Board of Directors

Bryn Jones – President
Professor and Program Coordinator, Building Systems Engineering, Conestoga College

Bryn Jones ,  MASc ., P.Eng., is a Professor of Building Systems Engineering in the School of Engineering & IT at Conestoga College, manages business development with Mapply and is an Adjunct Professor of Building System Services at the University of Waterloo. Bryn has over 15 years of engineering experience in building systems engineering and asset management within the arts and public sectors. Bryn has collaborated with ArtsBuild Ontario for the past 6+ years, working through and helping develop the Asset Planner for the Arts program, as well as the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network program.     

Bryn works with client organizations and strategic partners to design and execute integrated asset management strategies from the ground up, as well as evolve currently in-place programs. Bryn specializes in facility condition assessments, data management, strategy development, and financial analysis to support decision-making and infrastructure capital spending for building owners and managers while balancing cost, profit, and risk.

As a College professor, Bryn teaches courses in Thermodynamics, building science, HVAC, fire protection and materials engineering to undergraduates within the Building Systems Engineering, Building Interior Design and Architectural Project and Facility Management degree programs. Bryn’s research focuses on improving building systems performance in the areas of occupant comfort and user experience, fire protection, risk-based life cycle modelling, and building analytics through laboratory testing, field monitoring, and economic simulations.

Steven Ayer, Treasurer

CEO & Founder, Common Good Strategies Consulting

Steven  Ayer is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Common Good Strategies, a social impact research firm based in Kitchener, ON. He is a social strategist, data scientist, and public speaker. Combining his extensive management & social impact experience,  Steven leads projects that bring a wealth of knowledge & networks to clients seeking strategy and research support.  Steven is the author of dozens of reports on the nonprofit sector, corporate social responsibility, fundraising, revenue development strategies, and social issues like affordable housing, precarious work, food insecurity, and mental health.  Steven has had senior strategy and marketing roles in several of Canada’s largest organizations, in both the private and charitable sectors.

Tara Mazurk, Nonprofit Policy and Network Consultant, Artist & Wellness Practitioner, PAA Advisory | Advice

Tara brings over 12 years of experience in arts management, with a particular focus on not-for-profit policy, network stewardship and coalition-building. She brings expertise in policy writing, strategic direction and organizational change, community partnerships and grassroots organizing. Tara also helped co-found Mass Culture, a Canadian cultural research network, collaborated on the creation and delivery of an arts advocacy training program through OCAD U’s Cultural Policy Hub, and regularly guest lectures at universities and colleges to support the next generation of professionals. In addition to her work as an arts and nonprofit consultant, Tara is a visual artist, wellness practitioner and holistic healing teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Arts Management and Studio Art from the University of Toronto, with continued certification in healing, meditation and mindfulness.

Michelle Yeung, Managing Director, Mass Culture

Over her career, Michelle has held positions at Dance Arts Institute, Tafelmusik, Factory Theatre, Canadian Stage, Sony Center and more. She is a graduate of Dalhousie University (MBA Leadership), York University (BA) and Toronto Metropolitan University (BFA). Michelle has also successfully completed programs through Boston University (Fundraising) and Ivey Business School (Leadership) and maintains her Certified Fundraising Executive designation.

Michelle’s involvement in the community is also extensive. She has been a guest speaker and presenter for post-secondary arts programs and at various conferences and events. She has also hosted and mentored many students through program placements in arts administration. Further, Michelle serves on the Board of Directors of Work in Culture, a program advisor to the Humber Polytechnic’s Art Administration & Cultural Management program, and is an arts consultant with The Arts Firm.

Kristian Clarke, Consulting Lead, DoGood Funding

Kristian Clarke brings over 25 years of experience in cultural management and leadership, currently serving as Consulting Lead at DoGood Funding, where he focuses on strategic organizational leadership and building impactful organizations. His career has included leadership roles such as Executive Director at the Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC), as well as work with Canadian Actors’ Equity conceiving and launching a national anti-harassment campaign in the live performance sector and CARFAC Ontario where he advocated on behalf of visual and media artists, all of which have deepened my commitment to supporting artists throughout their careers.
He is skilled in government relations, public speaking, and fostering collaborative relationships, and is committed to advancing mission-driven organizations with a focus on innovation and sustainability. He thrives on bringing diverse perspectives to empower teams, drive meaningful change, and ensure alignment with organizational missions. His work is motivated by a passion for advocacy and creating sustainable solutions in the arts and nonprofit sectors.

Dr. Shawn Newman, Director of Research and Program Design, Skills for Change

Having had an international career as a dancer and choreographer, described as “[one] of Toronto’s finest dancers” (Toronto Life), Shawn then completed his PhD in Cultural Studies at Queen’s University. Currently, he is the Director, Research & Program Design at Skills for Change, a national charity supporting newcomers and other communities in workforce development and settlement services. In this role, Shawn oversees the design and implementation of the organization’s research strategy, devises strategic pathways for new program development, and manages the organization’s grants portfolio. His past academic research publications cover a wide range of topics, including reconciliation in the arts, cultural tourism, and impact assessment. Shawn is also an Adjunct Professor in Communication & Culture at Toronto Metropolitan University and collaborates with various academic partners on large-scale research projects. Previously, he was the Senior Manager, Research  & Impact, at Toronto Arts Council & Foundation, Executive Director at Public Access, and Managing Editor of PUBLIC: Art | Culture | Ideas.