Leading Note Foundation Board
Please select a member's name to view a brief biography below.
Executive Director - Tina Fedeski
Chair - Susan Carter
Vice Chair - Robin Higham
Treasurer - Gary McMillen
Secretary - Sheilah Craven
Board Members
Cheryl Casey
Penelope Feather
Sylvia Gazsi Gill
Craig MacDonald
Claire Marshall
Christopher Tan
Anne Taylor
Margaret Tobolowska
Fran Ward
Honourary Board Member
Barbara Clark
Biographies
Susan Carter - Susan Carter is a practitioner and analyst in the Third Sector. Her work addresses the development and capacity of the non-profit and community sector, and the relationship between the sector and governments, both domestically and internationally.
Cheryl Casey - A former teacher who then took advantage of her years as a stay-at-home mom to devote much of her energy to volunteer activities at her sons' schools, the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and other arts groups.
Barbara Clark - Founded the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir in 1982 and retired as its conductor in 2007 after 25 years. She has been artistic director for UNISONG, the Niagara International Music Festival, and the Canterbury International Music Festival in England. Amongst many other awards, in May 2001 Ms. Clark was honoured to receive the Order of Canada, in recognition of her service to choral music in Canada.
Sheilah Craven - Manager of The Leading Note print music store; music therapist by training, flute and piano player, choral singer and member of a rock band.
Penelope Feather - A Certified Management Accountant for more than 15 years, specializing in the non-profit sector. Amateur banjo player.
Tina Fedeski - Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Leading Note Foundation and co-owner of The Leading Note print music store. Freelance flute player and teacher.
Sylvia Gazsi-Gill - A former elementary school teacher and amateur percussionist, has served on the board of the Ottawa Symphony and was the founding Executive Director of the Nadasdy Foundation for Arts and the Environment. She has been involved with Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra from its first concert 32 years ago, until 2004, as Executive Director for the last eight years.
Robin Higham - Retired diplomat from Foreign Affairs; In October 1998 he joined the Centre on Governance at the University of Ottawa and expanded his policy research interests to include cultural pluralism, and cultural diplomacy and the governance of culturally diverse societies. He is an amateur flute player.
Craig MacDonald - Retired in 2001 as Ambassador to Finland after 36 years service in Foreign Affairs. Since then, consultancy work on management and trade policy matters and volunteer executive positions in the Federal Superannuates National Association and Canadian International Council. Enjoys playing the piano and remembers fondly his violin playing as a member of his high school orchestra.
Claire Marshall - Former Vice President of the Institute on Governance. Practitioner in policy development, citizen engagement and decision making in Canada and internationally. Broad experience in professional development. Now engaged in volunteer work. She is a life-long, avid and active chorister.
Gary McMillen - Co-Founder of The Leading Note Foundation and co-owner of The Leading Note print music store. Electrical engineer in high-tech field for 15 years, amateur cellist with Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and former rock drummer.
Christopher Tan- Practicing Ottawa lawyer since 1992. Member of the Canadian International Council, Ottawa Branch, the Canada/Korea Friendship Society, the Rotary Club and the Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre. (Governance and fundraising committees – since 2012).
Anne Taylor- Founder and, for over a decade, co-director of the Media Awareness Network, a media literacy NGO and website. Formerly National Education Coordinator for the National Film Board, Anne is currently an active volunteer and supporter of the arts in Ottawa.
Margaret Tobolowska - Co-founder and Music Director of The Leading Note Foundation and former cellist with National Arts Centre Orchestra. Composer, arranger and narrator of two CD’s for children.
Fran Ward - Accredited professional fundraiser. Seventeen years experience in the not-for-profit sector, culminating as the Director of Major and Planned Giving at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation.
