Board Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement
North York Arts is committed to fostering and supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in its operations, programming and governance structures as an organization. The purpose of this statement is to express the commitment of the Board of Directors to promoting achievement of equitable, diverse and inclusive representation through appointments to its board and committees, and in the performance of its governance duties and responsibilities for the organization.
This includes an ongoing commitment to achieving a board membership that fully reflects the diversity of artistic and other expertise within the community and encourages inclusive representation including Persons with Disabilities, Black, Indigenous and Persons of Colour (BIPOC), and LGBT2SQIAP community members.
The Governance and Nominating Committee will use its best efforts within its processes to apply best practices to reach out to identify and recruit highly-skilled potential candidates who have skills, experience and knowledge supportive of roles on the board and its committees and who reflect the diversity of Canadian society, having particular regard to under-represented groups and equity seeking groups represented by race, sex, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
The Governance and Nominating Committee will periodically review its practices and procedures to ensure alignment with best practices and principles for diverse recruitment.
North York Arts Board of Directors – July 7, 2020
Meet Bill
Bill is a Chartered Professional Accountant , Chartered Director, and holds a business degree from the University of Toronto. With over 30 years of experience ranging from startups to Fortune 500 organizations, he has worked as a senior finance professional in a variety of industries and roles primarily helping organizations that are undergoing transition. Bill has always enjoyed and supported the arts and is an active member in many community musical organizations. He is thrilled at the opportunity to serve as Board Chair of North York Arts.
What does art mean to you?
Self-expression, creativity, and connection.
Meet Brian
Meet Kevin
Raised in North York’s Keele and Lawrence area, Kevin Bourne is a journalist, entrepreneur, and TV/film producer who has appeared on CBC News Network, CBC Music, CityNews, CTV, CBC, and Newstalk 1010, and Fox Soul in the U.S.
The SHIFTER founder/journalist is also a Golden Globe® Awards voter who has interviewed Hollywood stars like Dwayne Johnson and Lilly Singh. He previously worked as a Communications & Policy Advisor on Parliament Hill, graduating from York University’s Political Science program with a focus on Public Administration & Policy.
He also serves as a consultant/advisor on strategic planning, communications, capacity building, and government relations/advocacy.
What does art mean to you?
Art is the process of translating an image you see in your mind from thought to the physical world. It can be found in the kitchen, on stage, in the studio, or on signage. Art is everywhere.
Meet Melody
Melody brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources within global consumer goods organizations. She currently serves as a senior HR leader, partnering with business leaders on organizational transformation, talent strategy, and organizational effectiveness. Melody holds a Master of Industrial Relations degree from the University of Toronto and brings expertise in change management, strategic planning, talent development, and organizational design. A passionate supporter of the arts, Melody is proud to serve on the Board of North York Arts.
What does art mean to you?
Art creates opportunities for connection, storytelling, and self-expression.
Meet Marina
Marina Di Pancrazio has 30+ years of experience in the Canadian audiovisual industry (film, TV, digital, VR), including content creation, sales, broadcasting, and leadership. Currently the Chief Content Revenue Officer at the Just for Laughs Group, she oversees a TV Development arm, as well as a Distribution, OTT, and FAST Channel division.
Previously, Marina was the Director of Sales Service and Marketing at The Walt Disney company, for content including Pixar, Marvel, LucasFilm, ABC TV, and Disney Channels. Marina joined Disney in 2008 as the Executive Director for Disney Channel Worldwide, overseeing content programming and brand strategies. While there, she led the launches of multiple TV channels, digital platforms, and apps.
Marina holds a B.F.A. in Film Production from Concordia University as well as an M.B.A. from Queen’s Smith School of Business.
Meet Miad
Miad Fard is a technology leader with 15 years of experience across engineering, data, and innovation. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and MBA candidate at the Rotman School of Management, with experience leading teams, building partnerships, and supporting technology-driven transformation.
Miad also brings volunteer leadership experience as former Chair of IEEE Toronto Young Professionals. His connection to the arts began in his youth through The Ontario Conservatory of Music, and he continues to practice music as a multi-instrumentalist.
What does art mean to you?
To me, art is resonance. It transcends culture, time, and space, creating shared experiences that can bring communities together.
Meet Irene
What does art mean to you?
Expression for the soul.
Meet Paniz
Paniz Ghazanfari obtained a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Psychology and a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School. She is currently a Legal Counsel at a national regulator, where she provides strategic legal advice on regulatory, enforcement, governance, and operational matters. As a pianist and music educator, she has long been passionate about advocating for the advancement of the arts in her community. Paniz has previously worked in legal clinics across the GTA, serving low‑income families and new immigrants. She is fluent in Persian and French.
What does art mean to you?
Art for me means transcending language barriers and bringing communities together.
Meet Necole
Necole Raquel James (She/Her) is a dedicated non-profit professional focused on creating powerful Donor Relations and Stewardship strategies. With expertise honed across major healthcare, arts, and social impact organizations, she is passionate about translating philanthropic vision into tangible community impact. Her core abilities include cultivation strategy, corporate partnership management, and leading large volunteer teams.
What does art mean to you?
Expression at its purest form.
Meet Ash
Meet Jessica
An artist at heart and aesthete at being. She is an Oxford graduate specializing in research, arts, and gender studies. Jessica is an interdisciplinary artist and in that, she embodies the essence of fluidity in art forms like poetry, photography and painting.
What does art mean to you?
ikigai, soul song, dawn, entire, beyond
Meet Mai
Mai Youssef is a senior communications and corporate marketing leader with 20+ years of international experience across the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye. Most recently, she served as Communications and Corporate Marketing Director at Canon, leading strategic communications, reputation and crisis management, executive advisory, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and community-focused initiatives across diverse markets.
Mai is passionate about the role communications, creativity, and collaboration can play in strengthening communities and creating positive social impact. She is a member of the
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and Rotary and brings a global perspective shaped by working across cultures and communities.
What does art mean to you?
To me, art is a universal language that brings people together across cultures, backgrounds, and generations. It gives communities a way to express who they are, share their stories, and create a sense of connection and belonging.