The Bentway announces new staff arrivals and a series of internal promotions, strengthening and solidifying its team as the organization continues to grow its impact as one of Toronto’s leading civic spaces.
The Bentway is entering a new phase of organizational growth as it continues to expand its programming, partnerships, and public realm impact along Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway corridor. This next chapter is supported by new hires and internal promotions designed to strengthen capacity across programming, operations, development, and organizational stewardship.
“As The Bentway continues to grow, we are expanding not only our physical footprint but our shared ambition for what public space can offer a city. I’m excited to work alongside this leadership team as we deepen partnerships and deliver increasingly ambitious work that reimagines infrastructure as a platform for culture, connection, and shared urban life.”
– Ilana Altman, CEO, The Bentway
The Bentway is pleased to announce the expansion of its senior leadership team.
Cara Williams, Director, Development & Partnerships
Cara Williams joins The Bentway as Director, Development & Partnerships, bringing nearly two decades of experience in philanthropic strategy and cross‑sector partnership development across the arts, social services, and healthcare. At The Bentway, she will lead efforts to grow and deepen a network of supporters for ambitious artistic and civic programming, as well as the organization’s expansion along the Gardiner corridor.
Josh Harskamp, Director, Planning & Design
Josh Harskamp leads Planning & Design, advancing The Bentway’s long-term vision for the transformation of infrastructure into accessible and welcoming public space. His work spans major initiatives including near-term pilot projects and long-term growth sites, and is grounded in collaborative approaches to urban design, cultural infrastructure, and the public realm.
Stephanie Dudek, Director, Operations & Events
Stephanie Dudek leads Operations & Events, stewarding the complex systems and partnerships that bring The Bentway’s public programming to life. Since joining in 2019, she has been central to the delivery of large-scale events and year-round activation of The Bentway as a public space, ensuring experiences that are both seamless and welcoming.
Anna Gallagher-Ross, Director, Programming
Anna Gallagher-Ross leads The Bentway’s Programming team, shaping a multidisciplinary program that spans contemporary art, performance, recreation, education, and civic experimentation in public space, while advancing a programming vision for its current and emerging sites. Drawing on leadership and curatorial roles across festivals and a range of arts institutions, her practice is rooted in artist collaboration and expansive approaches to public engagement.
Tessa Chan, Director, Finance & HR
Tessa Chan leads Finance & HR, supporting the organizational systems that sustain The Bentway’s artistic and public mandate. She brings extensive experience in cultural sector administration and financial leadership, ensuring the organization’s long-term stability and care for its people and programs.
With this expanded leadership team in place, The Bentway is well positioned for its next phase of growth. The organization will continue to advance work that brings art, design, recreation and civic life together, demonstrating how infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for public imagination, shared experience, and connection in cities.
