BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gregor is the Atlantic Business Development Manager at Colliers Project Leaders, and the former Executive Director of the Atlantic Film Festival. A creative problem solver with a passion for design thinking and purpose driven innovation, he is a results oriented executive with extensive leadership, corporate/business development, non-profit, governance and project management experience. 

Jennie King is the General Manager for EcoPilot Canada | USA, an innovative prop tech company utilizing Artificial Intelligence for energy efficiency. Before that, Jennie worked in marketing and sales at Neptune Theatre, before taking the helm at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo.  Her passion for community engagement and a lively Halifax arts scene has been demonstrated in her volunteer experience with Eastern Front Theatre, Alderney Landing, Downtown Halifax Business Commission, and the Cow Bay United Church.  Jennie resides in Cow Bay with her husband, Marty, her grown kiddos, Ozzie and Genevieve, and fur baby, Kevin.  

Marley (she/her) is originally from Dartmouth. After high school she pursued a post-secondary education at Mount Allison University, before returning home to the HRM where she currently resides. She worked at Deloitte for the past 5 years where she acquired her CPA designation and specialized in public audit, before recently transitioning to work with Emergency Medical Care Inc. In the summer of 2024, she attended her first Shakespeare by the Sea play and was delighted by the charming aesthetic and extravagant performances. She is very excited to be a part of the team!

Jennifer Taylor (she/her) is a lawyer in the Advocacy Group at Stewart McKelvey in Halifax. She is currently involved with the Canadian Bar Association Women Lawyers Forum as Honourary Member at Large and member of the Reproductive Rights Working Group; a member of the Advisory Circle for the Fireweed Project; a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Code of Professional Conduct Committee; and a new volunteer with the Inclusive Movement Program at Halifax Dance. She has previously served on the Boards of Halifax Dance, the East Coast Prison Justice Society, and the CBA Nova Scotia Branch. Jenn is a recreational ballet dancer, a frequent audience member at theatres across the city, and an annual attendee of Shakespeare By The Sea.

Michele is a Professor at SMU. That she was the first person to write their dissertation on Buffy the Vampire Slayer is among her claims to fame.

You can often find her dropping off and picking up kids from the Park Place Theatre, hanging with Carl & Bob the chocolate labs, and baking chocolate chip cookies.

Selena specializes in Human Resources managing and brings  20+ years of experience in the Nova Scotia Arts Community with a career ranging from Theatre, TV, Film, Animation and Video Games. Before joining Allesoma, Selena was a Manager, Human Resources at Ubisoft Halifax and also held positions at WildBrain, Right Some Good, Dalhousie University, Welaptega Marine, Concentrics Communications and was Vice-President of the ISNS Board where she advocated for game development in Nova Scotia along with inclusion and diversity strategies in the industry. A Commissioner of Oaths appointed by The Minister of Justice, Selena is a passionate leader who truly cares about the people within the organization, as much as she cares for the organization itself.

Katharine a Senior Associate in Stewart McKelvey’s labour and employment group, where she assist organizations of all shapes and sizes in navigating employment issues ranging from hiring, performance management, interpersonal disputes, termination, litigation and dispute resolution.  A large portion of her practice centers around human rights issues and navigating day-to-day personnel issues as they arise. Outside of work, she is a lifelong fan and supporter of the performing arts – as a student participating in local theatre productions and singing in an honours choir, and for the past two years has served as Vice Chair of local theatre company 2B Theatre.  Katherine has really enjoyed getting re-involved in the arts community from a governance perspective and guiding the organization through times of change, growth, and challenging issues.

Jill Matthews (Chappell) is the Manager of Internal Communications at the Halifax Port Authority and former Anchor of Global News Halifax. A marketing and communications professional with a passion for arts, culture and tourism, Jill has worked with Devour! The Food Film Fest, Grape Escape Nova Scotia Wine Tours, and the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.  A graduate of Dalhousie Theatre, Jill performed three seasons with Shakespeare by the Sea in 2001, 2003 and 2005.