Randy Warren
Executive Committee Chair
chair@waterloobuskers.com
Randy has been Chair of the Executive Committee several times in his 29 years with the busker carnival. Over that same period, he has enjoyed an extensive career with The Mutual Group, Clarica, and Sun Life Financial. He is currently the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Distribution Compensation Services for Sun Life Financial. Randy has a BA in Admin and Commercial Studies, Finance from Western University and is a Leadership Waterloo Region Graduate 2003.
Michele Schroder
Co-Director of Entertainment
performers@waterloobuskers.com
Michele is thrilled to be joining us again this year planning another stellar entertainment line-up for audiences to enjoy. Michele is a certified project management professional. Her extensive background in project and event management are put to the test as she juggles all the nuances that come with putting together one of Canada's top international street festivals. When Michele isn't travelling with her husband Steve to festivals noting fresh talent to bring to Waterloo, she's actively planning and working on her organic garden. With headset, program and clipboard in tow, Michele can be seen onsite at various pitches ensuring all goes smooth for a fantastic 4 days of fun.
Steve O'Brien
Co-Director of Entertainment
performers@waterloobuskers.com
What do you get when you make a nerdy Bachelor of Science graduate watch hours and hours of busking videos into the night? .....A fabulous busker lineup! When Steve's not watching video applications he is out visiting festivals with Michele looking for the next great act. He manages to find time for playing video games, reading graphic novels and well he even manages to fit in his full-time programming gig. While Steve is quite happy to work behind the scenes, there's a chance you may just catch a glimpse of him during this year's Carnival.
Cynthia Colby
Co-Director of Marketing
Cynthia P. Colby is happy to lend her extensive media and communication skills to promoting our event. With a voice and writing skills honed by more than 15 years as a radio news anchor / investigative reporter – CKTB / HTZ-FM St. Catharines, CKOC/CKLH Hamilton, CJFM Montreal, CKO National News Toronto, CHYM/CKGL Kitchener - she brings a lot of expertise to the table. When she’s not volunteering she’s running a communications business that offers a wide array of basic and unique services including: accessible communications (voice files & Clear Writing), custom audio for busy professionals, and a brand new workshop on voting and elections for elementary schools.
Emily Warren
Co-Director of Marketing
Emily has grown up with Buskers for the past twenty two years and is excited to follow in her father's (Randy Warren) footsteps by getting involved with the Busker Committee. Emily looks forward to carrying on the tradition.
Amanda Wright
Co-Director of Volunteers
volunteers@waterloobuskers.com
Since 2012, Amanda has focused on the many volunteers needed to make the busker carnival a success. In her role as a Major Incident Manager in the IT department at Sun Life Financial, she facilitates problem solving sessions to ensure computer systems are up and running at all times. These skill sets are ideal to the acquisition, scheduling, and coordination of hundreds of volunteers during the 4-day event.
Wanda Epp
Director of Revenue Generation
vendors@waterloobuskers.com
Wanda is excited to once again be involved as a volunteer this year on the Executive Committee for this great event. As a project professional in her day job, she looks forward to using her strong organizational and time management skills and her ability to build relationships to ensure a great line up of vendors for this year's event!
Noah Pastink
Co-Director of Revenue Generation
vendors@waterloobuskers.com
Noah has been part of the Waterloo busker family for as long as he can remember and eagerly awaits each August in anticipation of this great event. He's been behind the scenes since childhood and is excited to be on the Executive in an official capacity working with Wanda to ensure a great line up of vendors this year.
Terry O'Keefe, CFP
Director of Sponsorship
sponsors@waterloobuskers.com
As Director, Canadian Business Continuity Planning at Sun Life Financial, Terry' coordinates a variety of activities for a wide range of Canadian business units. In addition to earning his Certified Functional Continuity Professional (CFCP) designation, he has his Bachelor of Mathematics, Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and is a member of Leadership Waterloo Region's class of 2004.
Brian Chapman
Co-Director of Operations
When it comes to logistics, set-up, and ongoing operations, Brian's detailed approach and dedication to operational facets of the carnival is unseen by many but appreciated by all. With a Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science from Wilfrid Laurier University, he is a software developer with 16 years' experience. As well as the Buskers, he's been volunteering with Conservation Halton for 8 years.
Al Vlasic
Co-Director of Operations
A genuine man of mystery, little is known about Al. He is rarely photographed, never answers an e-mail, and is barely seen as he works diligently behind the scenes of the busker carnival. For too many years to count, he has single handedly amassed more technical and operational knowledge of this incredible 4-day event than any human being in the Region of Waterloo and perhaps, the universe.
Chelsea
Director of Finance finance@waterloobuskers.com
Chelsea is excited to spend her first year on the Executive Committee as Finance Director. At her day job, she is a Financial Analyst in Individual Sales Reporting and Analysis at Sun Life Financial. Chelsea is thrilled to have the opportunity to apply her knowledge, expand upon her skill set, and get to learn from the wonderful people who have made the Waterloo Busker Festival into the top-notch festival it is today. She graduated from the University of Waterloo's Accounting and Financial Management program in 2015 and is currently studying for her CPA designation.
Volunteer Opportunity available - please Randy Warren
Executive Committee Chair