The Bentway’s Board of Directors is proud to announce the internal promotion of Ilana Altman to CEO, effective November 12. Altman, who has been part of The Bentway since 2019, has been a driving force behind the organization’s bold vision for a more connected and creative Toronto. She has championed innovative programs and partnerships that redefine how art, design, and public space intersect and enliven the city. With a deep understanding of The Bentway’s potential and an ambitious vision for what’s next, Ilana will now lead the organization as it scales its impact.
“The Bentway has always been about imagination — and challenging Toronto to see itself in a new light. Ilana is a leading global voice in urban transformation and we’re thrilled to see her step into this newly created role to fully realize The Bentway’s potential.”
– Daniel Shearer, Board Chair, The Bentway Conservancy
“Given Ilana’s legacy, and her tenure at the organization, Ilana can uniquely unite all of our critical stakeholders from our partners and donors, to our artistic collaborators and community neighbours. The Bentway is lucky to have Ilana, and frankly, so is Toronto,” said Daniel Shearer, Board Chair, The Bentway Conservancy.
This evolving leadership structure marks an exciting next phase of growth, as the organization expands its creative impact along the full 7 kilometer stretch of Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway. Building on significant progress to date — from the design of The Bentway Islands to expanded programming on the city’s west end — The Bentway is advancing bold public art, design, and civic projects that connect communities and reimagine Toronto’s public spaces.
This transition also marks the departure of David Carey, who has served as Co-Executive Director since 2019. Under Ilana and David, The Bentway evolved from an ambitious pilot beneath the Gardiner Expressway into a globally celebrated civic and cultural platform. David’s leadership helped to deepen community and corporate partnerships, and position the organization as a model for innovative city-building.
“We are deeply grateful to David for his passion and leadership,” said Shearer. “His impact will be felt for years to come as The Bentway continues to grow and thrive.”
“It’s an incredible moment for The Bentway and for Toronto,” said Altman. “The Bentway’s momentum is undeniable — what started as a bold experiment to transform 1.7 kilometers of the under Gardiner in the city’s west end has evolved into a 7 kilometer opportunity that benefits Toronto at large. I’m so proud of our team for the impact we’ve created to date, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to define the next chapter of this beloved Toronto landmark and creative force.”
