Our Team

Lori’s work with the Centre began in the winter of 2009 as Marketing Manager where she worked with Centre staff to build the profile of the organization and the Cape Breton craft sector.

Now as Executive Director, Lori plans to continue to make Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design and the Cape Breton craft sector globally known.

After 3+ years of experimenting with a variety of craft courses and workshops, Lori has accepted that she is a “collector” rather than a maker…which is probably better for the creative economy anyway!

Diane joined the staff of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design back in 1989 when it was still known as the Cape Breton School of Crafts. Her job has evolved greatly over the years and as a long time employee, her duties are varied and include committee work, financial responsibilities, organizing courses and workshops and supporting other staff in the day to day operation of the Centre. It is often said that Diane is the glue that holds all the different departments of the Centre together.

Working in a not for profit organization has its challenges, but the biggest pleasure Diane gets from her job is the daily interaction with the many people who visit the Centre. The members, the volunteers and the other staff make coming to work every day a pleasure. Their dedication and commitment to the organization is inspiring.

When the 9 to 5 day is through, Diane can most often be found weaving at her loom. However, as an aspiring knitter, occasionally she can be found mumbling and fumbling with a pair of knitting needles and a ball of yarn.

Tammy Sophocleous-MacDonald is the Office Manager at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, which means she’s at the heart of the organization. Tammy ensures the smooth running of the office, keeps up to date with our members, runs registration for courses, and supports every element of the Centre. Tammy thinks that when you work with such a great group of staff, it makes coming to work an enjoyable pleasure. It’s such an honour everyday to get to meet all kinds of different and talented people.

Tammy likes to take her work home. She spends her out of office hours working on art projects with her daughters who enjoys pottery, drawing, and sewing. Watch for Tammy’s daughters to be future artisans in our Gallery some day.

Elizabeth joined the team at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design in 2013 after completing the Master of Public Relations program at Mount Saint Vincent University. Previous to that, Elizabeth graduated from the Mount with a Bachelor of Public Relations and Certificate in Marketing.

Elizabeth appreciates the creativity, dedication, and hard work demonstrated by the artisans that are represented in the Gallery Shop, in addition to the artisan studios around our beautiful island. As Marketing Manager, Elizabeth aims to promote the profile and prominence of the Cape Breton craft industry – not only locally, but also regionally, nationally and internationally.

Laura Collinet is the Craft Business Incubator Coordinator who works with artists in residence at the Customs House and at the Centre in Sydney. Her goal is to help artists with the scarier side of owning their own business.

Though Laura went to NSCAD University for textiles, she immediately fell in love the business side of craft and has been working in the start-up and entrepreneurship community ever since. She thrives as the administration for artists. In her spare time, Laura enjoys hiking the Cape Breton trails with her husky and taking pottery courses at the Centre.

A recent graduate of the Drawing and Painting program at Concordia University, Stephanie spent the past five years working and creating in the art haven that is Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal. It was during this period that she fell in love with the sense of community that is unique to craft. Promoting the arts and their importance in rural communities is very important to Stephanie.

Originally from Northeastern Ontario, she now calls Cape Breton and Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design home. Stephanie enjoys many hobbies which range from painting and ceramics to golfing, reading and swimming. As Craft Business Development Coordinator, Stephanie aims to create a network of support within the craft community to increase the visibility of Cape Breton artists.

As the Craft Retail Supervisor, Cassie works closely with the talented artists on our beautiful island, Cape Breton, and manages the Gallery Shop in Downtown Sydney. She is a visual artist and musician with a background in retail and customer service. A graduate of Dalhousie University and a student of NSCAD University, Cassie is always on the journey of education.

Originally from New Waterford, Cassie spent the last 20 years between Halifax and Toronto. Fun fact – if you’re familiar with New Waterford via the Canadian independent film, New Waterford Girl, you’re familiar with Cassie too! She played the role of Darlene Pottie. Outside of the Gallery Shop, Cassie can be found playing music with her band, Cassie Josephine & the Cry If I Want To’s, as well as painting in her home studio. Cassie loves abstract portraiture and painting with her mom.

Teena Marie has been a professional artist since the mid 1990s working in relief printmaking as well as painting in acrylics. She has been a volunteer and a member of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design since 1996 serving on the Board of Directors as well as the Product Assessment, Craft Market, Fundraising and Exhibition Committees to assist in the work of the Centre and the growth of the arts and crafts sector on Cape Breton Island. 

Teena Marie is also a member of the Centre’s staff in the Gallery Shop where she enjoys working to creatively exhibit and promote the work of the Centre’s wonderful artists and artisans.

Teena Marie’s own work can be seen on display in the Centre’s Gallery Shop.