Cultural Leadership Council

Oshawa Museum  - Lisa Terech, Community Engagement

Lisa Terech started with the Oshawa Museum in 2007 as a volunteer and joined the staff in October 2010.  In the role of Community Engagement, Lisa participates with the Museum team in developing and delivering creative, engaging and consistent public programs. As part of her duties, Lisa manages the youth volunteers and co-ordinates the Oshawa Historical Society membership.  Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History (Honours) and Canadian Studies (General) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Museum Management and Curatorship Certificate from Sir Sandford Fleming College.

Oshawa Public Libraries - Jennifer Gardner, Manager of Programming, Community Engagement and Outreach

Born in Oshawa and actively involved in theatre and dance throughout her life, Jennifer has a keen interest in Arts and Culture in our community. Jennifer's academic background includes a Bachelor's in Education and College diploma in Recreation Leadership coupled with strong leadership experience in healthcare and nonprofit organizations in Durham Region.  Jennifer has a key role in developing arts, cultural and heritage programs at Oshawa Library and working with the community and enjoys attending music festivals and cultural events. 

Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres - Colleen Zavrel, Director of Programs and Services

Parkwood Estate NHS - Laura Mountjoy, Executive Director

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery - Donna Raetsen-Kemp, CEO

Donna Raetsen-Kemp is actively cultivating arts and culture through her role as chief executive officer at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Her innovative approach to collaborative engagement takes shape in this vibrant public art gallery.

Donna served as the Lieutenant Governor appointee on the Durham College Board of Governors.  She is a founding member of the Art of Transition Creative Leadership Group and is the recipient of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Organizational Excellence Award and the Paul Harris Fellowship.

Durham College - Greg Murphy, Dean of the School of Media, Art and Design 

Greg Murphy is an artist/educator with over 30 years' experience in colleges and universities in Canada and the US. He is currently serving as the Executive Dean of the School of Media, Art and Design at Durham College. His paintings can be found in many public and private collections including the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa.

Murphy is Past President and (current) Treasurer of the Heads of Media, Arts and Design (HOMAD) for Colleges Ontario and serves on the boards of the Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) and the Oshawa Cultural Leadership Council.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology - Teresa "Tess" Pierce, PhD, Communication and Digital Media Studies

Dr. Tess Pierce is an Associate Professor in the Communication and Digital Media Studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Colorado State University and her Master of Arts in Human Communication from the University of Denver. Her PhD from Clark University is in Women and Gender Studies. The overarching theme for her research is how digital communication influences, and is influenced by, the rhetoric of everyday life. Tess is active in the cultural community as patron, consumer, and colleague. She teaches Intercultural communication at UOIT as well as courses relating to cultural identities. She is the UOIT representative on the CLC.

Aleks Nikolic

Representing the Oshawa Art Association.

Caroline Herbert

Originally from England, Caroline moved to Canada in 2008 after graduating from Liverpool John Moores University with an honours degree in Media, Cultural Studies and Popular Music Studies. Previous to that she earned a college diploma in Performing Arts. Caroline has volunteered her time at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto working at numerous festivals and events including the International Festival of Authors (IFOA).  Currently, Caroline is the head of local not-for-profit, Broken Arts, working on promoting, collaborating and organizing all-ages events in Oshawa. 

Will McGuirk

William McGuirk is the creator and content administrator of Slow City: a platform for Oshawa/Durham's creative community to connect. 

A longtime Oshawa resident, he is a cultural critic, arts administrator, and music curator.  He was a member of the Oshawa Cultural Plan Committee and is a recipient of the QEII Diamond Jubilee medal.  

Jeremy Neal Blowers

Jeremy Neal Blowers is the Executive Director of the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum, and the Oshawa Aeronautical, Military and Industrial Museum.

Joining the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum in 2011 as a social and digital media specialist, he began his career in the organization. Later providing these same services to many local heritage organizations including the City of Oshawa Remembers WWI committee, the 420 WING RCAFA, and the Ontario Regiment 150th Anniversary committee. Also serving as an e-commerce specialist and marketing adviser to the Fidelis Et Paratus - A History of the Ontario Regiment RCAC editorial and book launch committee.

Victoria Byers

Victoria is an Emerging Museum Professional with a Masters in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. As a lover of Canadian history, she currently works as an Education Instructor and Heritage Program Assistant at the Pickering Museum Village. This long time Oshawa resident looks forward to working within the Cultural Leadership Council to bring awareness and encourage participation in all that Oshawa has to offer.

Derek Giberson

Working in the Canadian music industry as a professional keyboardist, vocalist, arranger, producer, music director, writer, and educator. Derek has worked in numerous roles and genres of music: playing live and in studio with Emmanuel Jal, Sass Jordan, Divine Brown, Tyler Shaw, Carvin Winans, Ivana Santilli, Shakura S'aida, the Wilkinsons, Chris Caddell, Trish Robb, Leah Daniels, the Small Town Pistols, and more. Derek has also been a session player heard on CBC Radio, Jazz FM, 94.9 The Rock. He has also done arranging for horn sections, concert bands, string sections, and television; and as bandleader of the Professors Of Funk and a mentor for S.A.S.S (School Alliance of Student Songwriters). In addition, Derek was a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee from 2008-2014 and held the position of Chair from 2011-2014.

Rebekah Noseworthy 

Rebekah is a lover of music, black coffee and all things local who does events, in that order.
After a stint in the digital marketing and advertising world, Rebekah followed her passion for connecting and interacting with people through her roles at the Tribute Communities Centre, Canadian Music Week and NXNE. Currently working with the Town of Whitby as Event and Marketing Assistant for Corporate Communications, Rebekah joined the Town in 2016 in the Sustainability, Heritage, Downtowns and Community Development Division. With the goal to widen her professional experience into the world of Cultural Planning, Place-Making, Economic Development and Tourism, Rebekah is currently enrolled in UBC's Cultural Planning and aspires to connect the dots between the cultural sector and the community.

Stephanie Pollard

Stephanie Pollard brings experience from professional communications, built in media, non-profit, government, and lots of volunteering.  Stephanie's love for the arts grew and came with her from Jamaica to Oshawa in 2002. A closet-writer, food enthusiast, and responsible shopaholic, she plans to work with a team who love showing how amazing Oshawa is - in the arts, and Durham Region. 

Marcerie Riel

Marcerie is poet, drummer, youth worker, and social activist. She is a member of the Durham Region Aboriginal Advisory Circle and volunteers with other community organizations such as
Cope Mental Health Oshawa, Joanne's House, and the Durham Region Metis Council. She is also a performer with the All My Relations Metis Drumming Circle.

Madimba Tshibuabua

Mr. Madimba Tshibuabua earned a Masters Degree in International Studies and a Bachelor's Degree in Development Studies, and is an ordained minister. Certified in Social Services Management, he has been employed for several years by the City of Toronto, Employment and Social Services Division.

Madimba is a founder of Congo Solidario, a Canadian non-profit, volunteer driven and community organization that strives to improve educational welfare of children in the Congo. He is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.