Our Team
Motivate to Create operates under a volunteer Board of Directors and Executive Director who are committed to building a stronger, more connected creative ecosystem across Canada.
Our leadership team brings together experience in arts administration, education, community development, and entrepreneurship, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the creative industries we serve.
We are actively building a Board that represents the diversity of Canada’s cultural landscape, with a particular focus on including voices from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other equity-deserving communities.
Executive director
Michelle Bylow
Based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Michelle Bylow is an accomplished arts executive and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience advancing Canada’s creative sector. She has led arts organizations across the country, owned and operated a contemporary art gallery, and developed national initiatives that connect artists, educators, and communities. Her leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to supporting artists, fostering innovation, and ensuring that British Columbia remains a powerful voice within Canada’s cultural conversation.
Board of Directors
Motivate to Create operates under a volunteer Board of Directors that provides governance, oversight, and strategic direction to support our mission and ensure organizational transparency.
President
Stephanie Gauthier
Based in Kelowna, British Columbia, Stephanie Gauthier brings over 30 years of leadership in the human services sector. Her career has focused on supporting vulnerable communities, including individuals experiencing homelessness, cognitive disabilities, brain injuries, mental health and addictions, domestic violence, and youth at risk. She is known for her commitment to equity, dignity, community building, and developing programs that help people thrive.
With extensive experience in organizational development and cross-sector collaboration, Stephanie offers steady, values-driven leadership. She now applies this expertise to her role as President of Motivate to Create, providing clear governance and strategic guidance.
Treasurer
Carley Rangen
Carley Rangen brings more than 18 years of entrepreneurial experience to her role as Treasurer, having successfully operated her own interior design business where she specialized in creating spaces that balance beauty, function, and authenticity. After exploring new creative avenues, she developed a strong abstract painting practice shaped by nature, emotion, and her background in biophilic design.
A longtime resident of the Okanagan, Carley is deeply connected to the region’s landscape and community. She is a proud mother of three adult children and is known for her integrity, collaboration, and thoughtful approach to both creative and professional work. Her combined experience in business operations, design, and creative thinking supports her role in overseeing MTC’s financial stewardship with clarity and care.
Secretary
Ryan DeGuzman
A Filipino-Canadian artist known as “Rubix,” Ryan works across Hip Hop and electronic music, recognized for his strong stage presence and thoughtful lyricism. Alongside his artistic career, he has more than a decade of experience mentoring youth, including at-risk youth, through Hip Hop–based education programs. He has facilitated workshops in schools and community organizations across Western Canada through groups such as The Autism and Aspergers Friendship Society, Socialogic, Movement With A Message, Youth Central, ReFreshed, and UNITY Charity. Ryan is dedicated to helping young people build confidence, express themselves, and grow as leaders through the arts, and continues to be a positive force within his community.
Director of Technology & Innovation
Timothy Johnson
A Canadian artist, technologist, and creative strategist, Tim brings over 20 years of experience developing software, apps, and data platforms that make complex systems more accessible. Through his company Energy Insight, he has created tools such as Gridwatch, a public energy-literacy platform that helps people understand the infrastructure that powers daily life.
He also maintains a multidisciplinary art practice in contemporary metal and mixed-media sculpture, exploring themes of connection and transformation. His combined backgrounds in art and technology shape a systems-focused, human-centred approach to innovation, which he brings to his role as Director of Technology and Innovation at Motivate to Create.