Board of Directors

Mike Piggott

  • Michael is Senior Leader with over 30 years of progressive experience in Electrical Transmission and Distribution Utility Operations, Fleet Management and Helicopter Operations. Strong business sense and people orientation.

    As a former Director for a large utility company Michael brings transferable leadership skills and a passion for developing and leading people. He continues to contract his unique skill set throughout North America. Michael is also a Master Photographer showcasing his artistic passion in galleries. 

    He is passionate about the Social Economic and Cultural benefits the Theatre brings to our community and is extremely proud to be the Chair of such a diverse and uniquely qualified Board of Directors

Jim Lalor

  • Born and raised in Toronto, Jim has spent over 40 years in the commercial building industry, moving from hands-on technical work to senior management, including managing York Mills Centre, overseeing facilities for Air Canada, and later transitioning into building systems and solutions sales. Today, he works from his home on Sturgeon Lake as a strategic proposal writer for Johnson Controls, supporting major infrastructure projects across North America. A lifelong “building geek” and lover of live music and theatre, he is passionate about supporting small-town arts at a time when many communities have lost their theatres due to declining government funding. He is proud to bring his facilities management experience to help preserve and sustain the Academy Theatre for future generations.

Rob Barg

  • Rob has spent his life in music, beginning a long career with Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. in 1971 and retiring as Corporate Vice President in 2014, later serving as Secretary of the Board until 2020. A passionate advocate for music’s value, he has championed quality music education for children and youth through his work with the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. Now retired in Lindsay with his wife Rose, where the Academy Theatre was one of the draws of relocating to Kawartha Lakes, Rob serves as Treasurer on the Academy Theatre Foundation Board, enjoying the opportunity to support programming alongside staff and volunteers. He has also returned to performing as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter with Rose, sharing a wide range of musical styles with audiences.

Erica Ehm

  • Erica serves on the Marketing committees at the Flato Academy Theatre, where she blends her love of storytelling with her passion for community. For Erica, the theatre is more than a venue—it’s a place where creativity comes alive and people connect through shared experiences. She’s proud to support its mission and help amplify its voice, ensuring the magic of live performance continues to inspire audiences of all ages.

David MacMillan

  • David brings extensive experience from the Canadian record industry and his years as a movie theatre manager to the Board of Directors at the Flato Academy Theatre. His connection to the theatre goes back to June 29, 1998, when he attended his first concert there—Stompin’ Tom Connors—a memory he still treasures. Today, David enjoys contributing to the Marketing and Programming Committees, helping to plan and bring a wide variety of great music to the stage.

Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves

  • Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves is a Toronto born and raised professional actor who started her career as a dancer, achieved a film degree, and spent the last twenty years appearing on stages and screens across North America. She moved to Lindsay four years ago and is excited to be a board member at the Flato Academy Theatre. Ayesha looks forward to engaging the community, fostering new talent, and bringing theatre back to our beautiful stage!

Brent Nykoliation

  • Brent is Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Affairs at NextSource Materials Inc., a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada.  He leads the development and implementation of strategic partnerships and offtakes with supply chain customers in addition to overseeing all communications with institutional investors and analysts for the Company.

    He brings over 20 years of senior management experience, having held marketing and corporate development positions with several Fortune 500 corporations in Canada, notably Nestlé, Home Depot and Whirlpool. Brent holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Queen’s University.

Robyn James

  • Robyn James is an impact-driven marketing leader and brand strategist with nearly 20 years of experience across travel, tech, and nonprofits. She has led marketing programs for brands such as National Geographic, Elevate, and G Adventures. Currently, she is Senior Director of Marketing at Ampere, a Canadian non-profit that works alongside rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to create opportunities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields. In addition to volunteering as a board member at the Flato Academy Theatre, Robyn has volunteered as a board member for other local community organizations including 100 Kids Who Care KL, the Environmental Advisory Committee of Kawartha Lakes, and she was the co-founder of the Kawartha Climate Club. 

Jim Cassimatis

  • Jim retired in 2021 from a 32 year career with the Ontario Government serving in a number of senior positions including as head of ServiceOntario. He then served as CEO/Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario until July 2025. Jim comes with experience working in various government agencies and ministries. This will serve him well as he seeks out government grants on behalf of the Theatre and as part of the Government Relations Committee. Jim recently moved to the Kawarthas full-time and is excited to contribute to the Theatre's future success.

Bruce Hodges

  • Bruce Hodges is a seasoned executive with over 30 years in financial services, having held CEO, COO, and CIO roles across major banks, insurers, and startups. Most recently, he founded Parachute, a fintech dedicated to improving Canadians’ financial health. Beyond his corporate career, Bruce combines his love of music and philanthropy by hosting concerts at his Stony Lake cottage and in Toronto, raising funds for causes like Ronald McDonald House and Out of the Cold. Passionate about building community through shared experiences, he continues to develop new creative and charitable projects. His commitment to both professional excellence and meaningful community engagement makes him a valued addition to the Flato Academy Theatre board.

Mike Sharma

  • Mike Sharma is a marketing and technology leader who has, for nearly four decades, helped organizations connect with audiences and drive measurable growth. As Founder of Society, etc., he leads an independent media agency trusted by major Canadian brands and organizations. He previously held senior leadership roles with Microsoft and leading ad agencies including Ogilvy, Cossette and Dentsu.

    Mike’s work includes oversight of ticket sales and audience-development marketing for major sports and entertainment brands across North America and Europe, giving him a practical understanding of how programming, promotion and customer experience work together to fill venues. A Kawartha Lakes resident and lifelong live-music fan, Mike is pleased to bring his business, marketing and technology expertise to the Academy Theatre Board and to help strengthen its connection with the community.

Sandra Clarke

  • Born and raised in Lindsay, Sandra spent most of her career in Toronto working in senior finance roles in various industries including retail, professional services, media, technology, medical devices and telecom. 

    Today, she works mostly remotely from her home south of Bobcaygeon as the CFO of Durham OneNet, a municipal services telecom owned by Durham Region.

    After moving back to the Kawarthas, Sandra was looking to utilize her skills and give back to the community that her family has been a part of for nearly 200 years.  After seeing a call for Board members in the Kawartha Lakes Weekly newspaper, she knew the Academy Theatre was the right place for her.