GERALDINE YSSELSTEIN

I am an inspiring imaginator, creative consultant, safe spaces facilitator, learning decolonizer, critical thinker, program designer, cultural translator, heartfelt researcher, leadership educator, curious agitator, integrated leader, community collaborator, joyful provocateur, deep listener, creative writer, arts integrator, and change maker - all from my heart.

I am Geraldine Ysselstein (she/her) and I was born in the Netherlands, which is in the lowlands of Europe. In the early years of my life, I lived in Bangladesh and then grew up near the Speed and Eramosa rivers in Guelph, Ontario. Guelph is situated on the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabek Peoples, specifically the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. 

Currently, I live in Mohkinstsis which is the Blackfoot name for Calgary and it is where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. I am a Treaty person leaning into the responsibilities and relationships of living in the Treaty 7 Territory, along with my husband and our two children.

My life has been immersed in arts, culture, and creativity. Growing up, my family hosted classical, folk, and jazz concerts and an art gallery in our one-room schoolhouse in Ontario. I learned about the behind-the-scenes work to support artists and audiences connecting.

Since that time, I have worked as an arts manager in both Ontario and Alberta at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Wilder & Davis Luthiers, Big Boreal Adventure, Willow Springs Creative Centre, Calgary Civic Symphony, and the Rozsa Foundation.

In 2023, I decided to become an independent creative and began my company “Riverstone”. My purpose as an artist, facilitator, collaborator, and consultant is to inspire and weave the transformative power of arts, culture, story, and creativity into systems change by cultivating a curious and creative space of care.

Working towards systems change, social justice, and social change has always been part of my personal and professional life. I am constantly envisioning a more just society and I take steps to make that a reality through listening, researching, questioning, reading, inviting, speaking, writing, showing up, building reciprocal relationships, cheering, imagining, creating, translating, and being.

Interviews

  • Calgary Arts Development Storytelling Podcast

    Listen

  • Bold Journey Interview

    Read

  • Canvas Rebel

    Read

Connect with me!