Brian McBay (he/him) is a leader in the non-profit arts and culture, social purpose real estate, and government sectors with over 17 years combined experience. He is the founder and Executive Director of 221A, a Vancouver-based cultural research and cultural space organization. Under his leadership, 221A operates a growing network of over 140,000ft2 across nine properties that provide space for 1,250 artists working in research, public art, artist housing, and artist studios. Brian is part of a new generation of leaders in the cultural sector aiming to advance the public appreciation of the arts while also reversing inequality, xenophobia and colonialism in Canada. He is known as an active and outspoken collaborator, critic and advisor, championing social sustainability and inter-cultural anti-racism in government policy and cultural development in Canada. Brian was named a 2018 Fellow at the Salzburg Global Forum and has been invited to speak and write on art, policy and urban development at a variety of institutions and public forums. In addition to his role at 221A, Brian has served on a variety of non-profit and public sector boards including the Chinese-Canadian Museum and the National Gallery of Canada.