FOSTERING COMMUNITY
THROUGH MUSIC
Photo by Dave O’Donnell
meet our dynamic
Board of Directors
The renowned Burlington Symphony Orchestra, previously known as Symphony on the Bay, operates under the aegis of the Greater Hamilton Symphony Association, a distinguished registered Canadian charity. Our volunteer Board of Directors, gathering nine times annually, boasts a diverse mix of professionals from the realms of business, education, and social services, along with musicians from both the orchestra and the broader Burlington community.
Dylan Marando
Chair
Dylan Marando is a Canadian political scientist and healthcare executive, specializing in tax policy, fiscal policy, the care economy, technology adoption, and governance.
He has held the positions of: Deputy Director of Policy to the Prime Minister of Canada; Principal Advisor to the President of the Treasury Board of Canada; Executive Director, National Housing Strategy to Canada’s Minister of Housing; Senior Advisor, Policy to the Premier of Ontario; and Head of Strategy & Government Affairs for Siemens Healthcare (Canada).
Dylan sits on the Boards of Directors of Canadian Science Publishing, Myeloma Canada, Geist Magazine, and the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, as well as the CD Howe Health Policy Council.
Dylan studied at the University of Toronto, where he received an Honours Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Public Policy, and a Doctorate in Political Science, and where he has taught as a Sessional Lecturer at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
Josh Dolanbay
Director
With over 30 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industry, he has played a pivotal role in fostering growth, enhancing performance, and driving innovation.
He collaborates with governments, corporate-level clients, organizations, startups, and NGOs, aiming to create a positive impact not only for their clients but also for our global community.
His career has spanned renowned technology companies such as Microsoft, Capita, and Autodesk, with a focus on the European, Middle Eastern, and African regions. Additionally, he served as a part-time lecturer at Bilkent University Business School in Turkey, specializing in technology and digital transformation, and has authored four influential books.
A passionate lifelong learner and devoted philanthropist, he is a founding member of the Institute for Future Research, dedicated to foresight studies aimed at building a better future for all. Furthermore, he holds board positions in several NGOs, actively supporting community development across various domains.
Juan Aja
Vice-Chair
Juan is a passionate and driven tech entrepreneur and lawyer with over 15 years of experience in startup and business operations, product and marketing. He co-founded a regulatory technology startup in the blockchain space. He worked with one of Toronto’s most prominent blockchain entrepreneurs to build one of the industry’s most innovative solutions. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Juan worked as in-house counsel for an innovative Oil and Gas project and some of Mexico’s most prominent corporate law firms.
Juan holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and a Bachelor of Laws from the Universidad Iberoamericana.
As an avid content creator and journalist, He has written and produced political analysis blogs, podcasts, and photographic portfolios through the lenses of his analogue Pentax K-1000. He also collaborated at Ibero 90.9FM as assistant producer for an independent music and debate content radio station.
Juan is honoured to join the BSO Board of Directors. He wants to continue following his passion for the arts and help strengthen Burlington’s cultural and artistic community.
Beatriz Carvajal
Director
Beatriz is a strategic and result-oriented professional with over 15 years of experience working for multinational companies in the financial and manufacturing sectors. Her professional experience spans various roles, including client experience, sales, strategy, and marketing.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School. Beatriz has a proven track record of successfully implementing initiatives at both small and global scales, collaborating with multi-functional and cross-cultural teams. Her strengths lie in relationship management, a strategic mindset, and effective communication, coupled with a result-oriented approach.
Passionate about creating a positive impact on people and society, Beatriz joined the BSO board of directors to engage with her community in Burlington and nurture her love for the arts and music.
Shaheeda Sadar
Director
Shaheeda Sadar is a Registered Practical Nurse that has worked in the practice since 1998. She has worked in many institutions including hospitals, long-term care homes, and geriatric care facilities. Shaheeda has a passion for music and has been involved for over 20 years. Shaheeda has been an active member in her communities and enjoys travelling, cooking, and gardening when possible. She looks forward to bringing her wealth of experiences, passion for music, and knowledge to enhance the BSO.
Melissa Shea
Director
Melissa Shea is a licensed architect with roles including Senior Associate at a Toronto architecture firm, and is a member in good standing of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and Ontario Association of Architects. Melissa is also a certified PMP, Project Management Professional, and excelled in a Master of Architecture degree from University of Waterloo. She is an experienced Board Member, including for Bracondale, a non-profit housing provider, and Council Member serving on the University of Waterloo Research Advisory Council. Melissa is passionate supporter of the arts, and is working to strengthen the Burlington Symphony Orchestra’s position in the community.
Kathryn Cameron
Secretary
Kathryn is honoured to join the Board of Directors of the Symphony, bringing a deep commitment to community service and a passion for the arts. A lifelong resident of Halton Region and a proud Burlington resident for the past 25 years, Kathryn holds a Master of Public Administration from Western University and a PhD in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University. With a 35-year career spanning the municipal and post-secondary education sectors, Kathryn has developed extensive expertise in enterprise risk, compliance, and governance. Her experience and dedication to good public stewardship will be a valuable asset to the Symphony as it continues to grow and inspire through music.
Izabele Goclik
Director
Izabela Goclik is the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Manager at Burlington Economic
Development and Tourism, where she leads TechPlace—an innovation hub supporting
growth-focused companies and startups. She works closely with founders and
ecosystem partners to deliver impactful programming, build strategic partnerships, and
support soft-landing and funding opportunities.
With a degree in Mass Communications from York University and a background in
business operations, Izabela brings a hands-on, collaborative approach to building
communities that fuel innovation and entrepreneurship.
She’s passionate about connecting people, creating meaningful opportunities, and
supporting bold ideas. Outside of work, Izabela enjoys hiking, fashion, photography and
staying informed on current global events.
Huda Moghal
Director
Huda is a results-driven HR professional with over a decade of experience, recognized for leading global initiatives that drive efficiency and scalable growth.
She has managed the end-to-end delivery of numerous company-wide HR policy programs, including job description reviews during re-orgs, ensuring alignment across stakeholders including legal. A natural storyteller, Huda translates people analytics into executive insights and strategic recommendations that shape business decisions across various industries such as Technology, Banking, Energy, Oil & Gas, Education, and Not for Profits. Beyond data analytics, her expertise includes analyzing processes and operations to pinpoint ways to improve efficiency, enabling organizations to operate more effectively and scale successfully.
Beyond her career, Huda is deeply committed to community impact. She volunteers pro bono to support newcomers to Canada with resume writing and job search skills.
Huda studied at the University of Toronto, where she received an Honours Bachelor of Arts, a Masters in Industrial Relations and Human Resources (MIRHR), and where she has completed various research based project work.
Morgan Scannell
Treasurer
Morgan Scannell is a passionate and solutions-oriented Operations Manager working in the Investment Management sector. She is passionate about setting a positive example and being a trusted mentor for her team members and colleagues. She recognizes the importance of cultivating productive working relationships with her Investment Advisor clients.
Morgan graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in Economics and Policy. During her undergraduate education, she volunteered as a student note taker and worked with the University’s Aboriginal Resource Centre.
Driven to collaborate with a diverse range of professionals and seek community involvement, Morgan joined the BSO board and assumed the position of Treasurer.
Anda Protopopescu
Past-Chair
An accomplished business professional, Anda brings her diverse background and experience to the Board, having worked with Fortune 500 organizations in Financial Services, Consulting, High Tech and Telecommunications. She’s held senior management and executive positions in various disciplines including Project Management, Operations, Finance and Marketing. Anda has a Master of Business Administration with a Marketing Major and an Honors Bachelor of Commerce with a Finance Major from McMaster University, and is an accredited Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute. Anda’s love for the arts started at a young age through her education in Eastern Europe where she grew up prior to moving to the Hamilton/Burlington area where she currently resides with her husband and their two sons. Her aspiration is to grow the BSO’s presence in Burlington and surrounding areas through youth and community outreach programs and enable it to be a self sustaining organization.
