Staff and Board


OMA programs and services are delivered by the OMA Staff and supported by the OMA Board of Directors and volunteer committees.

Ontario Museum Association Staff


Alison Drummond

Executive Director

Alison Drummond was born in the United States, and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. She has a B.A in History from the University of Alberta and an M.A. in History from the University of Toronto. She worked at the Legislative Library as a researcher before joining the Ontario Public Service. She held increasingly responsible roles in the OPS, mainly at the Ministry of Finance, retiring in 2022 as an Assistant Deputy Minister. At different times, she administered the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, worked on Indigenous issues in many different contexts, and was the executive lead for diversity, equity and inclusion at two different ministries. She also led operational support for Ontario’s Commission examining COVID-19 deaths in long-term care homes, which issued its final report in April 2021. Since retiring, she has done a number of volunteer projects at Architectural Conservancy Ontario, including chairing ACO’s Government and Community Relations Committee.

Jamie McKenzie-Naish

Operations Manager

Jennifer Lee

Jennifer A. Lee

Membership & Administration Coordinator

Dean Vukovic

Dean Vukovic

Project Assistant

Emma MacGregor-Mitchell

Emma MacGregor-Mitchell

Digital Initiatives Assistant

Leanne M. Daly

Leanne M. Daly

Learning and Recognition Assistant

Jasleen Brar

Development and Advocacy Assistant

Ontario Museum Association Board 2024-2025


The Ontario Museum Association’s governing body is its Board of Directors, whose 14 members are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors gives strategic policy direction to the Association. It also works to strengthen the Ontario museum community by representing the interests of members to government, the public and private sectors, the media, to public and other related institutions, and to citizens all across the province. 

Executive Committee


Cheryl Blackman

Cheryl Blackman

Past President

First Term

Cheryl Blackman has served as Director, Museums and Heritage Services at the City of Toronto, responsible for the ten city-owned and operated historical museums, the City collection of historical objects, archaeological specimens, moveable fine art and an extensive portfolio of heritage buildings; and as the Assistant Vice-President of Audience Development at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

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Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and is a Fellow of Inclusion and Philanthropy from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She is the Past Chair of the Board at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery.

“Museums are essential parts of Ontario’s culture. It is this belief that grounds me in my commitment to fulfilling the mission, vision, and values of the OMA. I have seen how the work of the OMA is strengthening the voices of museum professionals across Ontario, and I look forward to supporting OMA members and the OMA in continued efforts to make museums vital and vibrant in Ontario.”

Michael Rikley-Lancaster

President

Executive Director/Curator, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

First Term

Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, Michael Rikley-Lancaster has been Executive Director/Curator of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum since July 1, 2007. He studied Fine Arts at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, before receiving a diploma in Applied Museum Studies from Algonquin College in Ottawa.

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He was the Assistant Curator at Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, and Program Coordinator for Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations with the Canadian Museums Association. Paving the way for safe museum spaces, Michael has empowered the MVTM to become Canada’s first Rainbow Registered Museum and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive museum sector. With this goal in mind, he has served on numerous boards, committees, and councils across the tourism and heritage sectors, currently sitting on the Heritage Advisory Committee for the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, the Lanark County Museum Network, and the Ontario Historical Society’s Museums Advisory Committee. As a Cultural Achievement Award recipient within the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, Michael has been consistently improving the Museum and enriching the local community by advocating for funding, inclusion, and partnership. Viewing museums as forums for learning and unlearning, Michael is working towards a sector that is sustainable, equitable, and relevant to the communities it serves. Michael is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.

“With over 20 years of experience working in the field, mostly in a small-town museum setting, I would like to provide insight into the challenges of small museums, and how they can be advocates, cultural hubs, and safe spaces for their communities. Funding and capacity-building are foundational to sustainable museums, while diverse and truthful storytelling are essential to relevant museums, which is why advocacy both for and within the museum sector is key to a progressive field. I am excited to explore a renewed definition and direction of museums at the OMA and support our members in growing with the sector.”

Joe Corrigan

Joe Corrigan

Vice-President

Volunteer, former Museum Manager, Lang Pioneer Village Museum

First Term

Joe Corrigan holds a Hons. B.A. in Economics and History from Glendon College of York University, a post diploma certificate in Museum Management and Curatorship from Fleming College and a certificate in Managing and Leading in a Municipal Environment from Loyalist College.

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Trained as a business systems analyst, Joe had a 24 year career in Branch, Regional and Head Office Management appointments with the National Trust Company and Scotiabank. Joe served as Museum Manager of Lang Pioneer Village Museum from 2003 to 2018. During his time at Lang, Joe also served as Board Chair of both the Kawarthas Northumberland Regional Tourism Organization (RTO8) and the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development Corporation’s Tourism Advisory Committee. 

“I have worked in a variety of roles in the private, public and not-for–profit sectors over my 40-plus-year career. Many of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had have come since I joined the museum profession as Manager of Lang Pioneer Village Museum. I have had the opportunity to be involved in a number of rewarding initiatives which have had a lasting impact on the community and this has inspired me to continue to take an active role in supporting the museum profession. I look forward to, once again, working with my colleagues on the OMA Board of Directors to support the industry in recovering from the challenges of the current pandemic.”

Danielle Marshall

Secretary

First Term

With over 10 years of experience in the cultural heritage sector, Danielle has worked in various roles, including previously at the Fort Frances Museum & Cultural Centre as a Museum Curator. Danielle specializes in digitization, collections management, exhibit development, community collaboration and grant writing. Danielle holds a BA (Honours) in Classical Studies and a MA in Museum Studies. 

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I have been working with a Private Collector on a complete collection inventory of over 7,000 objects ranging from ceramics, metals, ephemera, and textiles. In my role as curator of the Murney Tower Museum National Historic Site of Canada, in Kingston Ontario, I oversaw a complete inventory of the museum’s collection which had not been done in over two decades as well as updates to the displays. I also worked and volunteered at the Agnes Etherington Arts Centre at Queen’s University helping to digitize the European Works on Paper collection and cleaning up the database., as well as contract with the Royal Military College Museum to digitize 1088 archival objects and provide advice on proper storage. Most recently I worked at the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum, Smiths Falls, Ontario as the Special Projects Coordinator. While at the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum, I wrote grants and designed and led a 5-year strategic plan. With Inclusive Voices Incorporated I contributed to The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives Collection and Community Engagement Review – Recommendations Report 2022.

“I believe that museums are a vital part of our communities. Collaboration has been a main theme in my professional practice. I believe that being a Board member will allow me to collaborate with a wider range of sector colleagues. I believe that the Board has an opportunity to foster innovative, sustainable and dynamic solutions to the challenges that face the museum sector emerging from the realities of COVID-19. I am interested in promoting inclusivity and diversity within museums, ensuring that exhibits and programs reflect a broader range of perspectives and cultures. I believe strongly that people should be able to see themselves in museums.”

Directors-at-Large


Krysta Longboat

Krysta Longboat

First Term

“Sge:no! My name is Krysta Longboat, I am Mohawk Nation, Wolf Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. I am the Manager of Education at the Woodland Cultural Centre. I graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University and Nipissing University in the Concurrent Education program and have worked in the museum education sector for 7 years and within the last year have moved over to the Woodland Cultural Centre to manage the education department.”

Amleet Mangat

Amleet Mangat

First Term

Amleet Mangat has over 15 years of project management experience at the ROM and has recently joined the City of Toronto, Museums and Heritage Services as a Senior Project Manager. Amleet holds a Bachelor of Near Eastern Archaeology (BA), Master of Museum Studies (MMST) and Project Management Professional certification (PMP).

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“My first paid museum job as an archaeology student was in Chatham, Ontario working at the Chatham Kent Museum/Milner Heritage House. I entered that role with a lot of excitement and quickly realized how I didn’t fit within the museum culture as a young South Asian woman. We were asked to dress in period historic clothing as we provided tours of the home and on one occasion I was asked by a visitor if I was representing the “help” or “maid” because of my brown skin. I have never forgotten this moment. In the early years of my career at ROM, I participated in OMA tradeshows at the annual conference promoting our outreach and travelling exhibitions programs and I also felt like I didn’t fully belong at this conference that was predominantly attended by white colleagues. My hope and goal by becoming an OMA Board member is to create space for other young BIPOC professionals in OMA programming and conferences and provide relevant training/support for OMA members. OMA has an integral role in leading and sharing best museum practices and I look forward to contributing to what I hope is a period of change to better serve our communities.”

Blair Newby

First Term

Currently the Coordinator of Museum Programs for the Municipal Museums of Chatham-Kent, Blair Newby holds a Master of Museum Studies degree from the University of Toronto as well as an Honours BA in History from the University of Waterloo. To say that history has played in integral part in Newby’s life would be an understatement. In fact, she has chosen to live by the nine words that her mother, the late Alice Newby, taught her, “WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY, YOU KNOW YOUR GREATNESS”. It was this passion for history that led Newby to work at the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum as a Historical Interpreter for six years. 

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From 2010-2015 Newby was the Executive Director of the Chatham-Kent Black Mecca Museum. Following that, Newby worked in the Special Events Department at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto for several years before returning to the Chatham-Kent area. As custodians of the intellectual and cultural treasures left by our ancestors, Newby firmly believes that we have an obligation to safeguard our heritage and share it with the public.

“My goal through joining the Ontario Museum Association Board is to further my commitment to this while also having opportunity to provide a voice for smaller communities, smaller institutions as well as IBPOC museum workers. I look forward to learning from my colleagues and hopefully helping to further advocate for the importance of museums in our communities. Because I believe if I had that “A-HAH” moment regarding museums at such a young age, that through engagement and advocacy more and more youth can too. Which in turn will create museumgoers all over the province.”

Amy Prilika

First Term

As the Deputy Director & CFO of the Bata Shoe Museum (BSM), Amy Prilika plays a key role at one of Canada’s most esteemed educational and cultural institutions, overseeing both its financial and operational aspects. With a deep appreciation for the impact of cultural organizations, Amy is committed to shaping and enriching Canada’s cultural landscape throughout her career.

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A seasoned finance professional and a member of CPA Ontario, Amy brings over 15 years of expertise in performance management, financial planning, and corporate governance. Prior to joining the BSM, she served as Director of Finance and Administration at the Canadian Music Centre, where she successfully led finance teams across six regional offices.

In addition to her professional achievements, Amy is dedicated to community service. She serves on the Board of the Toronto Bach Festival and volunteers at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Centre, further exemplifying her commitment to making a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace.

Evan Rankin

First Term

Evan is a partner in the Commercial Litigation group at Singleton Reynolds LLP. He specializes in professional liability and has extensive experience defending directors and officers of both for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, including a major national sports association. He has also served as counsel to the Litigation Management Committee of the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund. Evan has a deep affection for museums, having ‘starred’ in a McLean’s magazine article about the Royal Ontario Museum at age 4. Evan is very interested in governance and, as a proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, having previously served on the governance committee of Pride Toronto. 

Audrey Rochette

Audrey Rochette

First Term

Audrey Rochette is Anishinaabe from Waabadowgang-Whitesand First Nation. She is Associate Vice President, Indigenous Engagement and Education External, at Sheridan College’s Office of Inclusive Communities. her previous role as Director, Indigenous Initiatives, she led George Brown College’s efforts to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action and oversaw Indigenization measures as part of the college’s Vision 2030/Strategy 2022 initiative. In 2019 and 2020, she worked with the college to develop recommendations and a reconciliation framework in response to the TRC Calls to Action, as well as frameworks for anti-racism initiatives.

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Prior to her current role, Audrey worked with the City of Toronto as a Business Analyst where she provided critical evaluations to inform programming and measure success, secured Indigenous partnerships to advance the city’s commitment to reconciliation, and produced a report that addressed the spiritual care of ancestral objects in collections management. Audrey also worked at the University of Toronto as an Indigenous Partnerships and Relations Specialist at Woodsworth College, where she advanced partnerships that facilitated the reciprocal exchange of knowledge. Audrey’s passion for Indigenous relations was cultivated through her roles in the Indigenous community as the Senior Development Officer with Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people, and with imagineNATIVE, the largest Indigenous film festival in the world. She currently sits on several committees in different sectors committed to reconciliation work. She is the daughter of a residential school survivor.

Audrey holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science, Aboriginal Studies and Religion, and a Master of Arts with research focused on decolonizing museums, as well as Indigenous voices, language and ceremonies in museums, both from the University of Toronto.

Emily Stovel

Emily Stovel

First Term

After a career as an archaeologist with a specialization in the South-Central Andean region, I left academe to serve as a museum administrator in Chile and New Mexico. I have now returned home to Canada, excited to take on a newly created position as Curator and Manager of Culture just west of Ottawa. I am committed to rethinking how museums can change how then function inside and out to foster more community involvement and share decision-making.

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“After leadership positions in the state museum association of New Mexico, I am interested in connecting with the pressing issues in the Ontario heritage sector. I have experiences elsewhere which might be helpful, while open to the unique important issues here in Ontario. There are so many changes through and post-COVID that we can only resolve together. I am particularly interested in working toward alternative financial models … Rebuilding institutional budgets are key to this work, and that of seeking more diverse community connections, such as paid internships and co-directorships. I am also interested in regional collections management. There are so many similar collections in our province that it would be worthwhile to encourage the development of living history collections that spark more community connections and plan this work across regions. This will create space for new collections and new exhibit initiatives for community members as leadership diversifies. Finally, I am interested in sustaining and supporting the valuable work OMA already does to create collaborative training spaces for museum sector workers. This is more important post COVID during which we saw such a significant restructuring of employment in our sector.’

Sharifa Riley

First Term

Sharifa Riley (she/her) is a seasoned Museum and Culture specialist with a wealth of experience that has shaped her into a dynamic professional. Over the years, she has honed a diverse skill set, starting with the development of educational programming for youth, children, and families, and expanding into collection management and independent curatorial projects. Sharifa has curated exhibitions for BAND (Black Artists’ Network In Dialogue) Gallery, the Erland Lee (Museum) Home, and York University, showcasing her deep commitment to cultural enrichment.

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Currently, Sharifa is embracing a new challenge as the Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator at Glanbrook Community Services (GCS). This role has allowed her to further expand her abilities, taking on responsibilities such as planning GCS’s two major fundraisers, leading marketing initiatives, and managing a team of volunteers and interns. She has seamlessly integrated her educational background into this position, creating fun and engaging bus trips, workshops, and programs that resonate with the community.

Sharifa’s passion for the museum and culture sector continues to inspire those around her. She is a determined and creative individual, eager to help people discover the richness their community has to offer. Sharifa is a graduate of the University of Ottawa (B.A.), Sir Sandford Fleming College (Post Graduate), and York University (M.A.). She is excited about the future and looks forward to many more years of impactful work in the community and cultural sectors.

Deanna Way

First Term

Deanna Way, serving as the Executive Director of the Quinte Museum of Natural History (QMNH) since July 2022, is an accomplished leader in the cultural and natural heritage sectors. With a Master of Library and Information Science from Robert Gordon University and a robust background in museum administration, Way brings a diverse and interdisciplinary approach to her role. Her expertise spans strategic planning, financial management, exhibit curation, and project management, underscored by a passion for community engagement and creating inclusive spaces.

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Under Way’s leadership, QMNH successfully executed a significant project funded by the FedDev Ontario Tourism Relief Fund, leading to the development of the “Diving Deep: A Tale of Whales Through Time” exhibit. This project not only elevated the museum’s profile but also demonstrated Way’s exceptional skills in leveraging funding opportunities, curating engaging content, and enhancing educational impact. Her efforts were recognized with the Ontario Museum Association’s 2023 Promising Leadership Award of Excellence, highlighting her potential and contributions to the museum sector. Moving into 2024, the QMNH secured additional project funding from the FedDev Tourism Growth Program to develop an all new exhibit exploring climate change in the Canadian High Arctic.

Prior to her current role, Way contributed her skills to various institutions, including the Canadian Research Knowledge Network and Research Casting International, where she was involved in digital services coordination and fossil conservation, respectively. These experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive skill set, including heritage conservation, strategic leadership, interpretive planning, and exhibit development, making her an invaluable asset to QMNH and its mission to inspire discovery and stewardship of natural heritage.

Way’s commitment to the museum’s growth and sustainability is evident in her strategic vision and the successful management of key projects, positioning QMNH for continued success and community engagement.