AOF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
Michelle Planche, CMP
Executive Director, Paradigm Events Inc.
Michelle Planche founded the Art of Fashion in 1998 with a passion to showcase the emerging talent of Canadian fashion designers by providing them with opportunities for exposure. Since 1998 The Art of Fashion has helped hundreds of designers across Canada reach consumers, media and the fashion industry.
With a unique flare for fashion and passion for helping entrepreneurs Michelle has successfully grown the Art of Fashion into one of Canada’s leading fashion platforms.
President of Paradigm Events Inc and winner of the 2005 Canadian Event Producer of the Year Award, & 2006, 2007 Canadian Event Producer of the Year Nominee, Michelle is an accomplished event specialist who has built a name for her self in the event planning industry. Planche started Paradigm Events Inc. in 1996 and specializes in conference and special event planning with a creative and unique flare. Paradigm Events is based in Toronto but has organized events across the globe. In 2005 Paradigm Events launched a satellite office in Muskoka, Ontario serving clients in the Muskoka region.
In 2003 Michelle was the executive producer of a television series titled “Source” that highlighted the struggles and successes of an entrepreneur. Michelle plays an active role in the event and fashion industry, as a volunteer in industry associations, Event Chair of Fashion Group International and a teacher in the Special Events department at George Brown College.
VICE CHAIR & CORPORATE SECRETARY
Amy Morrell, CAAP, BSc.
Marketing Director, LCBO Vintages
Amy is a seasoned marketing communications professional with over 12 years of experience. She has marketed everything from ski & golf apparel (Descente) to tools/ lawn care/ auto parts/paint (Canadian Tire), and now the world’s finest wines and spirits (Vintages). In addition to being passionate about fashion, Amy loves to golf, snowboard and organize things (especially closets). Amy has been involved with the Art of Fashion since 2000. As Vice-Chair, she provides strategic counsel and marketing direction for Art of Fashion.
CHAIRMAN
Richard B. Thompson, CFRE
Fundraising Consultant
Richard obtained his Certified Fundraising Executive designation in 1996 from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He subscribes to and upholds the Code of Ethics of the Association. During his 20 plus year career in the non-profit sector, he has worked for both national and regional health organizations, operated a successful consulting firm and has volunteered with numerous local organizations. On March 1, 2006, he joined the Canadian Immunodeficiency Society as Executive Director.
BOARD MEMBERS
Gale Gingrich, CAAP, CMP
President, the Gingrich Group Inc.
Gale is an independent planner who has owned and operated The Gingrich Group Inc. for 20 years. Having spent the previous 20 years in the advertising business, she brings a strong marketing component to her business. Gale provides senior client liaison, full account and cost management and production of creative, media, promotional and all event requirements. Her portfolio includes a range of programs from planning and execution of international conferences, annual meetings, incentive groups, festivals to special events. Gale is an active member of CanSPEP (Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners), having served as President, VP Education, Conference Chair, etc. over an 8-year period. In 2005, she was awarded the prestigious CEIA award for Outstanding Logistical Achievement in partnership with Karen Eluck of KEP Events – also an independent planner.
Shirley Lau,EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR
Product Developer, Unisync Group
Shirley was bitten by the fashion bug at a young age. With over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, she has worked with designers, buyers and production teams. Over the last 2 years Shirley was part of the creative team behind the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Corporate Apparel, working on major accounts including the CTV Believe Program. Becoming a member of the Art of Fashion in 2009, Shirley has lent her organization and creative mind to the team assisting in both the Board and the Organization.
Gregory Donovan, TREASURER
RBC
Gregory has held various financial leadership positions on numerous not-for-profit organizations since 2003. Currently, Gregory sits on two other not-for-profit boards in the West end of Toronto. Gregory has an educational background in accounting and finance, and brings experience in international banking from his time spent working and living abroad.
Zoran Dobric
Zoran Dobric is a Toronto based, Canadian designer of Serbian descent. His design background comes from Europe’s leading fashion design school, Instituto Marangoni, in Milan.
Zoran’s work has been published in magazines and books from the USA, Germany, Spain, France, Kuwait and China in addition to being featured in domestic magazines such as Elle, Fashion, Flare etc.
Exclusive art inspired prints developed by the designer and detailing combined with innovative shapes make Zoran’s collection unique, versatile and timeless, and offer women an individualistic and creative expression.
Zoran also works part time as a design instructor at Seneca and George Brown Colleges. For more info visit www.zorandobric.com
Lee Romberg
Lee loves fashion, film, and print and has been involved in each so far. Among other career highlights, he was a script development and post production executive in the Canadian film industry, a longtime contributor at Sweetspot.ca, and a stylist at his menswear boutique, Off The Cuff. At root Lee is an artist. He has a flare for trendsetting, taste-making and humour and is currently focused on media writing. Lee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Radio & Television Arts from Ryerson University.
