PuSh Leadership Changes
November 07, 2024
The PuSh Festival Board would like to announce two senior staff departures. Effective this summer, Dr. Margo Kane stepped down from her role as Director of Indigenous Initiatives to focus on her work at Full Circle Performing Arts. Recently, PuSh’s Director of Operations Keltie Forsyth accepted a new position as Artistic Director of Presentation House Theatre, and she will be departing PuSh in early 2025, following the Festival.
Dr. Margo Kane joined the PuSh team in 2021 during a challenging time for the organization. Her leadership and perspective have been crucial in ensuring that PuSh moved forward in a way that responded to the needs of our community. In coming to her decision, Margo said “I will focus on working with and advising Indigenous-led organizations and artists primarily, continuing a focus I have held throughout my career. Thanks to PuSh board members and staff that I have come to know and who have been willing to consider our working relationship now and in the future. I encourage all to consider how this work will continue that includes safety, dignity, and belonging.”
Keltie Forsyth joined PuSh in mid-2022 and will transition to her new role after the 2025 Festival. On her upcoming departure, Keltie remarked, “I am so proud of the work we’ve done together over the past few years and of the community we have rebuilt around the Festival as we’ve emerged from the pandemic. It’s been an incredible privilege to work alongside Gabrielle Martin and the PuSh staff, contractors, board, and volunteers to bring diverse, energizing, and boundary pushing work to Vancouver.”
Responding to these departures, PuSh Board Vice President Johnny Wu commented, “PuSh has been extremely fortunate to work with these two extraordinary women over the past few years. Their impacts will continue to nurture our festival and organization after their departure. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Margo for her invaluable contributions. Her work at PuSh during this pivotal time will continue to inspire how we think about the Festival’s responsibilities on these unceded territories and how we grow our understanding of our role in reconciliation. We are also immensely grateful for the outstanding work that Keltie has undertaken at PuSh. Her dedication to the Festival and the team have been truly impressive. Keltie’s stellar leadership and warm presence have helped shape our organization in remarkable ways. Although we are sad she is leaving, we are excited for the new opportunities that await her”.
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The 2025 PuSh Festival will take place January 23 to February 9, 2025 in venues across Metro Vancouver, celebrating the Festival’s 20th year. Full programming details will be announced on November 20, 2024.