The Guild Team
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Alanna Jankov · CEO
Alanna is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience successfully managing her own company, Image Factory, as well, she is an established Island visual artist whose work has been exhibited at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, among other galleries across Canada. With proven marketing and communications skills, she is an community leader, a Holland College distinguished Alumni Award recipient, winner of the 2016 Cultural Industry Award of PEI, and has recently supported the PEI government in its events and planning protocols and strategies. Alanna has a keen appreciation for The Guild and the role it plays in our cultural community, and sees opportunities for The Guild to grow its connection to artists, performers, government partners, private sector sponsors, and audiences. In the last five years of being Executive Director, and now CEO, The Guild has continued to grow into a cultural hub where artists gain much needed exposure, creative industries have space to be innovative, and the community has a meeting spot where everyone feels welcomed. She is thrilled to lead The Guild and looks forward to a long and dynamic relationship as she continues to support and strengthen The Guild’s mission to provide members of the cultural and arts community a vibrant, supportive, affordable, creative space in which to develop and flourish, by providing access to the Gallery, the theatre, office space, studio space, and skilled staff.
Alanna can be contacted at ajankov@theguildpei.com.
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Michelle Hooper · Events and Operation Manager
Michelle has worked in the Arts and not-for-profit sectors for the past 10 years. She is a graduate from Dalhousie University with a double major in Theatre Studies and English Literature, and was proud to be a part of Neptune Theatre’s Box Office and Front of House team during that time. Before joining The Guild, Michelle was planning events and doing community development work with the CNIB in Charlottetown. She also has experience as a Box Office and Front of House manager from a variety of theatres, including The Victoria Playhouse, Centrepointe Theatre, The Shenkman Arts Centre, and Darlinghurst Theatre Co. Michelle is very excited to work with so many talented artists and performers on Prince Edward Island.
Michelle can be contacted at mhooper@theguildpei.com.
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Kyla Savidant · Assistant Manager of Events and Operations
Kyla is always excited to meet new artists and performers, and loves the dynamic of working with these creative individuals at The Guild!
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Donald Richard · Technical Director
Donald Richard is proud to join the Guild team after being on the road as a tour manager and sound engineer for The East Pointers for the past 5 years. When Donald is not at the Guild you may find him recording and mixing artists from around the globe.he/him -
Alyse Mercey · Gallery Co-ordinator
Alyse moved to PEI after graduating from McMaster University in 2019. With a deep appreciation for the arts, she connected with the creative community here. Alyse is ecstatic to work with the many talented artists who show their work at The Guild.
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Curtis MacNevin · Technician
Curtis studied Audio Engineering & Production in Halifax NS, graduating in 2016 he has been with The Guild ever since. Curtis has ran sound sound & lights for various productions at The Guild including Anne & Gilbert, Atlantic Blue, and Popalopalots.
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Geordie Brown · Summer Festival 2021 Artistic Director
Geordie is a multi-disciplinary performing artist and creator from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He is also one of the most active producers and directors in Atlantic Canadian theatre. With a keen ability to engage with fellow artists of any age, identity, or background, while promoting togetherness and teamwork, Geordie has a reputation as a strong mentor for young people, and a consummate collaborator for seasoned arts professionals. Geordie has produced and directed theatre productions at The Guild, Neptune Theatre, and the Rebecca Cohn. He has an intense love for East Coast Canadian music & culture, evident in his productions of Stan Rogers: A Matter of Heart and Singalong Jubilee. Most recently he co-wrote and directed Could I Have This Dance? – a new musical featuring the hits of Anne Murray, which tells a true story surrounding the history of forced adoptions and homes for unwed mothers in Canada.
As an actor and singer, Geordie has performed on stages across Canada. He originated the lead role in Jukebox Hero – The Musical at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto in 2019. His acting career first began in the film and television industry, leading to many noteworthy credits including a supporting role in Jodi Picoult’s “The Tenth Circle” alongside the late Kelly Preston.
Geordie has also enjoyed a second career as a community outreach worker and youth care practitioner. He is passionate about working with youth and families from high-risk and marginalized communities. He considers himself a lifelong learner and holds certifications from the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion, Pride at Work Canada, Indigenous Awareness Canada, and participated in the Canadian Red Cross’ Prevention In Motion workshop.
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The Events Team
- Lori Linkletter · Artistic Director of Children's Programming
- Nathaniel Ing · Junior Technician
- Nick MacLeod · Finance and IT Manager
- Lloyd Joseph · Head of Maintenance
- Casey Currie · Front of House
- Nick Carelse · Front of House
- Sydny Birt · Front of House
Thank you to our part-time Festival Staff!
Board of Directors
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Shawn Murphy, QC, PC · Chair of the Board
Shawn Murphy, QC, PC, is a retired lawyer and from 2000 to 2011 served as MP for the riding of Charlottetown. He has served on a number of Boards including the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation; University of Prince Edward Island, and the PEI Association of Newcomers to Canada. He holds an ICD.C designation from the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors and has been a director of the PEI Arts Guild Inc. since 2012.
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Maria MacAulay · Treasurer
Maria MacAulay grew up in Prince Edward Island, left to study at Mount Allison University, and went on to provide senior leadership and manage key projects for public and private organizations across Canada. She was a member of the Aboriginal and Public Consultation Panel for the Northern Gateway Project and was responsible for presenting evidence about Aboriginal partners in Alberta and British Columbia. In 2016, Maria moved home to focus her energies on building a more sustainable community in Prince Edward Island. An important aspect of her work is policy delivery: ensuring that the highest priorities have the greatest impact on the most people.
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Patricia Bourque
“My name is Patricia Bourque. I am Mi’kmaq First Nation member of Lennox Island First Nation, from Epekwitk also known as Prince Edward Island. Located in the traditional territory of Mi’kma’ki. I am a visual artist, working with still image and cinematic.
My passion for photography has spread into photographing events of all sizes, sports, wildlife, live music and of course my MI’kmaq Culture. I don’t think of myself as a technical photographer. I am self-taught in photography where I learn from experiences and observing other photographers that I admire. I prefer this natural learning method over classrooms. I feel that this way I can stay true to who I am as an Artist.
I presently sit on the Board of Directors of The Guild in Charlottetown PEI, and I am a part of the executive of the PEI Photo Club. My work has been published in several national magazines such as BEC-Business Elite Canada, Toque and Canoe, and Canadian Geographic. I’ve been a part of 2 gallery shows, one of which was all of my own work, and the other was part of a group of Indigenous Women’s art show.”
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Blaine Murphy
Blaine Murphy is a Charlottetown guy, born and raised. He attended Prince Street Elementary, Queen Charlotte Intermediate, Colonel Gray High School, and Holland College for Retail Management. Blaine spent 35 years with Canada Post Retail and 50+ years in the music industry. He has been an avid supporter of many organizations including the IWK, QEH Foundation, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Canadian Cancer Society, Children’s Wish Foundation, Heart and Stroke and has contributed to many benefits through his music. Blaine is an active member of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church. He is married and has two grown children.
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Don Wagner
Don is currently an Associate Professor at UPEI’s School of Business and is the Director of the Executive MBA Program. Don teaches International Business, Income Taxation and Strategic Management. His current research focuses on microfinance.
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Shanta Tripathi
Shanta Tripathi is an accomplished professional with specialization in Business Management. She enjoys the challenges of playing the dual role of a Business Woman and a Federal Government employee.
Having ventured in four different service-based industries including Hospitality, Shipping, Supply Chain and Retail and working with 84 different nationalities in four different countries across the globe, stands her out. He visionary perspective has earned her the opportunities to work on prominent global campaigns and projects including the Canadian Red Cross.
At the age of 47 she has established herself as an influencer within her community. She is happiest with her husband Satya raising their daughter Tanya in their home province PEI.
