CAHEP Board:
Chair: Mr. Robert Magnusson, Thunder Bay, ON is a retired Secondary School Educator, Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and Practicing and Professional Visual, Fibre, and Culinary Artist. Mr. Magnusson utilizes his decades-long Board volunteer experience, high school administrative and teaching experience, and creativity to support CAHEP in its work to spread the joy of art far and wide. He is highly respected, knowledgeable, transparent, reliable, and trustworthy in his stewardship of CAHEP.
Treasurer: Lindsey Torma, Thunder Bay, ON, is an Associate Lawyer at Edwards Bell Law Offices (Thunder Bay), is passionate about community and capacity-building in Northwestern Ontario, and is an expert in: intercultural awareness (via her Master of Arts work at the University of Waterloo); Labour Relations and Employment Law; and, Indigenous Law. Ms. Torma is from Thunder Bay, is a trained theatre arts-educator-artist, and avidly follows art, film, and literature, especially by Canadian and Indigenous authors. She has volunteered with many organizations that promote and strengthen the arts and culture, particularly in Canada’s North and within the region of Northwestern Ontario. Lindsey is thrilled to be able to contribute her legal and theatre arts expertise, knowledge of Indigenous literary arts, training in intercultural awareness, and know-how of Labour Relations and Employment Law, Indigenous Law, and Civil Litigation to support CAHEP in its work.
Secretary: Dr. Isabelle Lemée, Thunder Bay, ON, is an Associate Professor and Chair of Languages, Lakehead University, and a Practicing and Professional Francophone Visual Artist. Dr. Lemée, who was appointed in October 2018, supports CAHEP’s administrative operations (in her experience as an administrator at Lakehead University) and extends her connections to the local Francophone community to help CAHEP operationalize Francophone-centred programming. She also delivers on-the-ground programming when called upon to do so, most especially in situations that required French-language art instruction.
Director: Anne Winkworth, Thunder Bay, ON, is a Visual Art Teacher, Lakehead Public Schools, Professional Artist, and Graphic Designer. Ms. Winkworth brings her extensive experience in arts education and connections with the Thunder Bay Public schools to support CAHEP’s In-school Program. She also brings her decades-long experience as a professional artist to assist CAHEP in decisions wrt professional development opportunities for local artists.
Director: Veronica McGuire, Thunder Bay, ON, is of Ojibwe and Irish descent. Ms. McGuire has worked: on many Youth and Elders’ Forums with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization; with the Associate Director for Indigenous Natural Resources, Lakehead University’s Indigenous Initiatives Office, and Lakehead University’s Geology department to develop a geological certificate for Indigenous youth in remote areas in Ontario; and, with the Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association (OMAA) to provide information about Metis rights within Canada. She graduated from Lakehead University’s Anthropology Department in Spring 2021 and is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Archaeology and Environmental Studies. Ms. McGuire supports CAHEP’s equity commitments regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and will help CAHEP form new partnerships with different youth groups and Indigenous communities. She is most passionate about using art as a way to promote healthy outlets for youth.
Director: Renata Mesic, Thunder Bay, ON is an Associate at RBC Dominion Securities with several years of banking experience. Her passion for business developed as she completed her Honours Bachelors of Commerce – Finance, and MBA at Lakehead University. Additionally, she has spent the majority of her spare time exploring her artistic side, as she was a competitive dancer for 15 years, a dance teacher for 4 years, and further has a passion for makeup artistry. Miss Mesic is excited to use her professional Finance and Human Resources education and experience along with her artistic side to support the success of CAHEP’s programs.
Advisor (non-voting): Dr. Lisa Korteweg, Education Faculty, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay ON. Dr. Korteweg has agreed to serve as an advisor for the next four years for our Speak Up Program. She brings her vast experiences and expertise working: with the three school boards in Thunder Bay; with Indigenous organizations and groups; at the university; and, on various program evaluation methods and techniques to support CAHEP in its equity commitments and administrative responsibilities.
Advisor (non-voting): Dr. Elizabeth Birmingham, Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON. Dr. Birmingham has agreed to serve as a non-voting advisor for CAHEP and to deliver social justice, gender-based workshops for artists interested in participating in our Speak Up Program. She brings her experience working with girls and female youth and her administrative, legal, and human resources knowledge (and connections to experts in these fields via Lakehead University) to CAHEP. She is also a poet.