Get To Know Board Member Dianne Lister
Compassion, community, connection, creativity. They’re the qualities that have defined Dianne Lister’s career, and the reasons she has become so involved with Kawartha Lakes Arts Council (KLAC). She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from her experience as a lawyer, charitable-sector leader, and executive coach, as well as a passion for the arts, as evidenced in her own photography and her extensive volunteer work in the field.
After graduating from Trent University, Dianne explored other learning opportunities in Ontario, settling in at Osgoode Hall to pursue a law degree. From the beginning she was intrigued by progressive social justice issues, such as helping children and families in need, food security, and being involved at the front end of family law issues before they entered the legal system.
Dianne is an author, a public speaker and an executive coach, who provides strategic planning, governance, and ethics counselling to many organizations and individuals. She is also a senior associate with the Hutchinson Group in Toronto, specializing in executive search and talent development. Dianne has spent more than 25 years in the charitable sector serving as President and CEO of the SickKids Foundation; Vice President, External Relations & Advancement of Trent University; and President and CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum’s board of governors. Dianne is a nominee of the board of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection; closer to home she is on the board of the Canadian Canoe Museum.
In addition to her impressive professional and charitable work, Dianne is an accomplished photographer who has been interested in the art form since purchasing her first SLR camera in 1991. She has an upcoming show at Spark Photography Festival in Peterborough with Michael Harris at Hobart's Steakhouse, on display for the month of April.
Dianne came to live in Bobcaygeon pulled by the beauty of the land and water systems. She arrived with the intent of reimagining her life at a new and exciting stage, where she has the opportunity to enjoy time in beautiful surroundings, and to engage in a purposeful, intentional way in new relationships and collaborations. Most importantly, she is able to engage in a greater sense of community and art with Kawartha Lakes Arts Council. Formed less than three years ago, KLAC continues to grow, which means finding new members and collaborators in the community, connecting the dots on the Heritage Trail, and bringing arts and culture to the forefront of life in our area. In her short time in Kawartha Lakes, Dianne has already surrounded herself with like-minded and creative people who share a belief in making community arts projects accessible to everyone, to inspire, empower, and connect with the larger world.
Her contributions to building KLAC demonstrate all that is important to Dianne: living a life of intention and well-being surrounded by the beauty of nature. When asked, she says her greatest gift is the ability to connect organizations with people, people to people, and philanthropists with community opportunity. Dianne is a beacon in the community, bringing people together to advocate, network, and educate, and helping to strengthen the arts community for the joy and benefit of all.
