Ontario Museum Association Secretariat
- Robin Etherington, Interim Executive Director
- Jennifer A. Lee, Interim Professional Development Program Manager, Membership & Administration Coordinator
- Christopher Shackleton, Digital Projects Coordinator
- Jennifer Lyn, Volunteer
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The Ontario Museum Association welcomes Robin Etherington as Interim Executive Director.
Robin Etherington is a graduate of University of Toronto Masters in Museum Studies Program and of University of Waterloo's Masters in Language and Professional Writing Program.
Robin worked in myriad institutions, including the National Institute of Anthropology and UNAM in Mexico, and the Royal Ontario Museum, and held the positions of: Executive Director of Guelph Museums, Manager, Culture and Heritage for the City of Kingston, and President and CEO of the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, and as Executive Director of the Bytown Museum from 2012 to 2022. Robin has participated on Boards and Committees, such as the Ottawa Museums Network, Chair of Algonquin College AMTS Advisory Committee and UNAM Canada's Community Advisory Committee. She has written articles and blogs, including for CMA and OMA. Robin has been engaged in strategic and business planning, HR and financial management, community development and advocacy throughout her career.
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Ontario Museum Association Council 22/23
The Ontario Museum Association's governing body is its Council, whose 12 members are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Council gives strategic policy direction to the Secretariat. It also works to strengthen the Ontario museum community by representing the interests of members to government, the public and private sectors, the media, to public and other related institutions, and to citizens all across the province.
Vice President: Cheryl Blackman, Director, Museums and Heritage Services, City of Toronto
Secretary: Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Executive Director/Curator, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Councillors
Council Biographies
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REMEMBERING PAUL ROBERTSON, PAST PRESIDENT Paul made contributions to the Ontario museum community for more than 30 years, working in museums and heritage since the 80s at the Official Residences of the National Capital Commission, the House of Commons, the Canadian Museum of History (Civilization), the Museum of Health Care at Kingston, and as Kingston’s first City Curator, a post he held for more than a decade. Whether he was recruited to offer introductory remarks, chairing meetings, or offering good advice, Paul always brought a sense of good humour and cheer along with his knowledge and wide-ranging expertise. We will remember his steadfastness, encouragement, and warm demeanour. It was an honour to work alongside him, and we will miss him dearly. |
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CATHY MOLLOY, PRESIDENT Second Year of a First Two-Year Term Cathy Molloy is the Interim Chief Curator, City of Toronto. Cathy was born in Toronto and raised in Scarborough; this gave her an early appreciation of the beauty of diversity and the depth of learning that comes from close relationships with those from different backgrounds and cultures. For 15 years she worked as Director of Markham Museum, early on a new program direction was developed, one where the entire community feels welcome to tell their stories. Through the examination of basic human technologies that we have in common, Markham Museum creates a shared understanding of our past and present day. Cathy’s educational background is a mix of archaeology and accounting, with work experience in both the corporate and museum world. “Although we have come a very long way, Museums still struggle to validate their relevance to their community. Many government and business leaders recognize the benefits that Museums bring to quality of life and economic development. However, we need to continue to work with our stakeholders to ensure we stay connected to our communities. The OMA is a venue to help all Ontario museums learn and develop, and help us continue the good work that we all do. I look forward to working with the OMA and the larger Museum community.” |
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CHERYL BLACKMAN, VICE PRESIDENT Second Year of a First Two-Year Term Cheryl Blackman is Director, Museums and Heritage Services at the City of Toronto. She is responsible for the ten city-owned and operated historical museums, the City collection of historical objects, archaeological specimens, moveable fine art and an extensive portfolio of heritage buildings. Cheryl also served as the Assistant Vice-President of Audience Development at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and is a Fellow of Inclusion and Philanthropy from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She is the Past Chair of the Board at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery.
“Museums are essential parts of Ontario’s culture. It is this belief that grounds me in my commitment to fulfilling the mission, vision, and values of the OMA. I have seen how the work of the OMA is strengthening the voices of museum professionals across Ontario, and I look forward to supporting OMA members and the OMA in continued efforts to make museums vital and vibrant in Ontario.”
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SONIA MRVA, TREASURER Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term Sonia is the Manager of Museums for the City of Toronto. She is responsible for the management of 10 historic house museums including Fort York National Historic Site and the Market Gallery. Sonia has more than 20 years of experience, having most recently served as Senior Curator with the City of Hamilton before joining the City of Toronto. Sonia believes that the inclusion of community is critical in developing a better understanding of the role Museums play in our society. Prior to her current position, Sonia held Curatorial positions at both Whitehern Historic House and Garden and Dundurn National Historic Site. Sonia has a Bachelor of Arts, History with post graduate work in Museum Studies, Cultural Management and Leadership. “Increasingly, communities are recognising heritage as having both social and cultural capital. Our Museums enhance communities by providing a tangible connection to the past and emphasizing a community’s identity and sense of self while encouraging community cohesion. By better understanding the role which museums play in society and the value derived from a “visit”, we can better position our institutions for the future. The OMA is a venue which encourages these ideas of sustainability and encourages development in our field through shared learning. I look forward to connecting with colleagues across the Province through the OMA Council.” |
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MICHAEL RIKLEY-LANCASTER, SECRETARY Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, Michael Rikley-Lancaster has been Executive Director/Curator of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum since July 1, 2007. He studied Fine Arts at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, before receiving a diploma in Applied Museum Studies from Algonquin College in Ottawa. He was the Assistant Curator at Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum, and Program Coordinator for Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations with the Canadian Museums Association. Paving the way for safe museum spaces, Michael has empowered the MVTM to become Canada’s first Rainbow Registered Museum and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive museum sector. With this goal in mind, he has served on numerous boards, committees, and councils across the tourism and heritage sectors, currently sitting on the Heritage Advisory Committee for the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, the Lanark County Museum Network, and the Ontario Historical Society’s Museums Advisory Committee. As a Cultural Achievement Award recipient within the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, Michael has been consistently improving the Museum and enriching the local community by advocating for funding, inclusion, and partnership. Viewing museums as forums for learning and unlearning, Michael is working towards a sector that is sustainable, equitable, and relevant to the communities it serves. Michael is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
“With over 20 years of experience working in the field, mostly in a small-town museum setting, I would like to provide insight into the challenges of small museums, and how they can be advocates, cultural hubs, and safe spaces for their communities. Funding and capacity-building are foundational to sustainable museums, while diverse and truthful storytelling are essential to relevant museums, which is why advocacy both for and within the museum sector is key to a progressive field. I am excited to explore a renewed definition and direction of museums at the OMA and support our members in growing with the sector.”
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JOE CORRIGAN, COUNCILLOR Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term Joe Corrigan holds a Hons. B.A. in Economics and History from Glendon College of York University, a post diploma certificate in Museum Management and Curatorship from Fleming College and a certificate in Managing and Leading in a Municipal Environment from Loyalist College. Trained as a business systems analyst, Joe had a 24 year career in Branch, Regional and Head Office Management appointments with the National Trust Company and Scotiabank. Joe served as Museum Manager of Lang Pioneer Village Museum from 2003 to 2018. During his time at Lang, Joe also served as Board Chair of both the Kawarthas Northumberland Regional Tourism Organization (RTO8) and the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development Corporation’s Tourism Advisory Committee.
“I have worked in a variety of roles in the private, public and not-for–profit sectors over my 40-plus-year career. Many of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had have come since I joined the museum profession as Manager of Lang Pioneer Village Museum. I have had the opportunity to be involved in a number of rewarding initiatives which have had a lasting impact on the community and this has inspired me to continue to take an active role in supporting the museum profession. I look forward to, once again, working with my colleagues on the OMA Council to support the industry in recovering from the challenges of the current pandemic.”
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KATHY FISHER, COUNCILLOR Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term Kathy has been the Curator / Supervisor at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site for seventeen years, and was the Curator / Director at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum prior for seven years. Being in Northern Ontario within an attraction based museum has lead Kathy to become well versed in the tourism industry, specifically RTO 13. Her role oversees the day to day operations of the Site, gift shop, revenue generating programming, user groups, venue rentals and historic cultural festival and events. Currently, she is involved in the Cultural Plan Steering Committee for the City of Sault Ste. Marie and FutureSSM, Culture Days Sault Ste. Marie in conjunction with Ontario Culture Days, Festival and Events Network (an Algoma region network of FEO) and 4Culture – a museum and art gallery partnership program within Sault Ste. Marie. In 2017 -2018, Kathy was one of the museum advisors in the OMA’s diversity and inclusion program and symposium. “I look forward to being a resource and voice in the Northern Ontario museum community on the OMA Council. As a Curator /Director of small to mid-sized museum(s), I understand the diversity of needs of our sector. I would like to provide my experience to Council and our community, as well as to become more versed in today’s museum field through the other Council members, OMA staff, and affiliations.” |
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CARA KRMPOTICH, COUNCILLOR Second Year of a First Two-Year Term Cara Krmpotich is an associate professor in the Museum Studies Program at the University of Toronto who teaches and researches in the areas of critical collections management, Indigenous museology, cultural property and repatriation, and material culture studies. She is an alumna of Fleming College’s Museum Management and Curatorship program, and has served with the OMA’s Indigenous Collections Working Group and Museum Inclusive Leadership initiatives. She has worked in collections management positions with art and ethnographic collections in Canada and the United Kingdom, and has facilitated multi-year community engagement projects with collections in both countries. She is currently co-director of the Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures, and is co-editing a volume titled Collections Management: A Critical Museum Practice. Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Cara is a mother, dog-lover, and an avid crossworder and baker.
“Being an OMA member has been rewarding as a practitioner, researcher and teacher. While I have served the OMA in specific endeavours in the past, becoming a Councillor will enable me to contribute to the OMA’s mission, activities, advocacy and accountability in a more sustained way. I have particular interests in professional development and EMP activities, as well as supporting policy and advocacy relating to collections management; digital heritage; equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility; and reconciliation. I bring leadership and Board experience from the Council for Museum Anthropology, Council of Ontario Universities, and the Great Lakes Research Alliance.”
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HEATHER MONTGOMERY, COUNCILLOR Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term Heather Montgomery is an Education and Evaluation Specialist at the Bank of Canada Museum. Over the last decade, she has worked in education and visitor experience at several Ottawa museums including the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History. She has a Bachelor of Journalism, a Masters in Archaeology and a Graduate Professional Certificate in Cultural Heritage Studies. “Over the past ten years I have had the opportunity to work at a variety of museums in Ontario, and I am very passionate about the work that the OMA does in advocating for small, medium, and larger institutions in this province. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support the work of the OMA, especially as it relates to diversity and inclusion, supporting emerging professionals and museum studies education, and advocating for reliable funding for museums in Ontario.”
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SASCHA PRIEWE, COUNCILLOR Sascha Priewe is the Director of Collections and Public Programs at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. Before joining the Aga Khan Museum, he was the Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, at the Royal Ontario Museum, and Curator: Chinese and Korean Collections at the British Museum. He is a co-founder of the North American Cultural Diplomacy Initiative, author of Museum Diplomacy: Parsing the Global Engagement of Museums and co-editor of the forthcoming Museum Diplomacy: How Cultural Institutions Shape Global Engagement. He serves on the boards of ICOM Canada, is the inaugural chairperson of the Global Leadership Council of the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora, and is a Senior Fellow of Massey College. Sascha holds a PhD from Oxford University. “For me, museums have a striking claim to increased relevance in the world today. Thrown into relief by the pandemic, museums should be catalysts for social cohesion, pluralism, learning/education and self-development, democratic citizenship and collective expression. They also connect global trends and their local manifestations. The OMA is a crucial forum to advance an ambitious agenda for Ontario’s museums. As a member of the OMA Council, I trust that my global experience as a museum professional and a practicing museum diplomat will be of benefit to and support our museum community.” |
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