Staff Members

Tracey Donaldson

Executive Director
The Executive Director provides conceptual leadership in all areas of the museum operation and is directly responsible for administration, human resources, finance, and management of the museum buildings and grounds. This position is also responsible for the research, development and installation of exhibitions.

Tracey’s keen interest in history, the arts and literature led her to pursue a degree in Art History and English Literature at Carleton University and then a Master of Science in Scottish studies in Scotland. Her time and exposure to Scottish culture and local people impressed upon her the importance of connecting with her local community to create a sense of meaning and shared experiences. She joined the Goulbourn Museum in order to become an advocate for history within her local community. With over 10 years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector she has mastered many of its challenges. Working with tight budgets, creative thinking and writing grants are a few of her specialties. In addition to her work at the Museum, Tracey currently serves as the Chairperson of the Ottawa Museum Network, and has worked as an educator for Algonquin College in their Applied Museum Studies Program. Tracey can be reached at [email protected]

Sue Woodford

Communications Manager
The Communications Manager is responsible for the Museum’s overall public relations, marketing and promotion. Staying current with marketing and promotion practices, and innovative techniques, the Communications Manager strives to attract a new and wider audience within the context of the Museum’s policies.

A communications specialist with over 25 years of experience, Sue implements the Museum’s overall marketing and communications strategies as well as oversees the daily communications, graphic design, social media, and marketing activities. Sue studied Photojournalism at Loyalist College and worked in the newspaper industry for 8 years receiving awards for both writing and photography from the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA). Other previous experience includes a freelance career in communications and managing the creative services for one of Ottawa’s top real estate teams. Sue added to her education and skill set in 2012 when she received her post-graduate certificate in Interactive Multimedia from Algonquin College. In 2016 and 2017 she returned to Algonquin to teach Public Relations in the Applied Museum Studies program.

Sarah Holla

Registrar
The Registrar is responsible for the overall management and care of the Museum’s collections, manages the Museum’s sales and summaries reports and deposits, and supports the Executive Director in the research and development of policies, funding applications, events and exhibitions.

Sarah’s adventure in heritage began in 2004- since then she completed an honours degree in Classics specializing in Ancient Art and Archaeology, studied archaeology in the field with The Canadian Institute in Greece and completed a post-graduate certificate in Applied Museum Studies. History has taken her amazing places, from the temples of Greece, to documenting an historic cemetery, interviewing a veteran of the Great War, and rebuilding a regimental museum in Ottawa. Sarah is known for drawing people in with a story and sharing her passion for Goulbourn’s history. When away from her white cotton gloves, Sarah loves knitting baby hats, gardening and DIY projects in her family’s Victorian country home.

Jessica Parsons

Programming Manager
The Programming Manager is responsible for the planning, development, and delivery of the Museum’s public education programs and services including local history presentations, craft programs/workshops, and special events.

Jessica’s passion for local history began from a young age. Growing up in rural Ottawa, she developed an interest in learning about how people lived and worked in the past and how to preserve and share these stories. This led her to pursue a Hons. BA in History and Canadian Studies from Trent University and a Masters Degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. Jessica has worked and volunteered in many museums in Ottawa including the Nepean Museum, the Canadian War Museum, and Watsons Mill. This is where she developed a passion for public programming and education and learning how visitors interact with different programs. She was recently able to implement her passion and skills when developing new educational programming for the Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre in Toronto. When she isn’t busy at work, Jessica can be found playing golf (although not very well) or tackling a new puzzle. Jessica can be reached at [email protected]

Rebecca Hill-Lamoureux

Collections Management Assistant
The Collections Management Assistant provides support to the Collections Officer in the management of Museum collections, research initiatives and visitor services. Additional responsibilities include cataloguing, research, and artefact photography.

Rebecca is in her final year of an honours undergraduate degree in Architectural Conservation and Sustainability at Carleton University. During her studies, she fell in love with heritage, historic sites and conservation and is excited to learn about the impacts of heritage and how we can use historic buildings to help create a more sustainable future. Rebecca can be reached at [email protected].

Georgian Parkes

Programming Assistant
The Programming Assistant contributes to the development, preparation, and delivery of public programs. Additionally, the Programming Assistant supports the Education Officer with the delivery of local history presentations, school programming, family and older adult programs, workshops, outreach initiatives, and special events.

Georgian has a Joint Honours BA in English Literature and History from the University of Ottawa, where she volunteers at the Museum of Classical Antiquities. While her original intention was to obtain a teaching degree, after working in the Callander Bay Heritage Museum and Gallery she’s been hooked on museums! Helping people learn and making information engaging are some of Georgian’s passions- a perfect fit! Georgian can be reached at [email protected]

Matthew Davidson

Digitization Strategy Coordinator
The Digitization Strategy Coordinator highlights sustainable goals to improve access to Museum assets, and will evaluate how the Museum will develop digital content that fulfills stakeholder needs. The Digitization Strategy will ensure that digitization objectives are accessible, sustainable, ethical, and support the Museum’s mandate.

By training, Matthew is a historian- he holds an M.A. in History from Trent University and is currently completing a PhD in History at the University of Miami. His research primarily concentrates on the history of Haiti and the Caribbean, and on the history of public health, disease, and medicine; more generally, Matthew is committed to encouraging and facilitating historically-informed perspectives. Prior to joining Goulbourn Museum, Matthew worked with the Digital Library of the Caribbean where he supported the digitization of historical and cultural patrimony from various Caribbean countries. Matthew holds an M.A. in History from Trent University and is currently completing a PhD in History at the University of Miami. He is on Twitter at @md_ptbo or, can be reached at [email protected].

Board Members

Linda Preston

In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the Museum’s Chairperson and steadfast supporter, Linda Preston.

A former teacher, Linda dove into volunteer work after retiring and was a tireless advocate of Goulbourn Township. She was an inaugural member of the Goulbourn Museum and served on the Museum’s Board of Directors since its inception in 2010. She was also a member of the Munster Union Cemetery Board. Linda and her sister Cheryl made a significant impact on the preservation of local history by recording the stories of long-time Goulbourn residents and compiling them into a book series entitled the Voices of Goulbourn’s Past.

“She was an incredible woman and played an influential role in shaping the community through the years,” says Tracey Donaldson, Executive Director of the Museum. “Her love of local history and pride and involvement in the community was a huge part of who she was. She will be greatly missed.”

Tanya Hein

Acting Chairperson
The Vice Chairperson shall in the absence of the Chairperson perform all the duties of the Chairperson and such other duties as may be assigned by the Chairperson or Board.

Phil Sweetnam

Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have responsibility for all funds handled by the Goulbourn Museum. The Treasurer shall keep proper records of all receipts and disbursement of the Goulbourn Museum and shall prepare a Financial Statement for presentation at the AGM of the Museum.

Tanis Cappello

Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for the preparation of minutes of the Goulbourn Museum Board meetings, have custody of all books and records concerning all Goulbourn Museum meetings.

Jennifer Rowland

Director
Directors will serve on the Board to achieve its stated purpose and plan for its future development according to the terms of its Constitution, By-Laws and Statement of Purpose.

Jennifer Smith

Director
Directors will serve on the Board to achieve its stated purpose and plan for its future development according to the terms of its Constitution, By-Laws and Statement of Purpose.

Jazmin Lopez Muga

Director
Directors will serve on the Board to achieve its stated purpose and plan for its future development according to the terms of its Constitution, By-Laws and Statement of Purpose.

Barry Gray

Director
Directors will serve on the Board to achieve its stated purpose and plan for its future development according to the terms of its Constitution, By-Laws and Statement of Purpose.

Lesley McKay

Director
Directors will serve on the Board to achieve its stated purpose and plan for its future development according to the terms of its Constitution, By-Laws and Statement of Purpose.

Karen Weir

Director
Directors will serve on the Board to achieve its stated purpose and plan for its future development according to the terms of its Constitution, By-Laws and Statement of Purpose.