Item - 2024.CA12.4

Appointees' biographies:

Gideon Arthurs

Gideon Arthurs is the Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. From 2014-2022, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre School of Canada, and has worked his whole life in creating public spaces to support engaged communities. He serves on several boards and works tirelessly in service of creating stronger, healthier and safer communities.

Sheila Jennings

Sheila Jennings joined Cadillac Fairview in 2005 and has worked as the General Manager at four of its shopping centres, including Shops at Don Mills – the first urban outdoor shopping village – and, most recently, at its flagship property – the Toronto Eaton Centre. She has interacted with various groups throughout her career, including office and retail clients, developers, and homeowners. Sheila is one of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area's nominees on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.

Kim McDonald

Kim McDonald is the Director of University Events and Strategic Initiatives at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the Toronto Metropolitan University’s nominee on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.

Emily Schimp

Emily Schimp (she/her) is an arts manager with a passion for program development, cultural event production, and community engagement in the arts. Emily is currently the Director of Operations and Communications at New Music Concerts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Arts Administration and Culture Management from Humber College, with honours. Previous work experience includes the Toronto Biennial of Art, Humber College, ArtsPond and more.

Samantha Summers

Samantha Summers (she/her) is the Manager of Donor Circles for Royal Ontario Museum. Prior to this she worked in fundraising and communications for a variety of Toronto cultural organizations, including Toronto International Film Festival. She currently serves on the Boards of Breakthroughs Film Festival and the Future of Film Showcase. Samantha is passionate about the power of art and culture to inspire meaningful change in the world and believes community spaces have an important role to play in that mission.

Simon Wong

Simon Wong is a marketing strategist who has been building brands for the past 10+ years. With previously held positions at Loblaw Companies Limited, Samsung, Nestle and Kraft Heinz his professional experience ranges across various disciplines from brand to event management. He has partnered with the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area to bring many events to Yonge Dundas Square, including Illumnite, National Hockey League Face-Off, Toronto International Film Festival and Pride and constructed one of Canada’s largest digital outdoor LED boards.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until successors are appointed:

Gideon Arthurs

Emily Schimp

Samantha Summer

Simon Wong

2. City Council appoint Gideon Arthurs as Chair of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until a successor is appointed.

3. City Council appoint Kim McDonald as the member nominated by the Metropolitan Toronto University, and Sheila Jennings as the member nominated by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until successors are appointed.

4. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (December 18, 2023) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.

Candidates' biographies:

Gideon Arthurs

Gideon Arthurs is the Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. From 2014-2022, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre School of Canada, and has worked his whole life in creating public spaces to support engaged communities. He serves on several boards and works tirelessly in service of creating stronger, healthier and safer communities.

Sheila Jennings

Sheila Jennings joined Cadillac Fairview in 2005 and has worked as the General Manager at four of its shopping centres, including Shops at Don Mills – the first urban outdoor shopping village – and, most recently, at its flagship property – the Toronto Eaton Centre. She has interacted with various groups throughout her career, including office and retail clients, developers, and homeowners. Sheila is one of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area's nominees on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.

Kim McDonald

Kim McDonald is the Director of University Events and Strategic Initiatives at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the Toronto Metropolitan University’s nominee on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.

Emily Schimp

Emily Schimp (she/her) is an arts manager with a passion for program development, cultural event production, and community engagement in the arts. Emily is currently the Director of Operations and Communications at New Music Concerts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Arts Administration and Culture Management from Humber College, with honours. Previous work experience includes the Toronto Biennial of Art, Humber College, ArtsPond and more.

Samantha Summers

Samantha Summers (she/her) is the Manager of Donor Circles for Royal Ontario Museum. Prior to this she worked in fundraising and communications for a variety of Toronto cultural organizations, including Toronto International Film Festival. She currently serves on the Boards of Breakthroughs Film Festival and the Future of Film Showcase. Samantha is passionate about the power of art and culture to inspire meaningful change in the world and believes community spaces have an important role to play in that mission.

Simon Wong

Simon Wong is a marketing strategist who has been building brands for the past 10+ years. With previously held positions at Loblaw Companies Limited, Samsung, Nestle and Kraft Heinz his professional experience ranges across various disciplines from brand to event management. He has partnered with the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area to bring many events to Yonge Dundas Square, including Illumnite, National Hockey League Face-Off, Toronto International Film Festival and Pride and constructed one of Canada’s largest digital outdoor LED boards.

The Civic Appointments Committee will conduct interviews and recommend three candidates, including the Chair, to City Council for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.

This is a supplementary report to provide the Civic Appointments Committee with the names of the candidates nominated for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board by the Metropolitan Toronto University and the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area. One other member by a local resident's association is expected to be nominated for appointment at a future date. This supplementary report is also to inform the Civic Appointments Committee of an additional vacancy on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board due to a recent resignation.