About us
Our Story
Founded by Vancouver-based filmmaker, educator, and certified addiction counsellor John-David (JD) Hutchison, The Recovered Arts Film & Theatre Collective was born out of lived experience and a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity. Having witnessed firsthand how the arts can heal, sustain, and bring joyous purpose to a life in sobriety, JD envisioned a safe, artist-centered community where professionals and individuals in recovery could unite.
Our Mission
Canada’s leading model for social enterprise that transforms lives through film and theatre arts.
Our Vision
Build a creative community through film & theatre that inspires a fulfilling life in recovery.
We support individuals in addiction recovery on the path to healing by offering a safe, barrier-free community through film and theatre.
Board of Directors
The elected Board members of The Recovered Arts Collective are a voluntary group of leaders dedicated to serving the addiction recovery community.
John-David (JD) Hutchison
President & Executive Artistic Director
John-David is a Vancouver-based filmmaker, educator, and certified addiction counsellor. Having experienced firsthand how deeply the arts can sustain a joyous life in recovery, JD founded the Collective to help others find a creative community that gives deep meaning and purpose to change.
Dr. Carrie Hunter, PhD
Vice-President
Driven by her experience supporting close family through recovery, Carrie joined the board to help bring new skills, passions, and community frameworks to others. She holds a Master’s from Queen’s and a Doctorate from UBC in adult learning and education, and brings extensive experience as a writer and actor across film, TV, and theatre.
Kemal Burak Ecir
Treasurer
Kemal is an accounting professional based in Montréal with experience in financial operations, bookkeeping, and financial reporting. He currently works in global finance and has experience supporting accounting processes, reconciliations, and month-end activities in international environments. Passionate about using his financial expertise to support community organizations, Kemal is excited to contribute as Treasurer with The Recovered Arts Film & Theatre Collective.
Tyler Olsen, PMP
Director of Member Relations
Tyler has been in Film, Television, and Live Event Production for over 30 years. Having lived experience with Addiction and Recovery, Tyler is excited to join the Recovered Arts Collective and brings his Project Management Professional designation and certified Peer Support Specialist training to the Board. Looking to apply Production experience and organizational skills to the Collective, he believes in the strength of a creative community.
Mahshid Gharibpour
Director of Digital Marketing
Mahshid is a digital growth specialist who excels at scaling organizations through high-performance marketing and data-driven strategy. She leverages her expertise in targeted digital campaigns, SEO layouts, and strategic social communications to expand the Collective’s reach and impact.
Kamaljyot Kaur
Director of Development
Committed to transforming vision into sustainable impact, Kamaljyot is an award-winning philanthropy leader dedicated to strategic advocacy and innovation. Leveraging her expertise in financial management and organizational leadership, she leads the Collective’s grant portfolio, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives to strengthen organizational capacity and advance its long-term goals.
Wambui Kinoti, MEL, PMP
Secretary
Wambui is a strategic leader and civil engineering professional with over a decade of experience in the lifecycle management of infrastructure systems. Throughout her career, she has viewed infrastructure not merely as static assets, but as vital pathways that connect individuals to opportunity. She applies the same lens to her work with the Society, recognizing that economic reintegration for recovering addicts requires a similar systems approach of harmonizing stakeholder values, mitigating community risk factors, and creating long-term support frameworks.
You?
Director of Theatre
The Recovered Arts Collective is always looking to expand our Board!
You?
Director of production – social enterprise
The Recovered Arts Collective is always looking to expand our Board!
Join Our Creative Recovery Community
Wherever you are on your path to recovery, you don’t have to walk it alone. Becoming a member is completely free and gives you direct access to our subsidized film bootcamps, staged theatre readings, and weekly peer support meetings. Step into a safe, stigma-free space built by people who truly understand where you’ve been.
Corporate & Social Enterprise Services
In collaboration with initiatives like the UBC Sauder School of Business, we produce high-impact, professional video content for charities, non-profits, and corporate partners. By hiring our production team for your next media project, you receive quality storytelling while directly funding barrier-free recovery programs and providing dignified work for artists in recovery.