Robin Sutherland Email & Phone Number

Sault Ste. Marie, On, Ca

Thessalon, Ontario, Canada

Northern Skies Resort is a fourth generation family-owned resort offering cozy accommodations, healing retreats, wilderness adventures and local art & culture experiences in the heart of beautiful Algoma Country.

The Algoma Community Foundation (ACF) was launched in 2019 by a group of passionate community members from the Algoma Region, incorporated in January 2020, received charitable status in 2021, hired its first Executive Director in April 2022, and is governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors from across the Algoma Region.ACF is part of a network of 191+ Community Foundations across what is now called Canada. Community Foundations in Canada are registered public charities that contribute to local initiatives by convening community actors around issues of local importance, capacity building, grant making, information gathering and sharing, and are derived primarily from donations and proceeds of an endowment. Community foundations exist to improve the quality of life in our community today and forever.

In 2012 with the support of many advisors and mentors, I founded Thinking Rock Community Arts. In 2021 I stepped away from the organization to have my baby girl, and a year later moved into the role of Executive Director of the Algoma Community Foundation.Based in Thessalon, Algoma District, Northern Ontario, Thinking Rock co-creates art with and for the people living along the North Shore of Lake Huron, from Genaabaajing (Serpent River First Nation) to Baawaating (Sault Ste. Marie) and all points in between. Thinking Rock comprises a team of artists, cultural workers and community members of Indigenous, Newcomer and settler descent who co-create spaces for dialogue, mutual understanding and artful social change through multidisciplinary, multi-generational, cross-cultural community arts projects.Through their free and inclusive artistic programming, they invite people of all Nations, ages, abilities, backgrounds and identities to join them in playing, making and dreaming about this special place we call home – as it was, as it is, and as it might yet be. They learn more everyday about what that invitation, the spaces they hold together, and the ways they show up for each other can and must look like, and bring this growing understanding to their work.

Toronto, Canada Area

Responsible for overall management of daily operations of ANCY, a national non-profit community arts service organization whose vision is for all children and youth to have access to arts and creative activities in their communities. Spearheaded Canada's first National Youth Arts Week, a national celebration that engaged over 20,000 youth in creative projects.Noteworthy Accomplishments:Managed NYAW from planning through to evaluation and reporting Managed and supported up to four internal staff and 23 youth coordinators across CanadaManaged key national partnerships with over 100 diverse stakeholders including the Michaelle Jean Foundation, Toronto International Film Festival, Department of Canadian HeritageImplemented media strategy leading to coverage with CBC's George Strombolopolous & Canada AMPresented provincially & nationally about engaging youth through creative expressionImproved internal infrastructure by developing organizational systems and proceduresContributed to federal advocacy and policy discussions around Canada's youth arts sector

Toronto, Canada Area

Responsible for leading marketing, special events and Toronto Tree Tours for LEAF, an organization that champions the urban forest by raising public awareness; fostering a sense of ownership; engaging diverse communities; providing educational tools and resources; and facilitating urban forest stewardship.Noteworthy Accomplishments:Played key role in organizational restructuring, strategic planning, capacity buildingCreated internal policies and procedures for HR management, time management, communicationsDeveloped marketing strategy involving rebranding, new website, increased social media presenceHelped expand and market tree planting program in 13 new municipalities in one yearEngaged over 5000 people in one year through Toronto Tree Tours, talks and outreach booths Implemented media strategy resulting in coverage from Rogers TV, CBC Radio, National PostExecuted annual community events Night of the Forest and Leslieville Tree Festival

Helped inform governance decisions related to special events, fundraising and capacity building for the Wychwood Barns Community Organization.The WBCO manages community use of the Artscape Wychwood Barns complex, a historic Wychwood TTC streetcar repair barns transformed into a community centre integrating arts and culture, environmental leadership, heritage preservation, urban agriculture and affordable housing.

Responsible for internal and external communication for the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, a performing arts venue that provides Toronto residents, visitors and diverse cultural communities with varied and high quality cultural, artistic and public events.Noteworthy Accomplishments:Implemented new brand standards across all internal and external communicationsProvided excellent customer service to corporate & arts clientsExecuted complex graphic design projects including digital, print and signageDeveloped and enforced internal policies and procedures around communications

Graduate Diploma, Social Innovation

Msc, Health Community And Development

Activities and Societies: Student RepresentativeUndertook participatory action research for Masters Thesis by employing Photovoice.

Honours Ba, Specialist (Co-Op) Arts Management And Theatre

Activities and Societies: Graduated with Distinction, Student Representative, U of T Drama Festival Planning CommitteeTook part.