Board of Directors

Executive

Tara Wong, President
Tom Pierson, Vice-President
Julia Stanley, CA, Treasurer
Rupert Allen, Secretary
Drew Mandigo, Past President

Directors

Wendy Byrne
Geneviève Couillard
Beverly Ford
Julia Johnston
André Martin
Allison Russell
Ruth Secunda

CAO Board of Directors
July 2011 - July 2012

Six Directors to complete terms in July 2012

Rupert Allen has worked with the CAO as a board member and volunteer for over 8 years. During the day Rupert works as an economist at the Federal Government of Canada where he focuses on issues related to market and sector trends. Rupert has also worked as a stakeholder development consultant for various government departments and private companies. Prior to his work in the public sector Rupert worked for museums, galleries and biennials in the UK, Italy and Brazil. Rupert has an MA in Art Criticism and Philosophy from the University of Essex and a BA in Architectural History from Carleton University.

Engaged within the community for over fifteen years, Geneviève Couillard has been the Executive Director of Fédération de la jeuness franco-ontarienne since 2005. In this capacity, she has contributed to the development of the organization and broadened and extended the reach of the organization's links into the community. Her interests in community governance has seen her involved with the boards of such organizations as ATCF, Nouvelle Scène, Galerie SAW Gallery, Horizon renaissance and ATFO. Concerned with creativity and innovation, Geneviève strives to make the most of the expertise of the people and teams she works with.

Beverly Ford travaille dans le milieu de la technologie de l'information. Elle compte mettre au profit du CAO son expertise en marketing, en communications et en développement des entreprises. Passionnée des arts, elle est artiste à ses heures; dans ses temps libres, elle s'adonne à la peinture à l'huile et à la sculpture. Elle s'est jointe au CAO afin de contribuer à l'épanouissement et au rayonnement de la communauté artistique sans cesse croissante d'Ottawa.

Drew Mandigo returned home to Ottawa after 25 years working around the world in the commercial animation industry, living in such places as Paris, London, Berlin, Shanghai, Castellon, and Seoul, and was a member of a Daytime Emmy-winning team for the children's series "Arthur", produced in Montreal. He is a graphic designer, web designer, photographer, animator, artist and furniture designer, and feels like he is only getting started. He has been involved with the CAO for five years now, after having first attended all their parties. He also has a passion for the arts, architecture, design and 'Green' building techniques, and is acting Chair of the Fund Raising committee.

Allison Russell graduated from the University of Guelph in 1999 with an honours bachelor of arts degree in international development and anthropology, and from the University of Ottawa in 2004 with an LL.B. Allison articled with Hamilton | Appotive and joined the firm after being called to the Bar in July 2005. She is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association and the County of Carleton Law Association. She is also the Chair of Hamilton | Appotive's United Way Campaign and a member of the Ottawa-Gatineau CIBC Run for the Cure Committee.

Julia Stanley, CA is the corporate controller for Langevin Learning Services and prior to this, spent ten years working for Ginsberg Gluzman Fage & Levitz, LLP an accounting firm in the Ottawa area. Her experience has provided her a wide range of knowledge in the not-for-profit, small businesses and medical professional fields. Julia is involved in the Ottawa community through her positions as Treasurer with the Council for the Arts in Ottawa and the Nepean Concert Band.

Six Directors to complete terms in July 2013

A native of Ottawa, Wendy Byrne studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Calgary and obtained an LL.B at the University of Ottawa in 1993. She was called to the Bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1995 and the Law Society of Alberta in 2008. Wendy's record in volunteerism is wide-ranging and has encompassed serving as Chair and/or Director on Boards and agencies, including the Olde Forge Community Services, Region of Ottawa-Carleton's Community Services Committee; Women's Initiatives for Safer Environments, River Parkway Preschool Centre, Foster Farm Community House, Task Force on the Regulation of Retirement Residences and West End Legal Services. Currently, she practices family and labour law in Ottawa.

Julia Johnston s'est jointe au conseil en 2007 suite à un stage étudiant avec le CAO pendant qu'elle obtenait un baccalauréat spécialisé en administration des arts de l'Université d'Ottawa. Depuis, Julia est devenue agente immobilière et donne voix à sa passion pour les arts locaux à travers ses efforts au sein du conseil et sa participation au comité d'évènements et de levés de fonds.

André Martin is a member of the business law team at Mann & Partners, LLP. André is a member of the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, the County of Carleton Law Association and the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise. Included in his broad legal experience is a strong knowledge of the not-for- profit sector. André is a firm believer in this city and supports many local charitable groups and causes. When not otherwise donating his time, you will find him indulging in his passion for adventure sports.

Tom Pierson joined the CAO in June 2009 and brings several years of dynamic consultative sales experience in working with both local and international private sector businesses. After moving to Ottawa in 2000 to attend Carleton University, he was immediately drawn to the thriving art scene and sought out ways to become more actively involved. A consummate professional, Tom brings an expertise in complex negotiations, developing strong partnerships, and highly effective communication.

Ruth Secunda is a visual artist who started her career in Ottawa in the early 70's as a fibre artist. She helped establish "85 Clarence", a noted artist co-operative in the Byward Market. Following residency in Montreal in the early 80s, she was awarded a Canada Council writing grant which took her to the Banff Centre for the Arts. Ruth remained in Banff for the 16 years and was involved with the Banff Arts Council and establishing local exhibitions. She received the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award for her community work in 2001. Since her return to Ottawa in 2002, she has been involved with various art organizations. She continues to show her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions, where she has established herself as a painter/printmaker and mixed media artist. Ruth is currently teaching at the Ottawa School of Art. She also teaches privately in her studio.

Tara Wong is currently the Coordinator of Digital Services for the Ottawa Public Library. Prior to completing her Masters in Library and Information Studies at Dalhousie University, she was the Registration Database Systems Manager at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Tara also teaches part-time at Algonquin College in both the Library Technician program and General Education Electives department. In addition to her interest in the arts, Tara is also an avid runner and traveler.