OUR TEAM

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

  • (403) 770-1351
    david@contemporarycalgary.com

    David Leinster is the Chief Executive Officer of Contemporary Calgary, where he leads the organization with a focus on community, collaboration, and accessibility. Since joining the gallery in 2018, he has played a central role in establishing Contemporary Calgary as a major cultural destination and advancing its mission to make contemporary art accessible to all.

    David’s connection to Contemporary Calgary spans nearly two decades, beginning with volunteer involvement with the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA) in 2005. Most notably, he led the project management for the successful 2013 Expression of Interest submission to the City of Calgary—developed with IMCA, the Art Gallery of Calgary, and MOCA Calgary, alongside a dedicated group of community leaders—to transform the vacant Centennial Planetarium into a major destination for contemporary art.

    Under David’s leadership, Contemporary Calgary has achieved key milestones, including securing a 35-year lease for the Centennial Planetarium and achieving Civic Partner status, cementing its place among Calgary’s funded and supported cultural and tourism institutions. He is currently leading the $170 million Centennial Planetarium Transformation Project to renovate and expand the facility, through which more than $100 million has already been invested or committed, in addition to millions of dollars raised in private philanthropy supporting gallery operations and infrastructure.

    David’s professional background is in strategic marketing and creative leadership, and his passion for art was inspired by his grandmother, an artist who fostered his lifelong appreciation for art and culture. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University and leads a dedicated team who share the belief that art is essential and work together to ensure it is accessible for all. A recognized community leader, David was named one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2022.

    David lives in Okotoks, Alberta, with his wife, Colleen, and their four children.

DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

  • alison@contemporarycalgary.com

    Alison Andersen graduated from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in photography and printmaking. After moving to Calgary in 2010 she started her career in the arts and has since gained experience in arts administration, event coordination, guest service experiences and commercial photography, including a number of international publications for her architectural and fashion photography. Alison is incredibly passionate about the arts and welcomes all opportunities to be a part of engaging art experiences.

  • (403) 770-1354 
    cecilia@contemporarycalgary.com

    Cecilia de la Rocha brings years of experience to her role; her career has spanned both the for- and non-profit sectors. A former professional engineer, Cecilia worked in project management for international projects before segueing to the non-profit sector.

     Cecilia was part of the Artemis Charitable Foundation for over 15 years. This group of vibrant, community-minded professional women produced Gallery Calorie, a beloved walking tour of galleries and restaurants along 17th Ave., and later 9th Ave. in Inglewood which benefited local grassroots charities.

    From public fundraising events to major gifts and capital campaigns, Cecilia has gone on to hold multiple leadership roles in the non-profit sector. When not at work Cecilia enjoys traveling to far off places to visit as many contemporary and modern art galleries as she can.

  • (403)-770-1354
    johanna@contemporarycalgary.com

    Johanna Plant Donnelly is a Calgary-based art historian who brings over a decade of experience in the arts to Contemporary Calgary. She has worked and taught in a variety of Canadian cultural and educational institutions, including artist-run centres, universities, and  international-caliber museums.

    Johanna holds a PhD in Art History from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, along with an MA from University College London (UK) and a BA from the University of Calgary. When she’s not writing grants, Johanna can be found facilitating public art projects in her community or taking in Calgary’s rich artistic culture.

  • amy@contemporarycalgary.com

    Amy Strilchuk brings over 20 years of experience in the arts and culture sector. As a seasoned marketer and fundraiser, she has successfully driven campaign strategies and brand partnerships for some of Western Canada's largest performing arts organizations, such as Arts Club Theatre, Ballet BC, Calgary Opera, and The Cultch — Vancouver's most diverse and innovative arts and cultural hub. She has also led significant organizational change through leadership roles at Against the Grain Theatre, Magnetic North Theatre Festival, and Touchstone Theatre. An alumna of the Banff Centre’s Cultural Leadership Program with an MA in Theatre from UBC, Amy is dedicated to building sustainable organizational capacity to help artists thrive. When not in a theatre or gallery, you can find Amy shopping for vintage or enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature.  

CURATORIAL & EDUCATION

  • mona@contemporarycalgary.com

    Mona Filip’s curatorial career spans two decades of developing critical visual art programs, supporting the production of new works, and introducing national and international artists to Toronto through first local exhibitions. As a former Curator at the Art Museum, University of Toronto, and previously Director/Curator of the Koffler Gallery, Mona has led numerous exhibitions, site-specific projects, public programs, and educational initiatives, focusing on themes of displacement and adaptation. Her projects have explored the intersections of collective memory, place, and belonging, examining artistic strategies that redress sidelined histories, restitution and repair, and storytelling as world-building.

    Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Mona holds a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art, Washington DC, and an MFA from SUNY at Buffalo. She has commissioned significant new works by Canadian artists such as Caroline Monnet, Sameer Farooq, Ghazaleh Avarzamani, Karen Tam, and José Luis Torres, while also curating the first Canadian exhibitions of acclaimed international artists Raphaël Zarka, Christian Hidaka, Sigalit Landau, and Isabel Rocamora. Her commitment to fostering artistic innovation and cross-disciplinary exchange makes her an invaluable addition to Contemporary Calgary.

  • (236) 866-3427
    kanika@contemporarycalgary.com

    Kanika Anand is an arts manager, writer and curator, with a Bachelor’s degree in History from Delhi University and a Master’s degree in Art History from the National Museum Institute, India. She has been curatorial fellow at the Centre National d’Art Contemporain, Grenoble, France and fellow at the Global Cultural Leadership Programme, organized by the Cultural Diplomacy Platform. She has worked extensively with galleries and alternative art spaces in the United States, France and India, as an arts manager and an independent curator from 2008-2020 and remains active Curatorial Member of the Indian Ceramics Triennale. Her interest and involvement in developing new and meaningful formats of engagement with art continues across curatorial and public programming roles at Contemporary Calgary

  • muriel@contemporarycalgary.com

    Muriel N. Kahwagi is a writer and curator, working primarily across publishing and programming. Her research is centered on the politics of collecting and archiving the performative; and the act of listening as a form of preservation in and of itself. In 2023, she was the TD Curatorial Fellow at Art Windsor-Essex, and a curator as part of Vtape’s Curatorial Incubator, v.19. Her writing has been published in Sociology Lens, Artists Alliance Inc., and Rusted Radishes. She is currently the Associate Curator at Contemporary Calgary, and a member of the board of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Center (CFMDC).

  • (403-)331-4815
    brandon@contemporarycalgary.com

    Brandon Hearty is a Calgary-based arts professional with over a decade of experience in exhibition development, gallery operations, and public engagement. His educational history includes an MFA from the University of Calgary, a student exchange with the Royal College of Art, and various artist residency programs. 

    In addition to maintaining an active studio practice, Brandon has worked with other local institutions such as the National Music Centre, Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art, and EMMEDIA Gallery and Production Society, where he managed exhibitions, collaborated with diverse teams, and connected audiences with new cultural experiences. Brandon’s devotion to Calgary’s growing art scene drives his commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and meaningful dialogues through the arts. Known for his excitement, passion, and technical expertise, Brandon thrives on creating engaging art experiences and contributing to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.

  • yilu@contemporarycalgary.com

    Yilu Xing is an artist-educator with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alberta University of the Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Alberta, specializing in Printmaking. She has received grants and scholarships from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to support her research on culinary traditions within immigrant families and the ways participatory art can build connection, memory, and dialogue. Her work spans installations engaging people’s stories, collaborative public art projects, prints, ceramics, and performance. She has taught art courses at the University of Alberta and remains passionate about supporting others in their creative work.

  • vanessa@contemporarycalgary.com

    Vanessa Lamb graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and a minor in Museum and Heritage Studies. She has a deep passion for art, especially the conversations and change it can spark, leading her to have a people-centred approach in her work, and an unending curiosity to learn more. In her career, Vanessa has experience in arts administration, visitor experience, and both designing and implementing public programs, art workshops and elementary school programs. Her curiosity is visible in her own creative practice where she explores different mediums, subject matters and new techniques. Vanessa’s work often explores themes of memory, grief, and identity. When not working, she can be found embroidering, painting or exploring nature.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

  • sarah@contemporarycalgary.com

    Sarah Philpott holds a degree in Communications and a minor in Art History from the University of Calgary. Since joining Contemporary Calgary, she has led the gallery’s marketing and communications efforts, specializing in digital strategy, content creation, and media relations. With a passion for making contemporary art both accessible and impactful, Sarah uses her expertise to build strong community connections. Drawing on her global experiences in the art world, she brings a unique perspective to her work, helping to amplify the gallery’s voice, spark conversation, and engage diverse audiences in creative ways.

  • Victoria Cimolini graduated from AUarts in 2020. Victoria practices a wide range of digital media to convey narratives for various businesses and personal projects. She is a graphic designer, photographer, motion designer, animator and illustrator. She has worked for Rupi Kaur & Artefact Creative, Bamff Studios, Sled Island and Wild Folk.

FINANCE & OPERATIONS

  • yasmin@contemporarycalgary.com

    Yasmin Dhanani brings over 20 years of experience in financial reporting, budgeting, performance analysis, treasury, advisory assignments, internal and external audits. Her career includes working for Aga Khan Education Services (not for profit), Nexen, Suncor, IBM Global Services, Lonrho Plc and Deloitte & Touche. Yasmin is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and holds a BSc in Statistics and Mathematics from the University of London, UK.

    Her community service activities include volunteering six years as a mediator and three years in cultural matters and external events. She enjoys painting, visiting art galleries, theatre and international travel.

  • katharine@contemporarycalgary.com

    Katharine Eirich is an accomplished business professional with a deep passion for the arts. Having enjoyed a successful career in finance, she now leverages her financial expertise in her part-time role within the accounting department at Contemporary Calgary. Her unique combination of financial acumen and appreciation for the arts makes her a valuable contributor to the organization.

  • cheryl@contemporarycalgary.com

    Cheryl Oishi brings over 20 years of experience in leadership and Human Resources, having worked in the healthcare, education and energy sectors. Cheryl is a certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) with a PhD in Multiculturalism and a Masters and Bachelor degree in Education.  As an avid and long-time supporter of Calgary’s performing arts and music scenes, she is excited at this stage in her career to be making a difference in the visual arts community.

  • gonzalo@contemporarycalgary.com

    Gonzalo Mera, with a background as Mechanical Engineer and a Master degree in Business Administration, having worked in cement industry, oil & gas, hospitality and retail, has extensive experience in management companies and facilities.

    His spirit of collaboration, attention to detail, and customer service create a safe and comfortable environment for those who visit, use the facilities, and are part of Contemporary Art.

    When not at work Gonzalo enjoys playing tennis and reading.

VISITOR SERVICES

EVENTS

  • penny@contemporarycalgary.com

    Penny Szmata's first endeavour in the arts was curating a skate deck art show painted by tattoo artists & musicians whose profits went towards a local unhoused children's shelter. 

    This led to her enrollment into the Arts and Culture Management program at Grant McEwan. Since then, she has worked as a music promoter for B.A.D. Concerts and Foundation Concerts. 

    She was a talent buyer for the Fringe Festival, worked as the Ticket Manager for the Calgary Folk Music Festival, and then as the Adult Education Coordinator for the Glenbow Museum. 

  • jamie@contemporarycalgary.com

    Penny Szmata's first endeavour in the arts was curating a skate deck art show painted by tattoo artists & musicians whose profits went towards a local unhoused children's shelter. 

    This led to her enrollment into the Arts and Culture Management program at Grant McEwan. Since then, she has worked as a music promoter for B.A.D. Concerts and Foundation Concerts. 

    She was a talent buyer for the Fringe Festival, worked as the Ticket Manager for the Calgary Folk Music Festival, and then as the Adult Education Coordinator for the Glenbow Museum.