we bring art to everyday life
who we are
Staff at the Edmonton Arts Council are experts in the arts in Edmonton and want to help your artistic endeavors succeed. We are always happy to discuss your latest projects and plans, answer questions, or address concerns. Read on for a directory of all staff, or reach out to info@edmontonarts.ca or 780−424−2787 for general inquiries.
Renée Williams (she/her) — Executive Director
rwilliams@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8300
Renée Williams is a business leader and strategic communicator who joined the EAC in November 2024. She brings a passion for Edmonton and vast local experience to the role, including experience at Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and Fort Edmonton Park Management Company. She describes herself as“a lover of Edmonton’s vibrant festivals, theatre, exhibits and live music, attending and supporting our eclectic and exhilarating arts community.” She volunteered as co-chair of the 2023 Junos Host Committee, and“has built her career on reminding locals of the magic of her home city and telling the world about this unique and authentic destination.”
Joseph Pedrola (he/him) — Associate Executive Director, Programs and Services
Joseph Pedrola is a dynamic YEG city builder with over a decade of people and program leadership expertise. His division at EAC is responsible for the cohesive integration and deployment of the EAC’s programs and services. Teams within this division advance the development of artistic and cultural practices through financial investment, support and professional services, inclusive programming, and commissioning of public art. They are also responsible for a wide range of public art collection services, including maintenance, conservation, research and documentation.
jpedrola@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8310
Shirley Combden (she/her) — Associate Executive Director, Finance, Organizational Effectiveness and Engagement
Shirley Combden has been with the EAC since 2006 and is the Associate Executive Director of Finance, Organizational Effectiveness, and Engagement. This division is responsible for organizational capacity and culture, communications, and corporate performance. It exercises oversight over finances and risk management, the development and recruitment of talent, operational policies, business processes and performance measurement.
scombden@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8330
Policy, Planning and Performance
Policy, Planning and Performance provides leadership support and reviews and improves governance and operational policies, planning processes and decision-making. The team ensures efficient and effective implementation of Board-generated strategic directions, operational priorities and the delivery of programs, services, initiatives and projects.
Stephen Williams (he/him) — Director, Policy, Planning and Performance
swilliams@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8320
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA)
The IDEA portfolio is all about developing relationships with individuals and organizations from equity-deserving and Indigenous communities. The team ensures that the EAC’s IDEA framework is prioritized and integrated into all aspects of the EAC. Reach out to these team members if you are an equity-deserving or Indigenous artist or organization and would like to discuss opportunities for access.
Odion Welch (she/her) — Manager, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA)
owelch@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8319
Kyra Brown (she/her) — Indigenous Relations Advisor
kbrown@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8312
Research, Measurement Analytics and Reporting
The Research, Measurement Analytics and Reporting team tracks and analyzes progress in the implementation of Connections & Exchanges. The team works in collaboration with teams in the Organizational Effectiveness division to support operational planning, evidence-informed decision-making and the timely reporting of progress measures to the EAC Board, staff and Edmontonians.
Abby Burbank (she/her) — Research Analyst
aburbank@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8303
Jonathan Lai (he/him) — Research Analyst
jlai@edmontonarts.ca/780−508−8325
Public Art
Public art integrates art, design and creative ideas into everyday life. Following the principles of public visibility and accessibility, diversity and inclusion, public art appreciation, and city-wide impact, the Public Art team manages our internationally-recognized Public Art Collection – from the initiation of public art projects through to the maintenance and conservation of artworks once they are in the public realm. Contact members of this team for questions about how to get involved in public art, open calls to artists, or to learn more about art in the public realm.
David Turnbull (he/him) — Director, Public Art
dturnbull@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8315
Lee Lucke (she/they) — Project Advisor
llucke@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8317
Robert Harpin (he/him) — Project Advisor
rharpin@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8316
Jenika Sobolewska (she/her) — Collections Management Lead
jsobolewska@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8301
David Simmonds (he/him) — Collections Technician
dsimmonds@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8302
Mitra Saeedi (she/her) — Conservator
msaeedi@edmontonarts.ca
People and Culture
Ensuring the EAC has a healthy organizational culture that plays to each team member’s unique strengths drives the People and Culture Team. The team’s strategies in recruitment, retention, and performance management keep the EAC operating smoothly. The team is home to the EAC’s administrative staff and allocates human resources for the timely and effective delivery of programs, services, initiatives, and projects organization wide.
Melanie Haynes (she/her) — Director, People and Culture
mhaynes@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8311
Donelle Briscoe (she/her) — Administrative Coordinator
dbriscoe@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8313
Arts Development and Investment
Actively engaged in the local arts community, this team provides advisory services and manages investments in artists, collectives and organizations. Forming relationships within the community, the members of this team support local artists and organizations to build capacity, seed innovation and create a resilient ecology. Reach out to this team if you are an artist or representative of an organization or collective and you are interested in funding opportunities, capacity building and professional development.
Erin McDonald (they/she) — Director, Investments, Services and Partnerships
emcdonald@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 424-2787, ext. 247
Misha Marie Nelson (she/her) — Manager, Arts Development and Investment
mnelson@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 424-2787, ext. 247
David Cheoros (he/him) — Program Advisor
dcheoros@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 424-2787, ext. 247
Ken Stead (he/him) — Program Advisor
kstead@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 424-2787, ext. 247
Yetunde Arigbede (she/her) — Program Advisor
yarigbede@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 424-2787, ext. 247
Daisy Beard (she/her) — Administrative Coordinator
dbeard@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 424-2787, ext. 247
Communications and Engagement
Passionate about telling the story of the EAC and the arts in Edmonton, the EAC’s award-winning Communications and Engagement team works with every area of the organization to write, edit, design and disseminate information to amplify the success of our programs, services, and projects. We strive to build greater awareness of the arts in Edmonton through the promotion and celebration of local artists and arts organizations – reach out to us to share news about your events or projects, ask questions about marketing your artistic endeavors, or for more information about the EAC in general.
Jenna Turner (she/her) — Director, Communications and Engagement
jturner@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8305
Jamie Chapelsky (she/her) — Content Lead
jchapelsky@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8307
Jessica Telford (she/her) — Content Lead
jtelford@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8306
Shelby Johnson (she/her) — Digital Content Lead
sjohnson@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8308
Shop & Services (formerly TIX on the Square)
The Edmonton Arts Council provides retail and management services to support Edmonton’s diverse makers, presenters, and audiences. By creating an inclusive and welcoming retail experience, providing secure box office services and other professional support systems, this award-winning team amplifies the work of Edmonton’s creative community. Reach out to the Shop & Services team members to inquire about selling your artistic products or tickets to local events, or with other ideas about how to get involved in this vital community space.
Danny Ross (he/him) — Manager, Arts and Retail Services
dross@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 420-6510
Emma Rockwell (she/they) — Arts and Retail Associate
erockwell@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 420-1757
Claudia Kulay (she/they) — Arts and Retail Associate
ckulay@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 420-1757
Betty Thomson (she/her) — Arts and Retail Associate
bthomson@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 420-1757
Nicole Chik (she/her) — Arts and Retail Associate
nchik@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 420-1757
Preiti Hariepersaud (she/they/he) — Arts and Retail Associate
phariepersaud@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 420-1757
Madison Kerr (she/her) — Tessitura Support
mkerr@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 420-1757
Finance and Risk Management
This portfolio manages the EAC’s public and private funds to ensure accountability, audit compliance and enable the Board to oversee our finances and budgets. The Finance and Risk Management Portfolio does the financial planning and budgeting for the organization, and tracks and reports on investments in the community. It is also responsible for contract review and oversight, organizational risk assessments and analysis, procurement of capital assets and information technology services.
Rebecca Baxter (she/her) — Manager, Finance and Risk
rbaxter@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8314
Bobbie Todd (she/her) — Programs and Projects Lead
btodd@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8331
Community Animation and Creative Partnerships
This team brings art and people together in celebration, experience and connection. Visionary programming, inspiring productions and community partnerships result in the creation of opportunities for artists to directly connect with Edmonton’s neighbourhoods and people. Reach out to the team to plan an activation in your community, inquire about performance opportunities, or with any other ideas about how to bring Edmonton’s streets to life with arts and culture.
Bob Rasko (he/him) — Manager, Activations and Connections
brasko@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8333
Adam Blocka — Program Associate, Activations and Connections
ablocka@edmontonarts.ca/780 – 508-8332
Aleysha Sarinn — Program Associate, Activations and Connections
Austin Kennedy - Program Associate, Activations and Connections
Daniel Anderson — Program Associate, Activations and Connections
Jay Flair - Program Associate, Activations and Connections
Lotus Finelli — Program Associate, Activations and Connections
Lucas Rosen — Program Associate, Activations and Connections
Rebecca Starr — Program Associate, Activations and Connection
The Edmonton Arts Council is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Representation on the Board includes artists, arts administrators, and community members with specific skills and knowledge in finance and governance. Representatives from Explore Edmonton, the City of Edmonton, and Edmonton City Council serve as advisors.
Executive Committee
Don Ross — Chair
Allan Gilliland — Vice Chair
Mary Ann Dobson — Secretary
Cynthia Stiksma — Treasurer
Advisors
Councillor Ashley Salvador, Edmonton City Council
Councillor Karen Principe, Edmonton City Council
Melissa Radu, Explore Edmonton Representative
Nicole Poirier, City of Edmonton Representative
Members at Large
Ainsley Hillyard
Avi Sheshachalam
Clinton Carew
Connor Yuzwenko-Martin
Heather Thomson
Jean-Pierre Fournier
Karen Brown Fournell
Suzanne Thomas