Jennifer Ivey Bannock as a fashion model in the 80s
Jennifer Ivey Bannock has been a long-time friend and supporter of the ROM. A member of the Board of Governors since 2000, she has supported a diverse range of ROM exhibitions, galleries and programs.
Stemming in part from her years as a fashion model, Jennifer has a genuine appreciation for textiles and haute couture. She was a Committee Member for Material Ball in 2008 and twice co-chaired this highly successful gala fundraiser that featured runway shows from international designers like Giambattista Valli. The Jennifer Ivey Bannock Exhibit in the Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume is a frequently changing display case highlighting new acquisitions, interesting curatorial research, or textile-related topics in the news.
Jennifer’s commitment to the ROM runs deep: as a Governor, she has participated in numerous committees, including the Philanthropy and Stewardship Committee, the Museum Advancement Committee, and the RenROM Campaign Cabinet. In 2004, she was awarded the Donor of Merit Award for her generous support of Renaissance ROM. Jennifer has also been part of the Royal Patrons Circle since 1998, and in 2003 she joined the Currelly Society—a group of individuals who have promised future gifts to the Museum.
The latest priority project at the ROM to capture Jennifer’s eye has been the future Dawn of Life Gallery that will tell the story of how life began on Earth. She has generously donated to this gallery development initiative. “This innovative gallery will be unveiled in 2014 during the ROM’s centennial year,” she says. “In a way the Museum will have come full circle; we’re digging into the past, while telling the story in an interactive and relevant way for the 21st century.”