For almost 100 years, children's museums have succeeded in their mission of stimulating curiosity and motivating learning in young children. These museums complement efforts in schools, child care centers, and homes to enrich the lives and education of children. Learn more through the COM Board of Directors
Susan DeLisle, B.A. Hons., Chair, Board Development
Susan DeLisle is Principal Gift Officer, McMaster University .
Her previous career highlights include serving as Director of Development, Oakville Hospital Foundation, Senior Development Officer, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation and sales management roles at multi-national corporations including WorldCom, Bank of Montreal and Warner Lambert.
Ms. Delisle graduated from Wilfred Laurier University in 1990 with an HonsBA. She began her career as a sales professional and transitioned her skill set to the non-profit world in 2001.
Susan has held various volunteer roles assisting the efforts of East End Literacy and Habitat for Humanity.
Susan and her husband share their home with their son and Golden Doodle.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Pauline Dolovich, B. Arch., Chair, Exhibits Committee
Architect Pauline Dolovich has focused her work on museum and exhibit design. Working in Toronto with Reich + Petch Design International for close to 10 years, Pauline has been designer and project manager for award-winning local and international projects, including showcase permanent galleries at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC such as the Behring Family Hall of Mammals and the David H Koch Hall of Human Origins. In Canada, Pauline has been designer for the Portrait Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Windsor, and is currently working with the Royal Ontario Museum on the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity.
Pauline is an active mentor for the Ontario Association of Architects, has lectured in the museum studies program at the University of Toronto and been an invited design studio critic at the University of Waterloo architectural program. Pauline has also been on the inaugural board of Design Hope Toronto that raises money for Dixon Hall's Homeless, Hostels & Housing program in Toronto.
As an architect who is an expert in the field of museum exhibit design and planning, Pauline is delighted to be involved with the rebirth of the Children's Own Museum.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Hannah J. Mestel, MFA, MBA, Director
Hannah has served the Children’s Own Museum since 1999, first as a consultant, and later joining the Board of Directors in 2001 where she has served as Secretary, Vice-President and Chair.
Hannah has been an Adjunct Professor in the Museum Studies Program at the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto since 2001. Hannah was also a senior manager in the non-profit sector for 20 years, establishing the fundraising department at the Museum of Man and Nature in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She currently runs her own consulting firm, specializing in the non-profit sector with a focus on organizational design, governance, strategic planning, and crisis management.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Michael Forint, BASc, MBA, CMC, Treasurer
Michael is committed to the successful launch and growth of the Children's Own Museum in our city. "I am excited to be playing a role in ensuring Toronto re-joins the ranks of all other major cities that draw on a children's museum as a vehicle to teach future generations."
With a background in management consulting and growth companies Michael brings to the board skills in strategy, business planning, finance and project execution. He has worked with numerous business owners and executive teams in working through operational and strategic issues related to business planning, mergers & acquisitions, business and product launches, and process improvement. He has also served on the board of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, SW Ontario branch. Currently, he is a Principal with AMI, a boutique consultancy firm.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Jenn Hannotte, BA (Hons), MA Museum Studies (04/09), Secretary
Jenn's academic background has focused on the power of the museum to reveal the hidden stories of our communities and is excited to be a part of creating a museum that will encourage the children of our community, and those who visit it, to express themselves and have their stories be told.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Che Marville, Chair of the Board
Che Marville has two degrees from York University in Political and English Literature. She is a Cultural Entrepreneur, Museum Professional, Motivational Speaker, and Yoga teacher. She has spent close to twenty years in the museum industry and much of her career developing programs and exhibitions for the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. She was lead researcher on the controversial exhibition "A Question of Truth" and project manager for the award winning exhibition "TIMESCAPE: Unearthing the Mysteries of Time". Mrs Marville has developed hundreds of programs featuring some of the most dynamic thinkers in our culture. Mrs.Marville believes in the power of the public space and its ability to transform, inspire and enlighten.
Most recently, Mrs. Marville joined the University Health Network as Senior Advisor of Communications and Special Projects.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
David Moretti, Chair, Locations Committee
David Moretti is a Tenant Representation specialist with the Colliers International Commercial Group. David focuses his efforts in the Financial Core assisting large, multinational corporations primarily in the financial services and insurance industries, with long term real estate planning.
Taking a strategic, consultative approach to the real estate decision making process, David's primary objective is to mitigate risk by providing the Tenant with an in-depth understanding of the market and its intricacies (including forecasting), coupled with detailed DCF financial analysis.
Between 1999-2004, David has been recognized nationally by Colliers International for his achievements and service excellence. David was recently the recipient of the Award of Excellence, the highest award bestowed on a Colliers Agent, honouring sustained sales excellence, and in 2002, was promoted to Vice President - one of the youngest agents within Colliers to be awarded either of these designations. David is also a proud shareholder of the Company.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Cindy Rozeboom, Chair, Fundraising Committee
Cindy has long been a champion of the beneficial effects of participation in the arts. Her 1996 MA thesis "I Heard My Soul Sing" examined the impact of community theatre on individuals. As Artistic Director of the Windsor Feminist Theatre 1995-97, she dramaturged several issue-based, collectively-written plays. From 2002-05, she worked as NYC's Development Coordinator of Hospital Audiences Inc., an organization that promotes wellness in socially isolated individuals and groups through arts experiences. She currently is the Development & Marketing Coordinator at the Fringe of Toronto, a theatre festival which democratizes access to the small stage with its commitment to a non-juried format.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Heather Senst, Chair, Marketing and Communications Committee
Heather Senst is a working mom with three children, Preston and Parker, age 3 and baby Hayden, 15 months. She is acutely aware of the need for Toronto to have a children's museum!
During business hours she is "Executive Creative Director for Astral Media" overseeing the internal and external creative for The Movie Network, Mpix, Viewer's Choice Pay Per View and The Family Channel. She has over 20 years experience in the television industry including working for broadcasters like YTV and Time Warner in the United States.
The list of awards for Ms. Senst and her team's creative work is too numerous to list but does include A Jury Prize, many world gold, gold, silver and bronze Promax/BDA awards, World Fest Houston awards, New York Festivals, Applied Arts and Ace as well.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org
Thomas J. Timmins, B.A., LL.B., Director
Specializing in strategic acquisitions, financial institutions, distribution law and renewable energy funding, Tom currently serves as a director with several private and public boards and practices law with Dale & Lessmann LLP. A member of the Canadian Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Law Society of Upper Canada, Tom currently also serves as a director of Parkdale Community Information Centre, and the CBN-Evergreen West Toronto Railpath.
Contact: info@childrensownmuseum.org