Who’s next? Three potential candidates

Jeff Melanson’s successor must first have the ability to raise large amounts of money from people who care about Toronto and the arts, plus have a track record keeping a large number of employees, focused on driving the organization forward. Is there anybody out there who could be willing and available to step in and take on this huge challenge?

THE EXECUTIVE

The first name that comes to mind is Heather Conway. Yes, she already has a big job, running the English side of the CBC TV and radio operations. And the recent promise from the Trudeau government of major new funding could be a good reason for her to stay where she is. But it’s still a big problem for Conway that Hubert Lacroix, a Stephen Harper appointee who has done more to hurt the CBC than to help it, is scheduled to remain president of the CBC until his mandate expires in fall 2017. That could make it tempting for Conway to bolt.

THE TEMPORARY FIX

Kevin Garland stepped down in 2014 after a long run as executive director of the National Ballet of Canada. And her husband, Roger Garland, couldn’t wait for her to retire so they could do more travelling together. Garland has a great skill set, having worked in the financial world and also having paved the way for the Canadian Opera Company to build the Four Seasons Centre. Clearly she is not looking for a long-term commitment. But could she be talked into taking the job of interim president of the TSO for a year, giving time for the symphony board to do a complete and thorough search for Melanson’s long-term replacement?

THE SURPRISE MOVE?

Finally, let me drop a more surprising name. It’s John Cruickshank, who recently announced he is leaving his job as publisher of the Toronto Star after seven years. Cruickshank has made his name running major newspapers in Toronto, Vancouver and Chicago, and he has had two stints at the CBC as well. Those may not be arts organizations, but they’re institutions full of creative people. And while running them, he has demonstrated a command of the skills needed by the TSO.