A Fond Farewell

After serving his full term on the board (plus one), OAG celebrates the indelible mark left by Chair Victor (Vic) Duret. As a Partner at KPMG, Vic was originally recruited to the role of Treasurer on the Board, bringing his critically important forensic accounting lens to the OAG Expansion project. Later, as he moved into retirement and took on the role of Chair at the Gallery, Vic’s expertise in good governance shone. He guided OAG through its most significant period of growth; with bigger exhibitions, more educational programs, sold-out events and the onboarding of new, successful revenue-generating units. OAG became Ottawa’s most exciting cultural destination in large part because of the trust and support he built with his fellow board members, the Director and CEO, staff and community stakeholders. The environment of openness and respect that Vic fostered has helped OAG navigate the challenges of the COVID pandemic, and set the course for an exciting and sustainable future. This summer, OAG is adopting a new set of strategic priorities that are forward thinking, ambitious, and rooted in and responsive to the many communities it serves. This is truly a legacy of Vic’s shared vision. 

I have often said that it would be great to send Vic on the road so that other not-for-profit organizations could learn what generative governance looks like. Over the last few years, I have come to value Vic’s steadfast support, his probing mind and sound judgement, as well as his ability to create a safe space for different perspectives to be discussed, while achieving consensus. Vic is an exemplar chairperson, and OAG has benefited immensely from his quiet, solid leadership.

OAG also says goodbye to long term board member and Vice-Chair, Sarah Murray. As OAG built its new, expanded gallery, Sarah was recruited for her expertise in project management and architecture. She brought an enterprise risk lens to the work of the gallery and deepened our understanding of the role of civic architecture in the public realm.

These two exceptional individuals have helped to set a solid foundation for the OAG, as we tread carefully and hopefully toward another interesting and compelling time for the Gallery.

-Alexandra Badzak, Director and CEO