Board and Team
2023-2024
STEVEN DENNIS, PhD, MBA
President
Steven was the founder and CEO of a social and market research firm specializing in program evaluation, data management and custom research programs. He also taught research and program evaluation methods to graduate students at the University of Alberta. As a social scientist, he assisted governments, NFPs and businesses by mining data to measure performance and inform consumer engagement efforts. Among his clients were museums, galleries and arts organizations seeking to assess their community impact and discover alternative ways to engage their audiences. The Dennis family also supports the arts through a Community Foundation by awarding an annual scholarship to a high school graduate pursuing a career in the visual or performing arts. Steven and his wife, Sandra, retired in Nanaimo.
STEVE SCOTT
Vice President
Steve Scott’s strong creative passion led him to be a Production Designer and Art Director in the TV and Film industry, which he has been part of for almost 25 years. He has procured 63 film credits to his name, and has received a LEO nomination, as well as an Emmy nomination in Art Direction. His film credits are in a wide variety of genres: Drama, Comedy, Horror, and Action/Sci-Fi.
In addition, he has been the creative director/owner of a freelance marketing company for 30 years, where they provide Branding, Marketing and Website Builds for several small and medium international companies and entrepreneurs.
Steve is most happy to provide his business and creative direction skillset to the Nanaimo Art Council, as well as include any connections of his several long-term relationships within both the TV/Film industry, and the business world. The future is brighter when we all come together.
SANDRA MILES
Secretary
Sandra’s career encompassed a variety of industries in administrative and management positions, and she specializes in corporate governance and working with Boards of Directors. Sandra’s most recent experience was obtained at the Nanaimo Golf Club where she was both a Director and the Board Secretary. She holds a Business Administration diploma from Calgary’s Mount Royal University. She also has a keen interest in strategic planning, the foundation to any organization’s growth and sound development. Although not an artist, she appreciates the goals and objectives of NAC and wishes to contribute to the effectiveness of a progressive, professional organization.
DANA SMILEY
Treasurer
Dana Smiley has been a member of the Nanaimo Arts Council since early 2000. She held a variety of positions starting with working the front desk at North Town Centre, planned many member shows, and organized some Art Around Town exhibitions. She joined the Board of Directors in 2016, holding various positions including Vice Chair and acting Treasurer, and kept the organization’s accounts as bookkeeper from 2017 until 2019.
She organized campaigns for the Cancer Society and presently organizes the Arts and Craft Sale held at the Nanaimo Golf Club, where she has been a golf member since 2007. In 1967 she and her husband moved to Nanaimo where they raised a son and daughter, and now have 3 grandchildren.
In 1983 she took an Accounting Technician Course, subsequently working as a bookkeeper for various Nanaimo companies until 2007. She presently works from home doing books for Creative City Networking of Canada.
Dana started painting in 2000. She currently works in acrylic, and also operates a small business dealing in knitted toques and other items. She is looking forward to being part of the NAC Board to help move the organization into the future.
WILL GELUK
Director at Large
Will has an MBA in Marketing from Vancouver Island University and an MSc in International Management from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. For his undergrad he received a BSc in psychology from University of Victoria. He was the co-founder, COO and Marketing Director of a talent agency in Tokyo overseeing over 1000 models, actors and voice talents from various countries. He has started a marketing consulting company, specializing in digital marketing, and is working with local companies on Vancouver Island and beyond.
MISHA ZVIKEC
Director at Large
Misha earned a BSc degree (Biology and Chemistry) from VIU in 2021 and is currently pursuing a Masters degree (Analytical Chemistry) at the University of Victoria. She is a lab instructor at VIU. Misha joined the Nanaimo Arts Council in 2022 assisting with grant applications. She has a passion for the arts and happy to support the arts in her home community.