ORILLIA MUSEUM - Key Persons
Mrs.Sirisegaram-Cole ( pronounced sir-REES-sir-GA-rum- Cole) has recently moved to Orillia and is already in love with the community and the city. Her desire to join OMAH stems from a long history with the arts. In addition to formal training in Carnatic vocal music and Classical Indian dance style bharatanatyam, Abby holds an HBSc in Biology and Psychology, BSc in Radiation Medicine, and is currently working on a MSc in Organizational Leadership through John Hopkins University.
Professionally, she is currently working at the Cancer Centre at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie as a radiation therapist. She has a number of publications and oral presentations that speak to her high level of engagement and commitment in innovation and quality improvement. Previous Board experiences included the Research Ethics Board @RVH, Talk is Free Theatre @Barrie, and the Alumni Association @The Michener Institute for Applied Health Science, Toronto. In her (somewhat limited) spare time, Abby enjoys time outside with her spouse Colin and two young boys Richard and Rohan. She is looking forward to sharing her experiences, supporting, and contributing towards the wonderful work at OMAH.
Doug was born and raised in Orillia. He left in 1977 to attend the University of Waterloo. After graduating with an Honours Economics degree, he became a Chartered Accountant working with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") in Toronto. He spent about 30 years with PwC (most of those as a tax partner) retiring at the end of 2013. Doug's practice at PwC focussed on advising clients on the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions ("M&A") transactions.
After retirement, Doug and his wife, Patricia, moved to Horseshoe Valley and operated the Forks in the Trail B&B until the end of 2018.
Hannah's artistic past has defined her current journey into museums. Initially, she pursued a career as a professional ballet dancer, later earning a diploma in Applied Museum Studies from Algonquin College in 2020. Hannah recently graduated with distinction from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2023, earning a BA in history. Actively involved in various museum roles since 2016, spanning collections, exhibitions, customer experience, and various sub-committees. Hannah is now excited to extend her knowledge towards history programming, aiming to make history more accessible to the public. Apart from her work, Hannah loves cottaging in Raymond, knitting, and her cat Charlie.
Janet-Lynne has been an Orillian since moving here with her parents at the age of eight. She attended Orillia Central School, Marchmont Public School, and Park Street Collegiate, before attaining an Honours BA in English, and a Bachelor of Education. She and her husband Max have raised two children in Orillia. After a 30-year career as an elementary school teacher, she retired in October 2022 to take on her new role as Orillia City Councillor for Ward Four.
Janet-Lynne has been an Orillia Farmers' Market vendor, a long-time union representative at her workplace, and has served on the boards of the Orillia and District Arts Council and Mariposa Arts Theatre. She is a cofounder of Mosaic Productions, a theatre company that has raised over $50,000 for local women's and children's charities. As co-host of Rogers TV Arts Scene Orillia, she promoted our vibrant local arts community.
She is a life-long learner who loves to act, garden, read, walk her dogs, and spend time with family. Janet-Lynne is committed to working with other members of council, residents of Ward Four, and all citizens of Orillia to ensure a bright and sustainable future for the Sunshine City.
Jessica Allen is an experienced administrative professional with a strong background in municipal operations and customer service. Currently employed as a Clerk's Assistant with the Township of Oro-Medonte, she holds a graduate diploma in Museum and Gallery Studies and a diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services from Georgian College. Jessica's commitment to history and heritage is evident in her work, as she actively contributes to the Heritage Committee for the township of Oro-Medonte. She also runs an Instagram account called @Couchiching.Curations, dedicated to showcasing the rich history of Simcoe County. With her expertise and passion for preserving and sharing local history, Jessica is a valuable asset in promoting and preserving cultural heritage.
Lynn Fisher graduated from Brock University, with a degree in adult education and has several years of experience successfully raising funds for community organizations that have included Georgian College, Couchiching Jubilee House, Orillia and District Arts Council, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Orillia Native Women's Group and Edgar Community Hall. Lynn is an avid quiltmaker and has recently delved into the art of creating artisan soaps. It is important to Lynn to contribute to, and be involved in, community.
Mikenna is currently pursuing a history degree at York University and is expected to graduate in 2025. She joined as a summer student, working as Social Media Manager and was pleased to stay on as a permanent staff member. Mikenna enjoys reading, sewing and all sorts of crafting.
Monica received her Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University and went on to receive a certificate in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Centennial College. After working in administration in Toronto for a few years, she now calls Orillia home.
Ninette Gyorody has been OMAH's Executive Director since 2013. Ninette has a BFA and a MA from York University and has worked as a curator, educator and administrator in museums and galleries since 2002. She has also been an instructor at Lakehead University, Fanshawe College, University of Guelph, and Georgian College. She is a member of the board of directors for Orillia and Lake Country Tourism and Ramara Public Library. She is also a member of the advisory committee for Georgian College's Museum and Gallery Studies program.
Scott Allington is a retired lawyer. He practiced law in the private sector, followed by 30 years as counsel in the Ontario Government, with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Transportation. Scott studied history at the University of Toronto and law at Queen`s University. He worked with the Heritage Branch and the Ontario Heritage Trust at Culture. He follows art and jazz music, and plays saxophone in a local jazz big band.
Shannon Jackman graduated from the Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCADU) and worked as a wallcovering designer and art director for 30 years. She pursued a postgraduate certificate at Georgian College in Museum and Gallery Studies at Georgian College, Barrie. For six years, she was president of the Orillia Heritage Centre, an organization that oversaw the collection and preservation of artefacts related to Orillia's industrial history. She has been a member of many OMAH's committees and supported numerous programming initiatives. She is currently sitting on OMAH's Fundraising Committee and has an interest in expanding membership and community engagement.
Job Titles:
- Professional Musician and Visual Artist
Steph Dunn is a professional musician and visual artist from Orillia. She Is a singer-songwriter who performs regularly in the Orillia area and has released two full-length albums. Steph teaches visual arts and music at Georgian Bay District Secondary School in Midland.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
Stephen Davids, MA (he/him) is a management consultant, writer and speaker, with over four decades of experience running software companies. He obtained a Master of Arts with Merit in Creative Writing (2015) from the University of Surrey, England, where he resided for twenty years. Stephen's creative writing has won several awards/prizes.
He was a Finalist for 2022 Orillia Citizen of the Year.
Stephen is Board Chair of the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) since July 2022. He also serves as a member of the ‘Inclusive Orillia' Leadership Team. Stephen represents OMAH on the City of Orillia's ‘Art in Public Places Committee.' He is also Founder/Moderator of the free writing group ‘Just Write Orillia,' now in its sixth year. He represents OMAH on the Advisory Circle for the joint Mnjikaning Fish Weirs project with Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
Stephen has lectured on Professional Writing for Digital Environments at Lakehead University. He's Past President of the Bass Lake (Oro-Medonte) Ratepayers' Association and an ex-VP of the Board of Orillia's Stephen Leacock Associates. Stephen also served on the Board of Mensa Canada and on the Township of Oro-Medonte Heritage Committee.
Stephen Davids lives with his wife Nicola on the shore of Bass Lake.
Job Titles:
- Art Programming Coordinator
- Artist
Tanya Cunnington is an artist and curator. She received her associate's degree from Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD), majoring in drawing and painting, and studying in Florence, Italy, through its off-
campus program. She exhibits regionally and in Toronto. She was the owner/director of Lee Contemporary Art, an independent art gallery, before joining the OMAH team.
Ted was born in Orillia, lived in a log farmhouse near Atherley, and moved to that village when he went to school. He was educated at ODCVI, Lakeshore Teacher's college, and Wilfred Laurier University. An elementary teacher for over 30 years in Toronto, Orillia, and Ramara, he finished his career as a Teacher Librarian.
A lifelong volunteer and committee member, Ted is a Past President of Orillia organizations; Mariposa Folk Festival, Soccer, Basketball, and the Conservation Club where he is a Life Member. He is now also President of the Simcoe County Historical Association because of his interest in local history.
On the Board since 2017, Ted has served as Vice President, President and is now the Past President. He believes in good governance as it allows any organization to meet its goals and mission. He is proud to be part of a great team of members, volunteers, and staff at OMAH.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
Patricia (Trish) Crowe-Grande received her Honours B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Toronto as well as a Marketing Diploma from Seneca College. She recently retired from Procter & Gamble after a 30-year career in Shopper Marketing and Product Supply. She has volunteered for the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority as an Archeological Field Crew Member working on indigenous & historical archaeological sites. She joined OMAH's History Committee in 2019 and has supported OMAH's research activities by contributing her time to working on OMAH's collections database and publications.