Our Team

Executive Director

Derek Spooner, M.A., is a non-profit, management and fundraising professional with a strong background in program and fund development, operational design, data analysis, communications, marketing and team motivation.

After working for Stevenson Children’s Camp and Western University, Derek went on to build dynamic and profitable fundraising teams at Artsmarketing Services Inc., and Free The Children in Toronto. His portfolio includes $9.04M in fulfilled gifts between 2011 to 2016 for the Toronto International Film Festival, Save The Children Canada, The New England Aquarium, The Boston Museum of Science, The Chicago Memorial Children’s Hospital and Mirvish Theatre Productions.

Program Manager

Emily Peltier is an independent curator, programmer, and advocate for the wellbeing of 2SLGBTQ+ people and communities, everywhere. 

Emily has over a decade of experience in the arts and social sector, and serves multiple roles in the Toronto arts community. In addition to her role at Scarborough Arts, Emily is a Board Member at Toronto Queer Film Festival. She is the co-creator and curator of the world’s first, and only, miniature 2SLGBTQ+ gallery and collective, Glory Hole Gallery. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honors degree in Visual Arts and Museum Studies (Western University, 2015), and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Criticism and Curatorial Practice (OCAD University, 2017). Emily is currently a PhD student in Adult Education and Community Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE at University of Toronto). 



Program Coordinator

Faith Rajasingham is a museum professional with a background in Canadian immigration history and community education.

Having earned her MA in History (2019, York University), Faith took her love for Scarborough into the museum field. In her past employment with Scarborough Museum (Toronto History Museums) she curated exhibits and programs that catered to Scarborough’s multiple diasporas. Focused on Canadian immigration, transnational communities, colonialism, and sovereignty movements, her research and work aims to provide resources and services for racialized and/or marginalized IBPOC communities in Toronto. In March of 2019, Faith co-founded Tamil Reads to provide Tamil diasporic communities access to education made by their communities for their communities. Faith also currently volunteers with Kudai Centre - a transitional home for young Tamil women at risk of homelessness in the GTA - as a Grant Writer and Research Mentor. 

Faith’s deep love for Scarborough’s communities, places, and stories is informed by her own family’s migration history to the land. As settlers from Eelam, Faith grounds her work within the lands and communities she lives, works, and studies with. She is super excited to continue her relationship with Scarborough through Scarborough Arts!