Branislav Henselmann is the Deputy General Manager of Arts, Culture and Community Services, overseeing and leading City of Vancouver’s efforts related to Arts, Culture and Tourism.

As a curator, producer, arts executive, and a former practicing artist, Branislav has more than 30 years of experience in the cultural and creative sector. Prior to his appointments with the City of Vancouver, Branislav served as Executive Director of Ballet BC, overseeing the company’s transformation and expansion to national and international stages. In addition to his performing career, Branislav previously also served as Artistic Curator for New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, Head of Programming and Learning for DanceEast, and as the Executive Producer for the Michael Clark Company in London, producing and touring a number of high profile theatrical works and museum commissions world-wide.

Branislav holds a Master of Public Administration degree from London School of Economics, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University as a DAAD German Academic Exchange Fellow and a New York University Dean’s Fellow. He formerly served on the Board of Vancouver Foundation, as well as Canadian Dance Assembly, and has been recognized as one of Business in Vancouver’s Forty Under 40.

Profession: Housing Development & Consulting / Venture Capital CEO

The former Chair of the Granville Island Trust for ten years, Dale was also a member of the Granville Island 2040 Implementation Committee.

As CEO of Vancity Credit Union’s affordable housing subsidiary (1995-2001), Dale developed market and non-market housing throughout the region. Dale continues to provide housing research to numerous civic, provincial and non-profit agencies. He is currently CFO of a mineral exploration company. 

His volunteer activities include Sanford Housing Society (Director) with previous volunteer positions with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, Langara College, Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation and as Chair of the City of Vancouver Planning Commission.

Dale spends weekends building and restoring small wooden boats with the Oarlock & Sail Club.

Profession: Executive Director – Vancouver Maritime Museum

David has worked in non-profit and government leadership positions for 18 years. He began his leadership career at the Vancouver Fringe Festival where he was executive director for twelve years. During this time, the festival grew steadily, and artist and audience development were entrenched in the festival culture.  He implemented an extraordinary period of growth and development as Arts Services Manager at the City of Burnaby, especially for festivals and events. He is most proud of the achievement of creating new artist residencies at Deer Lake.

He is currently the executive director for the Vancouver Maritime Museum. At the VMM, he has successfully spearheaded the largest renovation to the museum since 1974. Phase One of this St. Roch Exhibit Renewal will open to the public in 2025.

He has volunteered as an executive mentor and as the president of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals.

David has a BFA in Theatre from Concordia University and an MFA in directing for the Theatre from Ohio University. His experience in theatre shaped his leadership with a collaborative and team-based approach. He has had the privilege of working with extremely talented, committed and caring people throughout his career.

In his spare time, he plays the guitar poorly but with feeling and writes poetry that has never been published. He is an enthusiastic fisherman, cyclist, husband and dad.

Profession: Biologist; Former Vancouver City Councillor

A well known figure in local politics, Heather was the Mayor’s lead on Arts and Culture. She has an extensive background in governance, strategy and effective planning and is well known for her ability to engage with multiple stakeholders from divergent backgrounds seeking innovative approaches to success.

As a Vancouver City Council member (2005-2018), she was head of the Arts and Culture Committee, initiating the Creative City and Music City Strategies. She drove public art, launching a $1.5 million Public Art Boost and the Vancouver Mural Fest. During her tenure as Vancouver Park Board Commissioner (2003-2005), Heather was involved with Granville Island on numerous files, including the False Creek Community Centre, water quality, support of arts and education spaces on the Island, and traffic issues.

Previous to her role as a local politician, Heather was with the David Suzuki Foundation where she did marine ecosystem and sustainable shellfish aquaculture research. During this time she also sat on two federal committees, the Species at Risk Implementation Committee and the US/Canada Oil Spill Task Force.

Recently, Heather has been very active as a Board member with the Architectural Institute of BC, with her work on literacy with Decoda, as an Appointed member of the YVR Board, and as the past Chair of the inaugural Granville Island Council. She was President of the Vancouver Bach Choir and currently sings with the Jubilate Vocal Ensemble, and has been very active in the choral world.

Johanna is a communications specialist with extensive experience in marketing, advocacy, governance, strategic planning, community engagement and facilitation. For the past five years she has served as the Manager of Communications and Sustainability at the Strathcona Business Improvement Association, where she develops marketing, sustainability, and public realm programming for Strathcona’s diverse business community. This role has allowed her to build relationships with various non-profit boards, city planners, engineers, artists, cultural groups, entrepreneurs, and long-standing business owners throughout Vancouver.

In 2022, Johanna completed the Emerging Leaders Fellowship program with the
International Downtown Association, a rigorous leadership training program for urban place managers with a focus on place-based economic development. She has
a passion for sustainability that spans all facets of her life, and she brings significant insights into sustainability practices when it comes to small businesses, placemaking, and economic development.

Having served on the Granville Island Council for the first term, Johanna is thrilled to continue working with other changemakers on the GI Council to positively impact this cherished place. She is committed to positioning Granville Island as a leading destination at the intersection of arts, culture, food, innovation, sustainability and thriving community spaces, especially in ways that diversity can flourish. 

Recently, Johanna has been enjoying the learnings, challenges, and joys of being a new parent to two little humans. As an avid foodie, she has a keen interest in food culture and enjoys connecting with food artisans, entrepreneurs, and fellow food enthusiasts.

Lolly Bennett is a seasoned, well-rounded community advocate and navigator, with over 35 years of experience in Vancouver. Her career spans key roles in transportation customer service, employment support, and rental market awareness.

With twelve years of experience with a successful Vancouver real estate developer, she oversaw the leasing of 142 rental units and played a pivotal role in bringing the developers vision to life:  a “purpose-built rental” often cited as a model for the City of Vancouver planners. As an independent agent, Lolly excels at representing landlords across four properties, managing a total of 37 rental units.

Lolly is a dedicated and active member of Vancouver’s Black community. She participates joyfully to highlight and promote the achievements of the community, hoping to ensure BC’s Black history is preserved. Her roles have included: Advisory committee member, volunteer, board member and fundraiser for numerous initiatives.

Lolly’s cultural impact is significant. She has collaborated with Burnaby School District leaders on successful initiatives such as BC Family Day events, BC Black History Month events, youth symposiums, and BC Black Excellence Day, reaching 31,000 online participants in 2023. She also curated the 2018 Black History Month Exhibit at The Maritime Museum, titled “Dressed in Black: The Journey.”

For her outstanding contributions, Lolly was honored with BC’s Community Achievement Award in 2018 and served as a jury member for the awards in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, she received the Community Leadership and Service Award from the National Congress of Black Women Foundation.

Lolly is an avid yoga enthusiast and enjoys off road camping in the back roads of BC’s beautiful wilderness.

Stephanie Strong is an Executive with the Government of Canada.  Her 20+ year career includes experience in immigration, public service delivery, real property management, procurement, funding for arts and culture and tourism.  She is passionate about workplace initiatives related to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, occupational health & safety and innovation.  She was an inaugural Steering Committee member of the British Columbia Federal Council’s Building Black Leaders Program as well as Co-Chair of its Official Languages Committee, among other leadership contributions.  

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree from the University of Toronto as well as a Master’s degree from the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University.  She is proudly bilingual. 

Stephanie enjoys various athletic pursuits, travel, reading and attending arts & culture events.  In addition to Granville Island Council, Stephanie is a mentor with Dress for Success’s Professional Women’s Group and a Steering Committee member of Kits Pool Swimmers.  She has volunteered with a number of local organizations including United for Literacy, Aunt Leah’s House, and Immigrant Services Society of BC. 

Stephanie feels privileged to live close to this urban gem and is thrilled to join its group of champions as a Council Member.