Vancouver Art Gallery Announces Five New Trustees to the Association Board

Vancouver Art Gallery Announces Five New Trustees to the Association Board

Vancouver Art Gallery Announces Five New Trustees to the Association Board

February 29, 2024, VANCOUVER, BC // Traditional Coast Salish Lands including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

The Vancouver Art Gallery Association is pleased to welcome five new members to its Board: Xyolholemo:t Brenda Crabtree, Arya Eshghi, Janie Hungerford, Priscilla Lam and Jon Stovell. The new members were elected on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Gallery’s Annual General Meeting.

Former Director of the Aboriginal Gathering Place and Special Advisor to the President on Indigenous Initiatives at Emily Carr University, Xyolholemo:t Brenda Crabtree is an enduring champion for Indigenous artists and a key figure in developing leading-edge programs. As an accomplished artist, curator, mentor, community facilitator and consultant, Crabtree brings a wealth of cultural knowledge, community understanding and expertise.

The Board also welcomes philanthropist, principal of fine jewelry collection Gioia Designs, and Crystal Ball Committee Co-Chair, Arya Eshghi. A member of the Crystal Ball Committee for more than 18 years and co-chair of this esteemed gala, she continues to raise millions of dollars for BC Children’s Hospital. Along with her partner Hamid, president of the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation, Eshghi was recently featured in Vancouver Magazine’s 2024 Power 50 List for their work to expand the Foundation’s footprint to well over $65 million invested in support of the arts, education and children’s health.

A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, New York, Janie Hungerford is an award-winning interior designer and Principal at Hungerford Interior Designs. She is known for her extensive philanthropic work for organizations such as the BC Learning Centres for Children with Dyslexia, Kids Help Phone, BC Cancer Foundation and Dr. Peter Centre.

The Board also welcomes Priscilla Lam, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA) who embarked on a successful career in philanthropy in 2013. She has assisted the Vancouver General Hospital Foundation and the Vancouver Art Gallery with their signature fundraising galas and held or currently holds board positions at the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, and the Arts Umbrella Association and Foundation.

Also new to the Board is CEO & President of Reliance Properties Ltd., Jon Stovell, who carries over 30 years of experience in the real estate investment and development industry. Stovell works in all areas including acquisitions, finance, civic approvals, construction, policy development, industry advocacy and marketing. For over 20 years, he has served as General Manager and now President and CEO for Reliance Properties Ltd., which has contributed to Vancouver’s architectural heritage for more than 60 years. Stovell is the immediate past Chair and longest ever serving Chair of the Board of the Urban Development Institute, having served 15 years.

“We are extremely fortunate to be adding five highly influential and deeply humanitarian individuals to our Board,”

says Anthony Kiendl, Vancouver Art Gallery CEO & Executive Director.

“It is a privilege to welcome a group with such a breadth of unique life experiences and depth of knowledge. I look forward to working closely with Brenda, Arya, Janie, Priscilla and Jon to achieve incredible new heights for our current and future Gallery.”