MARY E. HOFSTETTER

Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Mary Hofstetter holds a BA (Honours) in English and theatre arts from the University of Guelph, and an MA in English from the University of Western Ontario. She has also studied technical theatre production and art at The Banff Centre, French language at the University of Neuchâtel, and Civilisation Française at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Hofstetter taught English and art in England and at Neuchatel Junior College in Switzerland before returning to Canada to join the Ontario College system. She held various positions at Conestoga College in Kitchener before moving to Mohawk College in Hamilton in1984 as the founding vice-president, academic.

In 1988, Hofstetter was appointed president and chief executive officer of Sheridan College, one of Canada's largest colleges. During her eight-year tenure at Sheridan, she was instrumental in developing Sheridan's international reputation for excellence in the arts and animation, and in generating diverse global partnerships with the public and private sectors.

In 1996, Hofstetter left Sheridan to assume the position of general manager and chief operating officer of the Stratford Festival. In 1999, she was appointed executive vice-president and chief operating officer of The Banff Centre; acting president and CEO in 2000; and president and CEO in 2001. She has lead significant change in both programming direction and organizational structure at The Banff Centre, and is currently leading the implementation of a new campus master plan with redevelopment projects of over $100M, and the Campaign for The Banff Centre which has thus far generated over $120M for capital funding and programming endowment.

Current directorships include the Council for Business and the Arts in Canada, Banff Television Foundation, and the Alberta Informatics Circle of Research Excellence (iCORE).

SARAH J. E. ILEY

Formerly the president and CEO of the Council for Business and the Arts in Canada (CBAC), Sarah J. E. Iley took over the leadership for programming at The Banff Centre effective July 1, 2005, overseeing a new management structure that will build on the Centre’s position as a catalyst for creativity in the arts, leadership, and mountain culture.

In addition to her position with CBAC, Iley was also the leader (in partnership with The Banff Centre) of the annual Canadian Arts Summit. She has been a champion of support for the arts, artists, and arts programming in Canada throughout her career, in her role at CBAC, and before that as manager, developmental services, of the Ontario Arts Council.

NORBERT MEIER

Norbert Meier has been with The Banff Centre since 1977 and, following several director positions, was appointed vice-president in 1999. His responsibilities were broadened to become vice-president of hospitality and conferences and an executive officer of the Centre in 2002. In addition to his role at the Centre, Norbert also has several community service involvements, most notably with the Banff Lake Louise Heritage Tourism Corporation and the 2005 Alberta Centennial X-C World Cup Organizing Committee. He is an active masters athlete in cross-country and the founder of the Banff Mountain Ekiden Run.

J. A. (ART) NUTT

On November 1, 2001, Art Nutt was appointed vice-president and chief financial officer of The Banff Centre. Art brings over 27 years of experience in financial analysis and administration to The Banff Centre. Prior to this position, he served as vice-president, finance and administration, at Athabasca University, chief of finance and administration for the Government of the Northwest Territories, and had held a number of positions in the Government of Yukon's Department of Finance.