TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sydney Authors | Chair
Sydney Authors is a Recruitment Officer at the University of Toronto, specializing in relationship management and event coordination to create meaningful engagement opportunities. As Chair of the Board of Directors for the York Region Arts Council, she brings her passion for arts, culture, and tourism to life by implementing strategic project management practices across the region.
Previously, Sydney served as Programming Coordinator for the Department of Arts, Culture, and Media, where she organized over 150 events annually, trained student volunteers, and advanced program goals with creativity and precision. She is also the founder of Porchfront Collective, a project management company dedicated to supporting emerging artists and developing unique creative projects.
Sydney holds a Master’s in International Event and Festival Management and is committed to championing diversity, creativity, and accessibility in the arts.
Contact Sydney at Chair@yorkregionartscouncil.com.
Steve Lusk
Steve Lusk is an experienced Vice-Chair, corporate executive and entrepreneur who is very active in the not-for-profit sector. Experienced in building exceptional teams and championing change as an inspirational leader with a long-term success orientation and the political acuity to navigate complex relationships with multiple internal/external stakeholders in order to build consensus, encourage cooperation and achieve quality results consistent with an organization’s standards and measures. Currently serving as the Chair of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee, board member on the Markham Stouffville Hospital President’s Council and Nottawasaga Investment Futures.
Jenn Shelton
Jenn Shelton is a strategy, innovation, product management, and marketing professional based in Vaughan, Ontario. She has worked in these capacities for technology organizations such as Dell Technologies, IBI Group, Motorola Solutions, and Microsoft Canada. Jenn has also taken leadership roles on YRDSB School Councils as well the Boards of Directors for the York Region Children’s Aid Society and Humewood House Foundation in Toronto. She is currently a Member of Corporation for Trinity College at the University of Toronto. Jenn holds a B.A., M.B.A., and M.Ed. from the University of Toronto.
Vanessa Kauk
Vanessa has been with us since January this year! We’re so thrilled to have her creative energy on our board. For Vanessa, visual storytelling isn’t just about pretty pictures, it’s about the magic behind the scenes. Whether snapping photos, editing videos, or designing layouts, she’s all about teamwork and creativity that brings stories to life. As Design Director at The Eyeopener, TMU’s independent paper, she mentors students in all things visual. Tight deadlines? Fast turnarounds? That’s her bread and butter.
MAEVE BADGER
Maeve is a passionate and community-minded individual with a deep love for the outdoors, music, and the arts. Maeve is the Coordinator of Events and Fundraising at Stouffville Library and Latcham Art Centre, and is driven by a desire to connect people, create meaningful experiences, and foster a sense of community. Maeve holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries from Toronto Metropolitan University and sits on the Board of the TMU Creative Industries Alumni Association.
STAFF
Noor Gatih
Noor Gatih is the Administrative Coordinator at York Region Arts Council, where she supports the organization’s day-to-day operations, communications, and community arts programming. With over six years of experience in the arts and film sectors, Noor brings a passion for creative collaboration, storytelling, and amplifying underrepresented voices. She has previously worked with organizations such as Luminato Festival Toronto, Dancemakers, and Breakthroughs Film Festival, contributing to projects that champion equity and cultural engagement through the arts.