Board of Directors 2023

Basel Al Mhithawi is an award-winning creative and marketing director with a track record of branding and launching eight television stations in Damascus and Dubai since 2001. Basel graduated with a fine arts degree from Damascus University in 2000 and received his master’s degree in marketing from Wollongong University Dubai in 2005.


Basel and his team at Dubai Media Incorporated received 37 awards from 2003 until 2009. In 2010 Basel moved to Qatar to lead the marketing department at Hamad Medical Corporation, where his passion transformed into impacting patient lives by educating the public about health and well-being. He founded the Documentary department and spearheaded the production of over 1000 simplified medical education publications and films to help patients and their families through their journey.

He moved to Canada in 2018 where he leads his marketing boutique in the GTA.

Jenneen Marie Beattie, Vice President, holds a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management from Humber College. She received her BFA from OCADU with a major in Criticism and Curatorial Practices. She participated in an independent studio placement at the Winchester School of Art, UK. She was an Artscape Daniels Launchpad fellowship participant from 2019-2022. Her work in textile-based media investigates the connections between memory and fabrics. The work attempts to capture and preserve memories, it addresses notions of souvenir-ship, conservation, and keepsakes. Additionally, the work contains an embedded message around repurposing materials, sustainability, and supporting local markets.

                                 
She has managed public art projects for the City of Toronto, Cultural Hotspot, Doors Open, StreetARToronto, MOCA Toronto, Toronto Biennial, Toronto Zoo, Nuit Blanche, Cavalcade of Lights, and Mural Routes. In 2020, she joined the Executive Committee as the Secretary of the Board at Neilson Park Creative Centre. She is currently looking forward to taking on her new role as Vice President of the NPCC Board in 2023.                                                      

 

John D. Fleming, Founder and President of Fleming Advisors International, is a broadly experienced life insurance professional with knowledge of both domestic and global markets. A trusted, respected industry leader, his proven record of accomplishments is representative of both strategic vision and hands-on direction.

With his 40+ years’ experience of top-level management in the insurance and financial services industries, Mr. Fleming’s perception and judgment are much in demand among Senior Executives in the industry.

Currently, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative, a not-for-profit organization working to establish a facility to meet the many needs of its underserved community in Toronto. Jack received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University. In addition, he has completed advanced business programs at Columbia University (EMBA) and Babson College (LLIF).

Daniel Hengeveld is the Vice President of Investment Attraction with Toronto Global, the Toronto Region’s economic development agency, where he advises global firms exploring expansion and growth opportunities in North America. Previously, he worked in both infrastructure development and finance, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Guelph, as well as a Master of Business Administration from McMaster University.

Lynn Marie Jackson, Secretary, is an artist and educator with thirty years of experience in gallery and studio management, art-making, exhibiting, and creative education. In 2009, she founded the Children’s Art Studio, a community-based education studio located at Artscape Wychwood Barns. Her studio welcomes over 200 families annually, visits schools, and partners on special events.

Recent projects include a fundraiser with Sick Kids Hospital and supporting the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s 100th-anniversary celebration. In addition to managing the Children’s Art Studio, Lynn maintains an art practice rooted in sculpture and installation. She has exhibited in several galleries and exhibitions, received awards for her Knitted Memory series, and has work included in prominent art collections. Deeply committed to the community, Lynn serves on Artscape’s Non-Profit Homes Inc. Housing Board, and WAAB (Wychwood Barns Art Advisory Board).

Alejandro Navarro is a multifaceted business technology professional with over 25 years in leading organizations to the launch of cutting edge technologies, management solutions and delivering excellence in project delivery and client management. Collaborative, innovative, and solutions -oriented executing deployment and operational life cycle elements from conception to launch. 

Aleksandra Piascik, Treasurer, brings to NPCC over ten years of professional public sector finance experience working as a Capital Financial Coordinator for Halton Region. Aleksandra also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto along with a Master’s of Business Administration Degree from Centenary University of New Jersey.

An interest in Canadian public policy and economic development led her to complete a graduate certificate in Public Administration from Humber College. She also contributed to the 2009 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Toronto Review while working for the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Aleksandra has a love of classical music and is passionate about supporting creativity and the arts within the community. She is a classically trained soprano and soloist with over 25 years of performance experience with numerous choirs and vocal ensembles.

Azadeh Pirazimian is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, art instructor, and art administrator based in Toronto and a former lecturer from Iran. Through her art practice, she actively investigates self-expression, communication, daily resistance, and social injustice, in diverse media. Her artistic approach combines different disciplines, including photography, video, performance art, painting, and illustration. Azadeh has a bachelor’s in painting and a master’s degree in visual communication. Combining her learnings at Centennial College’s Arts Management program and her experience, she hopes to contribute to the Canadian arts and cultural spaces through a multicultural lens while teaching visual arts at Vibe Arts and Turtle House organizations.

Brenda Shewchuk, President, has had a long career focused on project management, business processes improvements, communications, and delivering outputs on time and on budget. She is an innovative and results driven leader with successes building cross-functional teams and motivating and directing employees. Brenda is a graduate of the Rotman School of Business, Executive Human Resource Program and holds a BSc Psychology, from Waterloo, and MSc Information Resource Management from Syracuse University and a Diploma in Adult Education from Sir Francis Exavier University.

Brenda has been President of the Board of NPCC for the past 4 years and has been a member of the Etobicoke Quilters Guild for 15 years, including 6 years as Membership Convenor. Other volunteer work includes facilitating Zoom sessions for the Etobicoke Quilters Guild twice a week throughout the Covid crisis. Previously Brenda was a board member at Interim Place, a shelter for abused women for 10 years.