Tenth Annual Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award Presented to Nancy Webster and Protege Katie Pounder

The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) is pleased to present the 10th annual Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award to Nancy Webster. The award was presented at the annual PACT Conference in Calgary, AB. Nancy was chosen from a list of seven nominees from across Canada.

Nancy Webster is the Executive Director of Young People's Theatre in Toronto and has a wide range of experience in senior management, including as Managing Director, English Theatre, at Canada's National Arts Centre. She served for 13 years on the Executive of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, including as its volunteer President. Nancy's resume includes experience as the Producer of the Toronto Fringe Festival, Managing Director of Factory Theatre, and as a grants officer for the Trillium Foundation. She has previously received the Vital People Award from the Toronto Community Foundation, the Victor Polley Award for Arts Administration, and the Harold Award for contributions to the Toronto theatre community. Nancy currently serves as a consultant to the George Cedric Metcalf Foundation and is a member of the Cultural Strategic Advisory for the provincial Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport.

In choosing the 2016 recipient, the selection panel agreed that Webster embodies the goals and ideals of the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award. The panel highlighted Webster's unflagging commitment to the Canadian theatre community through her many years on the PACT Board of Directors as well as the change she has effected in the companies she has worked for and the profound impact she has had on the many individuals she has mentored throughout her career.

Says Nancy, on receiving the award: "So many people that I respect and admire have won this award. Many are not just colleagues: they are friends and mentors. I am honoured to be in their company. And the ultimate thrill is of course, to receive the award that is named after my special friend Mallory Gilbert.

"When I think back on my own career, I am extremely aware that I have been assisted all along by a series of mentors (Mallory included) who have moved in and out of my life over time. I hope that I too have been able to be that supporter, that cheer-leader, that solid advice-giver to younger producers and administrators."

The award includes the naming of a protégé chosen by the winner, underlining the importance of skill and knowledge transmission in leadership building. Webster chose as her protégé Toronto-based arts administrator Katie Pounder. Katie Pounder is the General Manager at Tapestry Opera -- Canada's leading company for the creation and development of new opera. Katie has worked in theatre and opera for over 10 years and began her arts management career at Young People's Theatre, working closely with Nancy, management and the Board of Directors as Administrative Coordinator for 6 seasons. Prior to joining Tapestry, she worked for two seasons with Theatre Passe Muraille as Producer, Growth & Development.

Said Katie, of her mentor and being named a protégé, "Nancy's drive for excellence is an inspiration for us all, and is perfectly balanced with an exemplary level of humility. She is as fiercely determined in mentorship as she is in arts advocacy and activism -- her reach extends to colleagues throughout Canada and the impact of her ongoing mentorship is immeasurable. I already count myself extremely fortunate to have begun my career learning best practices from a leader as incredible as Nancy Webster. To now be recognized in this way by someone so respected and admired is the most tremendous honour."

Nancy's remarks on watching Katie Pounder's professional journey: "I watched Katie Pounder evolve from a young arts administration graduate, to an unbelievably committed Associate Producer at Theatre Passe Muraille, to a hard-working, talented General Manager at Tapestry Opera. Katie is a ray of sunshine and a true believer. And we need those in our world."

The Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award celebrates and recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial leadership within the Canadian Theatre Community. It was initiated by the PACT Communications Centre and Tarragon Theatre in celebration of PACT's 30th anniversary in 2006-2007 and was named in honour of Mallory Gilbert, Tarragon Theatre's General Manager for 34 years and one of the founders and a Past President of PACT.

Ms. Gilbert is one of Canada's most respected arts managers. In addition to her successful 34-year tenure at Toronto's Tarragon Theatre, she has served on numerous local and national boards of directors and advisory boards. Ms. Gilbert served on PACT's Board for 20 years (as PACT President 1989-1993), and was the recipient of PACT Honourary Life Membership in 2005. By mentoring countless aspiring arts administrators during the course of her career, she has shaped the careers of many of Canada's theatre leaders and encouraged the creation of exciting new theatre ventures.

The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) is a member-driven organization that serves as the collective voice of professional Canadian theatres. For the betterment of Canadian theatres, PACT provides leadership, national representation and a variety of programs and practical assistance to member companies, enabling members to do their own creative work. Individuals and organizations are invited to support the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award with a charitable donation to the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. Donations can be made online at pact.ca/Support-PACT or by visiting our Canada Helps donation page.

PACT gratefully acknowledges previous support for the MGLA from the Metcalf Foundation, who has generously supported the award (2012-2014) both in recognition of Mallory Gilbert's contribution to the sector and as part of their longstanding commitment to supporting the people who work in the professional performing arts sector. We also acknowledge previous support from Tarragon Theatre, who sponsored the award for the first five years of its existence.