Item - 2025.CA25.1

Appointees' biographies:

Brett Hendrie

Brett Hendrie is a senior executive with 20+ years of experience in strategic programming, cultural engagement, and content innovation. At the Rotman School of Management, he directs public programming and events, bringing global executives and thought leaders together to explore key issues facing business and society. A champion of Toronto's cultural health, Brett previously served as Executive Director of Hot Docs, North America's largest documentary festival and year-round cinema.

Michael Herrera

Michael Herrera is the Senior Vice-President, Institutional Planning and Chief Financial Officer at George Brown College.  With over thirty years experience working for, in, or volunteering with not-for-profit, charity, and public institutions, Michael has helped make Toronto a more liveable city through culture and education.  Past executive and senior volunteer roles have been held at United Way of Greater Toronto, Anglican Church of Canada, Crow's Theatre, Theatre Museum Canada and Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.  Michael currently serves as the Treasurer for both the Toronto Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Foundation.

Sammy Lau

Sammy Lau is co-founder of Greenline, a Toronto-based technology company. He previously served as a marketing leader at Ask-AI, Lillio, and Top Hat. Sammy is a board member of the Art Canada Institute, where he chairs the Technology and Information Governance Committee, and is actively involved in the Loran Scholars Foundation, McCall MacBain Foundation, ACCT Foundation, and more. Sammy holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts as a Loran Scholar from Trinity College, University of Toronto.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Board of Directors of TO Live, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on May 24, 2029, and until successors are appointed.

Brett Hendrie

Michael Herrera

Sammy Lau

Candidates' biographies

Brett Hendrie

Brett Hendrie is a senior executive with 20+ years of experience in strategic programming, cultural engagement, and content innovation. At the Rotman School of Management, he directs public programming and events, bringing global executives and thought leaders together to explore key issues facing business and society. A champion of Toronto's cultural health, Brett previously served as Executive Director of Hot Docs, North America's largest documentary festival and year-round cinema.

Michael Herrera

Michael Herrera is the Senior Vice-President, Institutional Planning and Chief Financial Officer at George Brown College.  With over thirty years experience working for, in, or volunteering with not-for-profit, charity, and public institutions, Michael has helped make Toronto a more liveable city through culture and education.  Past executive and senior volunteer roles have been held at United Way of Greater Toronto, Anglican Church of Canada, Crow's Theatre, Theatre Museum Canada and Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.  Michael currently serves as the Treasurer for both the Toronto Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Foundation.

Sammy Lau

Sammy Lau is co-founder of Greenline, a Toronto-based technology company. He previously served as a marketing leader at Ask-AI, Lillio, and Top Hat. Sammy is a board member of the Art Canada Institute, where he chairs the Technology and Information Governance Committee, and is actively involved in the Loran Scholars Foundation, McCall MacBain Foundation, ACCT Foundation, and more. Sammy holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts as a Loran Scholar from Trinity College, University of Toronto.

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