The Board of EMV is primarily a volunteer governance and fundraising body, providing direction and leadership to management. The Board’s strength and effectiveness derive from its being well-informed about the financial, artistic, and organizational affairs of the Society; motivated in its support of the Society; and representative of EMV’s membership and audiences.
Andrew Szeri is currently a Professor at the University of British Columbia and has served as the Provost and Vice-President Academic for UBC Vancouver from 2017-2022, providing leadership for the university’s academic strategy, budgetary and planning processes, and overseeing UBC’s academic programs and support functions, faculty affairs, the library, enrolment, sustainability and information technology. Prior to this appointment, he served as an academic administrator (dean and vice-provost) at the University of California, Berkeley, where he held a professorial appointment for over 20 years. He completed his Ph.D. in Theoretical & Applied Mechanics at Cornell University (New York) in 1988 and earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2019. He joined the EMV Board in 2020.
(BSc Sociology, Univ London; MSc Development Economics SOAS; MBA Wharton). Melody has worked as a psychiatric social worker in England, consulting economist and senior economist/project manager with the World Bank in Washington DC. Her work as a UN volunteer in El Salvador and the World Bank took her to over 20 countries in LA, Africa, Central Asia and Russia. She also carried out extensive research and evaluation programmes for the Bank. Her board experience includes seven years with a large university in England (Chair of the Finance Committee), a health rights advocacy charity, and BC Civil Liberties Association. She joined the Board in April 2016 and chairs the Nominating & Governance Committee.
(BS Ateneo de Manila University, MBA University of Chicago) Vince joined the Board in November 2015. His working career was largely with Ayala Land, Inc., a listed diversified property developer active in Asia but owned by shareholders worldwide, where his career concluded with service on that company’s Board of Directors until April 2016. His interest in early music dates from the mid-1970s, when he played woodwind instruments including krumhorn and cornamuse with the Old Town Renaissance Consort in Chicago. Aside from music, his other passions include sustainable community development, in which field he received a certificate from Simon Fraser University in 2009, and fine wine (as a member of the International Wine and Food Society and other wine groups in Vancouver).
(BA, MBA UBC, ICD.D) Ron has over 45 years of experience in business and government of which the last 30 years was spent in investment counselling, servicing institutional investors such as foundations and pension plans. He holds a Master of Business Administration from UBC and is the holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D designation. Before he retired, he was President and Managing Director of API Asset Performance. He has served as a Director of the University of Northern British Columbia Management Trust and was the Treasurer of the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre. He is a music lover and supporter of various music and cultural groups in the lower mainland. He joined the Board in February 2019.
(BA, UBC; LLB, UVic) Fran joined the Board in 2014, and is Past President of EMV. Over the years, she has held a number of positions on the Board, including President, Secretary and Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee. She recently retired from UBC where she was Director of Faculty Relations and then the Academic Leadership Coach and Program Director of the University's Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP). She is a retired lawyer who practiced in the area of labour, employment, human rights and administrative law. She now offers her services as a leadership coach and investigator of issues of workplace conflict. She enjoys skiing, hiking and sang for many years in a gospel choir in North Vancouver, Julie Blue’s Singspiration.
(BA Queens College [CUNY], MA Washington State University, Niagara Leadership Development Program)
Janet grew up in New York City where her passion for music was nurtured at the High School of Music and Art. After completing degrees in music history and theory and immigrating to Canada, Janet was bitten by the radio bug and was ecstatic when she was offered a position with the CBC Stereo network. She enjoyed a lengthy and stimulating career with CBC as a program and recording producer, as Executive Producer of several Vancouver-based programs, and as Head of Music for CBC English Radio, based in Toronto. After returning to Vancouver, Janet migrated to the world of dance as Ballet BC’s Artistic Administrator and as Program Coordinator for The Banff Centre’s dance program. Janet has also served on the boards of several not-for-profit arts organizations, most recently with City Opera Vancouver where she also co-produced several company productions.
(LLB Université de Montréal, LLM University of Hawaii at Manoa) Serena Ko is a trade commissioner and senior policy advisor at Global Affairs Canada. She holds a bachelors in civil law, as well as a master of law with a specialisation in international law. Prior to joining the federal government, Serena managed public policy initiatives at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, a think tank based in Vancouver, focusing on Canada-Asia trade and multilateral forum engagement. Serena's other passion is promoting diverse voices in the Vancouver arts and culture community and currently serves as a director on the Board of Culturebrew.art. She also serves on the Board of the Mavis McMullen Housing Society, a charity providing stable and affordable housing for low-income women of the greater Downtown Eastside. Serena joined the EMV Board in 2021.
(BFA, MBA, MA, CFRE) Jeff’s understanding of the transformative power of the arts follows an extensive career both on and off the stage. Shaped by performance tours in Europe, opportunities with some of North America’s pre-eminent cultural organizations, and experience as an arts curriculum designer, Jeff considers himself fortunate to now support and facilitate the work of established visionaries as well as emerging talents across sectors and artistic disciplines. As a recognized fundraising expert and non-profit leader, he has spent the past several years with interim posts that include serving as President + CEO of BC Women’s Health Foundation, Director of Development for Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, and Vice-President of Advancement for Thompson Rivers University. He and his husband have enjoyed attending EMV and PBO concerts over the years. Jeff loves exploring new creative pursuits, travel, food, wine, and learning.
Pam Ratner is currently a UBC professor (on leave) and a former registered nurse. She has been with UBC for 26 years, most recently serving as UBC’s Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning. She has provided leadership in a range of diverse and complex environments, including senior administration, team leadership, budget planning, capital planning and prioritization, and strategic planning. She has a doctorate from the University of Alberta and, in recognition of her contributions to the health sciences, was elected as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2007. Having served on several not-for-profit boards, she will bring a strong background in governance, finance and other issues. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she will be a strong advocate for the promotion of diversity and inclusion.
José Verstappen provided inspired leadership to EMV from 1979 to 2013. During those years, José led EMV to become a centre of excellence in the area of historically informed music. Jose continues to be a loyal volunteer for EMV providing much valuable assistance in many areas. What José has given to early music worldwide, to EMV, and to the broader British Columbia community is beyond price. He became Artistic Director Emeritus in August 2013.
