Image by Terry Blake
Board of Directors
The School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa benefits from the professional skills, expertise and associations, and oversight of its board members. Appointments are for three years and meets six to eight times per year (approximately every two months). If you wish to be considered for membership on the Board of Directors, please send an expression of interest by filling out this form.
PATRICK GAUCH
Chair
Patrick J. Gauch, MBA, LLM, ICD.D is a collaborative and consultative leader and seasoned executive with experience in the not-for-profit, corporate, and academic sectors. Patrick brings a wealth of experience as a Corporate Director serving on over fifteen boards in the private, not-for profit and municipal sectors over the last 25 years where his areas of expertise include financial management, human resources, operations, and governance. Currently, Patrick is the Vice-President, Finance and Operations at the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.
ALEXIA WILKINSON-NAIDOO
Vice Chair
Alexia Naidoo is a communications and public policy expert with a background in journalism. She has led strategic initiatives for cultural institutions including the Ottawa School of Art, where she served as Chair of the Board, and the National Gallery of Canada Foundation, where she directed the Canada 150 Art for the Nation Summit and supported Canada’s participation at the Venice Biennale. Through her leadership at Planetary IP, she supports innovation in intellectual property. She also led Canada’s cultural programming at Expo 2020 Dubai for Global Affairs.
ALEXANDRE TALAVERA
Treasurer
Alex Talavera, CPA, has spent most of his career in finance, with a background in banking and accounting. His experience includes working with nonprofits, and for the past five years, he has served as the Staff Accountant for the National Police Federation. Before transitioning fully into finance, Alex also worked in hospitality, where he developed strong customer service skills that complement his financial expertise.
BILL PALAMAR
Corporate Secretary
Bill Palamar, MSW, CHRP, is Ashbury’s Director of Human Resources. Bill brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the human resources field to his position, which he is the first to hold at the school. Previous to arriving at Ashbury, Bill worked for many years with Scouts Canada as their National Director of Human Resources, and most recently as the Executive Director of the Canadian Council of HR Associations. He is very active in his professional associations, and is passionate about ongoing professional development.
TIMOTHY JONES
Director
Timothy Jones is President, lead Creative Director, and Managing Partner at Banfield, an Ottawa-based creative agency and one of the oldest in the country. His demonstrated creative thought and leadership has been earned through over 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising. He is also a proud Maritimer, an avid traveler, an art lover, a yogi and a runner.
RÉMI THÉRIAULT
Director
Rémi Thériault is a commercial and art photographer based in Ottawa, Canada. He is the owner and founder of House of Common Studio and [un]common sessions, two exciting photo-based companies in Ottawa. From capturing intimate moments for personal projects or the vibrant expressions of his commercial and editorial work, his aesthetic and attention to detail are always present. Rémi is also a gallery artist having exhibited in Ottawa, Toronto, France and the United States.
TANIA PASSAFIUME
Director
Tania Passafiume has been the Head Conservator of Photographic Materials for Library and Archives Canada since 2005. After graduating from Queen’s University with a Master’s in Art Conservation (specializing in photographs, works on paper and book conservation), she moved to Rochester, New York. It was in Rochester at the George Eastman House where she remained for over three years, first participating in the Certificate Program in Photographic Preservation and Archival Practice and then as a Fellow in the first cycle of the Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in the Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation.
FATIHA ZEMMOU
Director
Fatiha Zemmou is a trilingual fundraising and engagement professional working in advancement at the University of Ottawa. She specializes in annual and leadership giving, stewardship and strategic outreach, and holds a Master’s degree in World Literature and Culture. Originally from North Africa, Fatiha brings a global perspective to her work, with a strong commitment to inclusive community building and cross-cultural dialogue. She serves on SPAO’s Fundraising Committee. Outside of work, Fatiha enjoys reading, a good chess match and supporting local soccer.
HEATHER BEATON
Director
Heather Beaton is an executive with the federal government who joined the Board of Directors in 2025. She holds a BA in English Literature and Art History from McGill University, an LLB from Queens University and an MA in Transnational Communications and Global Media from Goldsmiths College, University of London. In addition to being an avid supporter of the fine arts, Heather enjoys music, yoga, and hiking.
MARIE BORDELEAU
Director
Marie Bordeleau is a bilingual management-side labour and employment lawyer with Emond Harnden LLP, who joined the Board of Directors in 2025. A large part of her practice consists of assisting not-for-profit organizations thrive. Marie is passionate about the arts, with a background in classical piano. She is born and raised in Ottawa and is looking forward to giving back to the local arts community.
JONATHAN HOBIN
Creative Director, Standing Guest
Jonathan is an award-winning and internationally noted photo-based artist from Canada. His work draws from iconic literary, cinematic and historical references and popular culture to explore the darker aspects of childhood, storytelling and politics. Considered a controversial figure and “one of Canada’s most polarizing visual artists” (CBC’s Q), Hobin’s work is exhibited internationally and has been the subject of lectures at prestigious institutions, including the National Photography Museum of Finland, and Oxford University. Features on Jonathan’s work have appeared on CNN, BBC and CBC, in in art publications including Art Das Kunstmagazin (Germany), Beaux Arts (France), and the Photographers Companion (China).
SPAO IS SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS
On our second decade of exemplary education, we are seeking dynamic and passionate new board members. With key developmental initiatives ongoing, SPAO seeks proactive individuals to strengthen its Board, with particular emphasis on areas including fundraising and human resources. Our Board meets six to eight times per year (approximately every 2 months).