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 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 Irene
What does art mean to you?
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