FOUNDATION STRUCTURE

The Hnatyshyn Foundation is federally incorporated as a registered charity. The Foundation's Board of Directors oversees policy, allocation of funds and investment of endowment income.

An Executive Director, with an Administrative Assistant, manages and coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.

Artists and representatives of art institutions, drawn from all regions of the country, provide advice on grant applications and selections.

Foundation Staff

Executive Director - Barbara Janes
Administrative Assistant - Patti McCuaig

Executive Director - Barbara Janes

A former senior executive at the National Film Board of Canada, Barbara Janes joined The Hnatyshyn Foundation as its first Executive Director in September 2004. A native of St. John's, Newfoundland, Ms. Janes holds degrees from Memorial University (B.A. Modern Languages) and Université Laval (M.A. French Literature).

After a short teaching career, she joined the National Film Board where she enjoyed a 30-year career in a variety of positions including Producer, Executive Producer, Director of Canadian Distribution and Director General of English Program. She has worked in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver and has overseen the production of more than 500 films including many award-winning documentaries, animation films and new media productions.

While responsible for the senior management of the NFB's English-language operations (1992-2001), Ms. Janes increased training and development opportunities for emerging filmmakers, especially those from Aboriginal and ethno-cultural minority communities, through the creation of innovative programs such as the Fast Forward Documentary Internship Program, the Aboriginal Filmmaking Program and the Reel Diversity Initiative. She also accelerated the Film Board's migration to the Internet by serving as senior management leader for the corporate Internet strategy, resulting in a completely revamped NFB web presence.

She has served on the Board of Directors of the National Screen Institute and was one of the founders of Vancouver Women in Film and Video. Before accepting the position of Executive Director of The Hnatyshyn Foundation, she worked briefly as an independent consultant in the National Capital Region.