Lead with Risk: Arts Leadership with Cathy Loblaw & Weyni Mengesha, Ep. 3

You’re tuning in to Episode 3 of Live Fridays: Behind the Creative Curtain!
In this episode, we sit down with Cathy Loblaw (CEO of Harbourfront Centre) and Weyni Mengesha (Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre) to explore what it truly takes to lead and transform an arts organisation in today’s world.

We dive into their early journeys at Harbourfront Centre and Soulpepper, their philosophies on providing stability as leaders, and how they each navigate criticism while staying true to their values. Cathy and Weyni discuss the balance between community impact and organisational sustainability, how to modernise without losing artistic tradition, and why listening to your audience is essential for long-term success.

The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by female leaders, red flags in arts organisations, the universal traits shared by great arts leaders, and how to maintain originality while still attracting new audiences.

Massive thank you to the University of Toronto Scarborough, ACSMA, Capture Club, and the I.D.E.A.S. Committee for making this show possible!

Thank you to Cathy and Weyni for joining us for Episode 3. Follow their work below:

Cathy Loblaw
LinkedIn:   / cathy-loblaw-6aa19a44  
https://harbourfrontcentre.com/about-us/
  / harbourfrontcentre  

Weyni Mengesha & Soulpepper Theatre
https://www.weynimengesha.com/
  / weynimengesha  
soulpepper.ca
Instagram:   / soulpeppertheatre  
LinkedIn:   / soulpepper-theatre-company  

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Cathy Loblaw Spotlight
7:30 Weyni Mengesha Spotlight
11:50 Starting out with Harbourfront & Soulpepper
14:55 Providing Stability as a Leader
20:10 Dealing With Criticism
25:00 Instil your Ideology
28:00 Balancing Community Impact With the Rest
33:00 Modernising Without Losing Tradition
37:00 Listening to your Audience
40:45 Biggest Mistakes They've Made
44:30 Audience Q&A
45:00 Red Flags in Arts Organisations
46:20 Challenges as Female Leaders
47:00 Gaging Future Success
54:00 Universal Traits in Arts Leaders
57:30 Standing Out as an Arts Organisation
1:01:45 Maintaining Originality Whilst Pulling in Audiences
1:06:25 Key Takeaways
1:07:05 Outro