our Board of directors
We Live Up Here is driven by a passionate volunteer Board of Directors that helps guide and grow our mission of celebrating and transforming our community through art.
Meet the Board
The dreamers, doers, policy wonks and spreadsheet wizards making it all happen.
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Cofounder, Artistic DirectorJen McKerral is a dynamic force in the Canadian arts and music scene. Currently serving as a Program Officer in the Explore and Create program at the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts, Jen has spent over a decade passionately contributing to the growth of the music industry in Northern Ontario. With an impressive background in music industry development, Jen dedicated ten years to nurturing and fostering the region's cultural landscape as an integral part of Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION). In this time, she also managed the careers of artists such as current client Nick Sherman.
Jen's connection to music goes beyond her work in industry development. She's not only a behind-the-scenes powerhouse but also a versatile artist in her own right. Jen's musical journey includes performances and tours with the acclaimed band Pistol George Warren, further enriching her understanding of the industry from both on-stage and backstage perspectives.
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President
Blaire Flynn is a science outreach specialist who has a background in environmental science and arts education. She is a dedicated science communicator, community builder, and advocate for equity in STEM. Since 2015, she has served as Senior Education and Outreach Officer at SNOLAB, where she leads initiatives that open doors for women and equity-seeking groups to explore science and technology in welcoming, empowering environments. Under Blaire’s leadership, more than 12,000 people have engaged with SNOLAB’s education and outreach programs through workshops, public talks, classroom visits, and community partnerships.
Recognized for her innovative approach and unwavering commitment to inclusion, Blaire was celebrated as a 2023 YWCA Woman of Distinction in the category of Science, Engineering, Technology, and Trades. Her work extends beyond science: Blaire is deeply involved in arts and social justice, contributing her time and talents to initiatives such as the Up Here Festival, Black Lives Matter Sudbury, Fierté Sudbury Pride, and L’Arche Sudbury.
Whether she’s mentoring the next generation of scientists or building community through creative projects, Blaire is passionate about creating spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
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TreasurerBianca Xu is the Treasurer of We Live Up Here’s Board of Directors, bringing a wealth of experience in finance, auditing, and nonprofit support. Originally from China, Bianca earned her Master of Professional Accounting from Brock University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) as well as a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA, UK).
She began her professional career in Canada at KPMG LLP, where she specialized in auditing municipalities, health units, hospitals, charities, and not-for-profit organizations—including We Live Up Here. In 2023, she joined the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) as Senior Finance Officer, focusing on financial reporting, internal controls, and policy compliance.
A proud mom to a 9-year-old, Bianca is active in her community and currently also serves as Treasurer for the Adanac Ski Club. When she’s not managing budgets or policy documents, she can be found on the tennis court or snowboarding at Adanac.
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Secretary
Kayla Turpin is a Senior Manager of CX Operations at Recharge Payments, a fast-growing tech start-up known for its award-winning customer service. On the side, she’s a fractional Knowledge Manager, helping organizations develop systems and strategies that improve knowledge-sharing and team collaboration.
With a background in social work and sociology, Kayla is passionate about using her expertise to support community arts and cultural development. Through her previous work with TEDx, she’s helped foster creative initiatives that connect people and spark meaningful conversations. Her volunteer work with the Up Here festival and other arts projects across Ontario reflects her commitment to making communities more inclusive through art and culture.
Before transitioning into tech and the arts, Kayla was deeply involved with the NDP as an organizer, fundraiser, and treasurer, contributing to campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. Her time in politics sharpened her ability to unite people for a common cause.
When she’s not working, Kayla’s likely learning how to make cheese, exploring with her camera, or picking up new hobbies like crafting biographical statements for arts organizations’ About pages.
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Cofounder, DirectorChristian is a creative director by day, community artist by night, and disc jockey by accident.
As co-founder and president of We Live Up Here, Christian has been at the heart of the organization since its inception in 2012, shaping its mission to use art as a tool for inspiration, transformation, and community-building. Under his leadership, We Live Up Here has brought bold artistic visions to life—curating over 80 pieces of public art, producing more than 400 concerts, and helping to redefine downtown Sudbury’s cultural landscape through the acclaimed Up Here festival.
Christian is also Partner and Art Director at Studio123, where he channels his creative energy into bold marketing campaigns and cultural projects that amplify the vibrancy of Northern Ontario. His dual roles allow him to bridge the worlds of community-building and strategic creativity, always with an eye toward making Sudbury a more inspiring place to live.
His dedication to celebrating Sudbury’s weird and wonderful side has earned regional acclaim and national recognition, including the Community Builders Award of Excellence in the Arts, Sudbury’s 40 Under Forty award, and an Outstanding Mid-Career Artist award at the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts.
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Director
A lifelong advocate for Indigenous rights, environmental sustainability, and inclusive leadership, Kaella-Marie brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to Sudbury’s urban arts organization.
Born at the Rainbow hospital in the ’90s, Kaella-Marie is an Anishinaabekwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850) and Aroland First Nation. Her work is deeply rooted in Indigenous human rights, but when it comes to We Live Up Here, she says she’s excited to focus on Anishinaabe joy.
Kaella is a professional engineer with an impressive career spanning energy systems, environmental sustainability, and Indigenous leadership. She currently works at Enbridge on methane emission abatement and more recently was appointed by the Governor in Council to serve in public office on the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council of Canada. She’s also a part-time professor at Brock University and a national voice for Indigenous inclusion in energy.
Kaella brings deep policy knowledge, serious technical chops, and a bold, heart-led approach to community and public art—what she calls “an antidote to dehumanization and a practice of public safety.”
Join the board
Interested in governance, care about Sudbury’s creative sector, and want to make a difference?
We’re always happy to connect with passionate, community-minded people who share our vision. While we don’t currently have any open positions, you can still submit an application through our application form. We’ll keep your details on file and be in touch if a suitable opportunity comes up.