Our Team
In addition to the many artists who grace our stage, we have a dedicated team of staff, contractors, volunteers, and board members who help make the Firehall special.
View Open PositionsBOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are grateful to our Board of Directors, who volunteer their time and expertise to help us move forward.
Chris May
PresidentChris has planned, managed, and provided strategic direction for major live events in hundreds of cities across the globe. He is driven by the belief that audience and artist experience is the key to any successful event. Ensuring unforgettable memories and a world-class product has kept him in this industry his entire life.
Jo Swann
TreasurerJo is an avid theatre and arts supporter, and a recent retiree from a lifetime career in Information Technology. For her last 24 working-years, Jo was co-owner and Vice President of a software development company in Richmond BC, responsible for Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Strategic Planning, and Software Implementation.
Karen Marler
Director at LargeKaren has been a member of the Firehall Arts Centre board since February 2019. Karen is an architect and principal with the transdisciplinary firm, hcma Architecture + Design. She is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Cascadia Green Building Council. She believes that better buildings, created by leveraging the power of design, contribute to a better, stronger, and healthier communities.
Jacqui Mendes
Director at LargeGiving back as a volunteer board member is one of Jacqui’s personal commitments, and she has served on non-profit community boards to support the arts, affordable housing and seniors. Jacqui is currently the Executive Director of the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) which provides legal assistance to address the critical needs of those who are disadvantaged or facing discrimination in BC.
Emily Lord
SecretaryEmily is a dedicated advocate for the creative arts, believing in their power to tackle meaningful topics and foster community connection. Committed to enhancing Downtown Eastside communities, Emily views spaces like the Firehall Theatre as catalysts for positive change. Joining the Board in 2022, and bringing over 23 years of HR leadership experience, she enjoys taking a people lens to her volunteering in support of the impactful work of our theatre.
Kelly Samuels
Vice-President
Bob Hollier
Cindy Lemaire
Director at LargeCindy is a marketing communications expert with over 25 years of experience, including leading Lemaire & Co. Event Management. She now specializes in marketing and fundraising strategies mainly for the nonprofit sector. Cindy has held leadership roles on numerous local and international boards and is committed to fostering collaboration and diversity. She is eager to contribute her strategic insight to the Board of Directors at the Firehall Arts Centre.
Andrew Rutter
DIRECTOR AT LARGESTAFF
Our people are the heart of what we do! Our staff are dedicated, talented, connected, and amazing.
Donna Spencer
Artistic Producerdspencer@firehallartscentre.ca
Donna Spencer is the Artistic Producer of the Firehall Arts Centre and was one of the Firehall’s founding directors. She is the winner of the Jessie Richardson Outstanding Direction Award for Urinetown, the Musical and for Reading Hebron. Her many theatre directorial credits include Mary’s Wedding, Yellow Fever, REFUGE, Social Studies, Vimy, Stuff Happens, Einstein’s Gift, Golden Child, Menopositive The Musical!, The Yoko Ono Project, Wawatay, The Unnatural and Accidental Women, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth, The Ecstasy of Rita Joe and many others.
Jessica Gerlach
General Manager
Jethro Allen-Martin
Technical Directortd@firehallartscentre.ca
Jethro Allen-Martin is a technician and technical director. He is an alumni of Vancouver Island University’s technical theatre program and is now based in Vancouver. They have lived and worked in the city in a variety of rolls for the past six years. Jethro is very excited for the opportunity to work and play at the Firehall Arts Centre.
Daniela Vega
Administration & Marketing CoordinatorDaniela is a Dominican passionate artist with a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts. With three years of experience in the audiovisual industry, she has made her mark as a versatile and dedicated professional. Daniela recently graduated from the Adv. Arts & Entertainment Management Program at Capilano University and has been working in Arts Administration since her arrival to Vancouver.
Caleb Dyks
Audience Services Manager
Ashleigh Giffin
Bar ManagerAshleigh Giffen is a 26 year old Oji-Cree multi-disciplinary artist exploring fragmented histories, place, and futurisms through lenses of critical Indigeneity and discouraging genre. Her first play, Kamwatan Nipe (Quiet Water) held its first reading at the Arts Club Theatre company, followed by a silver commission and artist in residency at the Arts Club. Her work has been featured in Briarpatch Magazine, Canadian Arts and Stories, and Room Magazine. She loves her Firehall family and loves having the pleasure of working the bar and serving such a special community.
The Firehall is where my family’s stories began to be told again.Rosemary Georgeson
Sahtu Dene & Coast Salish Artist, Writer, Storyteller