Our Board
Meet the passionate and talented stewards of SJMA
Lianne Gulka
President
Building on her SJMA volunteer experience, Lianne is thrilled to combine her volunteer marketing & leadership skills with her lifelong passion for music & education as a SJMA Board member. Raised in a musical and teaching family, Lianne has an ARCT degree in Piano Performance, Royal Conservatory of Music & ran a successful Music For Young Children studio with 100+ students from 1998-2008. Lianne has a BA ( honours) from Queen’s & an MBA from York University along with 10 years’ experience in the financial markets.
Her volunteer experience ranges from Room To Read Canada (3rd world literacy & girl’s education), to health-related charities such as the BC Lupus Society & Arthritis Research Canada where she co-chaired the Patient Advisory Board for eight years and served on the ARC Board of Directors.
As a visual artist, Lianne is also a member of the Portside Art Studio co-op in East Van( www.lianneart.com ) & she donates sales from her music ( www.liannemusic.com ) to SJMA.
Always a fan of excellence, Lianne is passionate about raising awareness of the quality and “magic” that exists at St James.
Jenn Hepburn
Treasurer
Jenn is a Certified Management Accountant and has over ten years experience in public company financial reporting. She is experienced in operational and financial analysis, project management and systems implementation, having worked in agriculture, bio-technology, manufacturing and mining sectors. She excitedly brings to the board her operational and financial experience. Jenn grew up playing the violin and trombone with the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra and is committed to supporting youth in music. She believes passionately that music supports the skills for success and growth in young people. And that most importantly, music builds communities. Jenn is proud to be a part of the SJMA community through volunteering and as a member of the board. In her role as the treasurer, Jenn is to provide financial oversight and governance for the organization through presenting the board accurate and timely financial information, evaluating financial risks and opportunities, and ensuring funds are used in line with SJMA’s mission statement.
Don Shumka
Director
Don is a lifelong supporter of the arts in British Columbia having served as the Chair of the Board of Emily Carr University of Art and Design, the British Columbia Arts Council and Ballet British Columbia. He is currently on the Board of the Emily Carr Foundation and the Chairman’s Advisory Council of Science World. In the Downtown Eastside, he is a benefactor of Union Gospel Mission, First United Church and the Heart of the City Festival. Prior to joining the Board of SJMA, he has been a long-time donor. Professionally, Don is a retired investment banker. He has a BA in Economics from UBC and an MBA from Harvard University.
David Gens
Director
Sandra Delorme
Director
Sandra Delorme, also known by her Nisichawayasihk Cree name Buffalo Star Woman, is mother of three, grandmother of one. She serves as a director on the board of Seven Sacred Fires Recovery Home in Surrey and is a support worker at a shelter operated by RainCity Housing in Vancouver. Sandra’s eldest son Howie died suddenly and tragically when he was seventeen years old. It seemed then that life couldn’t go on, but eleven years later, writing set her soul free. A fourth generation survivor of the Indian residential school system, it was finally Sandra’s education through UBCs’ Humanities 101 Writing Programme that gave her the confidence to write, and set her on a new path in life. Today Sandra’s four younger children are planning for their own university educations, and they are having the kinds of experiences that she so wanted for Howie. Sandra’s youngest son is a member of the woodwinds section of the SJMA Senior Orchestra.
Rosmarie Schipizky
Director
Rosemarie has a lifelong love of music. As a member of SJMA’s board, she combines this passion with her legal knowledge and other volunteer experiences. The dedication, discipline and joy of music is wonderful to share in community – something that SJMA excels at. Rosie played various instruments in her youth (piano, flute and balalaika), has always been a regular concertgoer and currently sings in United Voices Choir, a community choir performing large choral works with orchestra and soloists. Rosie is a trustee at St Anselm’s Anglican Church and president of Oak Counselling Services Society, a non-profit providing professional, low-cost counselling services. Rosemarie is a retired lawyer with the federal government.
Dr. PJ Janson
Secretary
PJ Janson studied organ performance with Frederick Geoghegan, Suzanne Gibson, and Erich Schwandt. He received his education at the University of Victoria, and after completing his PhD in musicology he was on the music faculty at Augustana University College (now part of the University of Alberta). PJ has served as organist at various churches, including St John the Divine Anglican Church, St Aidan’s, and St Matthias (Victoria), and All Saints Church (Christchurch, UK). A number of years ago, following a carefully structured career and life choice, he resolved to develop his business skills. In this capacity he worked for Montreal-based DMR Consulting, COR Financial Solutions (UK), the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation ( AB ), and the Government of British Columbia.
Yet, music has never left him. PJ continues to be active as a composer, and sings in the choir at St James’ where he is also assistant organist. He is thankful to those who support him in his music endeavours — including his cat, who wakes him up early every morning, reminding him to put in 90 minutes of practice on the organ bench.
