AWE Welcomes New Board Members for 2025!
Written by AWE Intern Alana Pype
At the 2025 Annual General Meeting, Art Windsor-Essex welcomed eight new members to AWE’s Board of Directors. As new Board Members, they will join a diverse and committed team of community leaders that are dedicated to Windsor-Essex and AWE’s continued success.
Biographies of incoming Board Members:
Jennifer Snyder is a Chief Digital Officer at the Detroit Institute of Art dedicated to transforming how museums connect with their audiences through digital innovation. “Now, I am eager to broaden my perspective by serving on a board, where I can contribute firsthand and deepen my understanding of governance, decision-making, and strategic priorities from this new vantage point. The gallery’s dedication to education, engagement, and lifelong learning aligns with my belief in the transformative power of art to inspire growth and connection.”
David Pitawanakwat is a sessional instructor at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law. David has also worked for two years at the Legal Assistance of Windsor after graduating valedictorian at UWindsor Law. His volunteer experience is extensive and he has roots both in Windsor and Detroit. “I have an interest in promoting Indigenous identity through the arts to the broader public.”
Sawyer Everitt-Dejonge is the lead in Design and Procurement at EverJonge Homes. He is deeply passionate about supporting and fostering the growth of art and culture in the Windsor-Essex County, an area brimming with potential. “ I firmly believe that the development and celebration of its artistic and cultural landscape will play a pivotal role in realizing that potential. My goal is to support the ongoing success and reach of AWE, ensuring it continues to thrive as a cornerstone of creativity and cultural enrichment in our region, and to foster a more cohesive and integrated Windsor-Essex County. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to this remarkable organization and I would be honoured to join the Board.”
Justice Doughty-Pilgrim works in Allocations at the Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation, and is a long-time AWE member. “I have dedicated my life to working with the public in a real and meaningful way. Originally working in donations allocations and now in community housing. My ultimate goal would be to combine my experience working with underprivileged and marginalized groups with my passion and dedication for the arts.”
Benjamin Iannetta is a Senior Application Analyst at TransForm with a background in business and computer science. He is also a member of the Young Professionals of Windsor. “As a long-time resident of Windsor, I am always looking for ways to help give back to my community, especially in the area of creative arts. I believe the art gallery helps provide a community for artists and art appreciation and can be a driver for more creativity in our city.”
Rebecca Rafca Saad is the Education program manager at the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County. “This opportunity aligns my personal passion for the art and my desire to make an impact. I strongly believe that collectively we can get more and more people in our community interested in visiting the amazing state-of-the-art “Art Gallery” that we have available — especially the newcomer community whom I work closely with.”
Yahia Adelbar is a Managing partner of E-advisory, and an instructor at the University of Windsor, St. Clair College, and Wayne State University. He has professional expertise in finance and strategic planning and seeks to use his skills to support AWE’s vision in advancing the arts in the Windsor-Essex community.
Lubna Alsamer Barakat has worked over 30 years in project management with a record of success and was an employee with the Ontario Legislative Assembly. “Art has been my passion for most of my life, it’s not just an interest or a hobby. I am genuinely dedicated to increasing the general awareness of art to the public, which can be achieved through joining the Art Windsor-Essex Board of Directors.”
AWE is excited to welcome these new Board Members and looks forward to the impact and change they create within the Windsor-Essex community.
