Arts Health Network Canada – BC Appoints Its First Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Arts Health Network Canada – BC has announced the appointment of Nicki Kahnamoui as its first Executive Director.

“The Board is pleased to have found Nicki as part of an international search”, said Dr. Lawrence Burr, Co-Chair. “We look forward to her leadership as we take the Network to the next level of engagement with arts and health professionals and the general public.”

Nicki has over ten years of experience managing health care and health research projects, ranging from new program and system implementations in hospitals to most recently curating and organizing an art and science exhibit in a genetics lab. Nicki is also a mixed media artist. Her art is rooted in Sufi values, and is inspired by the poetry of Rumi, Hafez, and contemporary poets such as Sohrab Sepehri.

“I am thrilled to be joining AHNC-BC and championing arts and health on behalf of our community," says Nicki. "I look forward to connecting with everyone, and growing the network to develop new opportunities for those practicing in arts and health.”

She feels very strongly about the power of art, in all its forms, and is passionate about empowering individuals to tap into their creativity to enhance their health and quality of life. She is fascinated by how the design and interrelationships of space, technology, and work practices, impact our lived experiences and well-being. 

Nicki moved to Canada over 15 years ago from Iran, leaving her studies in Architecture. In Vancouver, she pursued a degree in Business Administration, followed by an Interdisciplinary Studies graduate degree in Communication and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at Simon Fraser University. She has published her research in academic journals, and has also translated a book from English to Farsi, which is now in its fifth edition. The proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to a non- profit organization in Iran that supports children with cancer.

Prior to joining AHNC-BC, Nicki spent three years as Director of Business Development and Communications at the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics. Prior to this position, Nicki worked as a business consultant with Accenture in Health and Life Sciences.

Nicki will join Arts Health Network Canada – BC as the new Executive Director of the organization on November 1, 2012, on a part time basis, complementing her other position as the Associate Director of the Community Health Solutions Research Institute at Simon Fraser University.

For more information about Arts Health Network Canada visit http://artshealthnetwork.ca/