Meet YPC Committee Vice Chair Adriana Morrison
What is your occupation?
I am a corporate governance professional at the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. I work with CPPIB’s investment teams, companies we invest in and organizations around the world on governance issues like executive pay, shareholder rights and board composition.
What was the last book you read?
This Fight is Our Fight by Senator Elizabeth Warren.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Kota by Bonobo, which is a bit of an obscure choice but it’s the only song that I can have on repeat for hours. Oh, or anything by Ed Sheeran.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Singapore. I lived there during my final year of law school and love going back to visit because it has some of my favourite things: great food, sunshine, efficiency, smart and kind people, nature, good shopping and a hub for more travel.
Why did you join YPC?
I initially joined YPC because I was looking for ways to meet people outside of my profession and to get involved in philanthropy. I have always loved the ROM and first heard about YPC while researching potential ways to give back to the ROM on the museum’s website. After attending the 2013 YPC Summer Bash and meeting some of the Young Patrons, I was convinced that this was an organization I wanted to be a part of and have never looked back.
What do you like best about being a Young Patron of the ROM?
I am tempted to list out all of the amazing exclusive experiences available to Young Patrons - things like behind-the-scenes tours, exhibition launch parties and small group meet-ups with the curators. But what I absolutely love most is being a part of the YPC community. It’s hard to describe the sense of belonging I feel being part of this engaging and diverse group of people with a shared interest in giving back to the ROM. I have met some of my closest friends through YPC.
Describe the ROM in one word.
Extraordinary.
Tell us one of your favourite ROM memories.
One of my favourite memories was a panel discussion on leadership in business and philanthropy with members of the ROM’s Board of Governors. Not only did YPC members get insights from and a chance to network with the Board of Governors, but I got to introduce the panellists from the DJ booth. I reluctantly stepped out of the booth after the introductions, but am hoping they will let me DJ next time!
What do you love most about the ROM?
I love how the ROM is able to showcase fascinating parts of history, while also staying on the forefront of research and discovery. For me, this means I can re-experience things I’ve loved since I was a kid (like the mummies and dinosaurs) and also have a ton of new experiences. If I think about just this past year, I’ve learned how the ROM has identified a new dinosaur species, participated in an asteroid mission and salvaged a blue whale. I’ve experienced the colours of Chihuly, wildlife photography, tattoo culture and so much more. The ROM brings history and science to life for me.
If you could have anything from the ROM’s collections, what would you choose?
Is the entire gem collection an option?