Jennifer Gordon

Jennifer is a Principal in Searchlight’s Toronto office. She specializes in executive search for the arts, culture, academic and Not for Profit sectors.  Her background as an arts administrator, curator, professional artist and educator provide insight and expertise in the unique challenges facing the cultural and Not For Profit sectors.

Prior to Searchlight, Jennifer worked in various arts organizations: She has acted in a management capacity for two esteemed Canadian art galleries, and led national education programs for the Canadian Embassy of Japan and the National Capital Commission of Canada.  She is a certified educator with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and an active member of the arts community with a passion and commitment to the cultural industries.

Alongside her work with Searchlight, Jennifer continues to privately consult with arts and cultural organizations on growth-based strategy and initiatives, assisting a wide range of clients from individuals to national arts service organizations.

Claire Hopkinson

Prior to her appointment as Executive Director of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation in 2006, Claire Hopkinson spent over 25 years commissioning and producing new works of opera and music theatre, working with many of Canada’s leading artists.  Ms. Hopkinson is the recipient of the National M. Joan Chalmers Award for Arts Administration (2001) and the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts (2006).  She has been invited to speak on arts, culture and creativity in numerous cities around the world, including New York City, Washington, Montreal, Rome and Volgograd.

Currently, Ms Hopkinson is Co-Chair of the Toronto 2011 ISPA Congress, Groundbreaking, and serves on the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 Toronto Committee, the Provincial Steering Committee for Culture Days 2011 and on the advisory committees for City of Toronto’s Creative Capital initiative,  President’s Advisory for OCAD University and the Dean of Fine Arts Advisory for York University.

Mervon Mehta

Mervon Mehta’s early career saw him make several appearances on television and in films.

In 1994 he put his theatrical career on ‘temporary’ hold and joined the Chicago’s Ravinia Festival as programmer for their pop concert series.  In 1998 he became Director of Programming and, in 2001, Director of Production.

In  2002, Mehta was named Vice President of Programming and Education at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.  In his eight seasons the Kimmel Center presented a who’s who of classical, jazz, pop and world music including the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, Caetano Veloso, The Roots, Ravi Shankar and Oscar Peterson.

In 2009 he returned to Canada to become Executive Director of Performing Arts for the Royal Conservatory and to open their stunning new facility.  Koerner Hall has quickly become one of the finest halls in Canada known for its exquisite acoustics, award winning design and sold out houses of diverse programmes.