A Note from the Founder &
Creative Director

Romina Fontana is a thirty-three-year old Montreal native who moved to Toronto from Paris five years ago. Inspired by Canadian poet Al Purdy’s famously intense and comic readings, Romina decided to create a unique event where interesting, successful Canadians could share an inspiring piece of literature with an audience. Shortly thereafter, she was introduced to the amazing Silvia Ruegger, former Olympian, Canadian marathon record holder and founder of The Running & Reading Club – a unique after-school program that encourages children in underprivileged Toronto neighbourhoods to become physically active, learn to love reading, and break the cycle of generational poverty.

After hearing more about Silvia’s remarkable life story and the life-changing success that these clubs create, Romina knew she had found her cause. She decided it was time to seize the moment and help make a real difference for Canadian children who need it the most. As a result, the first Get Lit event was held in the summer of 2005. With an outstanding reader list and an inspired audience, Get Lit had a tremendously positive effect on everyone present. In Silvia’s words, “The Get Lit event gave us an opportunity to create awareness about the great need among children living in poverty in our own city, but it also let people know that there is a vehicle in place (The Running and Reading Club) for them to be part of, and an opportunity to help make a real difference.”

Over the past ten years Romina has embarked on numerous creative projects including two collections of her poetry and several readings, managing the Quebec premiere production of Morris Panych’s play Lawrence & Holloman in 2000, and co-producing a short film based on Al Purdy’s poem At the Quinte Hotel in 2002. The film starred Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip and was selected by Bravo!, the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, the Worldwide Short Film Festival, and the BBC.

Professionally, Romina is proud to be Managing Director at Concrete Design Communications Inc. - an internationally acclaimed design firm based in Toronto.