David Leinster

(he/him)

CEO

(403) 770-1351

David Leinster has built a successful career leading brand strategy, marketing and digital communications for Enbridge, and was responsible for ensuring the strategic development and execution of the long-term brand vision for the organization. Prior to that, he led a series of high profile corporate and non-profit accounts at leading western Canadian branding Agency, Karo Group.

No stranger to the visual arts community, David has served as a strategic advisor for the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA) since 2008. His ability to combine strategic and creative thinking was instrumental in helping IMCA advance its successful application for CSIP funding for the Centennial Planetarium in 2011. A passionate supporter of the arts, David has been involved with Contemporary Calgary in a leading role, most significantly with our successful Expression of Interest submission for the Centennial Planetarium in 2013.

David is an energetic leader who brings a diverse skillset to the organization that includes strategy, planning, research, marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement and project management. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia where he also studied drawing and painting.

Cecilia de la Rocha, CFRE

(she/her)

Director of Development

(403) 770-1354 

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.

Kanika Anand

(she/her)

Senior Curator

(236) 866-3427

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 Kahwagi

(she/her)

Assistant Curator

Muriel N. Kahwagi is a writer and cultural worker, 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. She has previously held editorial positions at the Sursock Museum (2015-2021) and the Arab Image Foundation (2021-2022), both in Beirut, and is currently a programmer at the Toronto Arab Film Festival.

Sarah Philpott

(she/her)

Marketing &
Communications Officer

Sarah Philpott leads marketing and communications at Contemporary Calgary, where she brings contemporary art to life through innovative digital strategies and engaging storytelling. With a degree in Communications and a minor in Art History from the University of Calgary, Sarah’s love for art and culture drives her work.

Her experience studying art globally has shaped her ability to craft meaningful connections between audiences and creative spaces. At Contemporary Calgary, Sarah focuses on amplifying the gallery’s voice, maintaining a dynamic online presence, and fostering relationships with media and the community to make contemporary art accessible and inspiring.

Victoria Cimolini

(she/her)

Graphic Designer

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.

Alison Andersen

(she/her)

Membership & Community Engagement Officer

(403) 770-1353

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.

Beth Kane

(she/her)

Visitor Experience Manager 

(403)-770-1350

Beth Kane has worked in the arts in the UK and Canada for over 8 years as an Arts Manager and Curator while collaborating with hundreds of artists and creatives. Previously Beth was the Festival Manager of Exposure Photography Festival, where she managed the past 5 festivals. Before her move to Mohkinstsís/Calgary, she coordinated FORMAT the UK's largest international photography festival.

Beth continues to provide support to emerging artists in the Working Class Creatives Database and was a Mentor in Residence (2023/2024) for the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation. She has curated exhibitions for and in partnership with Chinook Blast, Exposure, QUAD, FORMAT, Blast Photo Festival, Multistory, University of Derby, Art House, Birmingham City University, Parkside Gallery, Coventry Centre for Arts and more. Beth has been an open call juror and a portfolio reviewer for many arts organizations in Europe and Canada and she is currently a Board Member of the Calgary/Banff Photography Festival Society.  

Johanna Plant Donnelly

(she/her)

Grants Officer

(403)-770-1354

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.

Monica Joshi

(she/her)

Development Assistant

(403)-770-1354

Monica Joshi graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy in 2013. She has been an educator, published author and freelance editor. She comes to Contemporary Calgary with two years of experience at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba as their Gallery Services and Gift Shop Coordinator. She is passionate about efficiencies that integrated technologies provide to the nonprofit sector, STEAM education, and the conversations initiated by contemporary artists about the uniquely prairie landscape.

Yilu Xing

(she/her)

TD Educational Coordinator

Yilu Xing is an artist-educator with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the Alberta University of the Arts and a Master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Alberta, specialized in Printmaking. Xing is the recipient of grants and scholarships from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council, which support her research exploring themes related to culinary cultures, human connections, and the transmission of traditions within immigrant families. Her recent work includes public-based interactive installations, prints, drawings, ceramics, and videos. Xing has also taught art courses within the community and at the University of Alberta.

Penny Szmata

(she/her)

Events Manager

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. 

Yasmin Dhanani

(she/her)

Director of Finance

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.

Brandon Hearty

(he/him)

Gallery Preparator and Registrar 

(403-)331-4815

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.

Katharine Eirich

(she/her)

Accounting Assistant

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.

Shaghayegh (Poppy) Ghasemi

(she/her)

TD Educational Facilitator

Shaghayegh (Poppy) Ghasemi holds a bachelor's degree in Museum Studies and a master's in Anthropology. The awards she received from the University of Manitoba supported her research on child neglect. She has over four years of hands-on experience working with children and youth in museums and schools in Iran, Turkey, and Canada. Before joining Contemporary Calgary, she was a program educator at the Manitoba Children's Museum. Poppy primarily focuses on activating children's critical and creative thinking skills while delivering programs in English, French, Farsi, and Turkish. She enjoys cooking and walking with her husky along the Bow River during her leisure time.

Dandan Gu

(she/her)

TD Educational Facilitator

Dandan Gu graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design. Prior to that, she obtained her first bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. Dandan has worked as a graphic designer for various companies and creative projects. Currently, she passionately serves as an educational assistant for art-making programs within the community, sharing her creative expertise with young learners. In her free time, Dandan enjoys practicing ink art, Chinese calligraphy, and illustrating cats and people around her.