The Association for Opera in Canada (AOC) is delighted to announce that Richard Rees, Vancouver Opera, has been named the recipient of the 2026 AOC Best in Governance Award.
The Best in Governance Award, presented in collaboration with OPERA America, recognizes exceptional leadership from board members within Canada’s opera sector. Celebrating the vital role of dedicated volunteers, this national accolade promotes a culture of recognition and gratitude, highlights the principles of good governance, and strengthens the connection between board members, their organizations, and the communities they serve.
“The success of an opera company depends as much on what happens in the boardroom as on what happens on stage. Board members guide the strength, resilience, and future of the sector, often without much public recognition for that work. Richard Rees exemplifies the very best of this governance work, and we congratulate him on receiving this honour” said Christina Loewen, CEO of the Association for Opera in Canada.
Richard Rees has been a steadfast leader at Vancouver Opera, guiding the organization through the challenges of the pandemic while ensuring its long-term financial stability and organizational strength. Serving in several leadership roles, including Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair, Richard helped steward the company through a period of rising expenses and uncertain revenues while advancing EDI initiatives and supporting Vancouver Opera’s artistic, educational, and community programming. “In his years of volunteer leadership, his dedication to our company’s fiscal viability has placed Vancouver Opera in a strong position to continue to produce outstanding productions for our main stage audiences, our school programs and community outreach programming,” said Tom Wright, General Director of Vancouver Opera. “Vancouver Opera is extremely fortunate to have Richard as a friend to our company, a leader at the Association and Foundation level, and a true partner in securing a bright future for opera in Vancouver.”
Recognition Events
Richard Rees will be formally celebrated at a Canadian recognition event in collaboration with Vancouver Opera, honouring his outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to their organization. In addition, he will be a guest of honour at the OPERA America Salutes gala on March 12, 2027, in New York City, where he will be recognized alongside the distinguished recipients of OPERA America’s National Opera Trustees Recognition Awards: Thérèse Esperdy (Heartbeat Opera), Robyn Marie Lamp (Amelia Island Opera), Cathy Remson Lazarus (Opera San José), Sylvia Neil (Lyric Opera of Chicago), and Laurie Nelson Randlett (Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera).
About the Association for Opera in Canada
The Association for Opera in Canada is the national association for opera companies and professionals in Canada. We work with members across the sector to amplify opera’s impact and ensure its vibrancy, accessibility, and resonance for generations to come.
About Richard Rees
In 2017, Richard joined the VOA Board having stepped down after 27 years in CEO roles for the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon. Richard’s leadership has been recognized through a Lifetime Achievement Award from the accounting profession, a Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and a Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award from the Financial Post.
He became VOA Treasurer, Vice Chair and then Chair, serving as Chair through the challenging pandemic years 2020-2022. Concurrently, he served on the VOF Board and became Chair in 2024. In this role he works to ensure the fiscal viability of the company.
Richard currently also serves as Secretary of Health Research BC. Richard has also served several academic, health research and other charitable organizations as Board Chair and in various other roles.
An avid music fan with an interest in many diverse types of music, Richard’s vacations usually include concerts or opera. He was also a member of the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir for 10 years (1988-1998).