Ana Paula Lopes

Ana Paula Lopes is a communications consultant raised in Lisbon, Portugal and a graduate of the University of Toronto.

In 1995, Ms. Lopes established Saralex Communications, focusing on promotion, marketing, and event management to help clients with strategies to reposition their companies in the global economy. She also served in a number of senior positions within the Ontario government and the City of Toronto including the role of executive assistant to Premier Bob Rae from 1992 to 1995.

Ana Paula Lopes has been an active member of the Board of Directors of the TSO (Toronto Symphony Orchestra) since January 2002. In addition to holding the position of Vice Chair (Vice President) from 2004 to 2006, she became the first woman in the 86-year history of the organization to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors, beginning in January 2007. Because she views fundraising as a key responsibility of the Board, she also leads the Development Steering Committee, which oversees all the fundraising activities which are critical to sustaining the organization.

Some of the highlights of her outstanding initiatives include helping the TSO secure historic gifts at the $5 million, $3.5 million and $2 million levels since her tenure as Chair and increasing the TSO’s major gift revenue through the Music Director’s Circle since its inception in 2004. The Music Director’s Circle itself, a group of dedicated patrons who give at least $100,000 over 4-5 years, has attracted 52 additional donors due to Ana’s personal involvement. She is well known for her efforts to nurture an institution-wide culture of philanthropy, which has produced rigorous growth in private sector revenue, helping the TSO achieve better than projected financial results at year-end for three years. For two years (2002 and 2003), she has led the committee that produced a ground-breaking successful special event and concert known as Sonic Bloom in which famous artists of leading record labels (e.g. Oscar Peterson, Josh Groban and Blue Rodeo) were showcased with the Orchestra.

At a time when the TSO is experiencing the strongest audience growth, outstanding artistic leadership and great critical reviews, Ana’s injection of renewed fundraising energy has completed the picture, bringing the TSO to its strongest position in almost two decades.

Ana’s exemplary voluntary and philanthropic leadership has inspired and benefitted some of the most noteworthy institutions in Ontario. She is a Cabinet Member of the CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) Transforming Lives Capital Campaign, and recently elected member of the CAMH Foundation and a Member of the Governing Council of the Sunnybrook Foundation, following fours years as Director for the Foundation. She has also been Director and Vice-Chair of the Fundraising Committee for Women’s College Hospital Foundation and a Member on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee of Trent University where she remains as a Honourary Governor.

Ana Paula Lopes currently lives in Toronto with her husband Don and two children Nicole and Alexander.