Michele McNally
President
Michele McNally is a retired actor living in Nobleton. As founder and Artistic Director of the Nobleton Children’s Theatre Co., Michele was able to share her love of the arts with budding actors. She has been an active volunteer for many years, volunteering at Nobleton Public School and in community events such as the celebration of Canada’s 150th in Kettleby and the Nobleton Tree Lighting. You may know Michele as the ghost storyteller at the Haunting on King Road at the King Heritage & Cultural Centre every Hallowe’en or as the emcee at the Mayor’s Cultural Gala.
Michele has been a board director of Arts Society King since 2018 and has been enjoying the role of President since 2020. She hopes to engage artists of all pursuits within King Township and beyond to share their vision and their beauty.
Regina Jensen
Treasurer / Finance Manager
Regina is an experienced accountant with history working in real estate and public accounting (audit and assurance). She’s a mother of 2 boys and a self described foodie and an art lover with a penchant for theater arts. Regina is excited to join Arts Society King to lend her services and discover new adventures.
Murdene Pozdrowski
Secretary
As a long time resident of King Township and a more recent resident of Newmarket, Murdene has been involved for more than 30 years with many volunteer groups and committees. She has been a member of Arts Society King for the past eight years as Secretary and with The King Township Historical Society as vice president. Other volunteer activities include the King Township Foodbank, Heritage Advisory Committee and several other volunteer interests outside of the township. Murdene has had a life long interest in the arts and heritage conservation which fit perfectly with the both ASK and KTHS.
Patti Skrypek
Director, Membership Coordinator
Patti Skrypek is an experienced manager and leader, working for more than 30 years in the Ontario government. Prior to moving to senior operational and management positions, she spent most of her career as a professional communicator, holding positions from writer to web editor to communications manager.
Patti is also an experienced not-for-profit board member and, in addition to being on the Arts Society King board, she also serves on the King Township Library Board as well for an organization that supports those impacted by addiction. She has also served as vice-chair for an organization that provides a spectrum of high quality mental health services to children and their families. Patti is a regular contributor to MOSAiC Magazine and volunteers for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), King Township Food Bank and Christmas in King. She is the very proud mom of three sons and a grandson.
Dorita Peer
Director
Hungarian-Canadian Dorita Peer grew up in Toronto where she enjoyed a stint on the poetry scene, then moved north in 1978 to settle in the Kettleby wilderness. Poet, writer, sculptor, painter, musician, gardener, she made her living first as an optician then as an equestrian trainer, coach, breeder and international official. She is the founder of The Moving Finger and The King’s Feet open stages. She has loved and been loved twice by remarkable men. Her grand passions are Nature and Philosophy and bringing people together in joyful and creatively unbounded exploration for ASK and other groups.
Joanne Bailey
Director
Joanne Bailey is a long-time resident of King Township with a passion for art and public service. She is an art enthusiast who enjoys painting, drawing, and creating her own woodworking designs. Joanne is the proud mother of two daughters and six grandsons. Retired from a diversified nursing career, Joanne was employed as a front-line practitioner, operating room nurse, occupational health nurse, director in nursing homes and clinical and classroom professor at Seneca College King. Joanne is also a certified Ear Candling Therapist.
Now living in Schomberg, Joanne is a board director with Arts Society King, a writer for the MOSAiC Magazine, and a board member for the King Township Seniors (55+). Joanne’s lifelong interest in the arts greatly benefits the committees on which she actively serves.
Barbara Maher-Erwin
Director
After graduating from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Barbara Maher-Erwin started her career as a reporter for a major daily newspaper. She later transitioned into a role in government, where she wrote Ministerial speeches, developed communications strategies, planned and executed special events, and acted as a media spokesperson. This led to a wide range of leadership roles in corporate communications, policy formulation and organizational development. In addition to a board member, Barbara has been the editor of MOSAiC magazine since the Summer 2024 issue.
Since retiring from the Ontario Public Service, Barbara has volunteered with a national advocacy group for Canadians dealing with infertility and with a canine rescue organization. She is also a member of the City of Richmond Hill’s Heritage Advisory Committee.