Board of Directors

Ed is a partner at CORE International Inc., a management consulting firm
specializing in organizational design and structure. He is a recognized expert
in managerial leadership and team effectiveness and governance in the not-
for-profit sector, specializing in federated not-for-profits. Ed began his
consulting career with Deloitte Consulting and has managed several national
and international practices for various consulting firms. In 2004 Ed established
Teamworx, a consulting firm devoted to helping organizations create highly
effective teams. For a number of years Ed was a sessional instructor at
McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. He has extensive
volunteer experience ranging from Cubs and Scouts Canada to Share the
Road Cycling Coalition (where he was a founding member), to Habitat for
Humanity, where he recently ended his term as Chair of the national board of
directors.

Bernadette’s decades of work in the community has spanned multiple sectors – from private, public to non-profit. Irrespective of the sector, her focus has been on helping individuals in need find the support necessary to thrive. This included empowering Canadians affected by multiple sclerosis and the developmentally handicap. For the last 18 years, her focus has been on community outreach for the Provincial Government in the greater Hamilton area. In her capacity, she has experience working with a wide range of private and public and non profit organizations and individuals.

As a native of Hamilton whose parents, grandparents, and great grandparents enjoyed nights out at the Westdale, Beth McNally wants to see the Westdale continue to be a part of the lives of future generations. Beth joined the board of the Westdale Cinema Group in March 2017 as a representative of Jessett Investments, one of the founders behind the Westdale’s restoration efforts. By day, Beth works in the Engineering department of McMaster University as a research engineer and operations manager in a group developing stronger, longer lasting materials for cars. After hours, Beth has enjoyed building community and supporting culture as part of The Westdale’s board of directors.

In 1978, Robert (Bob) Crockford became President of The Valley City Manufacturing Company Limited, a market leader in architectural and laboratory furniture. In 2004, Bob became Chairman, and continued to serve in that role until Valley City’s closure in 2012.

In addition to his position at Valley City, Bob has been a founding investor and a director in such ventures as Celtel Inc, Call-Net Inc., Fermentas International, TeleBermuda Inc., and CDP Inc. Bob is currently chairman of Nanopay Inc., as well as president of Rojust Holdings Ltd.

Bob’s extensive community activities have included serving organizations such as The Hamilton Civic Hospital Corporation Board, McMaster University Business Advisory Council, Hamilton-Wentworth District Health Council Joint Action Committee, Hamilton United Way Campaign (Chairman, 2005), Hamilton Community Foundation, Hamilton Conservation Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Banyan Community Services and the Dundas Arts Community Foundation.

Kim started her journey with the Westdale in 2019 assisting with the Gala event to reopen the restored Westdale Theatre. She has helped organize many special events and continues to volunteer in many capacities in the theatre. Kim’s background is in health and wellness moving from the YWCA in 2010 to her own business as a post rehab specialist. Kim has recently joined the board and is passionate about keeping film and live music going in the Westdale community.

Neal is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Theatre Aquarius, home of the National Centre for New Musicals in Hamilton. An arts leader with a knack for connecting communities and building audiences, he’s passionate about bringing people together through great stories and shared experiences.

His best memories of The Westdale are working alongside incredible staff and volunteers to keep the beloved arts hub alive and well through the pandemic, when he served as executive director. Along the way, he launched new programming like Hamilton Originals and the film talk series, and built meaningful partnerships with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Hamilton Arts Council, Cable 14, Hamilton Fringe Festival, the House of Adam and Steve, and many others. He’s especially proud of the team that continues to make The Westdale a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone.

Megan Shuker has been playing music her entire life. When she was unable to play the bassoon in high school marching band, she picked up her dad’s trumpet and never looked back. Meg is not only a lifelong musician, but an experienced business strategy leader with over 15 years of experience in digital product strategy and an MBA from McMaster University with a focus in innovation and new technology. In the community, Meg has served as treasurer for the parent council at her children’s school and as director of marketing with the Ignite Artistic Swimming club. When she’s not working in the City of Burlington’s IT department, you can catch her playing her dad’s trumpet with The George Arnone Big Band and hoping that you dance along.

Bolloite is a real estate and financial services lawyer at Gowling WLG’s Hamilton office. She holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Manitoba and has been a proud member of the Hamilton community since relocating to the city. Bolloite is passionate about literature, arts, and culture, and she joined the board hoping to transform that passion into impact. Her law practice and expertise span a wide range of business, real estate, and lending matters, including land acquisitions, sales, and financings. In her spare time, Bolloite volunteers as the media coordinator of a local church in Hamilton.