Cassandra Olsthoorn (she/her/elle)
Executive Director, Arts Network Ottawa

Cassandra Olsthoorn has been leading and developing noteworthy projects for the Ottawa arts community through different roles at Arts Network Ottawa for 15 years. Her visionary, thoughtful approach to a team-driven workplace focuses on the delivery of dynamic programming and services to the community. Her unique brand of leadership has positioned Arts Network as a collaborative champion within the sector. Cassandra is passionate about Ottawa and believes that the arts help builds strong, vibrant communities.

Nicole Milne
Executive Director, Ottawa Arts Council

Nicole’s leadership of the Ottawa Arts Council for the past five years is rooted in positioning the organization as a passionate and influential voice; as a champion for an engaged, thriving and connected arts community; as a facilitator in creating a healthier, more sustainable arts sector; and as an effective collaborator in building diversity and inclusion in the arts.

A dedicated advocate for Ottawa’s vibrant arts community, Nicole brings 30 years of experience in arts administration, fundraising, marketing, communications, strategic planning, and community engagement. Her work with the Ottawa Arts Council, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Canada’s National Arts Centre, and the Canada Council for the Arts have offered her unique opportunities to shape and support the city’s dynamic cultural landscape. Nicole is committed to advancing the arts through innovative approaches, fostering collaboration, and building meaningful connections within the community.

Emily Ramsay
Executive Director, Digital Arts Resource Centre

Emily Ramsay is a passionate community storyteller and filmmaker, working in arts administration of local festivals and artist-run-centres for 10 years.

She is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Scriptwriting program and the WIFT Media Business Essentials program, and was selected for the CMPA Ontario Production Mentorship, WIFT Corus Media Management Accelerator, Ottawa Festivals Leadership Circle, and City of Ottawa Youth in Culture grant.

She serves as Chair of the Board of the Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival, Ottawa’s professional development festival for new and emerging filmmakers, advisor for the Algonquin College Scriptwriting Advisory PAC and recently became a Board Director at Ottawa Festivals Network.

As a member of the Obscura Creative artist collective, she created and produced multiple docu-series and video projects focusing on community building. Emily has worked in Disability media, producing several docu-series, specials and featurettes at Accessible Media Inc. (AMI-tv), focusing on stories of accessibility in Canada’s Disability community.