We are dedicated arts enthusiasts who believe a great city demands great art. We work collaboratively to shine a spotlight on artistic excellence, spark creative connections, and support cultural growth in our city.
Kelly Langgard, Director & CEO – Kelly Langgard is an established arts leader who has worked in public institutions at every level of government, and with communities and partners across Canada and internationally. She has more than 25 years of experience in cultural policy, arts funding, partnerships, stakeholder relations, and non-profit governance and management. Prior to her current role as Director and CEO of the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation, she was Director of Granting at the Ontario Arts Council and held leadership positions at the Canada Council for the Arts in partnership development, international strategy and engagement, and impact research. She has also managed the team at the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and been an advisor to Global Affairs Canada on cultural diplomacy. Kelly began her career in the media arts, leading the herland feminist film festival and co-founding the Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival in Calgary before relocating to Toronto to head the Images Festival. In the course of her career, she has initiated and led a range of innovative projects, programs, and partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for artists and arts organizations, and increasing public appreciation and investment in the arts.
Dane Bland, Director, Development & Engagement – Dane is a Certified Fundraising Executive with a decade of nonprofit experience raising tens of millions of dollars in contributions through corporate and foundation partnerships, major gifts, and multi-channel mass-market campaigns. He is deeply committed to volunteerism, community management, political activism, advocacy, and philanthropy. In addition to his experience in fundraising, Dane brings a wealth of expertise in communications, digital marketing, direct marketing, and media relations. Dane has worked as Head of Development at international LGBTQI+ charity, Rainbow Railroad, and held previous roles in arts, healthcare and higher education. He is a graduate of the Trent University Business Administration Program and Seneca College Fundraising Management postgraduate certificate program. He also sits on the boards of 4th Line Theatre and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Greater Toronto Chapter), and has been a CFRE Ambassador since 2019.
Rupal Shah, Director, Policy & Programs – Rupal is an experienced and inventive cultural manager with over 20 years of experience leading, supporting and collaborating with artists and communities. Most recently, she was the Interim Associate Director of Granting at Ontario Arts Council. Rupal began her career supporting Canadian theatre artists and performance creators through leadership roles at Nightswimming, Obsidian Theatre, and Summerworks Performance Festival. She then came to Toronto Arts Council where she managed funding programs and partnerships as Strategic Programs Manager. In 2021, she led the creation of a national community of practice as part of the Healthy Communities Initiative, a federal funding program supporting Canadian infrastructure and placemaking initiatives in the wake of COVID-19. Rupal teaches in the Arts Management program at Centennial College.
Andrew Suri, Director, Planning & Operations – Andrew Suri joined TAC in 2010. He studied philosophy and biology (B.Sc. McMaster University, M.Sc. University of Victoria) and commenced doctoral research before he crossed over to the arts and worked as a photographer and filmmaker, and as a performer and educator of the South Asian performing art of banethi. Since then, Andrew co-founded Indian Martial & Performance Art Collective of Toronto, and led community arts projects across Toronto and in India. He has served TAC as Community Arts Officer, Manager - TAC Grants Online, and Director of Granting. Working to improve access to TAC and Foundation programs for under-represented cultural and community groups, Andrew has led the development of many programs and processes, including the Black Arts program, the Newcomer and Refugee programs, the TOArtist Covid-19 Response Fund, the TAC Accessibility Grant and Application Supports, and helped establish TAC's online granting and the Foundation’s awards systems. With extensive experience in the direction and administration of public funding operations, human resources management, program evaluation, and equity, diversity, and inclusion institutional change, Andrew is passionate about improving operational efficiency while expanding staff and community engagement in organizational mission. Andrew became Director, Planning & Operations in 2023.
Inés Aguileta, Manager, Neighbourhood Arts Network – Inés is an arts administrator who also brings a deep background in project management. She has been involved in the arts community for nearly a decade, but has been passionate about the arts since childhood. After graduating from York University’s Honours Graphic Design program, she relocated to Spain where she earned her Master’s in Cultural Project Management at the Barcelona School of Design and Engineering. Upon her return to Toronto, she undertook the Marketing and PR Manager role at Soundstreams. Since then, she has volunteered at TEDx Boston, TIFF, and The Toronto Maker Festival. Currently at the Toronto Arts Foundation, she coordinates numerous programs for Neighbourhood Arts Network. Inés is an avid globetrotter and lover of culture, beginning with that of her native Mexico. She believes her experiences working and living in many other parts of the world have greatly benefitted her understanding and respect of many different cultures and forms of artistic expression.
Angie Aranda, Senior Manager, Arts & Community Development – Angie has an extensive background in partnership development, event management and communications, with numerous years of arts administration experience, previously working for Entertainment One Television, Cookie Jar Entertainment and York University. She is an active member of the arts community, particularly through her photography practice. She holds a Double Honours BA from York University with a focus on Film & Video and Communication Studies. Angie is also a member on the advisory board for East End Arts and AVNU.
Sophie Brzozowski, Senior Coordinator, Philanthropy - Sophie Brzozowski is an arts administrator and fundraising professional. A native Torontonian, she is passionate about community building and contributing to a resilient and thriving arts sector. She joins Toronto Arts Foundation from Luminato Festival, where she served for two years as the Development Officer. At Luminato she managed a successful benefits-oriented donor program, stewarded lasting relationships with major donors and foundations, and spearheaded fundraising initiatives against the organization’s community engagement work. She has previously worked with Small World Music and Suoni Per Il Popolo, a Montreal-based new jazz festival. She brings an enthusiasm for effective campaign development and execution as well as a strong administrative skillset to her work. In her spare time she volunteers with a community drop-in and meal program and and likes to read, run, write, cook, and watch live music.
Kadija de Paula, Senior Manager, Impact & Evaluation – Kadija de Paula is an artist, writer and arts administrator passionate about the intrinsic value of art and its transformative power. As Senior Manager, Impact & Evaluation at the Toronto Arts Council and Foundation, Kadija draws on a wealth of experience from her previous roles as Evaluation Manager and Interim Strategic Programs Manager at TAC/TAF. Her global perspective is informed by her work on Brazil's National Arts Policy and her facilitation of a network of 27 artist residencies across 14 Latin American countries. In Toronto, she has made significant contributions to the arts through positions at the Ontario Arts Council, Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography, and XPACE Cultural Centre. Kadija holds an International MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business and a BFA from OCAD University. Her artistic and literary works have been presented in venues and publications worldwide, including the 32nd São Paulo Art Biennial, Q21 MuseumsQuartier Vienna, Kunsthaus Dresden, and Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris.
Zyrelle Endozo, Coordinator, Mentorship & Programming (she/they) – Zyrelle is passionate about empowering the voices and work of those creating and existing in intersectionality, especially artists that are BIPOC and/or LGBTQ2SIA+. Her background involves project management, community outreach, design, and strategy development through digital marketing and social media. Previous work includes many years in Toronto’s non-profit sector with RISE, Vibe Arts, AGYU, Nuit Blanche, eCampus Ontario, and most recently Toronto Youth Equity Strategy for the City’s annual ResilienTOgether Youth Week events. She has also provided creative mentorship to the Black Student Association of Notre Dame High School as a proud alumna. Zyrelle is an Honours Graduate of the George Brown College Business Marketing program, as well as an active spoken word artist and painter seeking to amplify her own journey of navigating identity, culture, and healing. She remains inspired by the evolution of artistic expression, storytelling, and the very human way we all seek to deeply connect to one another.
Courtney Fiddis, Senior Manager, Development – Courtney Fiddis brings 7 years of experience in the development field, with a rich history of driving successful fundraising campaigns and initiatives. As the former Director of Development at Tarragon Theatre, Courtney led the charge in spearheading giving campaigns, events, donor cultivation and stewardship. Prior to her Development role at Tarragon Theatre, Courtney worked as a Manager of Patron Services at Tarragon and at the Highland Arts Theatre in Sydney, NS. She is a volunteer on Bad Hats Theatre's fundraising committee. With a background in music theatre performance, Courtney has a passion for supporting the arts community and a commitment to driving positive change. She is eager to leverage her expertise and experiences to make a meaningful impact at Toronto Arts Foundation.
Norma Garcia, ArtWorksTO Program Lead - Norma Garcia has over ten years of experience working in the arts and media industry. She has worked in the areas of grants, communications, and program management & development. An independent filmmaker, Norma is passionate about storytelling and is an avid supporter of equity and diversity in the workforce, particularly as it relates to supporting creative youth. Norma’s previous work experience includes working for The National Film Board of Canada, Toronto Arts Council, Bell Media and Documentary Organization of Canada. In addition to her work as a panel member of the Community Arts Award, she has also participated as a jury member for the SIMA Social Impact Media Awards.
Sarah Gladki, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications – As Senior Manager, Communications, Sarah brings her lifelong passion for the arts and strong communication and administrative skills to Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation. An active member of the arts community, Sarah is a visual artist who works in many mediums including drawing, photography, moving images and clay. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University where she majored in both Art History and World Religions, and a Masters of Fine Arts from Ryerson University’s Documentary Media Program. Sarah currently serves on the board of the North American Native Plant Society.
Armen Karapetyan, Senior Manager, Finance & Facilities – Armen has extensive working experience with numerous non-profit organizations, predominantly in administration and finance. Prior to moving to Toronto, Armen lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he held a position at the Barthelmes Conservatory of Music, an experience he recalls with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Immediately upon his arrival in Toronto, Armen immersed himself into the city's art scene by volunteering with local arts organizations, including the Toronto Summer Music Festival, The Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra, Canada’s National Ballet School and b Current Performing Arts, where he assisted with administrative, marketing and accounting duties. Armen holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and currently serves on the Board of Directors with Sinfonia Toronto.
François Lebas, Manager, Data Analytics - Raised in Western France in a family where music held primary importance, François began studying choir singing and music theory at the age of six, later expanding his talents to piano and guitar. In 2017, he graduated from a renown engineering master’s program with a specialization in Urban Engineering and launched a career in the technology sector. He immigrated to Toronto two years later in pursuit of new professional opportunities and quickly developed a passion for hands-on work in web application development and end-to-end analytics solutions. Joining the Toronto Arts Council and Foundation, François is excited to bring his technical skills to serve local artists and organizations, building stronger communities, and creating a city that we all love.
Alexandra Loewen, Senior Coordinator, Events & Initiatives – Alexandra has been interested in the arts from a very young age. She has been involved in instrumental and choral music as well as the visual arts. Her past work experience includes event planning, administration and project assistance and coordination. She holds a bachelor's degree in Film Studies from Brock University and a graduate certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management from Humber College.
Sarah Mangialardo, Senior Executive Coordinator - Sarah Mangialardo is an artist, administrator and mother who was born and raised in Toronto. She holds a Master's degree in Photography from Concordia University and a Bachelor's degree in Photography from Toronto Metropolitan University. Throughout her career as a visual artist, Sarah’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries in North America and abroad. Her work can be found in collections and publications in Canada as well as Europe, and she has been the recipient of support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Sarah has many years of experience in management, administration and education. Her previous work experience includes working as a digital archivist and administrator at the University of Toronto, as well as teaching at Concordia University.
Selina McCallum, Coordinator, Communications – Selina McCallum is a hardworking and ambitious social media manager, filmmaker, photographer and videographer who is passionate about digital storytelling, music and social justice. She was born in Toronto and raised by her Tanzanian mother and Jamaican father. She graduated from the University of Windsor in spring 2019 with a double degree in Digital Journalism and Communications Media and Film. She started her photography business, Shot By Selina in 2016, and has worked with brands, models and businesses. In 2018, Selina won a national award for her videography work in her short documentary Marley’s Journey, which was also featured in Windsor Shorts 2019 on CBC GEM. Her film, Prison Bars to Page Lines a part of the Being Black in Canada Program was also nationally broadcasted on CBC and available to watch on CBC GEM. Her documentary, Fitriya: Muslim On and Off The Court, has been selected in film festivals nationally and internationally. Selina has successfully worked on communications and social media management projects for production houses in Toronto and music labels like Warner Music Canada. In her free time, she loves to watch movies, spend time with her family and go for walks.
Jeff McGilton, Interim Coordinator, Events & Initiatives – Jeff is a queer creator, collaborator, and facilitator with a passion for community-based arts. Trained in applied theatre, Jeff acknowledges the power that art can have in the bridging of gaps and building of communities. He is a firm believer in the importance of access to art for all and has worked in multiple settings to facilitate that process. Jeff’s experience in coordinating events blossomed in Kingston, where he supported multiple organizations and projects, either in person or administratively during his time at the Kingston Arts Council. He is thrilled to be joining the Toronto Arts Foundation to continue this development and to connect communities with Toronto’s vibrant and essential arts scene.
Alandra McKirdy, Coordinator, Special Events – Alandra has a long history in the arts and most recently completed a post-graduate program in Arts Management at Centennial College. Alandra is passionate about connecting Toronto’s communities with accessible, art programming that can inspire creativity and ignite conversations. In her spare time, you can find her drawing, watering her plants, and listening to music.
Michelle Parson, Manager, Office & Reception – Before joining the Foundation's team in 1997, Michelle was General Administrator at Ballet Creole, and Human Resources Clerk at Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago. Michelle is a busy vocalist, singing with a number of bands in her Caribbean community. She has performed and toured with Ballet Creole, Inner Stage Theatre, Naked Mask and La Petite Musicale of Toronto. Numerous freelance performances have allowed her to share stages with high-profile local and international artists.
Abhishek Rao, Bookkeeper – Abhishek has a master's degree in commerce from the University of Mumbai and is currently pursuing a postgraduate diploma in international business management from Seneca College. He had worked as an Audit Analyst at KPMG before joining Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation. He is ecstatic and enthusiastic about supporting a vision that assures that all Toronto residents have access to the arts.
Lucy Reddy, Senior Coordinator, Philanthropy - Lucy Reddy became an ArtWorksTO Next Stream alumni where she was mentored by her leadership team at The Remix Project and led the creation of the “Tower Renewal” video for The City of Toronto. In 2022, Lucy worked for Alucine Latin American Media Arts and for Reelworld Screen Institute. Last year, she returned to direct a series of videos with the City of Toronto and The United Way. Lucy has also previously wrapped up her role as the Partnerships Coordinator at World Congress of Science and Factual Producers. She had the pleasure to work with host sponsor National Geographic and other global broadcasters during her time here. Lucy is heavily involved in community initiatives for the screen industry and continues to uplift Canadian Creatives.
Jaclyn Rodrigues, Senior Manager, Events & Initiatives (Currently on leave) – Jaclyn supports Toronto Arts Foundation by developing and implementing strategies to engage stakeholder groups through outreach and marketing campaigns, special events and projects, and manages one of their largest initiatives, Arts in the Parks. Jaclyn is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Performance Production program, where she focused on production management. Jaclyn has worked with The Banff Centre for the Arts, The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Kaeja d’Dance and Canada's National Ballet School. Most recently, Jaclyn has focused her professional development on project management, and is currently pursuing accreditation in emergency management. Jaclyn is passionate about ‘building better together,’ and believes that the arts are a public right.
Hemangi Shroff, Membership & Engagement Coordinator
Originally from Mumbai, Hemangi is an accomplished arts program coordinator and visual artist. Since moving to Canada, she has been an active member of the arts community, serving as the Education Coordinator for Blank Canvases. She is passionate about arts education and community engagement and has worked with organizations like Arts Etobicoke and Workman Arts to make art accessible to underserved communities and youth. Additionally, Hemangi has led community initiatives such as elementary school programming for the Toronto Biennial of Art and family engagement art programs during Queen West Art Crawl, Habari Africa Festival, and Field Trip Festival.
Clau Souza, Coordinator, Marketing – Clau Souza is a Brazilian Designer + Illustrator. Over the years, she has engaged in collaborative ventures across a broad spectrum of creative projects and teams, including partnerships with publishers, advertising agencies, game companies, and non-profit organizations around the world. With a Bachelor Degree in Advertising and post-graduate studies in Graphic Design and Arts Education and Community Engagement, her work is deeply rooted in fostering connections among communities and empowering people and projects that leave a positive, worldwide impact. Clau's unwavering belief is that design is a force for change, driving her passion and curiosity for a creative approach focused on sustainable practices and accessible design solutions.
Elizabeth (Liz) Tsui, Coordinator, Outreach & Awards (she/her)
Liz is an artist and curator from Markham, Ontario. Her art practice is centred on representing pop culture icons through bronze and wood sculpture, digital media, painting, and drawing. Her curatorial practice is grounded in engaging and building relationships with audiences to deliver excellent programs that bolster their communities. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Art History from York University. Liz is currently a member of Long Time No See: a collective of artists, educators, and community members committed to preserving the hidden histories of Toronto’s various Chinatowns.
For more information on how to reach us, please go here.