals. Prior to Nordicity, Carly was Specialist Advisor to the British Council's global Creative Economy Unit for Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, assisting non-profits, governments, and civic authorities in positioning the creative industries within wider policy and regulatory interventions, as well as promoting cultural infrastructure development and business skills for entrepreneurs. Based in the UK, Carly was also one of UNESCO’s Technical Assistance Experts for Cultural Governance, supporting the design and management of cultural production, distribution, and governance in emerging markets. A creative consultant with a proven track record of fostering strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange, Carly is a dedicated team leader with strong communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.

Secretary
Doug Tuck
has enjoyed a long career in the arts. After studying with Sanford Meisner and others at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, in New York, he acted in film, television, and theatre for a decade. He subsequently moved to radio, as a member of the producing team at Gabereau! on CBC Radio One, and then to arts administration: he served for 19 years at Vancouver Opera, first as communications manager and then as director of marketing. After leaving VO, Doug was a marketing consultant to the performing arts; his work included a multi-year patron loyalty project with Bard on the Beach, report-writing assignments for OPERA America, and engagements as interim director of marketing with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra, in Fort Wayne, Indiana and with Pacific Opera Victoria. Doug now lives on the traditional lands of the Lkwungen People, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, in what is commonly called Victoria.

Treasurer
Bryan Woo
is a cross-sector change leader who lifts entrepreneurial capacity for mission-driven impact. From his career successes in arts and entertainment to data-driven results in community housing, Bryan's innovative leadership transforms and propels organizations to achieve strategic excellence.

Bryan is Chief Executive Officer with Community Housing Coverage, Inc. a new sector-led initiative unlocking insurance premium stability through bulk buying for non-profit housing providers. Simultaneously, Bryan shares his time as Managing Director with British Columbia Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), driving comprehensive organizational strategies through a collaborative, relational, and analytical approach to accomplish mission and vision.
Previously, as a marketing executive in the cultural industry, Bryan generated career revenues of over $50 million through loyalty retention and customer satisfaction. Bryan also held strategic roles with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and National Research Council.

Bryan serves on the board of the Canadian Society of Association Executives, is board Treasurer and Past President of two community organizations, and a national mentor with Business in the Arts.

Am Johal is Director of SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement and Co-Director of SFU's Community Engaged Research Initiative. He has been the past chair of 221A, the Indian Summer Festival and is currently Vice-Chair of the Vancouver International Film Festival. He is the author of 'Ecological Metapolitics: Badiou and the Anthropocene', co-author of 'Global Warming and the Sweetness of Life: A Tar Sands Tale' and co-author of the forthcoming book, 'O My Friends, There is No Friend: The Politics of Friendship at the End of Ecology.'

Ashley Daniel Foot is Vancouver Opera’s Director of Engagement and Civic Practice. Boundlessly creative and fascinated by the way that art is created and presented, Ashley has guided arts organizations across Canada to craft messages and tell unique stories. 

At Vancouver Opera, Ashley carefully develops all programming that takes place off the mainstage and looks for unique and unexpected ways to highlight the power of opera in the community. He also manages all education, community partnerships, and guides the company’s commitment to justice, equity, reconciliation, and diversity. He’s particularly proud of his recent collaborations with with the Vancouver Public Library, BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Rumble Theatre. He is also the co-chair of the City of Vancouver’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Ereca Hassell is the Director of Production & Artistic Administration at Pacific Opera Victoria, and has been with the company since 2011. Ereca provides strategic direction to, and oversees, the artistic planning process. She manages the creative and production budgets for a three show mainstage season at the 1400 seat Royal Theatre, and second stage programming in the 150 seat Wingate Studio at The Baumann Centre, Pacific Opera’s home in downtown Victoria. Ereca identifies and secures local and national artistic and business partnerships, including co-productions, community collaborations, and production rentals - most recently a three year, cross Canada, five company tour of La Traviata. Born and raised in Vancouver, Ereca enjoyed a successful twenty-two year career as a freelance lighting designer before making the shift to arts management. Ereca’s design work took her to the United States, England and Australia, and to theatres across Canada, including Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival, Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Vancouver Opera, and Belfry Theatre, amongst others. In addition to her work as a lighting designer, Ereca has served as a mentor to theatre students at Ryerson University, Sheridan College, University of Victoria, University of British Columbia and the National Theatre School.

Gillian Jones is non-profit arts leader with over fifteen years of experience in performing arts presenting and community engagement at organizations in Canada, the USA, and Turkey. As Executive Director of Dance Victoria, she is responsible for curating the organization’s artistic programs, fundraising, and strategic leadership. Previously, Gillian was Associate Executive Director at Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) in Edmonds, WA, where she programmed a multi-disciplinary series of 25 performances and oversaw ECA’s award-winning Education & Outreach department. From 2010-2012, Gillian was Director of Interpretation at SALT, an arts and cultural institution in Istanbul, Turkey. Gillian is most passionate about access and developing programs that are welcoming and responsive to community members of diverse backgrounds, ages and abilities. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia in Theatre and a Master’s in Arts & Cultural Management from Pratt Institute in New York City.

Joseph Bardsley joined the Music team at Creative BC in January 2022. Prior to this role, he spent five seasons at Music on Main as the company’s inaugural Development Manager, leading all fundraising and grant writing efforts for the organization. Before Music on Main, Joseph spent seven seasons at Vancouver Opera as the company’s grants manager, building on earlier grant writing and fundraising experience at Theatre Calgary and Alberta Theatre Projects.

Sean Bickerton is the BC Director of the Canadian Music Centre, Past Chair of the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture, and teaches at Capilano University’s Department of Arts & Entertainment Management,  He was formerly Executive Director of the Vancouver Recital Society and Vice President of Columbia Artists Management in New York. He is grateful to be able to write fiction on the shores of the Coast Salish Sea on the lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tseil-Waututh First Nations, is married to Tom, and his pronouns are he / him / his.

Warren Dean Flandez is a multi-award-winning cultural facilitator, educator, humanitarian, and JUNO nominated musician. With a Cornell University Diversity & Inclusion program certification, Warren is recognized as a thought leader and innovator in the EDI field.

As a faculty member at Capilano University and the owner of Studio Cloud 30, a multidisciplinary artist development company, Warren’s influence extends beyond EDI consulting. He has honed his expertise through his work as a cultural facilitator, empowering individuals and organizations to foster inclusivity and positive transformation. Furthermore, Warren co-founded the non-profit organization THIS (The Harmony Initiative Society), exemplifying his commitment to humanitarian efforts.
Warren’s impact is felt through his collaborations with a diverse range of organizations, including municipal governments, arts and culture organizations, law enforcement agencies, and cultural groups. He has provided EDI training, developed policy frameworks, and spearheaded community-based initiatives, leaving a lasting impression on those he works with.

Through his multifaceted career, Warren Dean Flandez continues to champion the principles of EDI, transforming communities by advocating for inclusive environments. His dedication to creating safe spaces and fostering meaningful change has earned him accolades and established him as a key luminary in the EDI landscape.