Brendan McKeen believes that everyone, no matter where you live or what you can afford, deserves access to the arts. During the day, you can find him at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre serving as the Individual Giving Manager. Early in the morning and late at night, Brendan is the Executive Director of manitoba UNDERGROUND opera, an indie opera company he founded in 2008. He has two music degrees including a Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University. Brendan is deeply thankful for all his mentors who have helped him throughout, he wouldn't be here without you.

Lucie Lederhendler (she/her/hers) is the curator of the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba in Brandon. Previously, she was a director of the curatorial collective Studio Béluga and the Educational Programs Manager at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Montreal. She holds a Masters of Art Education from Concordia University.

Rose-Anne Harder is a distinguished alumna of the University of Winnipeg’s Manitoba Arts and Cultural Management Certificate Program and the University of Manitoba’s Theatre program. Holding certification as an Event Coordinator, she brings a wealth of expertise to her roles. As the dedicated Executive Director of the Manitoba Arts Network for the last decade, Rose-Anne’s primary goal has been to enhance arts accessibility in the rural and northern regions of Manitoba.

With a strong commitment to the arts community, Rose-Anne has also held the position of Chair at Creative Manitoba and served as a board director at Artspace. Her career path leading to MAN included a decade of valuable experience within two sector councils: the Manitoba Tourism Education Council and Film Training Manitoba. Prior to these roles, Rose-Anne demonstrated her versatile talents as a director, stage manager, production manager, and scenic artist.

Rob Kennedy is past Chair of Alzheimer Society Manitoba and recently retired as Film Liaison Manager and Cultural Industries Consultant of the Province of Manitoba. In addition to his volunteer and public sector work, Rob has worked in the non-profit arts and for-profit event and entertainment industry and brings business acumen and governance experience to the Board of Manitobans for the Arts. Rob and his family also enjoy as much time as possible at their Kenora, ON island camp.

Mary Agnes Welch is a partner at Probe Research Inc. where she helps associations, non-profit and government clients understand what the public thinks about big policy issues, and why.

Sean McManus is the Executive Director of Manitoba Music. There he has developed training programs, expanded international export and market development, and created business development programs. He sits on several local and national creative industry boards and advisory committees.