Board of Directors

Chair:
Danielle Deveau, Lecturer, Department of English Language and Literature, University of Waterloo

Past Chair & Vice Chair Internal:
Bryce Kraeker

Vice President Finance and Secretary/Treasurer:
Alexandra Hardy, Partner, BDO

Directors:

Stephanie Stretch, Carizon Family Services
Irena Kramer, Associate at Gowling WLG
Robin Lindner, Brand Experience and Design - Freelance 
Hans Roach, Ward 3 Councillor, City of Waterloo
Logan MacDonald, Assistant Professor, Department of Fine Arts, University of Waterloo
David Schnider, Ward 2 Councillor, City of Kitchener
Aaron Shull,  Chief Operating Officer, CIGI
Kris Schumacher, Community Volunteer
Rebecca O'Reilly, Vice President, Professional Services at Igloo


 

About the Board of Directors 
 

Photo of Bryce Kraeker

Bryce Kraeker is currently the Past Chair and Vice Chair Internal of KWAG's Board of Directors. He is the Managing Partner of the Waterloo Region office of Gowling WLG, an international law firm. His practice is focused primarily on transactional and securities regulatory matters, assisting Canadian and international clients in both capital raising and M&A transactions. Bryce has a keen interest in contemporary art, architecture, music and theatre. He joined KWAG's board to contribute his legal expertise towards the ongoing development of a thriving local arts culture. Bryce is continually amazed at the high caliber of exhibitions presented by the gallery and is delighted by artists’ stories, including those shared by David Harper, Kent Monkman, Edward Burtynsky, Sarah Cale, An Te Liu and curator Wanda Nanibush, among others. In his spare time Bryce is an avid cyclist.

 

Photo of Jeff Howald

Jeff Howald is a partner in the Tax Practice of KPMG LLP based in Waterloo. He has spent more than 12 years specializing in Canadian income tax matters related to private companies and their shareholders. Jeff is a Chartered Accountant and has tutored extensively with CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax Course at various levels.  

Within the community, Jeff is a member of the Tax Practitoner’s Consultation Group which meets with senior members of CRA’s Kitchener-Waterloo Tax Services Office. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Waterloo (School of Pharmacy – Business & Entrepreneurship Program) and has volunteered with KWAG on our Finance and Endowment committees since 2013.

 

Photo of Danielle Deveau

Danielle Jeanine Deveau is currently the Chair of KWAG's Board of Directors. She is a Lecturer at the University of Waterloo in the Department of English Language and Literature. She holds a PhD in Communication from Simon Fraser University. Her research and teaching focus primarily on academic and technical communication, media theory, research methods, and user experience design. She has also published extensively in the areas of humour studies, creative industries, cultural mapping, and urban development. She served on the City of Kitchener's Art and and Culture Advisory Committee from 2013-17 (Chair from 2015-16) and is a research consultant in the areas of cultural grants, economic development, creative economies, and cultural scenes. 

 

 

Photo of Alexandra Hardy Alexandra Hardy is a Chartered Accountant and Partner with BDO in Waterloo. With over 18 years of experience in the area of accounting and auditing, operational analysis and financial management, she is a professional advisor to many owner-managers in various industrial sectors including technology, professional services and distribution. Alex has been very active at the University of Waterloo in a variety of capacities: as an Adjunct Professor of Auditing for the 2008-2009 school year; a judge for an annual accounting competition at the School of Accounting and Finance; and an Honouree of the School of Accountancy Fellowship Program.  She is also a volunteer lecturer at the Conrad School and leads BDO's business relationship with the Laurier entrepreneurial program. She was recently awarded the CPA Ontario (previously named ICAO) Award of Distinction, which recognizes members who have made an early impact through leadership and achievement in their professional, community and/or personal lives.  She was also the recipient of the Christine E. Sinclair Community Leadership Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership in community volunteerism. 

 

Greyscale photo of Irena Kramer

Irena Kramer is an associate in Gowling WLG's Waterloo Region office. She works primarily on corporate, contractual, transactional, and financing matters. Irena provides knowledge, insight, and support to clients, so that they feel confident reaching their business goals. When she isn't working, Irena is giving back to her community and adding to the thriving culture in Kitchener-Waterloo. She is grateful for the opportunity to support and champion local and national art initiatives and artists. In her role on the Board of Directors, Irena brings her problem-solving skills together with her passion for the arts and sharing the experiences KWAG offers with her friends and family in the Kitchener-Waterloo community. 

 

Photo of Robin Lindner

Robin Lindner is a creative thinker and freelance designer who loves a good challenge. Currently she is building a brand and digital marketing company called Robin + Elaine (with her super-rad partner, Elaine) that focuses on helping local companies grow their businesses and get more involved with the community. Her career started in the textile industry working as a product designer for companies like The Bay, Walmart and Costco. After that she spent a few years learning about the world of educational publishing and working in the tech sector at Communitech as a brand manager. Robin is a huge fan of art organizations like KWAG that encourage fearless creativity and experimentation. 

 

Photo of Logan MacDonald

Logan MacDonald is a Canadian-based artist, curator, and educator and activist who focuses on queer, disability and Indigenous perspectives. He is of European and Mi’kmaq ancestry, who identifies with both his settler and Indigenous roots. Born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, his Mi’kmaq ancestry is connected to Elmastukwek, Ktaqamkuk. His artwork has exhibited across North America, notably with exhibitions at L.A.C.E. (Los Angeles) John Connelly Presents (New York), AceArtInc. (Winnipeg), The Rooms (St. John's), Articule (Montréal), and the Künstlerhaus Bethanien (Berlin). He is author of a forthcoming chapter on Indigenous Art Histories of Newfoundland that is being published by The Rooms, for the Future Possible exhibition/art history catalogue. He is a graduate from Concordia University with a BFA in Interdisciplinary Studies and an MFA in Studio Arts from York University. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Aboriginal Curatorial Collective, and is an Assistant Professor in Studio Arts at the University of Waterloo.

 

Photo of Dave Schnider Dave Schnider is a lifelong Kitchener resident who currently serves as Ward 2 Councillor and serves on many committees including the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. He was a local radio personality for over 35 years. Dave is a Conestoga College Alumnus of Distinction and member of their Broadcast Hall of Fame. He is the PA Announcer for the Kitchener Rangers, a position he has held for 25 years. Dave has an appreciation for the arts and is passionate about the importance of the arts and creative industries as part of a strong Economic Development Strategy and adding vibrancy to our Region.

 

Photo of Kris Schumacher Kris Schumacher (M.Sc.) As a food consultant Kris has worked in product development, written cookbooks and taught food science at the University of Guelph. Since moving back to the  Kitchener-Waterloo area in 1985, she has been an active community volunteer. Her contributions have included establishing Nutrition for Learning, a network of community based nutrition programs for school children in Waterloo Region, acting as Chair of the Kitchener-Waterloo UNICEF Schools committee since 1997, and sitting as a member of the Waterloo Safe and Healthy Communities Advisory Committee. Kris and her family have a passion for the arts and she is excited to bring her enthusiasm about our vibrant, creative community to her role on the Board of  KWAG. "The truly wonderful thing about KWAG is that every few months when you walk through the doors, you are presented with a new experience, as the exhibits change. No matter what your age or interest, there is always something to delight you at the Gallery."

 

Photo of Aaron Shull

Aaron Shull is CIGI’s chief operating officer and general counsel, effective March 2015. Prior to that he was CIGI’s counsel and corporate secretary and was also a research fellow beginning in 2013. He continues to act as corporate secretary. As General Counsel, he responds to legal inquiries from Senior Management that relate to corporate, contractual, employment, occupational health and safety, intellectual property, dispute resolution, and compliance related matters. As Chief of Staff, he operates as an effective liaison and conduit across all departments, providing guidance and advice on all matters of strategic and operational importance. Aaron graduated from the University of Waterloo, placing first in his class as a departmental scholar, with a B.A. (honours) in history and political science. His keen interest in international affairs and political history led him to pursue a Master of Arts in international affairs at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, where he graduated with distinction. He concurrently pursued his LL.B. from the University of Ottawa, where he graduated cum laude with first class honours. Aaron attained his LL.M. from Columbia Law School, where he graduated as a Harlan Fiske Stone scholar. Aaron currently lives in the Waterloo Region, where he spends time with his family.

 

  Hans Roach