The City Theatres Nominating Panel recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Civic Theatres Toronto Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 30, 2018, and until successors are appointed:

- Meaghan Davis

- Robert J. Foster

- Kevin Garland

- Ira Levine

- Steven Levitan

- Warren Rudick

- Kathleen Sharpe

- Seth Zuk

2. City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachments 1, 2, and 3 remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Civic Theatres Toronto Board.

Candidates'  Biographies:

Meaghan Davis

Meaghan Davis is a graduate student of urban planning at Ryerson University researching the intersections of planning policy and cultural infrastructure development. She has five years professional experience as an arts administrator with Toronto-based dance and theatre artists, as well as the multi-arts festival Luminato. Meaghan sits on the Board of Directors of the Toronto Arts Council, the Advocacy Committee of the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts, and co-chaired the 2014 ArtsVote Toronto campaign.

Robert Foster

Robert J. Foster, BA, MA (Economics) is Founder, President & CEO of Capital Canada Limited, an independent investment banking firm. Mr. Foster focuses on negotiating and structuring mergers, acquisitions and financings, notably in aviation, media and real estate. Mr. Foster currently serves on a number of boards, both public and private. Within the not-for-profit sector Mr. Foster's focus is the creative economy and the arts and culture sector within Toronto.

Kevin Garland

Born and raised in Toronto, Kevin Garland completed a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Toronto.  Kevin has a lifelong interest in the arts and has worked and volunteered in the arts and social services throughout her adult life.  Following a senior business career in real estate development and urban design, Kevin led the planning and development of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and recently retired as Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada.

Ira Levine

Ira Levine (BA/MA/Ph.D.) is a Professor of Theatre, Chair of the School of Creative Industries and Dean Emeritus at Ryerson University.  His background includes the management of theatre and dance companies, service on numerous advisory committees and boards for a variety of cultural organizations, and scholarly publications on drama and theatre history.   He is past Chair of the Canadian Association of Fine Arts Deans and a founding executive board member of the Canadian Media Research Consortium.

Steven Levitan

Steve Levitan is the founder and CEO of Protocol Entertainment Inc., recent Chairman of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and an instructor at Ryerson’s RTA School of Media.  Steve has also been President of Deepa Mehta and Paul Saltzman’s Sunrise Films and founding Chair of the Desrosiers Dance Theatre.

Warren Rudick

Warren Rudick serves as General Counsel to Manulife Asset Management Canada, specializing in investment law.  Recognized in 2013 by Lexpert as a “Rising Star - Leading Lawyers under 40”, Warren is committed to public service.  Warren's past government appointments include the Toronto Centre for the Arts (Chair – Audit & Finance Committee), the City’s Independent Investment Advisory Committee and Parc Downsview Park Inc.

Kathleen Sharpe

Kathleen Sharpe has been a cultural manager for over 30 years, previously holding senior positions at the Banff Centre and the Ontario College of Art and Design.  Kathleen is the former Director of Culture for Metro and, since 1999, the Executive Director of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund. Currently, Kathleen is a board member of the Toronto Arts Foundation, president of the Canadian Conference of the Arts, and a member of numerous advisory committees.

Seth Zuk

Seth is a lawyer at Torkin Manes LLP, a full service law firm located in downtown Toronto, where he is a member of the Commercial Real Estate, Entertainment & Media, as well as Technology and Privacy & Data Management practice groups. Seth takes part in a number of community and charitable activities, including serving as a member of the steering committee for Magna Carta Canada and as a volunteer for Ve’ahavta.

The City Theatres Nominating Panel will conduct interviews and recommend eight candidates to City Council for appointment to the Civic Theatres Toronto Board.