Ximena Berecochea Ximena Berecochea is a photo-based artist and scholar whose practice bridges visual art and literary studies. She holds a PhD and a master’s degree from the University of Toronto, as well as graduate studies in Comparative Literature and Spanish and Latin American Literature from UNAM, Mexico. She has been a lecturer at several universities in Toronto for many years. Her work, focused on hybrid languages and multimedia practices, has been exhibited internationally and is included in international collections. A member of Mexico’s National System of Art Creators since 2021, Ximena also co-founded the Institute for Creative Exchange, where she led programs that brought together artists, writers, academics, and cultural practitioners in an interdisciplinary, international exchange. She forged international partnerships, promoted collaboration among cultural institutions, and supported emerging artists in building connections with established practitioners, reflecting her strong belief in the transformative power of the arts to foster empathy and understanding across cultural boundaries.
Kennedy Salloum Kennedy Salloum is a multi-disciplinary filmmaker and artist working as a writer and director in Toronto’s film and media industry. Kennedy’s experience spans from producing documentaries for Parks Canada to writing and directing a film about a brother and sister obsessed with French new wave cinema. As a Métis woman from Alberta, working with Indigenous communities and prioritizing collaborations with Indigenous artists is essential to her work and art practices. She hopes to continue telling stories that explore identity, relationships and love.
Inés Aguileta 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 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.
Zyrelle Endozo Zyrelle (she/they) 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.
Norma Garcia 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.
Hemangi Shroff 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.