meet the board.
Southampton Arts is very fortunate to have such a varied and experienced Board of Directors.
Our volunteer board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
Fred Kuntz
Chair
Fred joined the Board in 2023 and has served as Chair since June 2024. Fred is an artist and communications consultant. He retired in 2022 from Corporate Relations at Ontario Power Generation and continues to work in the energy sector through his company, J. Fred Kuntz Communications. Previously, Fred enjoyed a 30-year career in major Canadian media, including as Editor-in-Chief of The Toronto Star, Associate Editor of the Globe and Mail, and Publisher of the Waterloo Region Record. Prior governance experience includes board roles at Trillium Health Partners (Ontario’s largest hospital), the Balsillie School of International Affairs, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery. Fred lives in Port Elgin with his wife, Liz, and is a member of the Southampton-based Shoreline Artists group. His art can be seen at www.jfredkuntz.com
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Dave Ballingall
Vice-Chair
Dave joined the Board in early 2024 and has served as Vice Chair since June 2024. Dave is an art enthusiast, and novice artist currently nurturing his painting with the guidance of the Southampton Arts School. He believes strongly in community, and that the Southampton Arts Centre reflect the community. Dave also volunteers at Prance Therapeutic Equestrian Centre, and the Southampton Care Centre. Prior to retiring to Southampton in 2017, Dave’s professional career was in marketing, including roles as Vice President, Marketing at Rogers Sportsnet, Vice President, Marketing at CTV Television, and Brand Manager at Nestle Canada. When not volunteering, Dave can be found playing tennis, paddleboarding, cycling, golfing, or curling, right here in Southampton.
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Kay Ono
Treasurer
Kay is joined the Board of Directors in October 2024, serving as Treasurer since then. Kay retired in 2017 after a career in finance. She was the controller for two software firms and ended her career as an accounting-software implementation consultant. She has a Master's in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Business and a Bachelor's of Arts from California Lutheran University. She currently splits her
time between Port Elgin and Waterloo. Kay joined the board to support the arts and give back to her community. She enjoys spending time with family, gardening at the cottage in the summer and curling in the winter when she's not traveling.
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Brenda Reeves
Secretary
Brenda joined the Board in March 2025. Brenda is a graduate of McMaster University with a combined B.A. in physical Education and Fine Arts, and also has a B.Ed. from Brock University. In a 30-year career, she taught all age levels from 5 to 65 and in everything from an elementary classroom to a jail. Her specialties included Special Education, Computer, and Primary Education. She also worked as a Principal and volunteered and was elected Treasurer for the local Federation. Brenda and her husband, Dennis, live in a Southampton condominium complex where she served as a director for 10 years, including eight as the elected president. She is passionate about the Southampton area and believes her skills and qualities would be put to good use through the SAC Board.
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Mary Lou Sinclair - CIH, ROH, CRSP
Director
Mary Lou has been on the Board for several years and served as Secretary to the Board in earlier terms. Mary Lou is a graduate of chemistry and biochemistry at McMaster university and is a health and safety professional. Her current position is VP, Health, Wellness, Safety and Environment at BGIS Global Integrated Solutions, a global facility management firm. Previous to this, she held a number of positions at Ontario Power Generation. Her past board experience included being a founding member of Northlea Community Childcare, as well as a member of the board for Leaside Skating
Club and Kindercircle Daycare, all in Toronto. She also participates in 50 / 50 Women on Board events, to increase gender balance and diversity on corporate boards. Mary Lou is a part-time resident of Southampton, Ontario, and has a great interest in the enhancing and promotion of the arts.
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Jill Irwin
Director
​​Jill joined the Board in March 2025. A permanent resident of the Bruce area, she has spent the last two years as the Brockton Community Representative on the Elmwood Community Centre Board. As the current Controller for Ontario Power Generation Nuclear Sustainability Services division, Jill has extensive experience developing, managing and controlling operating and capital budgets and providing insightful financial analysis to executive leadership. She has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster
University. Jill brings a wide range of expertise in change management, finance, supply chain and contract management to the Southampton Arts Centre Board, allowing her to provide insightful and strategic commentary from multiple perspectives.
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Emily Dykeman
Director
Emily joined the Board in March 2025. She worked as a part-time employee at SAC from April to December 2024, in the position of Gallery Coordinator, leaving in January to continue her studies in architectural technology at Centennial College. Emily holds a post-graduate degree in Museum Management and Curatorship from Fleming College, which led to jobs in heritage institutions across Canada, including Parks Canada and the Tom Thomson Art Gallery. ln these positions, she was responsible for the care and organization of thousands of artworks and artifacts, as well as the design and
installation of public exhibits. She is a strong believer in the importance of the arts and their benefits to individuals and the community.
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Erin Beaubien
Director
Erin joined the Southampton Arts board of directors in June 2025. Originally from Squamish BC, Erin pursued a Bachelor of Philosophy at University of Kings College Halifax and then obtained her Masters of Museum studies degree at the University of Toronto in 2017. She and her husband moved to Saugeen Shores by way of Goderich and Toronto. Erin's career has included positions at Craft Ontario, the Art Gallery of Burlington, the Textile Museum of Canada and Storytellers of Canada - Conteurs du Canada. In 2024 Erin pivoted to a new career with the Nuclear Innovation Institute. Outside of work, Erin enjoys watercolor painting, embroidery, birdwatching, and attending as many community events as she can.
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CONTACT Southampton Arts Board of Directors at board@southamptonartscentre.com