We hope that the first few months of 2019 have been happy and healthy ones for you and your family.

2018 ended with a key leadership change for our Fund, with long-tenured Executive Director Ellen Versteeg-Lytwyn retiring from her post and former Director of Administration Jill Giustino taking over in that role. 2019 is starting out with another important leadership change for the Fund, marking the return of Mrs. Versteeg-Lytwyn in a new role.

Change in Board Leadership

Stan Shortt, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Retires

Stan Shortt, our Board’s Chair, retired from the Board of Trustees and his Chair position effective January 31, 2019.

Stan has had a passionate and life-long association with music. As he told In Concert, he became enchanted with the violin and orchestra life early on, including attending TSO concerts starting when he was just eight years old. “I’ve had a wonderful convergence of interests in business and the arts my entire life,” he said.” Stan’s combination of interests has benefited many organizations that support those in the performing arts, including the Musicians Pension Fund of Canada (MPF Canada).

Stan first joined the MPF Canada Board in September 1990 and became the Chair in February 2004. For more than 28 years, Stan has provided the Fund with the wisdom and experience gained from his roles as a senior executive for several important Canadian companies and performing arts organizations, including Eaton’s, Simpsons, Hudson Bay Company, Southam Newspaper Group, Council for Business and the Arts, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts. Of his time with the Fund, Stan says, “One of the major highlights of my life has been working with such wonderful teams of Trustees, Fund Management and staff, and advisors, as Trustee and Chair.”

Stan was a first violinist with Orchestra Toronto for over 30 years. “Our motto is ‘Music for the love of it,’” said Stan. “Music, in so many ways, has been the core of my life.” Stan has spent a lifetime supporting the arts through a variety of leadership roles within its ranks.

Stan’s experience, knowledge and understanding of the performing arts helped propel the MPF Canada to grow substantially over the last few decades into the important pension benefits provider it is today. We give a great deal of thanks to Stan for unselfishly sharing his insights, experience wisdom, and time with the Fund for so many years. He will be missed greatly.

From all of us at the Fund, we thank Stan for his dedication and years of service.