National Gallery of Canada unveils two positions to promote diversity and inclusivity

From Left:Tania Lafrenière Angela Cassie

OTTAWA — The National Gallery of Canada (NGC)  has named two leaders to newly created roles aimed at encouraging more diversity and inclusivity within the organization.

Angela Cassie will serve as vice-president of strategic transformation and inclusion, while Tania Lafrenière will be senior vice-president of people, culture and belonging, the NGC said on Tuesday.

Cassie steps into the job after holding numerous senior positions at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, including operational management. Prior to that Cassie worked at the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Lafrenière has worked as head of human resources at CBC-Radio Canada, and held leadership roles at Groupe Nordik, PSAC, and the Canadian Red Cross.

In 2019, she founded her own consultancy firm, and the NGC says she will “institute a new people-centred approach to HR management” that promotes “a true culture of collaboration.”

Both positions come as the NGC looks towards outlining its first strategic plan, which is focused on modernizing the organization to make it more reflective of Canada. The plan, which will be made public in the first quarter, will focus on “justice, equity, diversity and inclusion” at the NGC.