Cultural Leadership

Geneviève Cimon brings over 20 years of experience in executive leadership, collaboration, and mentorship to her role as Director of Cultural Leadership at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Her career has spanned Canada’s leading performing arts institutions, public and private funding bodies, and community-driven cultural initiatives—from her long-standing tenure as Senior Director of Learning and Community Engagement at the National Arts Centre to her recent leadership of a dynamic consultancy supporting arts and culture organizations across the sector. 

Geneviève’s expertise includes multi-disciplinary programming, arts education, artist training, and national and international partnerships. She has led collaborative initiatives with Indigenous leaders in rural and remote communities and worked extensively with the disability community to advance accessibility and inclusive design. Her leadership in executive coaching, strategic planning, and grant-making is grounded in a belief that the arts can be a powerful force for social change. 

She holds an MBA in Executive Leadership from McGill/HEC, where her research explored innovation through cross-sectoral collaboration. A passionate advocate for equitable access to health care and arts engagement, Geneviève has served as Chair of Ottawa’s Centretown Community Health Centre and Board member of Propeller Dance and currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Global Leaders Institute’s Arts Innovation MBA, mentoring emerging cultural leaders around the world. She is also an External Research Fellow at Carleton University’s Research Centre for Music, Sound, and Society. 

Outside of her professional life, Geneviève finds joy in playing tennis (enthusiastically, if not expertly), cross-country skiing, mystery novels, and cooking.  She shares a love of the outdoors with her partner, two sons, and their dog, Buckwheat

Genevieve Farrell is an arts administrator, curator, and artist with a background in visual arts and cultural studies. She has worked with organizations across Canada, including the Alberta Foundation for the Arts’ Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX), The Esplanade Art & Heritage Centre, The School of Art Gallery at the University of Manitoba, FLUX Gallery, and the ALDO Group in Montreal. Her experience spans exhibition development, publications, archival projects, educational programming, and community events—all aimed at deepening public engagement with the arts. 

She is currently the Program Manager of Cultural Leadership at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, where she supports the design and delivery of programs that foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in the cultural sector. Guided by values of cross-cultural exchange, intergenerational learning, and making space for diverse voices, Genevieve is committed to building more inclusive and imaginative cultural ecosystems. 

Outside of work, Genevieve spends her time working in drawing, printmaking and clay. She also enjoys reading and cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Wil Fraser (he/him) is the Program Associate and Elders/Knowledge Keepers/Participant Support for Indigenous Leadership and Cultural Leadership Programs at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. In this multifaceted role, Wil provides holistic care and cultural support to Elders, Knowledge Keepers, faculty, and participants, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout each program.  With a deep commitment to Indigenous ways of knowing and community-building, Wil plays a vital role in ensuring participants feel safe, supported, and empowered during their time on campus and works closely with Leadership team to uphold the integrity and spirit of the programs.  Wil is also currently pursuing his Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University, further deepening his knowledge and expanding his capacity to serve through education and leadership. His work is grounded in respect, relationality, and the belief that meaningful cultural exchange, informed by wise practices and right relations, can transform individuals and communities alike.

Elly Grant (she/her) is a dynamic arts administrator, program coordinator, and multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges creative practice and community engagement. A graduate of Quest University Canada with a Master’s in Art Education from NSCAD University, Elly brings a thoughtful, experimental approach to arts programming and cultural production. Her curatorial and project management experience spans a range of institutions and initiatives, including Temporary Collection, Guelph Arts Council, Nelson Museum Archives and Gallery, Parks Canada, the Junction Artist-in-Residence Program, Ed Video Media Arts Centre, Textile Museum of Canada, and the University of Guelph. Elly also runs Double Dipped, an upcycled clothing venture where she designs and handcrafts custom garments, merging sustainability with style. Elly is passionate about reimagining arts programming and administration as a form of creative inquiry, as she actively explores the intersections of art, collaboration, and place-making through innovative, community-rooted projects

Jennifer Qu (she/her) is an artist and arts administrator with a background in events and communications. With roots in Toronto, she is now based in Banff, where she works as a Program Delivery Specialist with the Leadership team at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She holds a BFA in Photography and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management. Most recently, she worked with The Bentway Conservancy, supporting the production of community events and large-scale arts programs. With over five years of experience in Canada’s not-for-profit arts sector, Jennifer is passionate about supporting artists and building community through an accessible lens.