Staff Directory

Karla Etienne

Executive Director
karla[@]cda-acd.ca

A distinguished graduate in environmental sciences, Karla Etienne, a marathon runner in every sense of the word, has travelled the plurality of roads and pathways which lead to a deeper and more accurate appreciation of what today constitutes the strengths and the potential of our artistic and cultural community in Canada. While being more generally associated with Nyata Nyata, the dance arts organization she has led alongside its founder, Zab Maboungou, since 2003, Karla Etienne has, in fact, unfailingly devoted herself over the years to advancing the cause of inclusion - through better representation - in the arts, at all levels of practice, management and dissemination, within the institutions and organizations mandated to work in this area, including, among others, the Regroupement québécois de la danse, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec. Drawing also on her experience acquired within various community organizations (including ENvironnement JEUnesse, Regroupement des femmes en environnement, and Maison d'Haïti), Karla Etienne uses her skills as a director, coordinator, writer and facilitator to advance Canada’s artistic and cultural development.

Oriana Pagnotta
Membership Manager
oriana[@]cda-acd.ca

Oriana Pagnotta is a dance artist now making Toronto her home. Formerly based in Calgary and originally from B.C., she choreographs, performs, rehearsal directs, and produces. Oriana is passionate about integrating holistic and collective models of care in her work. She is a Lover/Co-Artistic Director with the Toronto Dance Community Love-In, and rehearsal director with lbs/sq” (Gerry Trentham). Her past roles include as Artistic Director for Dance Montage, Dance Curator for Ignite! Festival, and Artistic Associate with both W&M Dance Projects and Momo Movement. She holds a B.A. with Distinction in Dance (University of Calgary), an Arts Management certificate (Haskayne School of Business/Rozsa Foundation), and completed a Metcalf Foundation arts management placement with Peggy Baker Dance Projects. Oriana is a certified DanceAbility International teacher.

Mayumi Lashbrook
Communications and Outreach Manager
mayumi[@]cda-acd.ca

Mayumi Lashbrook is an accomplished dance artist, choreographer, Artistic Director, and arts administrator residing in Tkaronto, Canada. She strives to increase connection, visibility and diversity in the Canadian arts landscape through on and off stage initiatives. A graduate of Ryerson University’s Theatre Performance Dance program on the Dean’s list, Mayumi values the support systems that allow performers to thrive. She works to develop healthy ecologies for dance to be made with a specific focus on prioritization of marginalized voices and inclusivity. She is the Communications and Co-Artistic Director of Aeris Körper, a contemporary dance company based in Hamilton. She is an active member of Wind in the Leaves Collective and a facilitator of Dreamwalker Dance’s Conscious Bodies methodology. She has garnered a wealth of skills, pulling on her managerial and administrative experience from movement studios Barreworks (Tkaronto) and GOODBODYFEEL (Hamilton) respectively, as the Dance Coordinator for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre 2018/19 season, and through her work as a freelance artist. Mayumi continues to contribute as a creative voice through both choreography and strategic marketing. Her different roles are all-encompassing and overlapping. This enables her to approach projects and communities with knowledge, openness, and curiosity. 

Ashley Bomberry
Advisor 

Ashley Bomberry is Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River territory. She is a writer, producer, director and actor for film and theatre. Her short documentary film, Hoop Dance, premiered at the Female Eye Film Festival and she continues to write and create projects within an Indigenous storytelling framework. Ashley recently co-produced The Hunt, a short VR film, written and directed by Danis Goulet, included in the 2167 installation at TIFF Bell Lightbox Theatre. It features a predominantly Haudenosaunee cast and the film is predominantly in the Mohawk language and shot on Indigenous territory in Tkaron:to and on Six Nations. As a producer and curator for multicultural and diverse showcases, Ashley creates discussion and aims to build bridges between marginalized and non-marginalized groups with her work. Ashley focuses on her Indigenous roots and endeavors to impart strength, hope, and healing in Indigenous communities around the world.

Support Staff 

Bookkeeping services by Young Associates
Government Relations Consultants - Global Public Affairs