THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

BURLINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Fostering Community Through Music

THE BURLINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND ITS DYNAMIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

The renowned Burlington Symphony Orchestra, previously known as Symphony on the Bay, operates under the aegis of the Greater Hamilton Symphony Association, a distinguished registered Canadian charity. Our volunteer Board of Directors, gathering nine times annually, boasts a diverse mix of professionals from the realms of business, education, and social services, along with musicians from both the orchestra and the broader Burlington community.

ANDA PROTOPOPESCU
PRESIDENT

An accomplished business professional, Anda brings her diverse background and experience to the Board, having worked with Fortune 500 organizations in Financial Services, Consulting, High Tech and Telecommunications.  She’s held senior management and executive positions in various disciplines including Project Management, Operations, Finance and Marketing. Anda has a Master of Business Administration with a Marketing Major and an Honors Bachelor of Commerce with a Finance Major from McMaster University, and is an accredited Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute.  Anda’s love for the arts started at a young age through her education in Eastern Europe where she grew up prior to moving to the Hamilton/Burlington area where she currently resides with her husband and their two sons.  Her aspiration is to grow the BSO’s presence in Burlington and surrounding areas through youth and community outreach programs and enable it to be a self sustaining organization.

ERIC VAICIUS

DIRECTOR

Eric J. Vaicius is an Interior Designer, Decorator, Landscape Architect and present owner of Inside/Out. He has worked as a Designer for over 30 years in the G.T.A., having been featured on City T.V. and a regular contributor to the Dream Home (G.T.A. Home Show). Eric grew up with Classical music/Theatre Arts, in a family, who’s father played in the State Symphony Orchestra, and was a regular on T.V. for 10 years. Eric has a deep appreciation for the Arts and has dedicated his expertise in their support. He presently is Co-Chair of One Burlington, Events and Program Co-ordinator, tenor at St. Luke’s, A committee member for Heritage/Avenue Project, and has volunteered for the Elora Music Festival, Fergus Medieval Festival, Kidmax/Meeting House and Trees for Life Canada, to mention a few; he has done so in various capacities: Public relations., outreach, fundraising, marketing, and events/program planning. Eric is looking forward to bringing his passion and expertise in assisting The B.S.O. to not only reach its goals and objectives, but also to surpass them.
JESS HINCHLIFFE
SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR

Serving as the Board’s Secretary for the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, Jess Hinchliffe brings over 15 years of administrative wisdom from Ontario’s post-secondary sector. A proud resident of Burlington since 2008, her enthusiasm for governance and the arts make her a valuable asset to the orchestra’s mission.

EVAN PAPADOPOULOS

DIRECTOR

A dynamic student from the University of Guelph, Evan Papadopoulos is deeply integrated into the marketing realm. His Aldershot roots resonate with the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, having contributed to its digital presence in 2019. Evan remains an active community contributor, channelling his passion for music and the arts.

VANESSA KATTAR
DIRECTOR

Vanessa is a graduate from the University of Toronto and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science with a double major in political science and biology. She currently works at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Having worked with a number of organizations in retail and banking, she is eager to bring her experience to the Burlington Symphony Orchestra (BSO).  As an active volunteer, Vanessa has volunteered with a number of organizations including Peel Public Health and the University of Toronto Academic Affairs Committee. Vanessa looks forward to using her experience and passion for music to help grow and advance the BSO.

RAJA CHHATWAL

DIRECTOR

With an illustrious career in IT spanning over four decades, Raja Chhatwal brings a unique blend of technical acumen and musical passion to the Board. A musician at heart, Raja’s brings a deep connection with the local musical scene. His vision is to bolster support for the Burlington Symphony Orchestra and enhance its already stellar reputation.

FRANCES COHEN
DIRECTOR

Frances is a retired elementary school teacher and longtime member of the Burlington Symphony  Orchestra and several other musical groups. She was a board member of BSO for several years when it was called Symphony Hamilton. She had also served as a board member for the Dundas Concert Band for many years. In addition to playing in orchestras, bands and chamber groups, Frances enjoys international folk dancing, yoga, tai chi and traveling. She looks forward to being a board member of BSO once again and hopes to use her past experiences to help  continue to grow the presence of BSO in the community.

JOSH DOLANBAY

DIRECTOR

With over 30 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industry, he has played a pivotal role in fostering growth, enhancing performance, and driving innovation.

He collaborates with governments, corporate-level clients, organizations, startups, and NGOs, aiming to create a positive impact not only for their clients but also for our global community.

His career has spanned renowned technology companies such as Microsoft, Capita, and Autodesk, with a focus on the European, Middle Eastern, and African regions. Additionally, he served as a part-time lecturer at Bilkent University Business School in Turkey, specializing in technology and digital transformation, and has authored four influential books.

A passionate lifelong learner and devoted philanthropist, he is a founding member of the Institute for Future Research, dedicated to foresight studies aimed at building a better future for all. Furthermore, he holds board positions in several NGOs, actively supporting community development across various domains.

BEATRIZ CARVAJAL
DIRECTOR

Beatriz is a strategic and result-oriented professional with over 15 years of experience working for multinational companies in the financial and manufacturing sectors. Her professional experience spans various roles, including client experience, sales, strategy, and marketing.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School. Beatriz has a proven track record of successfully implementing initiatives at both small and global scales, collaborating with multi-functional and cross-cultural teams. Her strengths lie in relationship management, a strategic mindset, and effective communication, coupled with a result-oriented approach.

Passionate about creating a positive impact on people and society, Beatriz joined the BSO board of directors to engage with her community in Burlington and nurture her love for the arts and music.

Shaheeda Sadar

DIRECTOR

Shaheeda Sadar is a Registered Practical Nurse that has worked in the practice since 1998. She has worked in many institutions including hospitals, long-term care homes, and geriatric care facilities. Shaheeda has a passion for music and has been involved for over 20 years. Shaheeda has been an active member in her communities and enjoys travelling, cooking, and gardening when possible. She looks forward to bringing her wealth of experiences, passion for music, and knowledge to enhance the BSO.
Dylan Marando
DIRECTOR

Dylan Marando is a Canadian political scientist, specializing in tax policy, fiscal policy, public administration, public investment, and federalism. He has held the positions of: Deputy Director of Policy to the Prime Minister of Canada; Principal Advisor to the President of the Treasury Board of Canada; Senior Advisor to the Premier of Ontario; and Head of Public Policy at Siemens Healthcare Canada.

Dylan has served on the Board of Directors of Canadian Science Publishing, as well as the Health Policy Council of the CD Howe Institute. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Public Policy, and a Doctorate in Political Science, each from the University of Toronto.

An enthusiastic patron of the arts, Dylan has a particular fondness for the works of Shostakovich, Debussy, and Ennio Morricone.

Melissa Shea

DIRECTOR

Melissa Shea is a licensed architect with roles including Senior Associate at a Toronto architecture firm, and is a member in good standing of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and Ontario Association of Architects. Melissa is also a certified PMP, Project Management Professional, and excelled in a Master of Architecture degree from University of Waterloo. She is an experienced Board Member, including for Bracondale, a non-profit housing provider, and Council Member serving on the University of Waterloo Research Advisory Council. Melissa is passionate supporter of the arts, and is working to strengthen the Burlington Symphony Orchestra’s position in the community.