BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Chair

  • Gurjit Mann Toor is the co-owner of PnG Builders and Closet Art Studio. She brings 20+ years of management, entrepreneurial and artistic experience to the Board. Her diverse industry knowledge has evolved through various industries, including Oil & Gas, Fine Art, Construction, and Technology. Gurjit excels at defining direction to align corporate vision with tangible project deliverables, guiding sustainable organisational change.

    Gurjit holds a BSc Computer Science and is a Project Management Professional (PMP). 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.

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.

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

Secretary

  • Morgan has worked in the energy sector for more than 15 years and currently oversees communications and community investment for an energy company.

    The GRAND holds a special place in Morgan’s heart. She has been attending events at the theatre for more than two decades and has a particular soft spot for historic theatres, with a passion for preserving these treasured spaces for future generations.

    Morgan has volunteered with The GRAND since 2020. Before joining the Board, she managed the theatre’s social media accounts during the first year of the pandemic, interviewed local artists and shared their stories through The GRAND’s channels, and led historical tours of the theatre.

    When she’s not at The GRAND, you’ll most likely find Morgan catching a show, photographing historic 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

Vice Chair

  • 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.