Jill Birch, an experienced leader and collaborator in Canada’s educational, non-profit and art sectors, has been appointed CEO of the Canadian Art Foundation, publisher of Canadian Art.
Birch is currently vice president of development and alumni relations at OCAD University, as well as president of the OCAD Foundation. She will wind up her position at the university on May 16, and she will commence with the Canadian Art Foundation on June 17.
“I deeply value the role of the visual arts in Canada and the opportunities we have at the Canadian Art Foundation to showcase our creativity to the world,” Birch said. “It’s an honour for me to join an organization that celebrates the power of art and its ability to connect.”
“Jill is an experienced leader and adept relationship builder with extensive background in strategic planning, foundation management, business development and leadership development,” Canadian Art Foundation board co-chairs Kim Bozak and Desmond Lee said in a joint statement.
Bozak and Lee also noted that Birch “is a passionate advocate of the power that visual art and visual thinking has to change conversation, engage imagination, and help heal communities.”
Birch has more than 10 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, where she designed growth strategies for national organizations including the Retail Council of Canada, Canadian Marketing Association and Canadian Association of Broadcasters.
As vice president of business development at Sheridan Institute, Birch negotiated an exclusive showcase for the college in Ontario House at the Vancouver Olympics and grew individual outreach programs tenfold in three years. She also had many successes as associate director of in-company development and partnerships at the Schulich School of Business, and in other leadership positions.
Birch holds a master’s degree from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, and she is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Griffith University in Australia, where she is researching relational leadership processes. She is also a Certified Association Executive.
Birch’s appointment fills the vacancy left by Ann Webb, who departed the executive director position in October 2013 and is now managing director of ROM Contemporary Culture.
In the interim, the Canadian Art Foundation is continuing to be led by Jacqueline Howe.
“The board would like to extend a special thank you to Jacqueline Howe for acting as interim executive director and publisher during the search process,” Bozak and Lee noted. “We are tremendously grateful to Jacqueline for her leadership during this period and look forward to a smooth transition over the next few months.”
Upcoming programs of the Canadian Art Foundation include Gallery Hop Vancouver on April 12, a photography-focused School Hop on May 1, 2 and 6, and the first-ever Gallery Hop Montreal on June 14. This September, it will also be celebrating the 30th birthday of Canadian Art, Canada’s most widely read art magazine.
