Meet Our Staff

David Marskell

Role: CEO of THEMUSEUM
What’s your favourite part about working at THEMUSEUM? Watching the parents and children interact. Watching the staff grow and mature into astute business and arts leaders.
If you had 1 million dollars and one week to live, what would you do? Donate it to THEMUSEUM.
If you could go back in time, what would you do? Bet on the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays to win the World Series.

Meaghan Hawkins a.k.a MEG HAWK

Role:  Senior Director, Sales & Operations
Who is your favourite F.R.I.E.N.D.S character, and why? I don’t think I can fully describe how much I love this show. I watched it when it was on TV, and now I re-watch it constantly on Netflix. CONSTANTLY. Plus, I am always quoting the show in various situations. Anyway…all the characters are my favourite at different times, but I have to go with Phoebe. I am for sure a ‘Monica’ myself, and I think Phoebe is so drastically different from her, and she has qualities that are so unique. I would want to be friends with Phoebe for sure.
If you had to eat your weight in one thing, what would it be? PIZZZAAAAAA.
If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be? Probably a wee penguin. OR, I would steal my brother’s adorable dog.

Victoria Wood

Role: Partnerships and Special Events Coordinator
Who is your favourite Disney character and why? Just one?! It would have to be Ariel, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be a mermaid!
Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings? Harry Potter!!
If you could travel back in time to any era, when would that be and why? I would definitely travel back to the 90’s to experience this awesome era as a young adult. The reasons? The music, the movies, and the fashion!

Daniel MacPherson

Role: Exhibit Support and Technology 
If you had 1 million dollars and one week to live, what would you do?  Who thought up this scenario?  How do I know my time is about to expire?  Am I supposed to spend all this money?  Is someone trying to kill me because I have this money?  How did I get this money?  Did I take this money?  Is my downfall brought on by this money?   Oh this greed.
What’s your favourite part about working at THEMUSEUM? I know where everything is.
Describe my instagram aesthetic. WISIWYG no filter.

Brandon Von Dino

Role: Facilities
What is your ideal superpower? Superpowers, well Je-Wiz. Controlling Matter, of course, everything in the world is made of the stuff! If you can manipulate matter, there are endless possibilities.
What TV channel doesn’t exist, but should? Nothing but the Grateful Dead, Phish, The String Cheese Incident. Among other amazing bands with endless amounts of music to enjoy!
When is the last time you climbed a tree? I can’t remember, however, I love to sit on the ground! Walk around with no shoes and dig my feet into mother earth.

Adam Vuylsteke

Role: Special Event Support
What is your favourite dinosaur? Tyrannosaurus. Specific shout outs go to the T-Rex from Jurassic Park, and THEMUSEUM’s very own Maverick – I love that guy!
If you were a Disney villain, who would you be? There are so many great classic villains… but I’ve got to go with Tamatoa from Moana – this is primarily based on Jemaine Clement’s singing of Shiny. Decapods rule!
 If you had to eat your weight in one thing, what would it be? Pizza. “Pizza is the best food ever invented. It’s cheap, it’s greasy, you can put whatever you want on it, and it satisfies that craving to destroy your body” – Every Pizza Lover Ever

Kevin Dubeau

Role: Special Event Support
If I could have any pet in the world, it would be: A tiger, or definitely some kind of jungle cat, just so long as it promises not to eat me.
In case of a Zombie Apocalypse, my weapon of choice would be: Anything that would allow me to keep my distance: probably not a good idea to get any of that stuff on you! And yes that would include my feet as I may decide to just run away if I see one.
“To boldly go where no man has gone before” or “A long time ago in a galaxy far far away”? No question: “A long time ago in a galaxy far far away.” They have lightsabers! Which I am sure would also make a great Zombie Apocalypse weapon…

Matt Pedersen a.k.a Matty. P

Role: Special Events/School Programs
If you were a Disney villain, who would you be?  If I were a Disney Villian I would probably be Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. Monster Hunter, Big Mouth, Eat three dozen eggs for breakfast, Just wants to be loved *cough (and then insanely jealous when I’m not) *cough. That about sums me up.
What is your favourite dinosaur? I don’t think you can ask Kids that grew up in the 90s what their favourite dinosaur is and get a definitive answer.  ALL DINOSAURS RULE!! However, I am partial to the ankylosaurus. Special mention to the Archopteryx and Pterodactyl since they aren’t really dinosaurs.
In the case of a zombie apocalypse, what is your weapon of choice? After seeing Shawn of the Dead a few years back I cannot picture a zombie Apocalypse without a cricket bat and a crate of vinyl records.

Laurel McKellar

Role: Senior Director, Exhibitions & Program Development
What’s your favourite part about working at THEMUSEUM?  Working with all of the different artists – local and international – for our exhibitions!
What is your favourite Beatles song?  You’ve got to hide your love away – I also love the Eddie Vedder version.
Describe your Instagram aesthetic in 3 words: Daughters, design and family.

Anna Wilson

Role: Manager of Education Programs
If you were a Disney villain, who would you be?  The Queen of Hearts
What is your ideal superpower? Teleportation
Who is your favourite F.R.I.E.N.D.S character, and why? Ross, because he’s hilarious and genuine.

Caitlin Wagg

Role:  Manager of Visitor Experience
If I had to eat my weight in one thing: It would be ice cream. Specifically Death by Chocolate from Kawartha Dairy. It is To Die For – absolutely pun intended. \
If I could have any pet in the world: I want a Pygmy hippo. That false advertising ad really got me as a child, and I was crushed that I could never own a house hippo. Therefore, Pygmy hippos are second best. Alternately an Emperor Tamarin … because, well, just Google it. No other animal had such a fantastic moustache.
Hidden talent: I participated/coached/choreographed a professional jump rope team for about ten years. Loads of fun! …and great exercise!

Brieanna Lewis

Role: Visitor Services Coordinator
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? If I could have any superpower, I would love to talk to animals!
If you could eat your weight in one food, what would it be? If I could eat my weight in any food, it would be Greek salad (with Kalamata olives though, not black olives).
Give us a secret confession: I don’t like chocolate (shh!)

Ashley Miller, PhD

Role: Family Experience Coordinator 
If you had to eat your weight in one thing, what would it be? Mangoes
What is your favourite dinosaur? Compsognathus
If you were a Disney villain, who would you be? Shenzi from the Lion King

Riley Shortt

Role: The Underground Studio MakerSpace Coordinator
In the case of a zombie apocalypse, what is your weapon of choice? Zombies are my least favourite supernatural creature but I would use a Mad Max style vehicle to pummel them down.
Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter of Lord of the Rings? Lord of the Rings
What is your strangest phobia? Oompa Loompas

Jacob Latimer

Role: Education Coordinator
If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be? A Red Mouse Deer. Seriously. Look up a picture of a Red Mouse Deer right now. Their bodies make no sense. It’s like they skipped leg day at the gym.
If you could go back in time, what would you do? What would I do? Nothing! Doing things back in time is like the ONE thing literally every time travel movie and TV show says not to do before someone does it and sets off some horrible alternate timeline. No thanks.
What’s your favourite part about working at THEMUSEUM? Having the pleasure of interacting with students and visitors interested in new experiences. The atmosphere at a museum is so different from that of a classroom or lecture hall because it inspires learning instead of demanding it. Combining curiosity and passion in a person often helps someone learn about themselves and it’s pretty cool to experience that firsthand.

Paige Phillips

Role: Director of Development & Membership
Would you rather win an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, or Tony award? Tony of course- triple threat baby!
What is your ideal superpower? To speak all languages- you’d have friends wherever you’d go, travelling would be a breeze, and your book/movie selection would be endless. It would make life beautiful!
Describe your Instagram aesthetic in 3 words: Friends and Family <3

Jenna Afshar

Role: Development Specialist
What is your ideal superpower? Flying. Air fare is way too expensive, and I have family all over the world that I would love to be able to see all the time.
What is your favourite dinosaur? Parasaurolophus… Don’t know why, they just look really cool.
What is your strangest phobia? Definitely belly buttons. Anything to do with them seriously grosses me out. Omphalophobia – look it up – it’s a thing.

Victoria Kinlin-Hynes

Role: Development Specialist- Individual Giving and Major Gifts
Who is your favourite Disney character and why? Stitch because he’s a little rebellious, goofy, but so loveable. Plus, he’s out of this world.
Who are the 5 guests at your dream celebrity dinner party? Mindy Kaling, Beyonce, Donald Glover, Ike Barinholtz, and Gina Rodriguez
If you could travel back in time to any era, when would that be and why? The 50s solely for the fashion.

Arielle Kadish

Role: Development Coordinator
Who is your favourite Disney character and why? Mike Wazowski because he used his disadvantages to his advantage and he understands the value of friendship.
Who are the 5 guests at you dream celebrity dinner party? Ommmmgg just five. Okay. Amy Poehler, Meryl Streep, Joss Whedon (Just to thank him for Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Seth Rogen and his bromance partner James Franco.
Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter of Lord of the Rings? No competition.  Harry Potter 4ever.

Katelynn Dietrich

Role: Director of Brand Research & Strategic Initiatives 
Who are your dream TV parents? The Dream Team Trio of Danny Tanner, Jesse Katsopolis, and Joey Gladstone from Full House. They do a mean rendition of the Teddy Bear song.
What is your strangest phobia? I’m afraid of Canadian Geese. If you went to the University of Waterloo you know what I mean. Ironically I have a stuffed UW Goose on my desk.
Secret Confession: One time I saw Afroman in an airport and was too scared to ask for a photo and autograph. Best part David Marskell offered to chase him down for me.

Hayley Zimak

Role: Digital & Communications Manager
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? To fly… imagine, seeing everything from a bird’s eye view, the feeling of complete freedom AND never getting stuck in traffic again!
If you could eat your weight in one thing, what would it be? Sushi. Also, I’m pretty sure I’ve done this during all-you-can-eat.
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be? A unicorn, except they unfortunately, don’t exist (anymore).

Connor Simpson

Role: Graphic Designer
When is the last time you climbed a tree? Never.
Who is your favourite F.R.I.E.N.D.S character, and why? I’m guessing this is a TV show?
In the case of a zombie apocalypse, what is your weapon of choice? Slower people. Forever.

Yasmeen Nematt Alla

Role: Marketing Assistant
What era would you time-travel to if you could? Why? The 80s. Hands down best music era.
Who is your favourite Disney character, and why? Tarzan! Other than the fact that his movie has the best soundtrack (thank you Phil Collins), he also totally gets the struggle of belonging to two places at once while still staying true to who you are!
In the case of a zombie apocalypse, what is your weapon of choice? A spear because it’s good for multiple things—but let’s be real—I’m not going to survive long enough to acquire a weapon in the first place.

Sarah Young

Role: Public Programming Interpreter
What TV channel doesn’t exist, but should? The Truman Show Channel, except it’s just of me. 
The most recent google search: “How can I train my dog to sing along to Africa by Toto?”
Who is your favourite T.V. show character? I really like Amy Dunne from Gone Girl. I would like her to be my friend!

Erika Bester 

Role: Public Programming Interpreter
Who is your favourite Disney Character? How can I pick just one? they all have great qualities. I guess I would choose Cinderella because she has great shoes, animal friends to help her with her work and I think we all need a little bibbidi-bobbidi-boo help sometime. 
What is your favourite dinosaur? I’m partial to Maverick.
Would you rather win an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy or Tony award? Why not all?! Though if I had to choose just one, I would like a Tony. In a different lifetime, I was born to dance and sing.

Samantha Wood

Role: Educational Interpreter 
If you had to eat your weight in one thing, what would it be? Pizza!! 
What is your ideal superpower? Flight.
In the case of a zombie apocalypse, what is your weapon of choice? Iron Fire Poker.

Topher Rouleau

Role: Underground Studio MakerSpace Interpreter
Who is your favourite Disney Character and why? Sam Flynn – I really like the cyberpunk aesthetic.
Who are the 5 guests at your dream celebrity dinner party? Christopher Lee, Christopher Lloyd, Christopher Walken, Christopher Grace and Ludacris.
Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings? Lord of the Rings.

Katharine Albrecht

Position: Controller/Bookkeeper/HR
If you had to eat your weight in one thing, what would it be? Dark chocolate. (Can that be subdivided into a mix of plain 70% dark, dark with sea salt, and dark with mint?)
If you had to dance in a flash mob, what song would you choose?  Hmm, tie between Deee-Lite’s “Groove is in the Heart” and Madonna’s “Vogue”.
What is your ideal superpower? To go through life not requiring sleep.