Staff Directory

 

 

Executive Director (ex officio) 

Michelle Arbuckle is OLA’s Executive Director.  Reporting to the OLA Board of Directors, Michelle’s key responsibilities are government relations, advocacy, partnership development, the implementation of the strategic plan and supporting the exceptional OLA staff team. She is an avid lifelong learner, a tea sommelier, and wants to know your astrological sign.

Director, Forest of Reading®

Meredith Tutching is the Director of the Forest of Reading, Canada’s largest recreational reading program. She is responsible for working with publishers, authors, schools and libraries to deliver the program, and loves planning the Festivals across the province for young people. Meredith has a long history of competitive coaching in figure skating and synchronized skating and can often be found in a rink!

Pam Saliba

Director, Operations

Pam Saliba is OLA’s Director of Operations, overseeing the areas of finance, HR, and technology for the association. She has held management roles in libraries & the non-profit sector for over a decade, and is a committed advocate for libraries and the freedom to read. To unwind, Pam likes to spend time hiking, skiing, or gaming!

Director, Education & Impact
 
Emily Burns is OLA’s Director, Education & Impact. She is passionate about the professional development and achievement of the Ontario library sector and leads the association’s educational programming, including the annual OLA Super Conference. She is a reader, a podcast enthusiast, and is happiest when near a large body of water. 
 

Director, Member Engagement

Melissa Macks is responsible for member outreach activities, including awards and scholarships, OLA elections, and various membership growth opportunities. She loves the outdoors, reading, long walks in sweater weather and drinking all the bubbly water.

Advocacy & Research Officer

Lily Kwok is the Advocacy & Research Officer. She is responsible for advocacy, government relations, research, and data collection and analysis. When not deploying surveys, she is most likely lifting weights, walking her dog, writing jokes or trying a new restaurant in Toronto.

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Training and Event Producer

Gina Freitag is the Training and Event Producer. She is a coordinator supporting the annual Super Conference, the lead programmer for The Partnership’s Education Institute, and a producer of OLA education events and training sessions for members throughout the year. In her spare time, when she isn’t seeking out popcorn at film festivals, Gina writes, goes for walks with audio dramas, and indulges her passion for all things horror-related.

Kaitlyn Knight

Administrative Coordinator

Kaitlyn is the Administrative Coordinator. Kaitlyn supports member inquiries through email and phone across OLA membership, events, and Forest of Reading.

Operations Coordinator

Divya Annamreddy is the Operations Coordinator. She assists in day-to-day administration and management of business operational activities, focusing on finance and accounting. In her spare time Divya loves to read, listen to music and watch a variety of shows.

Database & Member Relations Coordinator

Esteban Dorado-Troughton is the Database & Member Relations Coordinator. He supports the delivery of OLA’s member services, events, and the Forest of Reading program. Outside of work, Esteban enjoys swimming, board games, and looking after his two cats.

Communications Coordinator

Helen Chevreau is the Communications Coordinator. She facilitates day-to-day administrative projects, working closely with Membership and the Forest of Reading to ensure projects run smoothly. When she’s not at her desk, Helen can be found at the nearest thrift or antique shop searching for vintage children’s books, walking around her neighbourhood listening to a podcast, or stumbling her way through various online painting tutorials.

Social Media and Communications Specialist

Laurel McLeod is the Social Media and Communications Specialist. She is responsible for delivering marketing and communications in support of OLA programs, events, and services and enjoys using her background in graphic design to design the layout of OLA publications. She happily spends her time outside of work drawing, hiking, and writing for a local dog rescue.

Store Manager, The Library Marketplace

Callie DeWees is the Store Manager for the Library Marketplace. She helps to ship orders and work the pop-up store at events. In her spare time she enjoys art, making clothes, exercising, and scouring for vintage treasures.

Gabriel Holt

Store Associate, The Library Marketplace