ABOUT US

THE POWER OF TEAMWORK


ARTIST: ROBERT LONGO

Our ethos is to collaborate, innovate, inspire, and share

The Pursuits agency team acts as the facilitator and connector for our clients to develop their dream collections, finding the art they love in a highly personal, transparent, and confidential manner.

PURSUITS AGENCY team

We act as the facilitator and connector for our clients to develop their dream collections, finding the art they love in a highly personal, transparent, and confidential manner. Our ethos is to collaborate, innovate, inspire, and share.

MARLA WASSER

(SHE/HER)

President & Chief Creative Officer

Marla is an art consultant and independent museum curator heading Pursuits Inc., the art agency firm she founded in 2007.

With three decades of collecting experience, Marla is passionate about its rewards and sensitive to its complexities. Compelled by art’s unique ability to impact the many layers of today’s culture, Marla believes that art’s crossovers with technology, fashion, design, and politics create a stage of opportunity and conversation. As an art specialist, Marla’s expertise is wide-ranging, with projects from Pop to contemporary and new media art. Pursuits Inc. combines Marla’s business savvy with her intellectual perspective. She has curated multiple museum exhibitions in Canada and is actively developing future projects.


Marla is an Arts Contributor, writing on the business of collecting, as well as on topics in art history. Inclusion in national publications and media features have allowed Marla to critically engage with the art community and offer her insights. She considers it important to participate in dialogues of current relevancy and those of historical significance in order to expand her own perspectives through stimulating interactions. 


Dedicated to both the local and international art communities, Marla has supported national public galleries and art advisory committees in a volunteer capacity. She has also held positions that liaise with international galleries, such as Tate Modern in London.


Marla is proud to have spearheaded the "Pursuits Salon”, which offers young Canadian creatives mentorship with established curators and local museum directors through inspirational events. Collaboration and community-minded thinking are pillars of her personal and professional philosophy. 

 

Marla is an executive member of the Association of Professional Art Advisors (APAA). 

LEE WILLIAMS BOUDAKIAN

(THEY/THEM)

HEAD OF STRATEGIC PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS • TORONTO


(FRACTIONAL)

Lee Williams Boudakian is an entrepreneur, fractional leader, advisor, and interdisciplinary artist. They are the Founder of Sirelico Advisory, working fractionally with founders and mission-driven teams across arts, entrepreneurship and innovation, education, and social impact. Drawing on two decades of experience with startups, scaleups, nonprofits, public institutions, and cultural organizations, Lee brings a creative, cross-sector lens to unlocking leadership and catalyzing growth. They are also an interdisciplinary artist, creator, and writer whose work has been presented nationally and internationally. Lee holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and an MFA from York University.

LEE WILLIAMS BOUDAKIAN

(THEY/THEM)

HEAD OF STRATEGIC PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS (FRACTIONAL)

TORONTO

Lee Williams Boudakian is an entrepreneur, fractional leader, advisor, and interdisciplinary artist. They are the Founder of Sirelico Advisory, working fractionally with founders and mission-driven teams across arts, entrepreneurship and innovation, education, and social impact. Drawing on two decades of experience with startups, scaleups, nonprofits, public institutions, and cultural organizations, Lee brings a creative, cross-sector lens to unlocking leadership and catalyzing growth. They are also an interdisciplinary artist, creator, and writer whose work has been presented nationally and internationally. Lee holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and an MFA from York University.

SARAH ZIPPEL

(SHE/HER)

DIRECTOR NEW YORK

Sarah Zippel joined the Pursuits team in 2017. Currently based in New York City, Sarah oversees local and international acquisitions for Pursuits' US-based clients. She has 10 years of experience working in museums, art galleries, art advisory, consulting and investor relations. She has in-depth knowledge of exhibition development and collection management. Sarah received her MA in Art Business from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London, UK and her BA in Classics, Renaissance Studies and Art History from the University of Toronto.

SARAH ZIPPEL

(SHE/HER)

DIRECTOR NEW YORK

Sarah Zippel joined the Pursuits team in 2017. Currently based in New York City, Sarah oversees local and international acquisitions for Pursuits' US-based clients. She has 10 years of experience working in museums, art galleries, art advisory, consulting and investor relations. She has in-depth knowledge of exhibition development and collection management. Sarah received her MA in Art Business from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London, UK and her BA in Classics, Renaissance Studies and Art History from the University of Toronto.

ASTRID KWOK

(SHE/HER)

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER TORONTO

Astrid Kwok is an art advisor and researcher based in Toronto, specializing in building and managing private collections. Astrid’s expertise in research, curation, and organizing significant art exhibitions and experience working in the Asian market brings valuable insights to the Pursuits team. She holds an MA in Art History and a BSocSc in Art History and Politics from the University of Hong Kong. Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, Astrid combines her passion for art with a client-centric approach.

ASTRID KWOK

(SHE/HER)

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER • TORONTO

Astrid Kwok is an art advisor and researcher based in Toronto, specializing in building and managing private collections. Astrid’s expertise in research, curation, and organizing significant art exhibitions and experience working in the Asian market brings valuable insights to the Pursuits team. She holds an MA in Art History and a BSocSc in Art History and Politics from the University of Hong Kong. Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, Astrid combines her passion for art with a client-centric approach.