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.

Leni Brem | Secretary

Leni Brem is a tourism consultant heading up her own company, Brem Consulting Inc. She is currently working with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario and has previously worked as the Director of Operations for Indigenous Tourism Ontario, with Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, and ON Culture Days. Leni has worked in tourism, hospitality, culinary, agri-food, and events across Ontario for over 20 years. She brings a values-driven approach to helping organizations achieve their goals.

Jenn Shelton

Jenn Shelton (she/her) 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.

Steve Lusk

Steve Lusk is an experienced board member, 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.