Our Board

TREASURER

SHAWN BELL

Shawn is a partner at Edwards Bell Jewitt LLP, a law firm in Thunder Bay that mostly serves First Nations and Indigenous organizations from Treaty 9, Treaty 5, Treaty 3 and Robinson Superior Treaty territories. Shawn was in the first class at the Lakehead Law School, and before that had a career as a journalist in the Northwest Territories, northern Alberta and northern Ontario. He grew up in southern Ontario, but has settled in Thunder Bay and feels blessed to have his children born and raised in our wonderful community.

Shawn works with Indigenous organizations in the health, education and social services sectors, represents not-for-profit corporations, does governance and policy work, and has a litigation practice. Shawn also conducts workplace harassment and violence investigations both provincially and federally and is a member of the Roster of Investigators through the federal government’s workplace harassment and violence regulations.

EX-OFFICIO

MATTHEW R. HILLS

An art historian and curator with extensive experience working with collections, Matthew comes to the Gallery having served for 15 years in administrative and curatorial positions with visual arts organizations in British Columbia, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada.

He served as Director and Curator for Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Grenfell Art Gallery for six years and has an MA in Critical and Curatorial Studies (Art History) from the University of British Columbia. Prior to the Grenfell Art Gallery, Matthew worked in a curatorial capacity for the Vancouver Art Gallery, Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen’s University, and the University of Alberta.

In 2023 Matthew moved his family to Thunder Bay to serve as the Executive Director of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

MITCHELL MALCOLM

Mitchell brings 12 years’ experience in civil engineering and infrastructure development to the Gallery Board. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Mitchell has spent his career focusing on civil design, construction, and maintenance. Mitchell is passionate about the outdoors, Northern Ontario, and our community. He is excited to be involved with the New Waterfront Gallery project and looks forward to the positive impact the project will have on city residents.

TOM BEASLEY

Tom F. Beasley is Associate Counsel at Bernard LLP, where he practices in employment and human rights law. With extensive experience, he advises and represents both employers and employees on a broad range of workplace matters, including wrongful dismissal, workplace policies, human rights complaints, labour relations, and workers’ compensation issues. He has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada, and regularly represents clients before administrative tribunals and regulatory bodies.

In addition to his advocacy work, Beasley is known for his contributions to professional development within the legal community. He frequently speaks and writes on employment and human rights law, supporting continuing legal education and helping organizations navigate complex workplace issues.

ANDREW CALDERON

Andrew Calderone is a strategic leader and entrepreneur with experience in organizational growth, operations, and corporate strategy. He has held executive roles across multiple sectors, where he has led early-stage ventures and guided teams through periods of development and change.

Calderone is also committed to community development and the arts. As an original member of the Science North Expansion Board, he has contributed to advancing a major regional expansion project benefiting Thunder Bay and Kenora. His international experience, having lived and worked in Mexico, Italy, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has informed his collaborative leadership style and multicultural perspective. With a longstanding interest in creative industries, including founding a film studio during his university years, Calderone brings a thoughtful blend of entrepreneurial insight and community-minded leadership to support the continued growth of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

ESA KELTAMÄKI

Esa Keltamäki is a communications professional and writer with a strong background in media relations, digital strategy, and arts engagement. He holds a Master of Arts in English from Lakehead University, along with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English, and has also studied print journalism at Cambrian College. His professional experience includes roles with Lakehead University Athletics and NorWest Community Health Centres, where he has developed and delivered a wide range of communications materials, from press releases and media presentations to social media campaigns, video content, and strategic communications plans. He brings expertise across digital platforms and tools, along with a thoughtful approach to both internal and public-facing communications.

Esa is also an active contributor to the literary and arts community. He has served in editorial roles with publications such as The Whippoorwill and Knights Library Magazine, and has worked as a reader for Augur Magazine, Palette Poetry, and The Artery, where he also held the role of editor-in-chief. His academic work has focused on graphic literature, film theory, and poetics, and he has experience as a film critic. Guided by a belief in art as a collaborative and ongoing dialogue, Esa is committed to fostering inclusive, community-driven artistic spaces and contributing to meaningful cultural exchange.

JUDITH SHULIST

Over her 40-year career Judith has held a number of leadership positions, in the early stages of her career as a Product Manager with Bank of Montreal/Harris Bank in Chicago, as a stakeholder and senior leader of a start up financial services technology company, and as an Executive Consultant providing project management and strategic planning services for software and systems development implementation projects to government agencies.

Judith, and her husband, a Thunder Bay local, relocated to the Thunder Bay area to be closer to family and friends in their retirement years. Judith has held a personal passion for the arts for many years and seeks out museums and galleries wherever she travels. She is gratified to be involved with the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and the New Waterfront Gallery project at this exciting time in the Gallery’s growth.

LOUISE THOMAS

 Louise owns and operates the Ahnishnabae Art Gallery which showcases the work of nearly 200 artists from Northern Ontario, Canada, and the United States. The gallery is dedicated to the memory of her late husband, Roy Thomas, who is recognized as one of Canada’s important Woodland artists. An Indigenous woman from the First Nations community of Sucker Creek, AB, Louise is committed to the importance of contemporary Indigenous art. In 2010, Louise was honoured with the Cultural Business Award at the Thunder Bay Arts and Heritage Awards.