Who we are
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VALÉRIE SAVARD
President
Valérie Savard is the Executive Director of the magazine Vie des Arts. She is in charge of developing fundraising activities, supporting the development of partnerships and pursuing digital transformation. A queer dancer, she has been involved as a volunteer at Cat's Corner for several years. Her expertise in cultural organizations and non profits ensures the professionalism of Cat's Corner's Board of Directors.
SYLWIA BIELEC
Vice-president
Sylwia Bielec is a consultant in educational design and development. She has been working for the Cree School Board for many years and has developed a deeper understanding for cultures based on oral tradition and respect for elders. She has been providing teacher development training to Cat's Corner educators since 2005, and ensures the continuity of its mission within the Board.
GERMAIN LAM
Secretary / Treasurer
Germain Lam was a manager at Banque Nationale, and is now a product manager at Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. A former teacher and volunteer at Cat's Corner, he offers his financial expertise to ensure Cat’s Corner’s viability.
SUZANNE BRUNEAU
Board member
Suzanne Bruneau is the daughter of "Miss Swing", Ethel Bruneau. Miss Swing was an original showgirl from her native Harlem, NY, who moved to Montreal in the 50s following the Cab Calloway Orchestra. She decided to stay and work all the clubs of the era, to finally open the first Montreal tap dance school in the 60s.
Trained as a nurse and now retired, Suzanne carries on her mother's legacy in her introductory tap dance classes. She sits on the Cat's Corner Board of Directors as a cultural ambassador and community builder.
SAMANTHA HINDS
Board member
Samantha Hinds, aka Sam I Am Montolla, has traveled internationally for Hip Hop and Waacking. Being one of the 1st Canadian Waackers and teachers of the style, she is known as Princess Shayla in the crew The Chapter.
She continues to mentor in Street Dance; as a certified Sound Healer/Therapist, she incorporates her knowledge of Sound. For 2022, she was featured in Sovann Rochon-Prom Tep’s Sam & Angèle and is now an Artistic Curator for the CCOV.
A regular invited artists at Cat’s Corner events, she joined the board to help build bridges between the street and swing dance communities
