Lola Rasminsky founded the Avenue Road Arts School in 1993.

In 1995, she founded Arts for Children of Toronto, now VIBE Arts, a charitable organization engaging almost 7,000 young people a year, from underserved parts of the city, in positive arts experiences.

In 1998, she launched Beyond the Box™, a program which introduces corporate groups to artists' strategies for creative thinking and problem solving.

In November 2006, Lola received the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Bell Trailblazer Category.

In 2007, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2009 was honoured by the Canadian Urban Institute as a Local Hero.

She currently serves on the Board of The Writer's Collective of Canada. close

Ritu Bhardwaj founded a design and manufacturing company, taking concepts from creation, to development overseas and then importing to the Canadian retail market.

Prior to joining The Arts Access Fund, Ritu was the Publisher of Yonge Street, a weekly online magazine focusing on innovation, growth and investment in Toronto.

Ritu is an active community volunteer who also enjoys sharing her passion for sailing, nordic skiing and traveling with her family.

ritu@artsaccessfund.org close

Anne Arrell grew up in a small town, Elmira Ontario. She attended the University of Guelph, graduating in 1968 with a BHSc (Hon). Tony and Anne met at University in Anne’s first year and married upon her graduation.

The Arrells bought their first farm in 1969 and have had an operating farm for most of their time together after that; breeding and raising beef cattle, among other things.

Anne taught high school Family Studies for 7 years before becoming a mother and coordinating the development of four young Canadians!

Anne has been very supportive of Tony’s career in the investment industry, particularly in the early days of Burgundy Asset Management, which was founded over 30 years ago. She has had a long involvement in philanthropy and has been very active in the charitable world, including: the executive of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church; Cystic Fibrosis; the Garden Club of Toronto; and The National Ballet. Recently, Anne became the Chair of the Arts Access Foundation.

Anne Co-Founded the Arrell Family Foundation with Tony in 1999. close

James Simmonds is a CFA charterholder and has years of experience in the financial indistry. James joined our team in October 2018 and continues to help out with financial administration. When he is not at work, James plays guitar and enjoys golf and tennis. close