Executive Director

Marlene has been the Executive Director of UrbanArts since 2008 and has over 25 years’ experience in arts administration, non-profit management, organizational development and capacity building, advocacy, and training & employment services for multiple stakeholders including youth, women, immigrants and the unemployed. With a passion for youth and the arts, Marlene has worked tirelessly to ensure young people have access to quality programs and services and that their voices are included in every sphere. She has completed academic programs at the Schulich School of Business, the Ivey Spencer Business School and Humber College. Marlene is a recipient of the Black Business & Professional Association’s (BBPA) 2015 Woman of Honour Award for excellence in service to the community.

Development and Communication Coordinator

David is a team player who has worked on numerous fundraising events, campaigns for capital, annual operating and endowment funds for arts, mental health and social services organizations. An accomplished musician (jazz flute), he is a recipient of the Fellowship of Man Humanitarian Award and was nominated for citizen of the year Ontario. He has a BFA from York University, Art’s Administration Certificate Banff Centre for Management.

Program Manager

Angelina is a passionate community worker with over eleven years of experience in program design and management. Driven by understanding the social as well as economical gaps marginalized families and communities face, she takes pride in building impactful relationships and programs for the communities she serves.  Additional roles in volunteer management, event coordination and services coordination will assist her with bringing people together from many communities for one goal; providing skills to teach them how to be impactful leaders in their communities through community arts.

Program Coordinator 

Natalie Chattargoon better known as ‘Rare’ is a multifaceted Toronto born and raised creative, passionate in community building, creative writing and photography. In the start of her career, she became a self taught 5x published photographer with work showcased around the GTA. With works of art featured on Globe & Mail, In the TTC & Pearson Airport in 2023. Rare faced many challenges throughout her journey that motivated her to strive for a better life. Her work focuses on spotlighting key social issues and expresses it through her many projects. Rare’s World is a platform where she hopes to help others look deeper into the mind, body and soul to find their ultimate purpose. Rare has a passion for working in marginalized communities to break down stigmas. She is truly a one of a kind, so divine and a hard to find individual.

Program Administrator & Outreach Support

Abigail Dingwall is a passionate creative professional. Her interest in the arts-some of which she practices herself- and personal mission to pursue a career in development and justice has led her to work with diverse communities of creatives in Kenya, Bangladesh, Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) and Toronto. Abigail believes that a genuinely holistic understanding of development gives as much attention to its cultural aspects as to its economic, political, and technological ones. She regards the arts as instrumental, empowering, educative, therapeutic, and as a peacemaking mechanism.

Marketing Assistant 

Fashion, art, and music are some of Deanna Frank’s passions. She is motivated, creative and bubbly. She is very enthusiastic about child and youth work and seeks to make a difference in the lives of children and youth of underserved communities through the arts. Deanna sees art not only as a means of self-expression but also as a healing medium and is excited to work with UrbanArts and spread light and love throughout the communities through the arts.

Administrative Assistant 

Meet Yolanda Onabanjo, a dedicated student at Humber College with a passion for art and creativity. Yolanda finds joy in helping children unleash their inner artists and has a talent for writing music. With a dream to one day produce her own sounds, Yolanda is on a mission to make a meaningful impact through their passions and pursuits with the help of UrbanArts.