About the session
This panel brings together professionals from performing arts and live events industries to explore how health and safety is a collective responsibility. Through diverse perspectives and real-world experiences, panelists will discuss how collaboration, communication, and accountability across departments contribute to safer workplaces for everyone on stage and behind the scenes.
Trina Pollard
CEO, Actsafe Safety Association
MODERATOR
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Trina Pollard is a BC not-for-profit organization (NPO) professional, subject matter expert, and self-proclaimed “governance nerd.” In addition to joining the Actsafe team in early 2022 in her “dream job” as CEO of an industry Health, Safety & Training Association, Trina has 20 years’ experience working and volunteering for other NPOs, including on their Boards, and many committees, including currently volunteering on the ScreenBC Board of Directors.
Trina is honoured to be Actsafe’s CEO and proud to be associated with an industry she’s been so impressed with over the years.
Trina is committed to prioritizing transparency, collaboration, and efficiency to enable us to work together as true partners to tackle the changing landscape before us. She is passionate about Actsafe’s mission and proud to work alongside team members she respects and values. She is committed to realizing our plans, delivering high-quality initiatives, and sharing the successes we achieve together for this organization, our team, and our industry. By enhancing knowledge, improving attitudes and beliefs, and ultimately shifting behaviours, Trina knows we can make a meaningful and measurable difference to those involved in the arts and entertainment industry. Trina is the industry’s biggest fan and is passionately committed to supporting the sector thrive, particularly by optimizing the workforce with effective training and safety services.
Mark Knowles
Occupational Health & Safety Professional, PNE
PANELIST
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Mark Knowles has been an occupational health & safety professional for over 25 years. Mark started his career in the pulp & paper industry and was exposed to multiple hazards in the workplace, at a young age.
He first role was a safety & training advisor in a large paper mill. Training and getting to know the people and processes, helped to make a positive influence on the overall safety culture. Mark also spent over 10 years working with engineers developing alternate fuel systems for vehicles.
Mark’s passion for safety and learning, helps to motivate others & lead by example. Mark spent many years with a full-time job and family, taking courses at BCIT. He also added an environmental role (EHS), becoming a lead auditor for ISO 14001.
Currently Mark works as the OH&S Manager at the PNE. This role allows Mark to engage & strengthen the safety culture throughout the organization.
DORYAN MASH
Safety Specialist (Interior), Actsafe Safety Association
PANELIST
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Doryan Mash is a Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) with over 15 years of practical and specialized Occupational Health and Safety practice. His experience spans across multiple high-risk workplaces which require advanced technical training around working at heights, rigging, rope access (IRATA/SPRAT), and rope rescue (THARR). Doryan has extensive hands-on experience supporting these complex tasks with precision, planning, and risk management; backed by industry recognized credentials.
Doryan has been a dedicated Safety Champion within the Arts and Entertainment industry throughout the interior of British Columbia since 2009. He has contributed to over 300 live performances or productions, providing rigging expertise and safety oversight along the way.
His work also focuses on building interdependent safety cultures where teams take ownership, communicate effectively, and integrate safety into every aspect of the job. Known for his practical mindset and strong field presence, Doryan bridges the gap between safety systems and real-world application.