Item - 2024.CA13.1

Appointees' biographies:

Brian Astl

Brian Astl is an experienced business leader and entrepreneur. He is President of Lind Equipment, the innovation leader in construction site infrastructure. Brian has a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor’s degree (Honors Business Administration) with distinction from the Ivey School of Business at Western University. Brian believes in giving back to his community, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Robyn Citizen

Robyn Citizen is a film curator, educator and Director of Programming, Festival and Cinematheque at the Toronto International Film Festival. Before joining Toronto International Film Festival's programming team, she was a Lecturer at the University of British Columbia from 2012 to 2017. Prior to that she programmed for the Human Rights Film Festival and served as Board co-chair of the local Breakthroughs Film Festival which supports emerging women and non-binary filmmakers.

Robyn has published research on genre and ethno-racial identity in film for edited volumes and journals, been a featured speaker on festival programming and strategy, and a jury member at festivals around the world. In addition to her love of the arts, Robyn has a background in advocacy beginning her career as a community organizer while at the University of Texas then for the New York Public Interest Research Group. She earned her doctorate (PhD) with distinction on cultural encounters between black Americans and the Japanese in postwar era Japanese cinema from New York University in 2015. 

Wasifa Noshin

Wasifa Noshin is public service professional with a passion for helping out people and community-based and data-driven work through social and digital media strategy and innovation. Wasifa works to implement change through authentic, accurate, and engaging storytelling. She is a pursuer of compelling social media, robust project planning, and innovative research.

A graduate of York University with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Theatrical Production and Design, she graduated with honours and top of her class as a Cum Laude and spent the last six years nurturing her passion and advocacy towards public art. She has previously held a role as the Social Media, Website, Public Relations and Production Administrative Assistant at York University's Theatre Department of the School of the Arts Media Performance and Design. A creative communicator, with a strong work ethic, she is a quick learner who is detail-oriented with strong organization skills seeking to contribute to a team setting while gaining experience and improving her skill set. She currently works for the Ontario Public Service within the Ministry of Finance. Wasifa is proud and excited to serve on the TO Live Board.

Sun Young Yoon

Sun Young Yoon is a passionate arts advocate with extensive entrepreneurial experience, cultural community engagement, and a commitment to fostering vibrant, inclusive arts environments. Sun Young Yoon is a champion of local arts, bridging professional expertise and personal dedication.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following three candidates to the Board of Directors of TO Live, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on February 10, 2028 and until successors are appointed:

Brian Astl;

Robyn Citizen; and

Sun Young Yoon.

2. City Council waive Section 2.5 Restrictions for Staff of the City of Toronto Public Appointments Policy, to appoint Wasifa Noshin to the Board of Directors of TO Live, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on February 10, 2028 and until a successor is appointed.

3. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (January 24, 2024) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Board of Directors of TO Live. 

Candidates' biographies

Brian Astl

Brian Astl is an experienced business leader and entrepreneur. He is President of Lind Equipment, the innovation leader in construction site infrastructure. Brian has a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor’s degree (Honors Business Administration) with distinction from the Ivey School of Business at Western University. Brian believes in giving back to his community, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Robyn Citizen

Robyn Citizen is a film curator, educator and Director of Programming, Festival and Cinematheque at the Toronto International Film Festival. Before joining Toronto International Film Festival's programming team, she was a Lecturer at the University of British Columbia from 2012 to 2017. Prior to that she programmed for the Human Rights Film Festival and served as Board co-chair of the local Breakthroughs Film Festival which supports emerging women and non-binary filmmakers.

Robyn has published research on genre and ethno-racial identity in film for edited volumes and journals, been a featured speaker on festival programming and strategy, and a jury member at festivals around the world. In addition to her love of the arts, Robyn has a background in advocacy beginning her career as a community organizer while at the University of Texas then for the New York Public Interest Research Group. She earned her doctorate (PhD) with distinction on cultural encounters between black Americans and the Japanese in postwar era Japanese cinema from New York University in 2015. 

Wasifa Noshin

Wasifa Noshin is public service professional with a passion for helping out people and community-based and data-driven work through social and digital media strategy and innovation. Wasifa works to implement change through authentic, accurate, and engaging storytelling. She is a pursuer of compelling social media, robust project planning, and innovative research.

A graduate of York University with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Theatrical Production and Design, she graduated with honours and top of her class as a Cum Laude and spent the last six years nurturing her passion and advocacy towards public art. She has previously held a role as the Social Media, Website, Public Relations and Production Administrative Assistant at York University's Theatre Department of the School of the Arts Media Performance and Design (AMPD). A creative communicator, with a strong work ethic, she is a quick learner who is detail-oriented with strong organization skills seeking to contribute to a team setting while gaining experience and improving her skill set. She currently works for the Ontario Public Service within the Ministry of Finance. Wasifa is proud and excited to serve on the TO Live Board.

Sun Young Yoon

Sun Young Yoon is a passionate arts advocate with extensive entrepreneurial experience, cultural community engagement, and a commitment to fostering vibrant, inclusive arts environments. Sun Young Yoon is a champion of local arts, bridging professional expertise and personal dedication.

The Civic Appointments Committee will conduct interviews and recommend four candidates to City Council for appointment to the Board of Directors of TO Live.