maria mcdonnell
CHAIR
Maria has a 30-year career as a city planner, of which 14 years were spent working for the Town of Whitby. In that time, Maria collaborated with many Whitby organizations and community partners, including the Whitby Station Art Gallery, to support community development and strengthen community connections by highlighting the role of places to bring people together.
Among the dynamic projects Maria worked on, one was leading a team in the development of Whitby's first Culture Plan - Culture Connects Whitby - in which Station Gallery is a key partner in supporting the vision that culture connects people, creativity, communities, places, and stories.
Maria has made Whitby home since 2007 and retired from the Town of Whitby in 2021. Maria now volunteers by supporting organizations that are critical community connectors and hubs - among them, the Whitby Library, the Whitby-Ajax Community Garden Project, and Parkwood National Historic Museum.
amanda lamers
VICE CHAIR
Paul Avvampato
TREASURER
Paul considers himself a lifelong Whitby resident after moving here in 1980. It was at McMaster University where he met his wife Heather, and they have two boys. Paul started his career as an equity trader and is now an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities. As a member of Rotary Whitby Sunrise, he believes in giving back and supports several causes in the Durham Region.
NANCY HARPER
SECRETARY
HELEN M. Viveiros
DIRECTOR
Director, Human Resources Operations – Ontario Power Generation
Helen started her career with Ontario Power Generation almost 25 years ago working in various human resources, project and construction roles supporting Pickering and Darlington Nuclear. In her current role, she oversees a team of over 60 across the province providing HR operations and Health Services support to almost 11,000 staff across the company.
In addition to her Board role at Station Gallery, Helen also sits on the Board for Skills Ontario, a non-profit organization that organizes competitions, workshops, and events to promote skilled trades and technologies in Ontario. She is also a Board member for the Durham College Foundation showcasing her commitment to the community that she calls home.
Karina Seeney
DIRECTOR
Regional Councillor Chris Leahy
MAYOR’S DESIGNATE
NATASHA DOWNES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Natasha joined SG in the fall of 2016 and oversees gallery operations. She develops and implements the Gallery’s vision and strategies. Natasha was raised in Ashburn and currently resides in Whitby with her three children.
OLEXANDER WLASENKO
CURATOR
Olex has been the Curator at Whitby’s Station Gallery since mid-February 2008. Wlasenko has curated over 75 exhibitions, including Broken Promises: Soviet Photography in the Age of Stalin at the MacLaren Art Centre (2007), Vera Jacyk: Chysto, Chysto, Chysto (2007) at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. He introduced many emerging and mid-career artists to Whitby audiences at Station Gallery.
CHELSEA FRENETTE
FINANCE AND EVENTS MANAGER
Chelsea oversees the financial aspects of SG and has been in the financial field for over 15 years. She has recently moved to the GTA from Northern Ontario and is a dedicated aquarist.
ian bodnaryk
FACILITIES COORDINATOR / ART PREPARATOR
Ian Bodnaryk is an accomplished acrylic painter with over 30 years of experience in the art world. In 2012, Ian’s artistic journey intersected with the Station Gallery when he joined as an art instructor, sharing his knowledge and love for art with aspiring artists. Recognizing his talent and commitment, Ian was appointed as the Art Preparator and Facilities Coordinator at the Station Gallery in 2021. In this role, he maintains the gallery and oversees the preparation and installation of artwork, ensuring that each piece is presented in its best light to inspire visitors.
ISABELLE DASHPER
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Isabelle (Izzy) joined Station Gallery in the fall of 2021, and oversees programming at SG. She was raised in Ashburn and has been residing in the Whitby area her whole life. She is an author in her spare time, and loves to travel.
kerry lovett
ARTIST EDUCATOR
katherine lavery
ARTIST INSTRUCTOR & STUDIO ASSISTANT
Lauren Greenidge
STUDIO COORDINATOR
Lucy Villeneuve
COMMUNITY EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR
Fletcher dashper
GALLERY ATTENDANT
