Meet Nan Oldroyd, Chief, Staff & Volunteer Resources

What do you do at the AGO?                            
I recently started and my first priority is to get to know our employees and volunteers and to understand how the AGO works. Everyone has made me feel welcome and is open about sharing their perspectives which I very much appreciate. I lead our amazing Staff & Volunteer Resources team, I’m a member of our Leadership Team and will be involved with the Resources Management Committee that supports our Board of Trustees. I look forward to working with the team and everyone at the AGO to further the engagement and development of our employees, enhance our diversity and inclusion and define our staff and volunteer needs.

Is there something you can share that many people would not know about you? 
When most people meet me, they may think I’m very urban and a long-time Torontonian.  While it’s true that I now live in the city, I actually grew up on a farm in the village of Shakespeare, Ontario.  My family has farmed since 1582 in Europe and continued when they came to Canada.  I am of the first generation in my family who isn’t a farmer.

Another thing people may not know is that the TV shows Nikita and Flashpoint – a really sappy holiday movie, two TD commercials and a Cracker Barrel commercial have been filmed in my home.  It’s really interesting to see the creative process behind the scenes!

What is your all-time favourite movie, musical artist, or book, and why?
Wow, that is a hard question because I watch, listen to, admire and read such a wide variety of genres!  At home, I collect works from Canadian artists. One of my favourite pieces is Shanti by Montreal artist Nicolas Ruel which is a photograph that was taken in India and printed on stainless steel. My passion for art is deeply ingrained which is why I am thrilled to be working here at AGO!

Do you have a favourite work of art in the collection?

My favourite piece at AGO is Riopelle’s Chevreuse II.  I see something different in it every time and am awed by its immensity, texture and colour. The diversity reflected in it reminds me of the mosaic of people that we are so fortunate to have in Toronto and across Canada.