Council Nominations 2010/2011 

Kathleen Powell, President

Second Year of a Two-Year Term

Kathleen Powell is the Supervisor Museum Operations / Curator at the St. Catharines Museum. She has most recently served as Council Vice-President and was the Chair of the Conference Committee in 2006, 2007, 2008. Kathleen is also a member of the Niagara Region's Culture Committee where she is the Chair of its Heritage Sub-committee.  Kathleen is also a serving member of the Canadian Forces as a part of their Cadet Instructor's Cadre. 

 "I believe that strong communities are built not only on economic wealth but also on the richness and diversity of their cultural sector. The Ontario Museum Association's support of Museums and historic sites is an important piece of the whole picture aimed at strengthening this sector. I am honoured to be able to lend my support and skills to the work of the OMA and the Museum sector at large."

Gilles Séguin, Vice-President

Second Year of a Two-Year Term

Over the past 30 years, Gilles Séguin has worked in the heritage, information management, and information technology fields. Gilles is currently Manager of Cultural Resources Services at the Ontario Service Centre, Parks Canada Agency. Previously, he was the Program Manager, Heritage Development, at the City of Ottawa. His experience encompasses strategic planning, heritage community support and development, program development, delivery and evaluation, cultural resources preservation and presentation, and financial and human resources management.

"I look forward to continuing to bring my experience to further the work of the Association and its membership."

John Dalrymple, Treasurer

Second Year of a Two-Year Term

John Dalrymple is currently the Manager, Major Gifts at Canada’s National Ballet School. From 2001 – 2010 John was on the management team of the Textile Museum of Canada, holding the positions of Project Manager, Web Designer, Development Manager, Director of Development and Acting Executive Director. During his tenure there John played a leadership role in the advancement of the Museum’s digitization and new media/Web programming, as well as growing and formalizing the institution’s fundraising activities. He earned a Specialized Honours B.A. in Anthropology from York University in 1998 and a Masters of Museum Studies degree from the University of Toronto in 2001. John has conducted anthropological and archaeological fieldwork in Belize, Peru and Canada and has published works on museology in a number of academic and arts based publications. John’s work has been recognized through awards from the Canadian Museums Association, American Association of Museums and the Ontario Association of Art Galleries.

“Currently working in the performing arts and education fields in a senior fundraising capacity has given me fresh insights into contributed revenue development that I am keen to share with the Association and its members in my capacity as a Councilor. As the Association’s Treasurer I am pleased to work with my colleagues on Council and the OMA staff to ensure membership dues, public monies and funds raised through OMA activities are effectively stewarded, deployed and maximized for the greatest benefit.”

Tammy Adkin, Past President

Second Year of a Two-Year Term

Tammy has enjoyed a 15-year career in the museum field. Prior to her work with museums, Tammy worked as a journalist and in senior communications roles within the non-profit and corporate sectors. Tammy co-chaired the 2000 OMA Conference Committee, served on the 2002 Conference Committee, and chaired the OMA Membership Involvement Task Force. She is currently serving on the board of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Mary’s, Ontario.

"The Ontario Museum Association is an invaluable resource for museums and for those who work for museums.  Whenever there are challenges facing our sector, the OMA is there to provide support, information, and a forum for discussion. I am grateful for the opportunities the OMA has provided for me and for my colleagues across the province. It is an honour and privilege to serve on OMA council, and I look forward to continued progress during the year ahead."

Michèle Alderton, Councillor

Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term

Michèle Alderton is Director/Curator Red Lake Heritage Centre (formerly known as the Red Lake Museum). Prior to joining the Museum, Michèle was a municipal councillor, served on the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and sat on the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Review Team for Northwestern Ontario. Michèle also served on the planning committee for the 2006 OMA conference. Michèle is a well-respected museum professional, who has received awards honouring her important work with the Red Lake community and her contribution to the museum profession.

"I am thrilled to be part of the OMA Council. I think it’s an excellent organization and I’m honoured to be part of it. I am most impressed with the fact that the OMA reaches out to museums throughout the province, including isolated communities such as Red Lake. They recognize and promote the work we do, and make us feel connected to Ontario’s museum community." 

Karen Bachmann, Councillor

First Year of a Second Two-Year Term

Karen Bachmann is the Director/Curator for the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre and has been with the organization for over twenty-three years. Her volunteer activities include over ten years service with the Ontario Museum Association, serving as President of the organization in 1996; she has also chaired the Awards Committee for the Canadian Museum Association and ICOM Canada. She has been a member of the Ontario Celebrate Canada Committee for over eighteen years. She has held board positions with the Porcupine United Way, the Cochrane Temiskaming Museums and Galleries Association, Arts and Culture Timmins and committee work with the Timmins Chamber of Commerce. Karen has authored three books on the history of the Porcupine Camp and currently writes a weekly column on history and heritage issues for the Timmins Daily Press. She is presently involved in the development of an Arts and Heritage Complex for the City of Timmins.

“I have been a member of the Ontario Museum Association for over twenty years. The OMA has been of great benefit to me as a museum worker; I feel that it is time to return the favour and offer my experience and service to an association that I feel stands up, not only for museum professionals, but for heritage in general in this province. I would be proud to work with others to further the cause of museums in what I think will be very interesting times for us all as heritage and cultural workers.”

Clark Bernat, Councillor

Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term

Born in St. Catharines, Clark developed a great appreciation for Museums due to his many visits to cultural institutions with his grandfather and parents. Clark has a degree in History from Brock University and a Master's Degree in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester. His work at Leicester focused on cultural diversity in Museums. Clark has worked in various capacities at the St. Catharines Museum, Battlefield House Museum, Backus Heritage Village and the Niagara Historical Society Museum, currently he is the Manager of Museums for the City of Niagara Falls Museums. He has sat on the Steering Committee of the Children's Discovery Centre of Niagara, chaired Doors Open Niagara and the Museums of Niagara Association (MONA).

“I look forward to serving the Museums community of Ontario on the OMA council. As a director of a small museum I understand the diversity of needs our sector requires. I would like to provide my experience and expertise in community building, partnerships, advocacy and public relations to Council and our community.”

Ian Kerr-Wilson, Councillor

Second Year of a Two-Year Term

Ian Kerr-Wilson is the Manager of Museums and Heritage Presentation for the City of Hamilton, having worked in Hamilton’s municipal museum system in various curatorial and management positions since 1989. He has been the Curator of Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, the Hamilton Children’s Museum, Dundurn National Historic Site (which included the Hamilton Military Museum) and the Program Coordinator for the Hamilton and Scourge National Historic Site, an in situ marine archaeological site. Ian holds a Masters of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, a M.A. (American History), a B.Ed. from Queen’s University, and a B.A. from Trent University.

”I am conscious of the OMA as a leader in changing the way Ontarians think about museums and culture. Increasingly, we recognize that museums are not 'soft services'. Vibrant and relevant museums are vital to the sustainability of neighbourhoods, towns and cities. I look forward to serving the museum community, as the OMA works to make heritage matter to the people of Ontario.”

Yasmine Mingay, Councillor

First Year of a Second Two-Year Term

Yasmine is the Manager, Communications for the Canadian War Museum, within the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. where she has worked in various capacities over the past 9 years including as Chief, Media Relations and as Exhibitions Project Manager working for both the Museum of Civilization and Canadian War Museum. Prior to this, Yasmine was based in Montreal as PolyGram Canada’s Marketing and Promotion Representative for Eastern Canada working with and promoting Canadian and international artists. Yasmine has lived in six countries and traveled extensively, she holds a B.A in Political Science and History from McGill University.

“I believe in working collectively to inspire passion for our past, present and future. Museums are essential to understanding where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. The OMA is an essential advocacy and support system for Museum across Ontario, and I am both honoured and proud to continue working with my fellow council members and the OMA’s dedicated staff in supporting our sector's vibrant and diverse membership”.

Maria Paciente, Councillor

First Year of a Two-Year Term

Maria Piacente is a Vice-President with Lord Cultural Resources, an international museum planning and design firm headquartered in Toronto. For 13 years, Maria has developed an expertise in exhibition development and design while consulting for small and large museums, historic sites, science centers, art galleries, and other cultural organizations. Grounded in current museological theory, Maria's global experience enables her to incorporate both conceptual and curatorial aspects with leading-edge technological applications, ensuring an exciting and enriching visitor experience within operational realities. Maria holds a Master's degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto and prior to joining Lord Cultural Resources in 1997, she worked at the Royal Ontario Museum and Gallery Association of New York State.

“All of a museum's activities, whether research and conservation or education and outreach, serve to enrich their communities. As such, the OMA is an essential resource for building excellence in our cultural organizations so that we can do a better job of engaging with the public. I look forward to sharing my experience and working with the other members of the OMA."

Yves Theoret, Councillor

Second Year of a Second Two-Year Term

Yves Théoret is Managing Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art , Toronto. Over the last fifteen years, Yves has held several positions in museums in Canada and the United States, including assignments with the National Gallery of Canada, the Portrait Gallery of Canada, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture. A participant in the Museum Leadership Institute (2007) supported by the J. Paul Getty Foundation in Los Angeles, his areas of expertise include strategic planning, resource development as well as marketing and communications. Yves Théoret is married and has three children.

“The Ontario Museum Association is an immensely valuable resource for museums across the province, and I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving on Council and advancing the interests of its members.”