The Downstage Board of Directors
Interested in applying to join us? Download our Board of Directors Application Form or email clare@downstage.ca for more info.
Christine is so thrilled to be joining the incredible group of artists and volunteers that make up the Downstage team. Christine’s career has focused on the arts, education, and community relations. She currently spends her days creating community and culture within RBC’s new Calgary Innovation Lab as its Employee Engagement Manager, and she’s previously been the Impact Specialist with Calgary Arts Development, Community Relations Manager with Business/Arts, and Co-Founder of the arts advocacy group Creative Calgary. She keeps herself busy caring for her three young children, keeping active on a bike, tennis court or ski hill, and obviously attending as many Downstage shows as they’ll let her!
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Born in the vibrant city-state of Singapore and having embraced the vast landscapes of Canada, Larissa brings a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences to her life and work. With over 15 years of experience as a corporate recruiter, she has made strides in the energy and secondary education sectors, passionately advocating for diversity and focusing on hiring women for field roles in the energy industry.
When she’s not shaping careers, Larissa is a dedicated mom to a high-energy, artistic toddler who keeps her days dynamic and creatively charged. Her love for the arts extends beyond her home life—she is an enthusiastic participant in the arts community and a collector of music and art, with a particular fondness for movie prints. Balancing her professional ambitions with her artistic passions, Larissa is very much excited to join the Downstage Board and to be part of a community of people striving to create a world where diversity thrives in the vibrant, colorful world of art.
Alysha is an experienced energy professional with 15 years of experience in both the upstream and midstream space. She currently works for Keyera in Business and Strategic Development. She holds a Bachelor of Geological Sciences degree from Queen’s University and an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid. She currently works for Keyera in Business and Strategic Development. Prior roles include Director of Strategic Partnerships at Neo Financial, and Production Geologist & Business Planner for Royal Dutch Shell. Born and raised in Calgary, Alysha is passionate about facilitating and promoting the continued growth of Calgary’s diverse and vibrant community. As such, she is on her third term on the board for Centre for Newcomers as she currently serves as Vice Chair. She is incredibly excited to be joining the Downstage Board and help contribute to its growing success for the years to come!
Alison is a lawyer with over ten years’ experience in commercial litigation. She is currently a Partner at a large Calgary-based firm. Born and raised in Calgary with a background in classical music and the performing and visual arts, Alison lends her professional expertise to the boards of a number of local arts organizations. When she’s not at the office, Alison is an amateur cellist, weightlifter, painter, hockey player, and golfer, with two kids in tow. Alison is a firm believer that if you are an ardent consumer of art (which we all are), you should aspire to add value and give back to the local artistic community. Calgarians are lucky to live in a city with a bourgeoning and vibrant arts scene and it deserves our resources, attention, and commitment.
Before joining the board, Brooklyn was Downstage’s biggest fan for over 10 years! She avidly attended Downstage shows and was enthralled by the captivating productions that seamlessly blended artistry and advocacy. Brooklyn’s unwavering support and enthusiasm for over a decade laid the foundation for her eventual role on the board, a testament to her deep connection with Downstage’s commitment to stirring conversations on important social issues through the power of theatre. Brooklyn’s expertise lies at the intersection of linguistics and artificial intelligence research, although she also has plenty of experience in management through her involvement in her family’s various businesses. She is very excited to bring her critical thinking skills, managerial experience, and enthusiasm to the Downstage board!