BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alex McKay

Secretary

  • Alex is a barrister at a boutique civil litigation firm in Calgary, maintaining a busy and exciting practice focused on strategic, effective, and client-focused advocacy. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a B.A. in Sociology (with an Honours thesis focused on gender theory and slasher movies!) and a Juris Doctor.

    Outside of work, Alex is a curious and passionate consumer and supporter of the arts – both locally, and abroad – and has spent many years passing through The GRAND’s historic doors as an audience member. Now, Alex is excited to volunteer her time to help support, preserve, and shape the future of this important venue, which she believes holds a vital space within the heart of her hometown’s cultural legacy.

Michael Rix

Treasurer

  • Michael Rix is a real estate executive with over a decade of experience in asset management, strategic planning, and stakeholder relations. He is currently Vice President of Asset Management at Brookfield Properties, where he oversees 7.5 million square feet of office and retail assets in downtown Calgary.

    Having lived in cities across Canada and internationally, Michael returned to Calgary in 2023 and quickly decided to make it his permanent home, inspired by the city’s energy, potential, and creative spirit. Michael is passionate about the role the arts play in shaping vibrant communities. He supports downtown revitalization efforts through partnerships with organizations like cSPACE and Alcove, and through Brookfield-led initiatives such as the 315 Residency, which provides artists with studio space, mentorship, and monetization opportunities. He is excited to contribute his leadership experience, operational planning, and passion for arts advocacy to support The GRAND’s mission and help enrich Calgary’s thriving arts scene.

Gurjit Toor

Director

  • Gurjit is co-owner of PnG Builders and Closet Art Studio. She brings 20+ years of technology, management and entrepreneurial experience to the Board. Her diverse industry knowledge has evolved from working directly in Oil & Gas, Construction, Fitness, IT Consulting and Fine Art.

    With a strategic and governance-focused approach, Gurjit excels at defining direction that aligns corporate vision with well articulated end-user impacts, via actionable roadmaps.

    She prioritizes stakeholder engagement, maintaining clear communication to facilitate swift and sound decision-making. She brings valuable insights and leadership to guide organizational growth with strategic initiatives.

    Gurjit holds a BSc Computer Science and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She has served as an Independent Director on a variety of Boards since 2018.

Wakefield Brewster

Director

  • IIn January 1999, Wakefield Brewster stepped onto his first stage as a

    Poet and Spoken Word Artist. Today, he is known as one of

    Canada’s most powerful Professional Performance Poets.

    He is a BlackMan raised in Toronto by parents from The Island

    Republic of Barbados. H

    In 2006 Wakefield moved to Calgary, and it is here where he has

    been able to truly flourish as a Poet, and as a Person.

    Throughout his career, Wakefield has been published in several

    Anthologies: 

    • T-Dot Griots, Trafford on Demand Publishing, 2004

    • The Great Black North, Frontenac House, 2013

    • The Calgary Project, Frontenac House, 2014

    • The Black Prairie Archives: An Anthology, Wilfred Laurier

    University Press, 2019

    In April 2024, Frontenac House published his very first collected work

    of poetry: WakeWord

    Since moving to Calgary, he has produced two Professional

    Recordings to his credit:

    • Wakefield Brewster, da lyrical pitbull

    Produced by Kill Whitey Records, 2007

    • east2west

    Produced by Spanish Fly Music, 2008

    The following is a list of roles and achievements of notable mention:

    • Professional Poet & Spoken Word Artist

    • Published Poet

    • Professional Educating Artist

    • Professional Poetic Interpreter™

    • Calgary’s 1 st City Slam Poetry Champion, 2006

    • Calgary’s first and only 3-Time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion &

    Team Captain; 2006, 2008, 2009

    • Inaugural Poet Of Honour, People’s Poetry Festival, 2011

    • Calgary Poet Laureate Official Shortlist/Finalist 2012, 2020

    • Calgary Poet Laureate Unofficial Shortlist/Finalist 2014, 2016, 2018

    • Inaugural Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand

    Theatre 2019 – 2025

    • Inaugural TD ARTIST INCUBATOR at Arts Commons, Poet-In-

    Residence, 2021-2022

    • Canadian League Of Poets Member

    • Former Elephant Artist’s Relief Society Board Member

    • Peter Gzowski Foundation For Literacy Calgary Poet Laureate,

    2021

    • Registered Massage Therapist and owner of WakeFull Wellness

    Registered Massage Therapy & HealingSpace

    • Community Builder by engaging in Volunteering, Leadership and

    Mentorship for Youth and through The Arts

    • Advocate for Literacy and The Humanities; Healing Arts &

    Alternative Medicine; Alcoholism & Addictions; Mental Wellness &

    Recovery

    • 2019, he was appointed as The Resident Poet & Spoken Word

    Artist of The Grand Theatre House in Calgary, Alberta

    • 2021; Wakefield joined The League Of Canadian Poets in order to

    become a more integral part of Canada’s Literary scene, while

    representing the standards of Diversity and Representation

    • 2023 - he became the TD INCUBATOR Fellow (1 st solo Fellow) for

    the 2023-2024 Season, mentoring approximately 40 Up-And-Coming

    Calgary Artists from all disciplines

    • 2024 - he joined The Grand Theatre Board of Directors via personal

    invitation

    • 2025 – Wakefield put together Calgary’s first and only Spoken-Word

    Funk-Fusion Jazz-Quartet: PoëThree

    After all that the stage has given him, he has discovered ways that he

    may repay his beloved Poetry and Arts Communities; performing

    silently, backstage, providing possibilities and productions.

    He accomplishes this mission as a Connector, Collector, Curator, and

    Creative Collaborator.

    Wakefield is simply Living and Loving a Lyrical Life.

    He would like to sincerely Thank You All, for being a part of it.

Neil Fleming

Chair

  • Originally from the Anishinaabe territory Bawating (Sault Ste. Marie, ON), Neil is a settler playwright, designer and producer now based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary, AB) in Treaty 7 territory. Often described as quirky, comical, and absurd, his plays include: Outside, Anomaly, Security, Last Christmas, The After Party and He Said, She Said (Lunchbox Theatre), John Doe/Jack Rabbit (Ground Zero & FireBelly Theatre). He has been a contributor on devised works with Downstage Arms Length Embrace, and Making Treaty 7, O’Kosi and Indians & Cowboys. Neil has also been: Board President of Alberta Playwrights Network, Executive Director at Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society and Regional Council Representative for Alberta with the Playwrights Guild of Canada. He has recently joined the board of The Grand, one of the oldest theatres in Western Canada.

Jasmine Atay

Director

  • Jasmine Atay is an emerging multidisciplinary artist, designer, content creator, and marketing specialist based in Calgary, Alberta. A graphic designer and marketer by trade, she spends her 9-5 building brands and connecting her clients to their audience through creative storytelling and marketing.

    Her evenings and weekends are dedicated to exploring her artistic practice; where she employs color, symbology, typography, and realism to conceptualize her digital art before bringing it to life through traditional printmaking. The themes in her work are inspired by the beautiful Canadian Rockies, her family, and the people she meets in everyday life. Over the past couple of years, her artwork has been featured in several publications and exhibited at local arts and cultural-based institutions such as The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, The Alberta University of the Arts, and Arts Commons (now known as the Werkland Centre).

    These organization,s along with notable cities like Melbourne, New York, and London, inspire her drive to build Calgary as a world-renowned, vibrant, and creative city. Through her work at the Grand, she hopes to make this dream a reality.

Gabby Rose

Director

  • Gabby Rose is a Calgary-based queer comedian, performer, and community storyteller whose dynamic presence onstage and off has made her a distinctive voice in Canada’s comedy landscape. Since launching her stand-up career in 2021, Gabby has performed at comedy clubs and theatres across the country, sharing stages with widely recognized comedians while developing an unmistakable, unapologetic point of view. Her work is rooted in painful honesty and creative abandon, using humour as a means of freedom, release, and genuine connection with audiences.

    Alongside her creative practice, Gabby brings a strong background in sales and client relations, with a professional focus on relationship-building, strategic outreach, and clear, thoughtful communication. Her experience spans working with diverse stakeholders, supporting growth initiatives, and collaborating across teams—skills that reflect a balance of creativity, structure, and people-centered problem solving.

    Gabby is deeply engaged in Calgary’s arts and cultural community and brings a perspective shaped by performance, collaboration, and lived experience. She is committed to the value of the performing arts as spaces for expression, connection, and belonging.

Ishita Singla

Director

  • Ishita Singla, founder of Madhuban Performing Arts, channels her lifelong dance passion into a journey of empowerment. Influenced by icons like Madhuri Dixit and Madhubala, she founded the organization in 2016, initially a dance team but quickly evolving into a diverse artist haven. The music team was born in 2017, adding depth to Madhuban’s legacy. Ishita seeks to integrate art into lives, shifting South Asian art in Calgary from an afterthought to a cornerstone. Her impact on the community aims to make art integral to personal journeys. Ishita was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for her contributions in the community. She also received a South Asian Inspiration Award for her Outstanding Achievement in Arts, Culture & Entertainment, and was recently named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40. But her greatest accomplishment to date has been her team. 

    Outside of Madhuban, Ishita works full-time as a Senior Communications Officer at CBC Calgary, bringing minorities and their stories to the forefront. She is also passionate about serving the community through her board work with Raga Mala Calgary, Sifarish and more.

Micaylee Rodyniuk

Director

  • Micaylee is an associate at a boutique civil litigation firm in Calgary. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Jazz Music, specializing in Jazz Voice, from the University of Manitoba.

    Prior to entering the legal field, Micaylee was a passionate musician and performer, singing at festivals and events across Canada for many years. Now, she loves exploring the intersection of law and the arts, attending live music, and supporting local cultural initiatives.

    She is thrilled to serve on the board of The GRAND, an inclusive space that nurtures artistic excellence, amplifies diverse voices, and brings artists and audiences together.

Renee Matthews

Director

  • Renee’s current roles with The Grand are as a Director and the acting Secretary of the Board.

    Her day job as an energy lawyer, practicing at a boutique law firm in Calgary, coupled with her creative off-hours hobbies give her the perfect balance of left- and right-brain exercise! She has a LLB / MBA from the UBC, and prior to her role as a Director, she assisted a number of other Calgary arts and community organizations volunteering legal services on a pro bono basis.

    Renée’s favourite GRAND space: “The Mezzanine Lounge is an intimate space that’s perfect for grabbing a cocktail, mingling with other guests and capturing a bird’s eye view of the bustle in the lobby area below!”

Pouya Zangeneh

Director

  • Pouya holds the Endowed Chair in Engineering Project Management at the University of Calgary. He is a Calgary-based engineer, scholar, educator, and an amateur musician.

    Over the past 15 years, his work has spanned the heavy-industrial, utilities, and infrastructure sectors, delivering risk analytics, portfolio planning, and risk-based maintenance strategies for multibillion-dollar projects across North America and internationally. His current research and teaching integrate AI/LLMs, decision analytics, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen capital planning and operational performance.

    Pouya first moved to Calgary in 2008, where he completed his master’s degree at the University of Calgary. He later moved to Toronto in 2012, earned his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, and led risk-analytics initiatives in capital-intensive projects across different parts of Canada. He returned to Calgary in 2023 to join the University of Calgary. Having lived in both cities and worked across diverse regions of Canada, he has gained perspectives that shape his ideas and aspirations for supporting Calgary’s cultural sector.

    He believes that disciplined planning and creative exploration go hand in hand. Pouya has served on several nonprofit boards and co-chairs national committees and specialty conferences for the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. Through these roles, he has gained experience in governance, donor engagement, and volunteer mobilization.

Morgan Johnson

Director

  • Morgan has worked in the energy sector for 15 years. She currently works for a global oil and gas company, overseeing the communications and community investment functions for the organization’s North America region. She also has extensive experience planning corporate events including town halls, conferences, and celebrations.

    The GRAND holds a special place in Morgan’s heart. She has been attending events at the theatre for nearly two decades. She also has a soft spot for historic theatres, and is passionate about preserving them for future generations.

    Morgan has volunteered at The GRAND since 2020. Initially, she managed the theatre’s social media accounts during the pandemic. She currently interviews local artists and shares their stories and art on The GRAND’s channels, and also co-leads historical tours of the theatre. She is excited to take on this role as a Board member at The GRAND!

    You will most likely find Morgan catching a show, photographing buildings, day-tripping to small towns with her husband and pup, or getting lost in a museum. She’s also on a mission to see every Vincent van Gogh painting in the world!

Phillip Armstrong

Director

  • With oversight over development and operation of assets at a national level, Phillip  has a strong eye for strategic business planning and asset management. He has spent over 15  years in commercial/residential real estate development, construction, adaptive reuse and asset management. Phillip is a graduate of Queen’s University. More importantly, he firmly believes in the Grand’s vision to support the grass roots arts and culture ecosystem in Calgary and across Canada.

Tim Truax

Director

  • Tim Truax is the CEO of PodSummit, Canada’s premier podcasting event, which proudly hosts its flagship annual event at The Grand. Through PodSummit, Tim is dedicated to elevating creators and podcasters with industry-leading experiences, meaningful community connections, and a long-term commitment to strengthening Canada’s podcast ecosystem.

    Alongside his leadership at PodSummit, Tim is an Exploration Manager and Geologist in Calgary, where he leads technical teams in the energy sector. He brings the same passion for innovation, community, and storytelling to both his professional and creative work, whether guiding energy projects or building platforms that support podcasters and creators.

    Tim is also a dedicated podcaster, hosting The Nerd Room, a long-running Star Wars and Marvel–focused pop culture show based in Calgary. Nearly 500 episodes later, his work as host, producer, and editor has given him practical insight into how podcasting has evolved—and where it’s headed next. His ongoing commitment to the creator space reinforces his belief in the power of community, collaboration, and storytelling.

    When he’s not working, Tim enjoys spending time with his wife, Sydney, and their two young daughters—both of whom love being at The Grand.