Board of Directors

Anne has lead key economic files to build the capacity of Ontario businesses and tech entrepreneurs. She received an Amethyst Award in 2016 for designing and implementing a process to track and measure red tape reductions resulting in more than $150 million in savings to Ontario businesses, and was embedded at the tech incubator DMZ as the 2018 OPS Executive Fellow.

In joining Tarragon’s Board, Anne has returned to the arts where she spent 16 years at the Toronto Arts Council successfully advocating the social, cultural and economic value of Toronto’s non-profit arts sector. Anne has served on the boards of Young People’s Theatre, Group of 7 and GTA Chapter of Canadian Women in Communications.

Anne has an MA in Public Policy and Administration from Ryerson University and a BA from York University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

Naomi Brown has a background in marketing, strategy and banking technology. She studied biochemistry at Dalhousie University and received an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. She has also previously served on the boards for the Canadian Sport Film Festival and the Davisville Tennis Club.

Naomi grew up going to theatre productions with her parents, often to the Tarragon. She believes there is no alternative that creates the energy and evocation of live theatre and so for Naomi, it’s a blend of nostalgia and conviction that brings her to the board.

Additionally, Naomi wants her kids to be exposed, which is increasingly difficult in a rapidly evolving digital world. She thinks the best way to do this is to walk the talk: even though not all the plays are not age appropriate, Naomi’s kids hear her talk about it and it lays the foundation.

Professional Background
Tina is a Partner at BDO Canada with over 20 years of experience implementing finance and operations systems. At BDO she leads the Enterprise Business Operations practice nationally, focusing on bringing modern and pragmatic solutions built on top of Microsoft Dynamics 365, helping organizations streamline their processes and improve operational efficiency.

Non-Profit and Volunteer Experience
This is Tina’s first board position, although she has been an active theatre enthusiast for many years and looks forward to helping Tarragon achieve their goals and vision.  She is passionate about supporting the arts and is committed to furthering Tarragon Theatre’s mission to create engaging and thought-provoking performances.

Skills and Expertise
Tina brings extensive expertise in financial planning, governance, creating and executing go to market strategies and leading complex teams, which she hopes to leverage to enhance the operational effectiveness of Tarragon and drive impactful community initiatives.

Personal Motivation
As a graduate of the Performance Production program from Toronto Metropolitan University, Tina understands the important contributions arts organizations make to our society and believes its important to ensure the Arts continue to grow and thrive in our communities. She also believes strong advocacy from the community is needed and feels fortunate to be in a position to help.

Educational Background
Tina graduated from the Performance Production program at TMU in 1999. Before moving full time into the business world, she worked with multiple Toronto theatre companies including the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus, Opera Atelier, The Canadian Stage Company and Mirvish Productions.

Conclusion
Tina looks forward to joining the board of Tarragon and is excited to collaborate with fellow board members to make a lasting impact in the Arts community.”

Adam Bryk is currently the CFO and COO of California Innovations Inc. a private Canadian company that is the global leader in soft sided insulated coolers and lunch bags. Prior to this, Adam spent the majority of his career as a business advisor in both restructuring and mergers and acquisitions with international advisory firms, most recently as a Partner at Deloitte where he lived and worked in both Toronto and Mexico City.

Adam joined the Tarragon in 2013, as he believes that the Arts are an essential part of any successful society and wants to bring whatever skills he has to bear in support of Canadian arts and culture. His involvement with Tarragon also provides him with a vastly better life balance by adding culture to days occupied by business and family.

Previously Adam was also a Board Member at the Music Gallery and of the Turnaround Management Association. Before making the turn into business he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Cinema) from Concordia University.

James Buchanan has been involved with the Tarragon Theatre board for almost 10 years, including his role as former President and Board Chair.

Having enjoyed live theatre for most of his life, James’ passion for the Tarragon began over 20 years ago. After attending numerous productions with his wife, a former board member herself, he became a staunch supporter of the theatre and a board member. James’ respect for the unique contribution that Tarragon makes to the Canadian theatre community has continued to grow. In addition, he holds in high esteem the artists, executive and staff members which are involved in the organization.

James has over 30 years’ experience as a business strategy consultant. His clients have included Canadian and global companies across many industries. He has served on several for-profit company boards. In addition to Tarragon James is currently involved with the boards of the Lake Joseph North Association and that of The Haven, a unique entity which is developing a not-for-profit treatment centre, for first responders suffering from PTSD.

You could say that the theatre is in Edwina’s DNA. The eldest daughter of pioneering Canadian actors Ted Follows and Dawn Greenhalgh, Edwina spent her childhood backstage wherever her parents happened to be performing - a stage rat through and through. Since her formative years immersed in live theatre, Edwina has since gone on to enjoy a successful career as an award-winning screenwriter, producer, executive producer and broadcast executive. The former General Manager of Discovery Networks Canada, Edwina enjoys a proven track record in creative content and business leadership. One of the many examples of her broadcast savvy and expertise is her central role as Executive Producer in the creation, development and production of the hit Netflix series Frontier, starring Jason Momoa. Edwina is the proud recipient of Women In Film And Television’s Crystal Award, recognizing creative excellence. She currently serves as Partner and Executive Producer at media consulting company, Story Girls.

Roaina Hylton, an accomplished project manager and theatre enthusiast, is excited to bring her diverse skills and passion to the Tarragon Theatre as a board member. With a strong track record in project management, as well as a degree in theatre and a postgraduate diploma in Information Technology, Roaina is well-equipped to support the growth and success of the theatre.

Drawing from her experience in project management, Roaina's skills have been honed through successfully leading complex initiatives. Her ability to navigate budgets, schedules, and risks contributes to operational excellence, ensuring the theatre's initiatives are executed successfully. With a background in change management, Roaina will facilitate smooth transitions and maximize potential for success.

Roaina's deep-rooted passion for theatre stems from her experiences growing up in the industry and participating in various theatre festivals. Her degree in theatre reflects her commitment and dedication to the art form. Roaina is eager to combine her love for theatre with her professional expertise, bringing a fresh perspective to the board.

Roaina's personal experiences as a dedicated mother further enhance her ability to create a supportive and inclusive environment within the Tarragon Theatre. She understands the importance of balancing responsibilities and collaborating effectively, fostering growth and success for all involved.

Roaina Hylton's project management expertise, strategic mindset, and genuine passion for theatre make her an invaluable addition to the Tarragon Theatre Board of Directors. With her dedication to professional development and her desire to support the arts, Roaina is poised to make a meaningful impact on the theatre's journey towards continued success.

Naguib discovered the magic that is theatre in high school and has never looked back. He has been a passionate theatre educator for over 20 years with the York Region District School Board. He has been passionate about theatre and its ability to truly inspire people. He regularly brings students to Tarragon stressing the range of possibilities that are evident in Canadian theatre. He is also passionate about the many roles in theatre that go beyond the performers on stage. Through his work with the team at Tarragon, he was able to show it is vital to expand the focus of the Education Committee at Tarragon over the past couple of years. Naguib focused on equity and inclusion at the post secondary level and therefore is a strong advocate of diversity in theatre. He hopes to continue to encourage the next generation to see that their voices matter and that there is a stage for them.

Caroline O’Brien is Associate Professor in Costume & Performance Studies at TMU* and was appointed Chair of the School of Performance in 2019. As Chair, Caroline leads the academic, creative and administrative activities within the school. Prior to taking on this role, she worked as Director of Production, with key contributions to teaching, curriculum revision and enhancing the student learning experience.

In her freelance career she has worked with major ballet and dance companies collaborating with choreographers from across North America and Europe, and has a long-standing collaborative relationship with Peggy Baker, Artistic Director of Peggy Baker Dance Projects. She worked with Canada’s National Ballet School as resident costume designer and wardrobe supervisor, a position she held for almost twenty years.

In addition to costuming Caroline has worked in large-scale sculpture incorporating industrial metal textiles with fashion fabrics. Her award-winning work has been performed and exhibited across Canada and internationally, and her designs were selected for the inaugural World Stage Design, 2005. She curated Sixty Years of Designing the Ballet, for The National Ballet of Canada, awarded the Richard Martin citation for excellence in costume curation by the Costume Society of America. Her recent research focuses on design processes in costume practice and the use of costume in training professional dancers. She has contributed to Luce Irigaray’s Building a New World (Palgrave) and The Oxford Handbook to Contemporary Ballet.

Caroline‘s working life has always included emerging artists and she has served with a number of organizations that prioritize mentoring and/or partnering young artists with professionals. She is excited to join the Tarragon Theatre to explore opportunities and partnerships with youth in the arts and culture sector.
*August 26, 2021 Ryerson University Board of Governors accepted all 22 recommendations in the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win ) Task Force’s final report, including renaming the institution. An advisory committee has been assembled to guide the process of identifying a new name for the institution that reflects the university’s strengths, values and aspirations.

Katherine Pollock is a labour/employment law partner at Fasken. At the law firm, Katherine is the Chair of the Partnership Board, Chair of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the founder and past chair of the Pride Network.

Prior to joining the board of the Tarragon, Katherine was a director at the ALS Society of Ontario, and Outward Bound Canada. Katherine was delighted to be considered for a board role with the Tarragon because she has had a life long love of live theatre, and wanted to ‘give back’ to the community in any way possible given her legal background and her particular interest in EDI matters.

A director at Tarragon since 2019, Katherine is honoured to be a part of a wonderful, dynamic, and representative group of directors.

Martha Randall, a seasoned Nia Technique teacher, celebrates over 40 years of
experience as a movement artist. Since earning her BFA from York University in 1979, she has continued to inspire through her work in dance and movement. Recently retired from a 20-year career training Nia Technique teachers across Canada, she now dedicates herself to mentoring students and teachers internationally.

Her rich performance history dates back to the 1980s, with credits including the Judy Jarvis Dance & Theatre Company and performances in Moonhorse Dance Theatre’s productions By Night and This Castle. She also performed in And Everything In Between, a solo piece choreographed by Sylvie Bouchard for Older & Reckless.

In 2016, Martha co-produced an amateur production of The Vagina
Monologues to raise funds for Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, demonstrating her
commitment to both the arts and social causes.

For the past 30 years, Martha has been an integral part of the Tarragon Village
community in Toronto. She contributed to renaming the area and now serves as Chair of the Tarragon Village Community Association. Passionate about nurturing local connections, Randall views neighbourhood theatres as vital to keeping Toronto vibrant and dynamic. She is eager to continue fostering diverse storytelling and supporting the creative energy that defines the Tarragon Theatre and the community around it.

Adam is a former Ontario public servant – having held senior positions over 30 years at a range of Ministries including Labour, Environment, Municipal Affairs and Housing and Infrastructure. Adam’s work included leading the Review of the Greenbelt and Growth Plan, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the development of Up to Speed, the province’s broadband and cellular action plan.

Throughout his career, Adam focussed on building diverse and inclusive teams and has a long history of being engaged in theatre, including working “summer stock” at various summer theatres across Ontario. Adam comes from a very theatrically engaged family and has been a long term Tarragon subscriber.

Adam has a BA in Economics from McMaster University and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto.

Adam loves to cycle, rollerblade and paddle his kayak. Adam lives in Toronto with his partner and has a daughter who lives in Ottawa.

Laurence Siegel has had an extensive career in the arts since the 1970s having worked in radio and television, arts management, education, consulting, and photography. Mr. Siegel has been producing and directing dance film since 2009.

It was Tarragon’s reputation and commitment to fostering Canadian playwrights and actors, telling Canadian stories, that attracted Mr. Siegel. As a high school drama teacher he regularly brought students to Tarragon stressing the Tarragon’s commitment to Canadian theatre making.

Mr. Siegel also has an active analogue photography practice and is a member of Gallery 44 – Centre for Contemporary Photography – an artist-run centre where he served on the board for 6 years.

He has served on Tarragon’s board since 2017 and is also a member of the executive committee.

Elaine Stavro is a Full Professor at Trent University for the Department of Political Studies. She is an author with expertise in contemporary continental philosophy and democratic and cultural theory.

Presently, Elaine is working on two books: “Slave Museums as a Site of Democratic Pedagogy” and “Politics of Catastrophe: Articulating the Social Crises of Our Times.” She has been teaching for over 30 years at Trent, and previously at universities in London, England.

Elaine is a member of philanthropy groups at Trent University, the Steve and Sally Stavro Family Foundation, and the Tarragon Theatre. She is an active member of the Curators circle of the AGO and supporter/fan of all Toronto and Ontario theatre, the National Ballet, Tafelmusik, the Canadian Opera Company and the Toronto Symphony.

Elaine has always been an avid theatregoer, beginning with high school outings to Stratford, her interest was fostered during the 8 years she lived in London, England. Her intellectual interest is in the political rather than politics, specifically performative politics and cultivating democratic sensibilities, which has been enhanced by the Tarragon experience.

A link to Elaine’s recent book: Emancipatory Thinking

Anne Wessels was the Director of Education at Tarragon for five years. Her doctoral research focused on youth in suburban Toronto and while at Tarragon she created programming to engage youth in the greater Toronto area. Students from Mississauga participated in the Young Playwrights Unit. Scarborough Arts, the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus (UTSC) and several Scarborough and Vaughan secondary schools collaborated to create a Tarragon youth playwriting hub in Scarborough. Tarragon produced the hub-created scripts in a local youth theatre festival.

During her time as Director of Education, Anne published two book chapters about the educational and applied theatre work at Tarragon. She has published many research articles on youth and theatre and has presented at conferences internationally and in Canada.

Anne has taught at the University of Toronto and the University of Windsor following thirteen years with the Peel District School Board. Most recently, she taught Theatre Industries for Centennial College that took place on site at Tarragon. Students purchased season subscriptions and were introduced to many of the Tarragon staff to gain a fuller understanding of career pathways in professional theatre.

Anne’s own career path followed her graduation from the National Theatre School (Acting Section, 1983). As an actor, she worked in both the US and Canada before turning to teaching, research and community work. Anne had the opportunity to return to acting in All Our Happy Days are Stupid by Sheila Heti that toured to The Kitchen in New York after successful runs at both Videofag and Harbourfront in Toronto. In June and July, 2024 she performed in an intergenerational piece, There is So Much More to Say. Directed by Erin Brubacher, it was presented at Evergreen Brickworks (Toronto) and at Eastern Edge Gallery (St. John’s, Newfoundland).

In 2022-23 she received a grant from Nightswimming and Tarragon Theatre that offered a three-day residency in the Extra Space to explore the use of gesture in telling stories of stroke. Andrea Nann (Artistic Director of Dreamwalker Dance) was the associate artist and Brian Quirt, Gloria Mok and Nathaniel Hanula-James offered dramaturgical guidance.

Anne’s previous Board work includes The Malignant Hyperthermia Association, Roseneath Theatre and The Toronto Council on Aging.

Heather Yamoah is a corporate/commercial lawyer with over 10 years of progressive experience at Canada’s largest companies.

She was drawn to Tarragon because of the quality and diversity of the plays. Tarragon truly is Canada’s home for contemporary Canadian plays featuring unique and untold stories. Being a member of the Tarragon board also gives her the opportunity to serve the community while supporting the arts and learning about a new industry. Heather has served on Tarragon’s board since 2019.