Remember to register and join us online for the 2026 ACA Virtual Conference. Read on to learn more about our Executive Director, Mab, who you can meet (along with your other wonderful fellow ACA members!) next week at the ACA conference!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself - how did you come to this role at the ACA? 

My parents are both historians, so I spent large parts of my childhood in museums, libraries, and vividly remember playing on the floors of archives while they worked. I think being in these spaces shaped my understanding of history as something living, exciting, and useful for people’s everyday lives.

My education in and passion for Public History led me to the museum sector. I joined the Textile Museum of Canada in a part-time role in 2018, and moved through different roles in volunteer management, operations, and communications, ultimately ending up as Chief Operating Officer.  

Wanting to expand my knowledge of the nonprofit sector, I completed a Master's degree in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management at Carleton University in 2025. After finishing that degree, I started to look for a role at a member-driven organization in the heritage sector. The timing worked out well, and I am so happy to have joined the ACA! 

2. What are you looking forward to in your new role as ACA Executive Director?

So many things! I’m very excited to be working on advocacy initiatives. From speaking with members, I’m gaining an understanding of the issues facing archivists and archival institutions. I’m looking forward to finding new and creative ways to best support ACA’s members and wider community and exploring how we can advocate at different levels to demonstrate the necessity and value of this work.

3. What has been the most unexpected adjustment since starting this role?

I think my cat would say that he’s having to adjust to me working from home all the time! But honestly, I would say working on a national level has been an adjustment. I was very used to working within Ontario-based frameworks, so stepping into a role that serves members and institutions across the country has required a lot of learning. It has been a significant adjustment, but an exciting and energizing one.

4. How have preparations been for the upcoming ACA 2026 conference? What session are you most excited about?

Things have been busy and good! The Program Team has done an impressive job, and the program is thoughtfully designed, and I know it will open up interesting discussions. I’m particularly excited for a session called “More than Matter: Material Culture, Memory, and Resistance in Archives” with Andrew Wiebe, Chloe Peters and Omar Al-Samadi. They’re looking at how archives respond to and care for material culture while experiencing displacement and colonization – and are using a range of case studies to talk about resistance and survival.

5. Will we be seeing you at the conference? Where can we learn more about your work?

Absolutely! I’ll be attending concurrent sessions and all of the full-group sessions, and I’m really looking forward to connecting with members throughout the week.

I’m also planning an informal Toronto bar meet-up after the final day of the conference, so if any participants are based here and would like to connect in person, I’d love to see them there. More details will be shared in the Conference Portal.

Members are always welcome to reach me by email or phone at executive.director@archivists.ca or 343-961-6593.