A Message from the Director’s Office: AGO People – Strategic Initiatives Team

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With the departure of Alicia Vandermeer, there is a need for the leadership of strategic initiatives including the AGO’s operational key drivers: Brand & Audience; Content & Program; Admission; and Diversity & Inclusion. All of these strategies are intertwined and will help the AGO achieve our vision of “leading global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary exhibitions, collections and programs and by reflecting the people who live here.” The Admission Strategy is well underway through the launch of the new Annual Pass and now we need to focus on the other drivers.

Thoughtful attention to these strategies and other institutional priorities is required in order to meet our ambition and best serve our public. For this reason, a new “Strategic Initiatives” team has been created in the Director’s Office to help guide this process and ensure that the AGO’s objectives are being met. This team will be comprised of:

  • Erin Prendergast, Chief, Strategic Initiatives (effective December 23, 2019)
  • Jessica Bright, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives (effective February 10, 2020)
  • Andrea Seaborn, Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives (effective December 23, 2019)

Erin, Jessica and Andrea will collaborate with the Leadership Team and others throughout the museum to lead the process of formulating and executing clearly defined and ambitious strategic initiatives that further the AGO’s vision and mission. Jessica and Andrea will report to Erin. Jessica will take on her new role upon the return of Christy Thompson (Chief, Exhibitions & Collections) in February when she is back from her maternity leave. Jessica will remain a member of the Leadership Team once Christy is back. With Erin’s expanded portfolio, Amanda Dench will become Corporate Secretary and Andrea Seaborn Deputy Corporate Secretary. Alicia’s position of Deputy Director & Chief Advancement Officer will not be replaced. Going forward, Lisa Clements, Kate Halpenny and Nan Oldroyd will report directly to Stephan. All Leadership Team members continue to be responsible and accountable for their respective areas.