How the Best Boards Function

Learn how committees can become an effective and efficient part of board work and good governance; and why they can strengthen board engagement and allow more intensive board involvement in issues requiring detailed, deep discussion – as well as hands-on hard work!

It turns out that the best boards work hard at understanding what their individual members are best at – in order to help them contribute their best to their organization’s health and sustainability. Presenter Ellen Cole will call on her extensive experience as a non-profit Board Chair, Executive Director, and Communications Director to share how to structure your board to use board members’ skills and interests more effectively, while increasing their involvement and personal fulfillment. Learn how committees can become an effective and efficient part of board work and good governance; and why they can strengthen board engagement and allow more intensive board involvement in issues requiring detailed, deep discussion – as well as hands-on hard work!

April 4, 2019  |  5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Pierre Leon Gallery
Alliance Française Toronto
24 Spadina Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2S7

5:30 PM Doors Open/Registration
5:45 PM Opening Remarks by Jini Stolk, Toronto Arts Foundation Research Fellow
5:50 PM Presentation by Ellen Cole, Board Chair of Studio 180 Theatre Company and former Executive Director of the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
6:15 PM Panel discussion featuring Brett Ledger, Board Member of Dancemakers, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair and Koffler Centre for the Arts
6:45 PM Questions & Answers
7:00 PM Closing Remarks/Announcements

Refreshments & Networking to follow. 

Space is limited. Registration is required. Contact Alexandra Loewen at alexandra@torontoarts.org or by phone (416) 392-6802 x215

Speaker & Panelist Biographies
Ellen Cole was the Executive Director of the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, a dynamic hub in downtown Toronto, from 2005 to 2018. For eight years she was also the Managing Director of Marketing and Communications for TVOntario, and came to TVO from Harbourfront Centre. From 1986 to 1992, Ms. Cole was Director of Communications with the Stratford Festival, North America’s prestigious English repertory theatre company.  She began her professional career in England as Head of Publications for Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company. Her volunteer work includes a stint as both Regional and National Chair of the Community Relations Committee of Canadian Jewish Congress.  She has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations including Fife House Foundation, and the Toronto Arts Foundation as well as the Marketing Advisory Committee for the Toronto Theatre Alliance. She is currently on the board of Holy Blossom Temple and serves as the Chair of the Communications Advisory Group. She is also Chair of the Board of Directors of Studio 180 Theatre Company.

Brett Ledger has been a senior litigator with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, a National law firm, and was Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department and a member of its Executive Committee. During his legal career, he litigated in all al levels of courts in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has been involved with the Toronto arts community for many years, and formerly chaired the Board of Directors of Desrosiers Dance Theatre, and was a Director of Creative Trust for the Arts. Currently, he is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, and Dancemakers.