The Board - SkirtsAfire Festival

NAOMI LAWSON-BAIRD

PRESIDENT

Naomi has been involved in the arts for most of her life, starting off acting and dancing at a young age and continued dancing throughout her life. She started booking talent for the Calgary Stampede in 2017 where she found her passion for supporting artists and entertainers with their career and performance development. She moved to Edmonton in Summer of 2022 and joined Skirts A Fire as a member of the fundraising committee shortly after. Naomi currently works as an Event Producer and also runs Inclusive Heels Dance classes through her company – Nova Movement Dance.

Naomi Lawson-Baird

President

ARRON BEST

VICE PRESIDENT

Arron comes from a long line of strong settler women of integrity, who originally hail from Treaty 82 and Treaty 49.5 Territories. She is passionate about equality, embracing diversity and taking joy in creating an environment for the success for all. Arron is a lover of nature, the arts and the beauty of sport. She has called Treaty 6 home since 1990. With a blackbelt in charcuterie, Arron is a curious student of life committed to exploring the full potential of her allyship as she strives to understand the responsibilities of being a Treaty person.

Arron was introduced to SkirtsAfire Festival by one of her ‘she-roes’. Instantly hooked, she joined the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee in 2022 and was deeply honoured to be named to the Board in 2023.

Arron Best

Vice President

HEMALI BOORADA

SECRETARY

Hemali is a Kuchipudi dancer, currently completing her MFA in Kuchipudi. She is a lead member of the Shivamanohari Company and continues to teach and practice in Amiskwacîwâskahikan. Hemali has completed her LLB and is now working in the Legal sector. She was recently selected as one of Alberta’s Top 30 Under 30 for her activism towards Access to Justice and Equity in the Arts. Hemali has been an avid supporter of SkirtsAfire and looks forward to taking on an active role on the board!

Hemali Boorada

Secretary

ALICIA FOWLER

TREASURER

Alicia Fowler

Treasurer

JOCELYN ANSELMO

DIRECTOR

Jocelyn Anselmo is an Artistic Producer, Event Planner and performer based in Edmonton, Alberta. She graduated from Pace University (New York) with a BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management and completed a Conservatory in Musical Theatre performance from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (New York). After graduation, she began working Off Broadway at Signature Theatre on the General Management team. Upon returning to Edmonton, she worked at the Grindstone Theatre as their Programming Manager and is now currently employed at STARS as the Community Engagement Officer planning signature events and stewarding community fundraisers. She is still involved in the arts and regularly performs with her jazz group, The Ladies of Jazz.

Jocelyn Anselmo

Director

KYRA SAMMER

DIRECTOR

Kyra is an avid supporter of the arts scene in Edmonton. She also has a deep passion and interest in EDI and gender equality. She recently finished her EDI certificate through NAIT and is working on her degree in Women and Gender Studies and English. Kyra is VP Outreach/Events for the Women and Gender Studies Student Association and part of SkirtsaFire’s EDI committee. She has facilitated a program and mentored young girls on confidence and leadership. Kyra’s passion for the arts and gender equality led her to SkirtsAfire. In her free time, you can find Kyra back catching for her women’s softball league or cuddled up with her cat Ollie and a book.

Kyra Sammer

Director

MEGHAN DUNNIGAN

DIRECTOR

Meghan was born and raised in Edmonton. She taught in Edmonton before seeking adventure living overseas for nearly 20 years. She found her love of performance in Edmonton’s dance community and later as a stage mom to two kids who also loved the spotlight. She found SkirtsAfire through her addiction of volunteering. The community of SkirtsAfire, the board, staff, artists and volunteers immediately felt like a family. Her goal is to continue the growth and nurturing environment of this community celebrating sisterhood.

Meghan Dunnigan

Director

Founding Board of Directors

Marie Gynane-Willis
Sharla Matkin
Christy Morin
Holly Turner
Nadien Chu
Gina Puntil
Annette Loiselle
Robina Zyp