2026 – 2027 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jessica Allen: Co-chair

Jessica Allen is an administrative professional with a background in municipal operations and cultural heritage. Jessica is deeply committed to historical preservation and community engagement, serving on the Board of Directors for the Orillia Museum of Art & History, where she chairs the History Committee and sits on the Advisory Circle in collaboration with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

In addition to her municipal and museum work, Jessica curates @SimcoeCurator, an Instagram platform dedicated to showcasing the diverse history of Simcoe County. She is also a digital artist with works featured both locally and in international exhibitions. Her creative practice explores the intersection of memory, place, and storytelling; offering a contemporary lens on heritage preservation. With her combined expertise in administration, public history, and the arts, Jessica brings a unique and valuable perspective to cultural and civic initiatives.

Kyle Peacock: Co-chair

Kyle Peacock brings over two decades of procurement and supply chain experience across diverse sectors. He has led strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, and process improvements that support operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Known for building strong supplier and stakeholder relationships, he integrates ethical and sustainable practices into procurement activities. His expertise spans public and private sectors, with a focus on compliance, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration. As a lifelong Orillian, Kyle brings not only professional expertise but also a deep personal commitment to the well-being and
growth of the Orillia community.

Ronda Hales: Treasurer

Ronda has lived in the Orillia area for 26 years after growing up near Elmvale. She has one daughter and three grandchildren who reside in Calgary, Alberta. Her daughter moved west after being among the first graduating classes of the teaching program at Lakehead University.

Ronda enjoys playing hockey and has participated in a variety of sports over the years. For the past 10 years, she has operated an income tax and bookkeeping business in downtown Orillia.

She has been involved in various non-profit organizations since making Orillia her home. Ronda has also enjoyed renovating and living in several older houses in the city and currently resides in a home built before 1900, which has sparked her interest in local history.

Dr. Donald Philip: Secretary

Don worked as a classical musician in the Toronto area for a number of years  until synthesizers and budget cutbacks decimated the music industry. Following that, he taught for the Toronto School Board, teaching biology, chemistry, science, math, music, and worked in a computer resources lab. While completing a PhD, he worked with the Institute for Knowledge Innovation and Technology. Latterly, he taught in the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences at the University of Toronto, Mississauga. Currently he is a researcher with the KITE Centre for Rehabilitation Research at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Orillia Museum of Art and History.

Trish Crowe-Grande: Past Chair

Patricia (Trish) Crowe-Grande received her Honours B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Toronto as well as a Marketing Diploma from Seneca College. She recently retired from Procter & Gamble after a 30-year career in Shopper Marketing and Product Supply. She has volunteered for the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority as an Archeological Field Crew Member working on indigenous & historical archaeological sites. She joined OMAH’s History Committee in 2019 and has supported OMAH’s research activities by contributing her time to working on OMAH’s collections database and publications.

Dillon Bickell

Dillion Bickell is the quillwork artist behind Quillin’ By Dillon. A proud member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, he is a self-taught Ojibwe quill worker and birch harvester. Each piece of Dillon’s quillwork is handmade with natural materials, like birchbark, porcupine quills, and animal hides and skins, all sourced and harvested locally.

Janet-Lynne Durnford

Janet-Lynne has been an Orillian since moving here with her parents at the age of eight. She attended Orillia Central School, Marchmont Public School, and Park Street Collegiate, before attaining an Honours BA in English, and a Bachelor of Education. She and her husband Max have raised two children in Orillia. After a 30-year career as an elementary school teacher, she retired in October 2022 to take on her new role as Orillia City Councillor for Ward Four.

Janet-Lynne has been an Orillia Farmers’ Market vendor, a long-time union representative at her workplace, and has served on the boards of the Orillia and District Arts Council and Mariposa Arts Theatre. She is a cofounder of Mosaic Productions, a theatre company that has raised over $50,000 for local women’s and children’s charities. As co-host of Rogers TV Arts Scene Orillia, she promoted our vibrant local arts community.

She is a life-long learner who loves to act, garden, read, walk her dogs, and spend time with family. Janet-Lynne is committed to working with other members of council, residents of Ward Four, and all citizens of Orillia to ensure a bright and sustainable future for the Sunshine City.

Susan Gibb

Originally from Nova Scotia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from St. Francis Xavier University and began her nursing career in Toronto in 1994.

Susan has called Orillia home since 2000 and is married to local business owner, Brian Gibb and is mother to two young adults, Sarah and Jacob. Susan describes herself as a “true extrovert” who loves being with people and dogs, enjoys blues music, gardening, cooking and good conversation.

As a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, Susan also holds a Master from University of Toronto in Health Performance Management and Evaluation. She spent many years working frontline at various Ontario hospitals, including Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital. For the last 9 years Susan has worked as a Health System Planner, currently within Ontario Health Central Region as Director of Capacity Access and Flow within Acute Care. Susan has led small and large teams implementing change within the system and is recognized as an experienced healthcare leader who views relationships as the foundation of any successful, sustainable change.

Daniel Greaves

Daniel Greaves is a seasoned media and music professional with extensive experience in
broadcasting, live performance, and audio production. He has hosted national radio
programs, created original radio features, and led a successful music career marked by
multiple gold and platinum records. His entrepreneurial work includes running a live music
venue, where he manages operations, booking, and staff. Known for his versatility, Daniel
also contributes to community causes through a range of volunteer activities.

Allison MacDonald

Allison was born and raised in Simcoe County. After living in Toronto for 10 years, she is proud to once again call Simcoe County home. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University and a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, providing her with a strong educational foundation in arts, culture, and history.

Through student positions at several museums across Simcoe County, Allison developed a passion for preserving and sharing the region’s rich heritage. She has enjoyed working these last 10 years as an administrator in the residential real estate sector. In her spare time, she enjoys researching family genealogy, watching documentaries, and drinking bubble tea.

Jo Ann Warren

Jo Ann Warren is an accomplished project and client services professional with a strong
background in event planning, promotions, and digital platform development. She has led
initiatives for major brands, managing everything from web and mobile site launches to
large-scale corporate events and national contests. Jo Ann is known for her strong
organizational skills, attention to detail, and collaborative approach.Colleagues describe her
as an effective manager who “is delightful to work with and gets the job done with everybody feeling good,” and commend her “commitment to quality and service” as “unrivaled.” In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jo Ann has a long history of volunteer service and creative involvement in community theatre, further reflecting her dedication to building strong communities and fostering positive experiences.

Land Acknowledgement

The Orillia Museum of Art & History is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. The Anishinaabeg include the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. We respect and observe the long and enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – on this land. Their teachings and stewardship, culture and way of life have shaped our City’s unique identity.

In acknowledging that we occupy colonized Indigenous territories, and out of respect for the rights of Indigenous people, we accept our collective responsibility to recognize our colonial histories as well as their present-day manifestations in order to honour, protect, and sustain this land.