OUR SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM

ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE DEDICATED TO INSPIRING ASPIRING PERFORMING ARTISTS.

MIKE JEWITT

Executive Director

Mike comes to the Festival with a strong background, organizational experiences and exceptional results in music and leadership in profit and non-profit organizations. He has served as the Executive Director for Calgary Round-Up Band, Calgary Stetson Show Band, multiple roles at Calgary Stampede and most recently comes to us after time with Three Hills School Division as a music educator. He has volunteered with World Association of Marching Show Bands, Alberta International Band Festivals, and is a member of Phi Beta Mu.

Mike holds degrees in music from the University of Calgary and education from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane Australia. Mike has a strong commitment to music, a true appreciation for the Arts, and was a participant in music festivals as a child in choral, band, and Saxophone.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Weston Jacques

President

Weston Jacques, MAPC, is a communications and marketing leader who partners with executives, staff, and stakeholders to share their vision, grow their brands, tell their stories and inspire connection. With over ten years of experience in both non-profit and corporate environments, focusing on the arts, science, health and technology, he designs strategies to drive audience engagement and campaigns to inspire stakeholders and branding to leave an impression. As a master of both traditional and digital marketing and communications, he helps organizations and businesses design effective plans to solve problems, connect to stakeholders, foster relationships and influence change. Weston grew up performing at the Calgary Performing Arts Festival in clarinet performance.

Sean Weber

Vice President

Sean is a dedicated Professional Engineer with a passion for the performing arts and giving back to the community. A University of Calgary Alumni, Sean has spent the last 20 years in the energy industry leading diverse teams and delivering projects with positive impacts in communities across Western North America. Throughout his career, Sean has been known for his problem-solving abilities, innovative mindset, and commitment to excellence.

In addition to his professional career, Sean is a passionate advocate for the arts, particularly music. Driven by his personal experience of music inspiring and uniting people, he is excited to lend his expertise to the Festival as a member of the board. Whether collaborating on long term vision or championing each unique performer, Sean looks forward to supporting the foundation’s mission of inspiring aspiring performing artists in our community.

With his diverse skill set and genuine enthusiasm for giving back, Sean is eager to help create a lasting impact on both the individuals he works with and the broader community the foundation serves.

Dimitri Tspoumpas

Treasurer

Dimitri Tsoumpas is a senior finance professional with experience supporting executive teams across energy, transportation, aviation, and infrastructure. As Treasurer of the Calgary Performing Arts Festival, he provides financial oversight across budgeting, cash-flow management, and governance to support the Festival’s continued growth and sustainability.

With a background in financial planning, forecasting, and cost discipline, Dimitri brings a practical, execution-focused perspective to the board. He is particularly interested in building financial structures that enable organizations to deliver on their mission with clarity and confidence.

Dimitri holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing his CPA designation. He is also the founder of Pytheron Consulting, where he advises founder-led businesses on financial clarity and decision-making.

Having been passionate about the arts as a child, Dimitri is excited to support opportunities for children, youth, and young adults to explore creativity and self-expression. As a father of two young boys, he sees firsthand how engagement in the arts fosters confidence, imagination, and a richer lived experience—values that strongly align with the Festival’s mission.

Dana Smolak

Director

Dana Smolak is a seasoned advancement leader. She currently serves as Associate Director, Prospect Management at the University of Toronto, where she leads a team focused on using high quality data to deliver insight and strategy to support major fundraising priorities.

Nathalie Berard

Director

Nathalie Berard is a marketing professional with a deep passion for the performing arts and extensive experience in promoting creative projects. Currently working in marketing at the Calgary Stampede, Nathalie excels in developing impactful campaigns and fostering connections with diverse audiences. Her professional journey includes supporting non-profit organizations and championing programs that benefit children and youth, demonstrating her commitment to community enrichment.

With a background in dance, Nathalie has spent years immersed in the arts, performing on a salsa and bachata dance team and participating in various dance festivals and classes. Her firsthand experience as a performer gives her a unique understanding of the dedication and creativity that artists bring to their craft. Nathalie’s expertise in social media strategy, content creation, and event promotion positions her to effectively amplify the Festival’s vision and reach.

Nathalie is excited to contribute her marketing skills, artistic passion, and collaborative energy to the Calgary Performing Arts Festival, helping to celebrate and inspire the next generation of performers.

Paige Foley

Director

David Ong

Director

David Ong is a creative founder with a business degree who loves working with Canadian creators and seeing people succeed in ways that genuinely fit who they are. A graduate of the University of Calgary’s Executive MBA program and the Executive Producer of Equinox Studios, he’s spent the past decade building partnerships, working with organizations that help people grow, and finding practical ways to bring creative ideas to life. Those who work with him know him for being community-minded, fairly energetic, and an advocate for local creators.

A theatre kid at heart, David grew up performing in community theatre, playing viola in youth orchestras, and learning how music and stories can move an audience. Those early experiences still resonate and are part of the reason he cares so much about the arts today, as something that celebrates our humanity and has the ability to bring people together.