Item - 2019.CA5.2

Appointees' biographies:

Robert J. Foster

Robert J. Foster, BA, MA (Economics) is Founder, President and CEO of Capital Canada Limited, an independent investment banking firm. Mr. Foster focuses on negotiating and structuring mergers, acquisitions and financings, notably in aviation, media and real estate. Mr. Foster currently serves on a number of boards, both public and private. Within the not-for-profit sector Mr. Foster's focus is the creative economy and the arts and culture sector within Toronto.

Paul Bernards

Paul is a well-rounded financial professional with over 30 years of experience in senior financial roles. Duties have included auditor, controller, CFO and consultant, focused the on the Finance, IT and Administrative of business in public, private and volunteer roles. Born and raised in Toronto, Paul has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Toronto, a Canadian and a US CPA degree, a MBA from York University and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Kevin Garland

I was born and raised in Toronto, attended the University of Toronto where I completed a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.  I have a lifelong interest in the arts and have volunteered in the arts and social services throughout my adult life.  Following a senior business career in real estate development and urban design, I lead the planning and development of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. I recently retired as Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada.

Steven Levitan

Founder and CEO of Protocol Entertainment Inc., recent Chairman of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Instructor at Ryerson’s RTA School of Media, Entertainment Lawyer Steve Levitan has also been President of Deepa Mehta and Paul Saltzman’s Sunrise Films and founding Chairman of the Desrosiers Dance Theatre.

Cynthia Lickers-Sage

Cynthia Lickers-Sage is a Mohawk, Turtle Clan visual artist from Six Nations. Following her graduation at the Ontario College of Art and Design she co-founded The Centre for Aboriginal Media, imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival and is the sole proprietor of Clickers Productions. She has spent the last two decades working in the not-for-profit arts sector and is currently the Executive Director at the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance.

Gabriel Michaan

Gabriel Michaan is a Senior Director at one of the world’s fastest growing Information Technology companies, where he serves as an advisor for international governments and Fortune 500 corporations. He is passionate about theatre, and the impact that it can have on the community. Gabriel is fluent in three languages and graduated from the Ivey Business School with honours. 

Kathleen Sharpe

I have been a cultural manager for over 30 years. Senior positions at the Banff Centre and the Ontario College of Art and Design; Director of Culture for Metro and, since 1999, Executive Director of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund. Former Chair of Toronto Artscape; current board member of the Toronto Arts Foundation, current president of the Canadian Conference of the Arts and member of numerous advisory committees including for the Ontario Not for Profit Network and Nuit Blanche.

Charles C. Smith

Charles C. Smith is a published poet, playwright and essayist who has written and edited twelve books.  He won second prize for his play Last Days for the Desperate from Black Theatre Canada, has edited three collections of poetry, has four published books of poetry – including Partial Lives- Williams Wallace Press, and travelogue of the bereaved, Mawanzi House (formerly TSAR Publications) -  and his poetry has appeared in numerous journals and magazines.

Gillian Smith

Gillian is a senior, bilingual leader with broad experience in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Known as a strong team-builder, problem-solver and fundraiser with an extensive network who thrives on transforming organizations. Over the course of the past decade, she has undertaken mandates to implement comprehensive turnaround strategies. She currently advises a portfolio of clients across multiple industries and also serves as a volunteer in the arts and culture community.

Kerry Swanson

Kerry Swanson is the Associate Director of the Indigenous Screen Office in Toronto, and has been leading initiatives in Indigenous arts for the last fifteen years.  She is Board Chair of imagineNATIVE and a co-founder of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto.  Recently, Kerry led the launch of the Indigenous Culture Fund at the Ontario Arts Council, a $5 million annual program supporting communities and ways of life.  Kerry is from Chapleau, northern Ontario and is a member of Michipicoten First Nation.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council appoint the following candidates to the TO Live Board of Directors, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on April 16, 2023, and until successors are appointed:

Robert J. Foster, as Chair

Paul Bernards

Kevin Garland

Cynthia Lickers-Sage

Gabriel Michaan

Kathleen Sharpe

Gillian Smith

Kerry Swanson

2.  City Council appoint Charles C. Smith, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending April 16, 2021 and until a successor is appointed.

3.  City Council waive the two-term limit provision of the Public Appointments Policy and appoint Steven Levitan, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending April 16, 2021 and until a successor is appointed.

4.  City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Attachment 2 to the report (March 26, 2019) from the City Clerk remain confidential as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to TO Live.

Candidates' biographies:

Robert J. Foster

Robert J. Foster, BA, MA (Economics) is Founder, President and CEO of Capital Canada Limited, an independent investment banking firm. Mr. Foster focuses on negotiating and structuring mergers, acquisitions and financings, notably in aviation, media and real estate. Mr. Foster currently serves on a number of boards, both public and private. Within the not-for-profit sector Mr. Foster's focus is the creative economy and the arts and culture sector within Toronto.

Paul Bernards

Paul is a well-rounded financial professional with over 30 years of experience in senior financial roles. Duties have included auditor, controller, CFO and consultant, focused the on the Finance, IT and Administrative of business in public, private and volunteer roles. Born and raised in Toronto, Paul has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Toronto, a Canadian and a US CPA degree, a MBA from York University and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Kevin Garland

I was born and raised in Toronto, attended the University of Toronto where I completed a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.  I have a lifelong interest in the arts and have volunteered in the arts and social services throughout my adult life.  Following a senior business career in real estate development and urban design, I lead the planning and development of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. I recently retired as Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada.

Steven Levitan

Founder and CEO of Protocol Entertainment Inc., recent Chairman of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Instructor at Ryerson’s RTA School of Media, Entertainment Lawyer Steve Levitan has also been President of Deepa Mehta and Paul Saltzman’s Sunrise Films and founding Chairman of the Desrosiers Dance Theatre.

Cynthia Lickers-Sage

Cynthia Lickers-Sage is a Mohawk, Turtle Clan visual artist from Six Nations. Following her graduation at the Ontario College of Art and Design she co-founded The Centre for Aboriginal Media, imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival and is the sole proprietor of Clickers Productions. She has spent the last two decades working in the not-for-profit arts sector and is currently the Executive Director at the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance.

Gabriel Michaan

Gabriel Michaan is a Senior Director at one of the world’s fastest growing Information Technology companies, where he serves as an advisor for international governments and Fortune 500 corporations. He is passionate about theatre, and the impact that it can have on the community. Gabriel is fluent in three languages and graduated from the Ivey Business School with honours. 

Kathleen Sharpe

I have been a cultural manager for over 30 years. Senior positions at the Banff Centre and the Ontario College of Art and Design; Director of Culture for Metro and, since 1999, Executive Director of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund. Former Chair of Toronto Artscape; current board member of the Toronto Arts Foundation, current president of the Canadian Conference of the Arts and member of numerous advisory committees including for the Ontario Not for Profit Network and Nuit Blanche.

Charles C. Smith

Charles C. Smith is a published poet, playwright and essayist who has written and edited twelve books.  He won second prize for his play Last Days for the Desperate from Black Theatre Canada, has edited three collections of poetry, has four published books of poetry – including Partial Lives- Williams Wallace Press, and travelogue of the bereaved, Mawanzi House (formerly TSAR Publications) -  and his poetry has appeared in numerous journals and magazines.

Gillian Smith

Gillian is a senior, bilingual leader with broad experience in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Known as a strong team-builder, problem-solver and fundraiser with an extensive network who thrives on transforming organizations. Over the course of the past decade, she has undertaken mandates to implement comprehensive turnaround strategies. She currently advises a portfolio of clients across multiple industries and also serves as a volunteer in the arts and culture community.

Kerry Swanson

Kerry Swanson is the Associate Director of the Indigenous Screen Office in Toronto, and has been leading initiatives in Indigenous arts for the last fifteen years.  She is Board Chair of imagineNATIVE and a co-founder of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto.  Recently, Kerry led the launch of the Indigenous Culture Fund at the Ontario Arts Council, a $5 million annual program supporting communities and ways of life.  Kerry is from Chapleau, northern Ontario and is a member of Michipicoten First Nation.

At its meeting on December 4, 5, and 13, 2018, City Council amended the Public Appointments process by authorizing the City Clerk to shortlist, interview and recommend candidates to the Civic Appointments Committee for appointment to TO Live by City Council.

This report recommends the appointment of ten public members, including Chair to TO Live for a four-year term of office, at pleasure of Council ending April 16, 2023, and until successors are appointed.