Board of Directors 2022-2023

KATE GALICZ – Fine Arts Professional 

Kate is a proud North Shore resident, who is pleased to be raising her family here. She holds a BA from UBC in history and art history, a Masters in Art History, a graduate diploma in curatorial studies from York University, and a certificate in human resource management from SFU. Kate has a broad-based knowledge of the arts and culture sector.  Kate served as the Director of Heffel Vancouver, Canada’s national fine art auction house. She was key member of Heffel’s leadership team and managed the Human Resources department for the organization.  Kate is currently the Senior Director, Fund Development for Arts Umbrella, an organization dedicated to providing arts education for young people. In 2019 Kate co-chaired the Audain Art Museum Gala.  She currently also serves on Capture Photography Festival’s Board of Directors and is the Vice-Chair of the Social Planning Advisory Committee with the City of North Vancouver. Kate is passionate about arts, culture, and community.

MONICA GEWURZ – Visual Contemporary Artist, Retired

Born in Peru in 1957, Monica immigrated to Canada in 1976, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science and Master in Landscape Architecture. She also has an Advanced Painting Certificate from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Throughout her career, Monica has worked in the public and private sectors; in real estate, environmental planning, ecotourism, and treaty negotiations with First Nations in BC. Monica is represented year-round by Ukama Gallery in Vancouver, Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art in Vancouver Island and internationally by Singulart. She has received many international awards and featured in interviews and press releases. As a mixed-media artist, her paintings have been exhibited at numerous galleries in BC’s Lower Mainland and are in private collections internationally. As an artist, Monica believes strongly in the multidisciplinary and multicultural potential of the arts council to encourage a broad range of people to participate in culturally enriching programmes and activities.

ANNE MARIE LAWRENCE – – Retired (Board Secretary)

Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, Anne-Marie has lived in North Vancouver since 1972. She has been involved in many community organizations such as the North Shore Women’s Centre, United Way Committee for the North Shore, Girl Guides, and the North Vancouver Community Arts Council.  With an avid interest in the arts, Anne-Marie has had a membership with the Vancouver Art Gallery since 1983. Anne-Marie sits on the board of North Shore Heritage Preservation Society because she strongly believes in the value of heritage as an expression of cultural identity and supports the retention of heritage structures, integrating with new construction rather than demolition, to retain as much of the original character of the North Shore as is possible.

DINA SADEGHI – (she/her) B.Env, MRM Candidate (Planning)

Dina grew up in North Vancouver for most of her life. She is currently a graduate student at Simon Fraser University, focusing on provincial food planning and cultural placemaking. She has dedicated most of her work experience to serving the community of North Vancouver, through her work on the Culture Compass and within the Shipyards District and Lonsdale Quay. She is fascinated by how geography shapes the functions of societies and enjoys exploring these relationships. She is passionate about community building and recognizing the importance of the arts in maintaining strong and inclusive communities.

DONNA OSEEN – Retired owner of corporate moving business 

Fifty years ago, Donna moved to North Vancouver and built her home here. She worked in facilities management for a large law firm for 30 years before starting her own facilities consulting business which has grown and expanded and is still in operation today.  For more than three decades Donna has been involved in the arts community in North Vancouver.  In 1998 she received the Judy Dennis Award in recognition of her work to enrich and support the cultural community. Since then, Donna has been involved in may facets of the community including the North Vancouver Community Arts Council where she was chairperson of the art rental program for many years and president of the council for three years.  More recently, Donna took on the role of Trustee for the Preservation of St. Paul’s Church on the Squamish Nation.  She currently holds the position of secretary treasurer, keeping her finger on the pulse of the historic landmark.  For the last seven years, Donna has served on the board of directors of the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum & Archives.  During her tenure, a new space was acquired, and the North Vancouver Museum (MONOVA) was built and opened in 2022.

KAREN A. MOOLA – Strategic Planning Consultant and Community Planner 

Karen is passionate about the intersection of culture, arts and community and seeks ways to foster this passion, both professionally and personally.  She works as an independent consultant, providing strategic planning and engagement services. Her consulting experience includes arts and culture projects in BC.  Karen also works as a Community Planner, focusing on municipal planning issues including heritage and affordable housing.  She is dedicated to community and professional service, having served as the Partnership Director for Ballet BC Up, a young patrons group designed to develop philanthropy and a love for the arts among young professionals. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Education without Borders and the Planning Institute of British Columbia.  She enjoys North Shore arts, culture and recreational experiences with her family.

JEN ADAMS – Project Coordinator – Facilities, District of North Vancouver 

Jen was born in England and raised in North Vancouver, where she is currently raising her own family. She recently started work at the District of North Vancouver in the Facilities Department and is a part-time reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces, serving in support of the Canadian Cadet Organizations. Jen has sat on council for the Cadet Instructors Cadre’s professional association and has volunteered with several organizations with an emphasis on empowering women and girls including Dress for Success Vancouver, Girls4Girls Charity, and Sole Girls. Jen holds a Diploma of Fashion Arts and Merchandising, a Diploma of Technology in Marketing Management – Communications, and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Entrepreneurial Management. She is passionate about the power of art and is committed to continuing to serve her community through art advocacy and patronage. In her spare time, Jen enjoys trail running, hiking, and tennis.

KATIE RODGERS – Visual Artist/CPA (Board Treasurer)

Katie is a North Vancouver-based artist and a member of North Van Arts. She can frequently be found exploring the trails near Mt Seymour with her energetic twin boys. From 2003-2012, Katie was the co-owner of a healthy meal delivery company (with fresh grab-and-go cafes). Since then, she has applied her skills in business development, accounting, strategic planning, and marketing services for organizations operating across several industries (including forestry, property management, modular structures, food services, and First Nations youth training). Katie backs her experience up with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Guelph and a Certified Management Accountants designation. Her artwork can be seen in the North Van Arts member listing or at www.katierodgers.ca.

DON RUTHERFORD – Retired Executive Director, Social Services (Board Chair)

Don is a long-time member of the North Shore community – both personally and professionally. He and his wife established their home in Deep Cove in 1985 and went on to raise two boys in the Cove. Now empty nesters, they continue to reside in their Deep Cove cottage and enjoy every minute of living in this unique community. After graduation from the UBC School of Social Work in 1982, Don worked for several years in the field of adolescent offenders, assessment and treatment planning.  In 1988 he joined the North Shore Neighbourhood House as Executive Director, where he remained for almost 25 years. He retired in 2011 to enjoy “a life of leisure” which entails a never ending list of chores, gardening, trying to learn to paint (watercolours), walking the dog, and a wee bit of consulting to a couple of non-profit organizations in the area of labour relations, collective bargaining and public relations.

KATHLEEN WHYTE – Senior Manager of Human Resources, Family Services of the North Shore (Board Vice-Chair)

Kathleen is the Senior Manager of Human Resources at Family Services of the North Shore.  She is also an active volunteer in the community and has volunteered primarily with the music program at Handsworth Secondary School, the West Vancouver Youth Band, and Highlands United Church. While originally from Vancouver, she has lived on the North Shore for the past 30 years and has raised her 3 children in North Vancouver. Though not an artist, she considers herself an active supporter of the arts through her frequent attendance at live theatre, musical performances, art crawls, and the like. Kathleen has a BA in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and her CPHR designation.