TORONTO, ON (May 8, 2014) – Tenio Evangelista, President of the Board of Directors of Harbourfront Centre today announced the appointment of Marah Braye as the incoming Chief Executive Officer of Harbourfront Centre. Ms. Braye is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Biennale of Sydney in Sydney, Australia and has an extensive background in arts and cultural management. The Biennale is one of the world’s leading international festivals of contemporary art. She will take up her new position in Toronto effective August 5th following the conclusion of the 19th Biennale of Sydney. Ms. Braye will assume the position from the founding Chief Executive Officer of Harbourfront Centre William J.S. Boyle who announced his plans to retire in August 2013. Mr. Boyle will continue to lead Harbourfront Centre until Marah Braye takes up the position.

Mr. Evangelista stated: “The Selection Committee of the Harbourfront Centre Board of Directors undertook an intensive international search with the assistance of Spencer Stuart Executive Search. We are very pleased that the Committee’s unanimous choice has agreed to assume the CEO position. Marah Braye is particularly well suited to lead Harbourfront Centre into the future, building on its 40 year history and strengths and the strong leadership of our founding CEO William Boyle. She will bring an exciting new dynamic and international perspective to Toronto. We look forward to welcoming her.”

Marah Braye assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Biennale of Sydney in 2006. Under her leadership, the Biennale has expanded its international prominence and reach and substantially increased its presence in Sydney and Australia. Prior to her role at the Biennale, Ms. Braye was the General Manager of Sherman Galleries, one of Australia’s most prestigious contemporary galleries and worked in publishing for a number of years as Managing Editor of Craftsman House, Fine Art Publishing, and as Publishing Manager and Development Editor at HarperCollins Publishers.

Marah Braye said: “I am very excited to have accepted this role. Harbourfront Centre is a landmark international institution and an extraordinary cultural centre.”

William J.S. Boyle, the founding Chief Executive Officer of Harbourfront Centre who recently celebrated his 30th Anniversary with the organization stated: “I am extremely pleased that our Selection Committee has found someone of the caliber of Marah Braye to take on the mantle of leadership at Harbourfront Centre. I look forward to handing over the organization to a new generation of cultural leader so that Harbourfront Centre can continue to be a driving force in contemporary international culture while celebrating the diverse cultures that comprise our city and our country. Marah brings an exciting mix of experience and knowledge which will shape the future for Harbourfront Centre while providing an important new voice in the city’s cultural milieu.”

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating the 10 prime acres of Toronto’s central waterfront as a free and open public site. We celebrate the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enliven the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe.