Executive Director

Ashley Watson

Executive Director

Ashley Watson is an arts manager, educator and fundraiser. Perviously she was the Development Officer at the Royal Botanical Gardens and has worked in fund development and partnership cultivation roles at Lakeshore Arts. She was the inaugural Curator for Humber Galleries where she managed two gallery spaces and was responsible for starting a contemporary Canadian art collection. She has also been a sessional and guest lecturer in the Arts Management program at the University of Toronto, Humber College and the University of Guelph. Her professional experience is supported by her academic studies with a BA in Arts Management from the University of Toronto and an MFA from the University of Leicester in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, during which she was awarded the Community Leadership Prize. She also relishes her time spent in the garden and hiking with her pup Hector.

Hector - LSA Office Dog

Hector is a sweet, fun loving pup, who is a favourite around the office here at LSA. At only two years of age, he is already taking on the world and strives to one day become a certified therapy dog. For now, though, he is happy spending his days cuddling up to all those having a ruff day.

Marc Kilchling

Anne Smith

Anne is a child clinical and developmental psychologist, a mom to three girls, and a huge book lover. She is the Head of Schools for Mildenhall Montessori Schools in Toronto. She loves reminiscing about her farm and dreaming of a future cottage with her husband. Anne strongly values creativity and expression as essential to community and is grateful for the opportunity to join the LSA board.

Mike Kolatschek

Mike Kolatschek is the Corporate Communications Manager at Reliance Home Comfort responsible for internal communications, public and media relations and corporate event management. With over a decade of successful experience in developing strategic communications planning, team member engagement programs and community partnerships, Mike has worked in various communications capacities for McDonald’s Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company and Franklin Templeton Investments. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking and the arts, he is driven to work with corporate partners to bring accessible art programs to all peoples in the Lakeshore community. Mike enjoys a good Netflix binge but can also be found exploring the city’s ever-changing food scene.

Thom Stoneman

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

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Thom Stoneman is a certified teacher who has been involved in theatre education from a very young age. Thom is a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School: Acting Program (2008) and completed his teacher training at OISE at UofT (2015) as part of the Aboriginal Perspectives cohort. Thom strives to integrate social justice and equality training into all of his work in the arts. Thom has taught various theatre workshops to children at Shakespeare in the Ruff, The Second City Training Centre, Canadian Children’s Theatre Company, and a number of schools in and around Toronto. Thom’s passion lies in fostering safe spaces for students to explore comedy, improv, clowning, acting technique, text exploration, Shakespeare, and more, while encouraging students to connect on a personal level. Thom is very excited to be apart of the Lakeshore Arts community!

Jacqui Arntfield

Community Project Space Curator

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Jacqui is a registered social service worker and socially-engaged artist who maintains a collaborative, conceptual and context-specific practice. She holds a BAH in Continental Philosophy from Queen’s University and a Community Worker diploma from George Brown College. Activating this educational background, she uses the arts as a tool to critically examine social issues and catalyze civic engagement. She has worked with numerous community arts organizations including Artscape Youngplace and 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media & Education. As co-director of an interdisciplinary collective focused on interactive and participatory works, she has produced projects for public art events including NXNE Art, BIG on Bloor, Art of the Danforth, Culture Days, 100in1Day Toronto and The Laneway Project. Jacqui loves public art, politics, books and sunshine. Drop by the Community Project Space to say hello!

May Yebuga

Doha Soliman

Doha has always been a supporter of the arts and believes in the importance of art education. She works as a finance director for a surgery practice and has a background in equity analysis. She has a great passion for civic engagement and serves as the program director for the Canadian Muslim Vote, where she is developing a Youth Internship Program to engage youth in politics. Doha lives in Oakville with her husband and her two young boys.

Robyn Small

Robyn is a passionate supporter of all things community, arts and culture in Toronto. By day, she manages BMO Wealth Management’s employee charitable giving program specializing in non-profit partnership development, community investment and volunteer engagement. Robyn is a design and photography enthusiast and a dedicated supporter of Lakeshore Arts, the AGO and other organizations committed to enhancing the well-being of others and community through art. Robyn currently resides in West Toronto but Mimico holds a very special place in her heart.

Lindsey Hamilton

Natassha Feo

Natassha Feo is a newcomer to the Mimico community, officially moving the area in March 2016. With a background in corporate communications, Natassha is a professional storyteller who is passionate about crafting narrative to build engagement, understanding and participation. She is an avid reader, perpetual languages student (currently adding Italian and ASL to her native Spanish) and lover of written art.

Kathy Dimas

Kathy Dimas, is a passionate Artist. As a trained Dancer in Ballet she has performed in classical ballet, Latin folklore and modern Latin dance. Her love of art started with the visual arts and continued with photography. It is through her love of the arts that has taken her to volunteer as a dance teacher for the youth and to get involve as a board member with Lakeshore Arts. She is a Professional Accountant with over 15 year experience. She is a board member acting as Treasurer and sits as top management of Carl Zeiss Canada.

Rafiq Al Gailani

Rafiq Al Gailani is a business development leader with expertise in advising on large scale international trade mandates, and principal government relations. During his career, Rafiq also served as Vice President, Head of Fund Services and Client Management MENA at Deutsche Bank; and in senior advisory roles with leading multinationals in Boston, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Toronto. Rafiq holds a BSc in Management from Bentley University in Massachusetts, and has completed multiple executive programs. Rafiq resides in the Lakeshore area, shares a great passion for arts, community development and is a firm believer in selfless service.

Justine Abraham

Justine Abraham is a passionate arts advocate who intends to put her energy towards supporting youth accessibility and participation in the arts. After having taught many classes as a Youth Arts Educator during university, Justine was determined to remain connected to her creativity – by helping young people become involved in the arts. After recently graduating from Humber College with a certificate in Arts Management, her newest self-discovery is her love and passion for fundraising and stewardship. Justine has also acquainted herself with the diverse music scene thriving in downtown Toronto. She currently works at a music promotion company that collaborates with large-scale festivals across Ontario as a talent buyer, as well as a presenter of live concerts – for every genre from jazz to country – locally in the city.

Karen Ridley

Secretary

Jennifer McIntyre

Treasurer

Jennifer is a long time resident of Mimico and New Toronto, having lived in these neighbourhoods since 1966. She has seen many changes over the years and is now enjoying the positive changes that are taking place in these neighbourhoods. Jennifer has worked for Alterna Savings Credit Union for 10 years, currently as a personal banker. She is busy with her husband, 2 kids, and a dog and when able, she enjoys running and crossfit training.

Marijana Cuvalo

Vice-President

Marijana has been a resident of Mimico since 2015 and a member of the Lakeshore Arts board since 2014. She has extensive experience guiding the positive transformation and engagement of numerous groups including: children, youth, students, newcomers and young women. She seeks out capacity building opportunities that recognize value in collaboration and that incorporate the wisdom and experiences community members bring to the table.

Staff

Ashley Watson

Sharon Zarita

Matt O'Connor

Shakira Luke

Jacqui Arntfield

Nadijah Robinson

Board Members

Community Project Space Attendants

Ashley Watson

Executive Director

Marc Kilchling

Anne Smith

Mike Kolatschek

Thom Stoneman

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Jacqui Arntfield

Community Project Space Curator

May Yebuga

Doha Soliman

Robyn Small

Lindsey Hamilton

Natassha Feo

Kathy Dimas

Rafiq Al Gailani

Justine Abraham

Karen Ridley

Secretary

Jennifer McIntyre

Treasurer

Marijana Cuvalo

Vice-President