News & Events

News: The AFC appoints new board members

For Immediate Release

Toronto – Sept. 21, 2016 – The AFC, the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of C. Derrick Chua, Adrian Macdonald and Steve Ross to the Board of Directors.

Derrick Chua is an entertainment and corporate lawyer and an award-winning theatre producer. As a corporate lawyer, he has advised clients on numerous transactions involving the purchase and sale of businesses, mergers, acquisitions and various other commercial matters.  As an entertainment lawyer, he has counselled clients in the areas of commercial and not-for-profit theatre, music, film, television, publishing, multimedia and the Internet. As a producer, he has produced more than 50 productions for a number of theatre companies in Toronto, New York, Edinburgh and touring internationally. He is the recipient of a Dora Award, Harold Award, Now Magazine Award as Toronto’s Best Indie Producer and Canadian Actors’ Equity Association Honorary Membership for his Outstanding Contribution to the Performing Arts.

Adrian Macdonald has extensive experience in public relations and media communications through work with government, business and the community. She was co-chair and is now a member of the advisory board of the Trudeau Centre for Peace, Conflict and Justice at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto. She is a member of the Shakespeare Globe Canada board and is on the advisory committee for Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services Youth Centre. She serves as a member of JPAAC, the Justice of the Peace Appointments Advisory Council, an order-in-council appointment of the attorney general of Ontario and was press secretary to the federal minister of transport.

Steve Ross is currently in his 13th season at the Stratford Festival. His credits there include The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, Shakespeare in Love, Hamlet, The Alchemist, Man of La Mancha, Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof, Tommy, The Pirates of Penzance, The Grapes of Wrath, The Misanthrope, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Kiss Me, Kate and To Kill A Mockingbird. Ross has been a part of several volunteer committees at the Stratford Festival, including the Tyrone Guthrie Awards, the Understudy Task Force and a small grassroots mental-health initiative. His directing credits include Assassins (PAL Stratford) and Sunday in the Park with George (TIFT). Ross is a graduate of The National Theatre School (class of 1991).

“I am thrilled to welcome Derrick, Adrian and Steve to The AFC Board of Directors,” says AFC President Fiona Reid, C.M., D.C.L.

“The inimitable Derrick has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Canadian entertainment industry for decades and we are delighted that he has joined The AFC Board,” Reid says. “Adrian’s vast wealth of knowledge in communications and public relations will be invaluable to The AFC during this period of growth and expansion; and Steve has been a tireless promoter of The AFC at the Stratford Festival and we are very excited that he has joined the organization in a more official capacity.”

“The passion for the arts that the new board members bring and their combined experience in many aspects of Canada’s entertainment industry will be tremendous assets to the important work The AFC does,” Reid adds.

Reid would also like to thank outgoing board members Alicia Jeffrey and Seana McKenna for their contributions to The AFC. “Alicia and Seana have been passionate and vigorous advocates for The AFC since they became members in 2010. Alicia has served as secretary since 2011 and Seana has been instrumental in theatre fundraising at the Stratford Festival. We’re deeply grateful for all their support.”

Through compassionate and confidential support, The AFC helps Canadian entertainment professionals maintain their health, dignity and ability to work. In the last 24 months, The AFC has distributed more than $1 million in emergency financial aid to help entertainment professionals working in all aspects of film & TV, music, theatre and dance.

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Contact:

David Hope
Executive Director
david@AFChelps.ca
416 975 0304
AFChelps.ca