President
Danielle LaBrie is co-founder and President of the Women’s Art Museum of Canada. She has played a key role in shaping the museum’s mission to celebrate and preserve women artists’ work, increase public awareness, and build a sustainable cultural institution. Her responsibilities include strategic vision, community outreach, fundraising and governance, overseeing exhibitions, collections and partnerships with artists, donors and cultural organisations.
Colleagues regard her as a strong advocate for equity in the arts, prioritising mentorship, access for emerging artists and preserving diverse artistic legacies. LaBrie’s leadership combines administrative rigour with a passion for storytelling through exhibitions and public programmes, ensuring women’s artistic contributions are researched, displayed and celebrated for generations.
Her visible role at WAM reflects a sustained commitment to institutional growth, community engagement and greater recognition of women artists across Canada. She actively supports research, education and archival initiatives that strengthen the museum’s role as a national resource.
Vice-President
Gail Rydman brings to WAM some experience in her past having…
– Served on boards (x2)
– Created a solar system then watched as it was destroying in an evening (with bits of papier mâché everywhere)
– Helped in festivals (and received many t-shirts)
– Worked with collections in libraries, museums and homes
– Played with loops of string
– Exhibited art
– Wrote and edited and published short bits of the English language
– Folded sheets of paper
– Instructed preschoolers in art classes
– Acquired and read too many books (by some people’s estimates)
And is currently choosing to maintain a small digital footprint, along with valuing the random association of physical objects as stimulus for creative thought.
Treasurer
The Women’s Art Museum of Canada (WAM) holds a significant position within the realm of visual arts, serving as a vital platform to showcase the work of women artists across Canada.
As a board member of WAM, I am committed to supporting the museum’s continued growth, the expansion of its exhibition spaces, and the advancement of public education through diverse exhibitions, events, and workshops.
I am a visual artist based in Edmonton, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Art History from the University of Alberta. I firmly believe in the necessity of a dedicated museum to promote and celebrate the talents of women in the visual arts, ensuring their contributions receive the recognition they deserve.
Secretary
Oluwatoyin (Teewai) Afuye is a seasoned professional in people, operations, and community engagement, with extensive experience in organisational leadership, human resources, governance support, community programming, and stakeholder engagement across nonprofit, recruitment, and service sectors. She has supported executives, coordinated strategic initiatives, and led people-centred programmes, demonstrating a passion for building inclusive communities and fostering meaningful connections that create lasting social impact.
Certified as a John Maxwell Team Speaker, Coach, and Trainer, Teewai focuses on leadership development, communication, and empowering individuals and communities through service and connection. She is also pursuing training in Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care (TVIC) to enhance her ability to support individuals compassionately and holistically.
Beyond her professional work, Teewai is deeply passionate about the arts, particularly music and singing, believing in the power of art, storytelling, and culture to inspire connection and strengthen communities. As Board Secretary of the Women’s Art Museum of Canada, she contributes her leadership and community-centred perspective to support the organisation’s mission to elevate and celebrate women in the arts.
Teewai volunteers with WAM because she values spaces that amplify voices, celebrate creativity, and foster inclusion. Her background in leadership and community engagement aligns with WAM’s commitment to creating lasting cultural and social impact.
Director
Bushra Yousaf is a contemporary multidisciplinary artist whose work explores memory, identity, and cultural transition. Working in series with acrylics and mixed media, she creates atmospheric abstract compositions shaped by layered textures and shifting tones. Deeply inspired by the sky—its changing light, colors, and moods—her palette reflects the emotional landscapes she navigates.
Born in Pakistan and having lived in Australia before settling in Canada, her cross‑continental experiences inform her exploration of belonging and self‑definition. Through her work, she translates lived experience into visual form, offering viewers a space for reflection and connection.
Director
Kristine van Eyk is the co-founder of the Women’s Art Museum of Canada and a Calgary-based visual artist. Her artistic practice focuses on exploring themes of materiality, memory, and place through painting and mixed media.
She creates layered, tactile artworks that engage deeply with landscape and personal narrative, offering a nuanced reflection on how environments and individual experiences intertwine. Through her work, van Eyk invites viewers to consider the connections between physical materials and the stories they carry, highlighting the intimate relationship between people and the places they inhabit.
