Board of Directors:

Carolyn Cook, President
Carolyn has an MA in Muséologie from l'Université de Montréal and a BA in Canadian Studies and Art History from York University. In 2005 Carolyn was awarded the Prix Roland-Arpin from the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City for her research pertaining to the relationships developed between Australian museums and Aboriginal communities

Jean Yves Pelletier, Vice-President
Jean Yves has been active in Ottawa’s heritage community since the early 1980s. He is a founding member of the Ottawa branch – Régionale Samuel-de-Champlain – of the Société franco-ontarienne d’histoire et de généalogie, the Regroupement des organismes du patrimoine franco-ontarien and CHOO/COPO. He has worked as a heritage resources consultant and grants officer with the Ontario Heritage Trust, the Ontario Ministry of Culture and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and as a heritage consultant for the City of Ottawa, the Muséoparc Vanier Museopark and the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est. He is currently a Board member of the Friends of the City of Ottawa Archives, Alliance française d’Ottawa and the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Research on French Canadian Culture.

Bob Acton, Secretary
Bob is a founder and principal of Pathwords Audio Publications, which produces audio tours of museums, galleries and historic sites.

Henriette Riegel, Treasurer
Since August 2003, Henriette has been the Director of Visitor Services at the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. She holds a BA from McGill and an MA from the University of Western Ontario with degrees in Anthropology, a Masters in Museum Studies (Toronto), as well as having ABD status in the doctoral program in Social Anthropology at York University. Her academic specialty is in open-air museums.

Her previous experience includes work as a visitor researcher with the Institute for Sociology at the University of Karlsruhe, a consultant with LORD Cultural Resources, an instructor at the Museum Studies Program in Toronto, a project manager at EXPO2000 in Hannover (in both the Thematic Area exhibitions and in Operations and Security) as well as free-lance consultant on cultural projects in Europe and the Middle East.

Pamela Cook, Director
Pamela obtained a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University and a scriptwriting certificate from Algonquin College. She has been active in Ottawa’s heritage community since 2004. Pamela is also currently enrolled in the Voluntary and Nonprofit Sector Management certificate program through Ryerson University.

John J. Heney, Director

John holds a Bachelor of Journalism with Political Science and an M.A. in International Affairs from Carleton University. Wide output in print and radio journalism, telecom and government policy, marketing communications and publishing saw him become a steady user and fan of archives and libraries across the globe. Strong application of history and heritage in his work over the years includes authorship of the illustrated history John Heney & Son: The Canadian Saga of an Ottawa Irish Family.

John received the City of Ottawa Distinguished Service Award in 2008 for his varied support of local heritage including tenure as founding president of the Friends of the City of Ottawa Archives, during which a new central facility for the City Archives was established. He has contributed to church and corporate histories and initiatives supporting built heritage, while surrounded by the sounds and wonders of his collection of antique gramophones. John is nationally involved supporting understanding and research touching a variety of neurological challenges.  

Mike Steinhauer, Past-President
Mike’s museum experience spans across the wide range of the cultural field: from King Ludwig's castles in Bavaria to the Parliamentary Precinct in Ottawa.

As a graduate of the Applied Museum Studies Program (Intensive Stream) at Algonquin College Mike was responsible for the concept and exhibition design of the Sabra - Portrait of a Spinster exhibit at the Billings Estate Museum. Mike's undergraduate studies took him to Edmonton, AB and Florence, Italy. He is an avid painter and photographer and several of his works have been used on book and catalogue covers.

Staff:

Meg Hamilton, Executive Director
Meg is a graduate of McGill University (Bachelor Arts, and Certificate in Public Relations Management). She also holds a Diploma in Applied Museum Studies (Intensive Stream) from Algonquin College.

Since May 2004, Meg has held the position of Executive Director of CHOO/COPO. She has a wide network of contacts within the local heritage & museum community. Meg has also taught Museum Business Management as a part-time instructor in the Applied Museum Studies Program at Algonquin College.

Meg sits on the Board of Directors of the Bytown Museum and is a member of the Canadian Museums Association, Ontario Museums Association, and the Canadian Association of Conservators. She sat as a member of the City of Ottawa’s Museums Sustainability Plan Steering Committee.

Erin Snow, Communications and Training Coordinator
Erin holds a BFA from Concordia University and is a graduate of the Applied Museum Studies Program (Intensive Stream) at Algonquin College.  Her involvement with CHOO/COPO began when she was employed as a Young Canada Works student in the summer of 2004, and continued in a volunteer capacity.  She is a strong advocate for arts and heritage.