Our Board Members

Founded in 1984 by a group of visionaries and culturally-minded individuals dedicated to enhancing the ‘theatre life’ of the community, the Board of Directors oversees the business operations of Theatre Collingwood. The elected volunteer Board members are responsible for governance, fundraising, personnel, government relations, financial reporting and facilities.

The Board members work closely with the Management team to develop and maintain a healthy, non-profit, professional theatre company with charitable status.

As noted, our Board Members are all volunteers, and we thank them for all their time and dedication that they so generously give to support Theatre Collingwood!

Richard Lemoine, C.A. C.P.ABoard Chair

Richard joined the board of directors of Theatre Collingwood in August 2014.

First attracted to Collingwood for the skiing (1996), After having rented for a few years, then bought a condo in Cranberry Village, Richard and his wife Debra Friendly decided in 2004 to start building their future home and moved full time to the area in 2010.

Richard is semi-retired from the accounting firm he founded in 1990. He likes to say that he has kept the clients that are fun to deal with. Prior to forming his own firm he worked for one of the big four accounting firms and had a stint owning part of an advertising agency prior to returning to the accounting profession in 1990.

Richard has served on numerous boards and most recently retired as and chair of the board of Cross Country Ski Ontario. He remains active in the ski world as the treasurer of Southern Ontario District of Cross Country Ski Ontario, president of the Highlands Trailblazers (operating out of Highlands Nordic in Duntroon) and is an active race organizer and international level technical delegate. His previous board experience includes Commodore of the Etobicoke Yacht Club, treasurer and executive board member of Taffelmusik – (Canada’s premier baroque orchestra), Vice Chair of Junior Achievement (Peel Region) and the YMCA (Mississauga).

He is a long term audience member of live theatre and doesn’t have an acting bone in his body. Richard can be found not only enjoying Theatre Collingwood, but also at the Shaw, theatre in Toronto and if while on vacation there is a theatre near, he and his wife Debra will take in a show or two.

Jim AndersonTreasurer

Jim became a director of Theatre Collingwood in 2014. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Jim is a retired corporate executive. During Jim’s career, he has held senior financial and operating positions with several large public corporations. He has also sat on a number of commercial and charitable Boards.

Harold BickerstaffBoard Member

Harold Bickerstaff is one of Theatre Collingwood’s longest serving Board Members, having joined the team in 1999. He currently serves as Past Chair of the Board of Directors and enjoys working with a dynamic Board of Directors, management and office staff. Harold was Board chair from 2010 to 2015. Harold is the President of Bickerstaff Sales Agency and has been in the toy business for thirty-plus years. He has been the recipient of many awards within the toy industry over his long career. His company deals with suppliers all over the world and serves the needs of major retailers across Canada. His senior positions at several toy companies, such as Fisher Price Toys for almost twenty years, led him to open his own agency in the late 90s. About this time he made the move to Collingwood and started to get involved in the community.

He is past President (2002-2003) of the Rotary Club of Collingwood and a three time Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He is a founding member of the Collingwood Dragon Boat Festival and, over the years has been involved with several fundraising events and organizations such as the Humane Society, and of course Theatre Collingwood. Harold has also been involved with The Gaslight Tour in Collingwood since its inception and has played several roles on stage over the past few years.

Harold’s passion for acting and theatre got him involved in supporting Theatre Collingwood. He has seen many changes over the years, not the least of which has been the numerous venue changes from our local high school and then to the current performance space at The Historic Gayety Theatre.

A frequent guest on local radio shows, he continues to “spread the word” about Theatre Collingwood, in the Georgian Triangle and beyond.

David McFadden Q.C.Board Member

David became a director of Theatre Collingwood in 2012. He is the President and CEO of Generation Four Capital Corp and currently serves as Chair of the boards of directors of Toronto Hydro, 407 International Inc. and PCI Geomatics Inc. David also serves on the boards of Cricket Energy Holding Inc. and Makwa Development Corp. He is a member of the Board of Governors of York University and is a director of the Yonge Street Mission. David is a member of the Energy Board of MaRS and of the Council for Clean and Reliable Energy.

David was a partner in Gowling WLG for 30 years where he served over the years on the firm’s Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. He previously served as Chair of the Ontario Centres of Excellence, the Ontario Energy Association and the Canada-US Business Association.

David particularly loves his time on the Board of Theatre Collingwood with its creative spirit and great sense of teamwork.

Cynthia StrandholtBoard Member

Cynthia comes to us all the way from Texas. She studied at the University of Texas in Marketing. When she studied abroad for a year not only did she learn French but she also met her Canadian husband. She can speak English, French and Spanish. After moving to Canada with her husband she helped out in the family business in Collingwood (Bay Haven Senior Care Community) for the short term but eventually that became full time. She says there is always something happening and she wears multiple hats at work including HR, Marketing and IT. She enjoys being fit, walking and eating healthy but also says she LOVES good food! Cynthia’s great sense of humour and terrific rapport with people make her a joy to be around. She has been married to her very supportive husband for over 26 years. She has two children who she refers to as her Virginia Ham and Canadian Bacon! Sarah was born in VA, is 21 and goes to Dalhousie for Kinesiology. 17 year old Spencer was born in Collingwood and goes to CCI, and is aspiring to play basketball at the college/university level.

Marie C. RoundingBoard Member

Marie Rounding is counsel at Gowling WLG’s Toronto office. She became a Theatre Collingwood Board Member in August 2014. Having served in both public and private sectors for more than 30 years, Marie is well-respected in Canada’s energy industry and has a recognized background in regulatory and administrative law. In November 2007, she was appointed by Prime Minister Harper to serve on the Advisory Council on National Security, and she is currently a member of the International Advisory Committee, Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida.

Marie has also been actively involved with several other community-based organizations. She was chair and a member of the board of directors of the National Ballet School and is the former president of the National Ballet School Foundation. She was also a governor of the Canadian Unity Council.

Bob HartBoard Member

Rob and his family have been coming to Collingwood for recreation since the mid-80’s. They moved to Collingwood in early 2019 when Rob decided to retire.
After completing his MBA at the Schulich School of Business he had a 40+ year career holding senior management positions in general management, marketing\communications, sales management with Nestle, Jostens Inc., Torstar, Mississauga Living Arts Centre and others.
Rob’s seven years with the Mississauga Living Arts Centre as Director of Marketing and Communication and on the leadership team will provide valuable experience for Theatre Collingwood.
Since moving to Collingwood he has become a member of the CACE (Collingwood Arts Culture Entertainment) Group and the Condo Board in his community.
Rob is looking forward to making a meaningful contribution to the success of Theatre Collingwood.

Michelle KingsburyBoard Member

Michelle has an extensive administrative background in the real estate industry including experience as an assistant commercial property manager and over a year of appraisal apprenticeship. She is now a Sales Representative with Royal LePage Trinity Realty and helps people to find their real estate dream! Michelle lives in Collingwood with her husband and we are delighted to have her on our Board of Directors, bringing to us her marketing and sales knowledge and her incredible energy and personality!

Anita HearnBoard Member

Bio to follow