Our Board of Directors
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Set the strategic direction and approves appropriate plans from the management;
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Recruits, empowers and monitors VVAF’s management;
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Guides and protects VVAF's resources, approving major financial decisions, ensuring internal controls are in place and addressing areas of risk; and
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Ensures compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards.
VVAF’s Board of Directors does not receive any remuneration for their services to the Board.
Sky Lilah
President
Sky Lilah is the Vice President of Strategic Growth for the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation (VVAF) and the Chair of the VVAF Board. She has been involved in Global Events for 10 years and is a Health and Wellbeing expert. She is a sought-after corporate trainer and manages the planning, execution and strategic growth of our organization. She is a yoga instructor, ACE certified professional trainer, Sports Performance Specialist, Group Fitness Instructor and is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist. Skyla has studied acting, psychology and of course art. Her list of exhibitions of her own work is long and varied and includes multiple countries. Sky is the author of 'Master your Mindset' and the founder of the publishing company 'SKY LILAH'. Sky is extremely passionate about assisting others to reach their full potential, realizing their dreams and learning how to collaborate as a productive and imaginative team.
Simone Mora
Treasurer
Simone Mora is the treasurer of VVAF. During her professional career, she worked in the Finance and Controlling sector in Germany and France. At the end Simone was the Head of Finance & Administration and Deputy Commercial Manager of an international construction company in Qatar, until the birth of her children. Besides pursuing her professional career, it was always important to Simone to use her skills, volunteering and contributing to the wellbeing of her community. She assumed, among others, the responsibilities of the Board Member for Human Resources & Finance and Deputy Chairman of the German International School Doha in Qatar. After settling down in Canada, Simone took over the role as PAC treasurer for a secondary school and later started volunteering as Accountant in VVAF where she could combine her passion for numbers with her interest in Arts.
Lisa Wolfin
Past President
Lisa Wolfin, our Executive Director and Founder is a visionary. She graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA in 1982. Winning the Most Creative Design award set her on the path to working at Dior in Paris. Upon returning to Vancouver, Lisa started her own business in 1987 called “Wear Wolfin Designs” producing a high-end line of ladies clothing. Ultimately, Lisa gave up her business to raise 3 amazing children. These days Lisa spearheads VVAF and is continuously building the foundation. She creates opportunities for emerging artists by mentoring and helping them obtain funding. She provides outlets for artists to connect with each other and collectors, and travels to other countries in her quest to truly unite nations through art. Her attitude is “more makes more” and welcomes all those interested in connecting and educating everyone through art and continues to inspire all who come into her fantastic aura of creativity.
Diana Mogensen
Vice President
Diana Mogensen is currently serving as Vice President of VVAF. As a founder of Art Ignites, her responsibilities include reigniting/running it. In addition, she is interested in connecting youth to community through the arts. Diana is currently pursuing post graduate studies in public engagement in cultural spaces with an emphasis on youth and mental health at the University of Victoria’s Museum Studies Program. She holds a Teaching Certificate in BC and continues her passion as a Docent at the Vancouver Art Gallery. She serves on the Board of Directors at Roedde House Museum, and is a certified Forest Therapy Guide, with a certification in 2019 from the Association Of Forest Therapy Guides and Programs in California. Passionate about biophilic design and connecting nature and interior spaces to metal and physical wellness, she is proud to say she studied Biophilic Design with the founder of Terapin Bright Green and through the American Interior Design Society.
Souhaila Hussain
Secretary
Souhaila Hussain is our Board Secretary supporting the Directors in an administrative capacity. She holds a master’s degree in communications and over a decade of experience servicing the communication, marketing and research needs of universities, not-for-profits, and manufacturers in multiple countries. She is passionate about art and was co-editor for a coffee table book on contemporary Sudanese artists.
Kathy van Gogh
Director
Kathy van Gogh is an artist, entrepreneur, business woman and beloved Mother of 4 and Ama to 2 wonderful grandchildren. Having run many successful businesses during her 5 decades-long career, she always says her best creations are her children! Kathy has been a volunteer with VVAF since its inception, and has served on the Board in various roles. She is currently a Director and the Human Resources Manager. She has a wide array of experience in programming, documentation drafting, College Professor, office management, wholesale, and talent acquisition. On the artistic side, Kathy studied with European and North American masters in the ancient art of decorative painting. She developed her own line of paint and companion products, and traveled all over North America training devotees in her signature line of finishes and visual art. “To be human is to be an artist” are the words of wisdom she shares with anyone longing to express themselves creatively.
