Board of Directors

Dr. Mavis Himes _PhD
Board Chair

Psychologist/Psychoanalyst in private practice; Author

Dr. Mavis Himes is a psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist maintaining a small private practice in Toronto. Mavis holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto. As an author, Mavis has recently published her book Cello Notes: Music and the Urgency of Time, a memoir about her taking up the cello in later life. She is the author of two other published works of non-fiction The Sacred Body: A Therapist’s Journey, (Stoddart, 2002) and The Power of Names: Uncovering the Mystery of What We are Called (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016). Her writings also appear in several academic and non-academic journals. With her previous professional involvement at Wellspring, Bereaved Families of Ontario, Outward Bound and Pleiades Theatre, Mavis has had experience working on organizational boards and advisory committees. As an aspiring cellist, her latest project involves work with emerging artists.

Dr. Mika Nonoyama _{RRT PhD}
Board Vice Chair

Associate Professor – Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University

Health Clinician Scientist – RT Dept & CHES, SickKids

Assistant Professor (Status) – PT Dept & RSI, University of Toronto

Dr. Nonoyama is a registered respiratory therapist with a PhD in the Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Toronto. She is currently an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University, a Health Clinician Scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Respiratory Therapy and Child Health Evaluative Sciences, and a status-only assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. Her research program includes pediatric respiratory therapy, home mechanical ventilation, and chronic respiratory disease.

Catherine Morrow
Board Member

Former Associate Director, Communications & Development – Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)

Catherine Morrow is a freelance editor, recently retired from full-time work for the advocacy organization, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). A professional singer, Catherine is a soprano soloist at Rosedale United Church and has performed with several renowned vocal ensembles. A graduate of Trinity College, Catherine has a diploma in French Language and Civilization from la Sorbonne and studied voice at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory and at the Conservatoire de Paris. Catherine is married to composer Norman Gabriel Nurmi and, presenting several of Norman’s songs written especially for her, they have together produced several recordings, two featuring Moshe Hammer on violin. Catherine is delighted to add her efforts to the important work of The Hammer Band.

Aisha Sanchez _{MBA, MIA}
Board Member

Vice President, Investor Relations – Fiera Infrastructure

Aisha Sanchez is responsible for managing Fiera Infrastructure’s investor relationships.  As part of her role, Aisha engages with existing and prospective investors and spearheads the firm’s marketing and communications efforts in order to support fundraising.  Prior to joining Fiera Infrastructure, Aisha led investor relations for Altas Partners, a Toronto-based private equity firm investing in mid-market businesses across North America.  Prior to that, she worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Evercore, advising clients across the transportation, power and utilities, consumer, technology, and industrials sectors. Aisha holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Heather Situm _{BA, BEd, MA}
Board Member

Former Public School Teacher – Peel District School Board

Supply Teacher – Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

After more than twenty years of teaching with the Peel District School Board, Heather Situm retired in June 2023. Heather continues to supply teach part-time with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, and volunteer with the Girl Guides of Canada.  She is a mother of four, as well as a proud grandmother.  She enjoys the arts and sports and is a keen advocate for children.

Ian Werker _{HBA, LLB}
Board Member

Employment and Labour Law

A long-time supporter of The Hammer Band, Ian is active in the Toronto amateur music scene, playing contrabass in a variety of community ensembles over the years, including the Koffler Strings, North York Concert Orchestra, Summerhill Orchestra, Rosedale Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Summer Music – with the odd jazz gig added to the mix. Ian Werker was called to the bar in 1988 and is currently winding down the busy employment law practice he started in 1994. As a proud parent of four (and grandparent of four), Ian is honoured to become a part of The Hammer Band team and join in the thrill of bringing music to new generations.

Key Staff

Moshe Hammer
Executive & Artistic Director

Moshe has studied at the University of Tel-Aviv’s Rubin Academy of Music, the Julliard School in New York and with violin masters Jascha Heifetz in Los Angeles and Yehudi Menuhin in London. A naturalized Canadian, Moshe Hammer has traveled the concert venues of the world and performed with many symphony orchestras. He was also the founder and leader of the Toronto based chamber group, The Amadeus Ensemble. Moshe is a regular and welcome guest in various music festivals on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. He brings to his performances a charismatic stage presence, a tone of unmatched subtlety, vitality and artistry of the highest order. Hammer loves to work with young musicians and offers master-classes everywhere he travels.

Russel Harder
Administrator

As a successful entertainer, producer, and coordinator, Russel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization. Russel is a trained theatrical performer, writer, and designer, having studied in New York City at the Atlantic Theatre Company’s Acting School. Additionally, he recently worked with the Canadian Opera Company’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for more then a decade in both the Patron Services, and Events & Sales departments, and also worked alongside Cineplex Odeon’s Rec Room venues to bring his self-produced Trivia Club pub games to locations across Canada.