Board of directors

CELA Board of Directors

  • Peter Bailey
    Peter is the CEO of St. Albert Public Library in Alberta and the current President of the Library Association of Alberta. He is also serving on the interim board of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations.
  • Catherine Biss
    Catherine is CEO of the Markham Public Library in Ontario and is currently chair of the CELA Board. Previously, she served as the chair of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council. She has served on the CELA Board since its inception in 2013.
  • Grace Dawson
    Grace is the Regional and Community Services Librarian, Prince Edward Island Public Library Service. She earned her Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of Western Ontario in 2011 and held several positions in Prince Edward Island prior to her current role.
  • Jefferson Gilbert
    Jefferson is the Executive Director of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council and the Principal at Gap. Point. Reach. Inc., a Canadian-based consultancy that focusses on working with non-profit groups and building leadership and financial capacity within the sector. He is currently the CELA Board Treasurer.
  • Teresa Johnson
    Teresa is the Director, Research and Planning at New Brunswick Public Library Service. She is responsible for developing library policies and strategic plans and coordinates the ongoing development of library services for people with print disabilities.
  • Åsa Kachan
    Åsa is the CEO & Chief Librarian for Halifax Public Libraries. In her role, she oversees 450 staff working across the 14-branch library system. Prior to taking on the CEO role in November 2014, Åsa spent 16 years in senior administrative roles within universities.
  • Tara Wong
    Tara Wong is the Chief Executive Officer for Oakville Public Library (OPL). She has a strong passion for community development and innovation. Prior to joining OPL, she held a variety of leadership positions within Ottawa Public Library and Regina Public library. Tara also spent 5 years a sessional instructor for Algonquin College’s Library Technician program, where she developed a love of teaching and mentorship.
  • Gwen Schmidt
    Gwen is a manager of branch services of the Saskatoon Public Library in Saskatchewan after dedicating many years serving seniors and people with disabilities in the Outreach and Access Services Department. She is past-president and treasurer of the Saskatchewan Library Association.
  • Heather Scoular
    Heather is the Director of Customer Experience at Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) in British Columbia. She was Library Director at Port Moody Public Library and then North Vancouver District Public Library before joining FVRL, where she has held several positions including almost 2 years with oversight for accessibility in her role as Library Manager, Mission Library and Outreach Services.