Our Board of Directors

Kent Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Development, is accountable for Suncor’s strategy and investment portfolio, sustainability, as well as commercial and corporate development.

Kent brings over 25 years of energy industry experience to the role, including an extensive understanding of the Canadian market. Throughout his career at RBC, Kent had a variety of roles leading global and energy market activities. Before joining Suncor, his most recent position was the Managing Director and Co-Head of Global Energy at RBC Capital Markets. While with RBC, Kent served as a driving force on a number of key initiatives including Indigenous finance, climate change, emissions, energy policy, sustainable finance, environmental markets, energy transition, as well as diversity and inclusion.

Kent is a CFA, charter holder, CFA Institute and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Kent is married with two children.

Kent served on United Way of Calgary and Area’s Campaign Cabinet from 2015 to 2022, joined the Board of Directors in 2018, served as Board Vice Chair and Chair, Finance, Audit & Technology Committee from 2022 to 2024, and is currently serving as Board Chair.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of the Board
• Member of the Governance & Strategy Committee
• Member of the HR Sub-Committee

As Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Lara Conrad is responsible for ARC’s subsurface development of our core operations and connecting this with ARC’s business development activities and capital plan to enhance our long-term strategy. With more than 25 years of energy industry experience, Lara brings technical and strategic expertise in all aspects of the energy lifecycle from exploration to production. After she joined ARC in 2011, she has taken on various technical and leadership roles including leadership of reservoir and development engineering, geosciences, joint ventures, mineral land, business development, strategic planning, reserves, and legal. Prior to joining ARC, she led fiscal, regulatory, and environmental policy at a major Canadian crude oil and natural gas producer.

Lara is a professional engineer with both the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and British Columbia (EGBC), has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and a Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard Business School, Executive Education.

Lara joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2023. In 2022, Lara was Campaign Co-Chair.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Vice Chair of Board
• Vice Chair of Community Impact Committee
• Member of Governance and Strategy Committee

Stephanie Pankratz is a Chartered Professional Accountant and an Audit Partner with KPMG LLP. She has been with KPMG Calgary since 2006, where she serves clients in the agricultural, chemical, oil and gas, and power sectors.

Stephanie holds a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary. She served on the public practice working group for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta from 2014-2016.

She currently sits on Glenbow Museum’s board of governors.

Stephanie joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2020.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

Beth Reimer-Heck is a corporate director, trusted advisor, and former senior counsel with 36 years of board, legal and executive know-how. She has significant experience in energy (including power and utilities and renewables), extractive resource sector, telecommunications, infrastructure and major projects and professional services industries.

Through her board, legal and executive career, her expertise includes: technology as a catalyst for transformation; corporate governance matters including enterprise risk management, ESG, DEI, strategy, board effectiveness, recruitment and succession; and sophisticated legal affairs including corporate and commercial matters, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory and compliance matters.

Beth has a deep understanding and background in government, public policy, and stakeholder relations. She is Lead Director and Chair of Sustainability Committee of Kiwetinohk Energy Corp., a public energy transition company. She is also a Member of the Advisory Board for Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals Inc., a private corporation. Beth obtained the Institute of Corporate Director’s (ICD.D) designation in 2014 and is past Co-Chair and current Advisory Council Member for the Calgary Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Beth was Senior Counsel to BLG LLP, Canada’s largest law firm, and has been recognized for her distinguished legal career by being appointed King’s Counsel and awarded Acritas Star.

Beth has donated her time and talents to numerous community organizations such as Homefront, Banff Centre Foundation, and SAIT Polytechnic. In 2021, she joined the United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair, Governance and Strategy Committee
• Elder by the Door, Indigenous Advisory Committee

Michael Crothers has 37 years of operations, commercial and leadership experience in the upstream, downstream, and integrated gas businesses, of which over 33 years were with Shell plc. Michael served as President and Country Chair for Shell Canada for over 5 years, retiring in May of 2021.

He led business development and start-up of both Scotford Upgraders and Albian Jackpine Mine mega-projects, and the 2018 achievement of the final investment decision for the LNG Canada project. Michael’s extensive global experience includes assignments spanning five continents and several large-scale joint ventures. Michael is a champion of the environment, diversity and inclusion and is committed to reconciliation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.

He currently serves as a Director on several Boards including Cenovus Energy and Keyera Corporation. He is also on the Board of the Nature Conservancy Canada (Alberta branch). He is a native Calgarian who graduated in 1984 as a Chemical Engineer with distinction from the University of Alberta. He is married with three children and five grandchildren.

Michael joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2022, after serving as Campaign Co-Chair in 2021.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of Community Impact Committee

David Smith has more than 38 years of experience in Canada’s energy industry. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Keyera Corp. from 2015 until he retired in 2020. David held senior management roles with Keyera and its predecessors since the company’s inception in 1998. He began his career with Imperial Oil in 1982, before joining Gulf Canada Resources in 1991.

David holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University, and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. David is currently Chair of the Board of Arts Commons (Calgary Centre for Performing Arts) and a Director of Wajax Corporation, in addition to his role with United Way of Calgary and Area.

He has been a supporter and volunteer with the United Way of Calgary and Area for many years. He was Co-Chair of the Campaign Cabinet in 2018 and he joined the Board of Directors in 2019.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of Revenue Generation Committee

Karen Young joined United Way of Calgary and Area as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in June 2014 and has been the President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2017.

Karen came to United Way from The City of Calgary where she served for 26 years as an award-winning leader. As the Director of Community and Neighbourhood Services at The City, Karen led change management, strategic planning and policy, partnership management, funding and grant programs, financial administration, community relations, and program development initiatives. She was instrumental in securing $480 million to build four new recreation facilities in Calgary and led the Emergency Social Services efforts during the flood of 2013.

Karen is a visionary leader who believes that positive change begins at the community level and values partnerships and collaborations in achieving a common goal. Driven by her belief that all Calgarians have the right to a good quality of life, Karen is a catalyst for social change and has been serving our communities since the 1980s, including on the Calgary Housing Company Board of Directors, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre Board of Directors, Trustee of the Burns Memorial Fund, and the Calgary Economic Development Advisory Group.

Prior to joining the Executive Team, Karen worked closely with United Way over the years on many projects including the Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative, Calgary AfterSchool, and the Calgary Local Immigration Partnership.

Karen holds a master’s certificate in municipal leadership and a Bachelor of General Studies in Leisure, Recreation, and Tourism.

Rhonda Roth (she/her) is the Chief Impact Officer at United Way of Calgary and Area. A collaborative and strategic leader, Rhonda catalyzes community change and builds awareness and support of United Way to improve local lives. As Chief Impact Officer, Rhonda leads the organization’s Community Impact and Partnership, Marketing and Communications, and Resource Development teams to drive sustainable solutions for complex social issues.

Rhonda has a track record of motivating high-performing teams and more than two decades of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, with specialization in health care and the social sector. Rhonda believes that everyone can make a difference and is passionate about creating a community where everyone thrives.

Geoff is the Chief Transformation Officer for United Way of Calgary and Area. He has a strong background in transformation, innovation and technology, and large-scale social impact initiatives in the mental health and child and youth spaces.

Geoff has held a number of leadership positions in the for-profit and non-profit worlds, including Chief Operating Officer for Classroom Champions (USA/Canada), Chief Operating Officer at Immigrant Services Calgary, and Executive Vice President for The Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Geoff is leading a team at United Way responsible for our largest signature initiative to date, Planet Youth, a five-year pilot to demonstrate the efficacy of the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) in addressing key issues for youth including mental health and wellbeing and substance misuse.

As part of the Transformation portfolio, Geoff is also leading innovation work of the Social Impact Lab and the Social Impact Lab Alberta project and is responsible for technology and the modernization of our digital infrastructure.

Bruce is the Vice President, Finance at United Way of Calgary and Area. Bruce has held various executive financial positions primarily with software/technology companies. He brings to United Way a strong track record of growing revenue, driving cost efficiencies, and improving overall operations.

He is recognized for his ability to connect and develop working relationships with people including team members, senior leaders, customers, partners, major donors, volunteers, and board members.

Bruce joined United Way as a Philanthropy Officer and recently accepted the Vice President, Finance position. Bruce has a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting Major from the University of Calgary and received his Chartered Accounting designation while articling with KPMG.

Shaheen most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs and Sustainability Officer at AltaGas, leading their environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and overseeing the company’s stakeholder, government and Indigenous relations as well as internal and external communications and corporate giving program. Shaheen first joined AltaGas in 2007 as Corporate Counsel and has held a variety of senior roles, including serving as Corporate Secretary, where she worked closely with leadership and the Board of Directors.

Shaheen holds a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Environmental and Conservation Sciences and a Bachelor of Laws degree, both from the University of Alberta, and lives with her family in Calgary.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee
• Member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee

Debasis (DB) has more than 25 years of experience in operational management, solution delivery, professional teaching, and business development in several industries. Currently Vice-President, Information Technology at Nutrien, DB has held senior roles with global corporations like IBM, Siemens Medical, CGI, Enbridge, Potash Corp of Saskatchewan in various geographies including the USA, Canada and Asia Pacific.

DB has an MBA with specialization in Finance and a Master of Science in Physics. He is a certified project management professional (PMP) and is certified in risk and information systems control (CRISC) and organization change management (Prosci). He loves teaching, and currently teaches classes on project management and SAP project management at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University. DB is also author of Leadership 4.0.

He serves on the board of McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association of Calgary & Area and Canadian Mental Health Association (Calgary), Let’s Talk Science, and is member of Innovation Leadership team for Calgary Economic Development. DB is also member of advisory councils with Mount Royal University and Waterloo University’s Artificial Intelligence department.

DB joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2021.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Finance, Audit & Technology Committee

Alec Clark has 40 years’ experience in corporate finance, energy and investment banking. Alec is currently Head of Global Energy at TD Securities. With offices in Calgary, Toronto, Houston, New York, and London, Alec leads a team of professionals focused on providing full investment banking coverage for corporate clients participating in all aspects of the energy sector and transformation to a lower carbon future.

Alec is a graduate of the HBA program at the Ivey Business School at Western University. As an active volunteer in the community, Alec has held senior leadership roles with the Glenlake Minor Hockey Club, Calgary West Little League, and has also supported numerous local charities.

Alec has volunteered with United Way of Calgary and Area for many years, most recently serving as 2020’s Campaign Co-Chair. His prior roles included Co-Chair of the Major Donor Cabinet, where he championed and promoted innovative ways of giving, like leveraging the gift of life insurance and gifts of securities.

A born-and-raised Calgarian, Alec and his wife Sloan Pipella-Clark have two adult children. He joined the Board of Directors in 2021.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Vice Chair of Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

As Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Lara Conrad is responsible for ARC’s subsurface development of our core operations and connecting this with ARC’s business development activities and capital plan to enhance our long-term strategy. With more than 25 years of energy industry experience, Lara brings technical and strategic expertise in all aspects of the energy lifecycle from exploration to production. After she joined ARC in 2011, she has taken on various technical and leadership roles including leadership of reservoir and development engineering, geosciences, joint ventures, mineral land, business development, strategic planning, reserves, and legal. Prior to joining ARC, she led fiscal, regulatory, and environmental policy at a major Canadian crude oil and natural gas producer.

Lara is a professional engineer with both the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and British Columbia (EGBC), has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and a Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard Business School, Executive Education.

Lara joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2023. In 2022, Lara was Campaign Co-Chair.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Vice Chair of Board
• Vice Chair of Community Impact Committee
• Member of Governance and Strategy Committee

Brad W. Corson was appointed chairman, president and chief executive officer of Imperial on January 1, 2020.

Mr. Corson started his career with ExxonMobil in 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has held various technical, operations, commercial and managerial assignments around the world. In addition to multiple assignments across the United States, he has also held key leadership positions in Hong Kong and London.

In 2009, Mr. Corson was appointed vice president, ExxonMobil Production Company, with responsibilities for oil and gas production activities in Europe and the Caspian regions. Six years later, he was appointed president, ExxonMobil Upstream Ventures and vice president of ExxonMobil Corporation where he was responsible for overseeing ExxonMobil’s global upstream acquisition and divestment programs. Under his leadership, ExxonMobil made key strategic acquisitions in the Permian Basin, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique and Brazil.

A native of Woodstock, Illinois, Mr. Corson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University. Mr. Corson currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the C.D. Howe Institute; as well as serving on the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America – Sam Houston Area Council, and as a Governing Director for the Houston Symphony.

Mr. Corson and his wife, Joan, have two sons.

Mr. Corson joined the United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2024.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

Michael Crothers has 37 years of operations, commercial and leadership experience in the upstream, downstream, and integrated gas businesses, of which over 33 years were with Shell plc. Michael served as President and Country Chair for Shell Canada for over 5 years, retiring in May of 2021.

He led business development and start-up of both Scotford Upgraders and Albian Jackpine Mine mega-projects, and the 2018 achievement of the final investment decision for the LNG Canada project. Michael’s extensive global experience includes assignments spanning five continents and several large-scale joint ventures. Michael is a champion of the environment, diversity and inclusion and is committed to reconciliation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.

He currently serves as a Director on several Boards including Cenovus Energy and Keyera Corporation. He is also on the Board of the Nature Conservancy Canada (Alberta branch). He is a native Calgarian who graduated in 1984 as a Chemical Engineer with distinction from the University of Alberta. He is married with three children and five grandchildren.

Michael joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2022, after serving as Campaign Co-Chair in 2021.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of Community Impact Committee

Kent Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Development, is accountable for Suncor’s strategy and investment portfolio, sustainability, as well as commercial and corporate development.

Kent brings over 25 years of energy industry experience to the role, including an extensive understanding of the Canadian market. Throughout his career at RBC, Kent had a variety of roles leading global and energy market activities. Before joining Suncor, his most recent position was the Managing Director and Co-Head of Global Energy at RBC Capital Markets. While with RBC, Kent served as a driving force on a number of key initiatives including Indigenous finance, climate change, emissions, energy policy, sustainable finance, environmental markets, energy transition, as well as diversity and inclusion.

Kent is a CFA, charter holder, CFA Institute and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Kent is married with two children.

Kent served on United Way of Calgary and Area’s Campaign Cabinet from 2015 to 2022, joined the Board of Directors in 2018, served as Board Vice Chair and Chair, Finance, Audit & Technology Committee from 2022 to 2024, and is currently serving as Board Chair.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of the Board
• Member of the Governance & Strategy Committee
• Member of the HR Sub-Committee

Naushad Jamani retired from NOVA Chemicals after 39 years of service in 2019. His most recent role there was Senior Vice President, Olefins & Feedstock, based in Calgary, Alberta and was a member of the NOVA Management Board as of January 2015.

Naushad participated in all NOVA Chemicals Board sessions as a key member of the Management team and had the overall responsibility and accountability of NOVA’s Olefins Business. Naushad represented NOVA on the Boards of the following Industry Associations…American Fuel and Petrochemicals Manufacturers, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, Canadian Fuels Association and was the founding Chair of the Resource Diversification Council of Alberta.

Naushad also led all aspects of Government Relations (Municipal, Provincial and Federal) for NOVA as part of his Management Board responsibilities. Naushad graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from the University of Waterloo in 1980. He married his wife, Yasmin that same year and they spent the first 15 years of their careers with NOVA in Sarnia, Ontario prior to their relocation to Calgary in 1995. They have two daughters who live in Calgary and are enjoying spending time with their two grandchildren when not traveling around the world to see and experience other cultures and environments.

Naushad joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2022.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Revenue Generation Committee

As a marketplace partner, Marc is focused on relationships and providing value-added services to clients to solve problems or leverage opportunities.

Marc has become a trusted advisor to Alberta’s senior executives and owners with his deep industry experience, ability and willingness to connect people in the business community, and his no-nonsense, straight-talk approach to addressing problems.

Marc has always been a very active community volunteer, mostly with United Way of Calgary and Area. He has been on the Board of Directors, was 2019’s Campaign Co-Chair and co-chaired the Major Donor cabinet in 2017 and 2018.

Marc is married to Lesley and has four children. He is an avid skier—downhill and backcountry—and road, gravel, mountain bike, and fat bike cyclist.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Vice Chair of the Revenue Generation Committee

Shasta is a results-oriented senior executive with over two decades of progressive leadership experience in the electricity industry, demonstrating an exceptional ability to drive organizational excellence and innovation. A proven track record in building and leading high-performance teams, implementing strategic initiatives, and optimizing business processes. She has held senior leadership roles most recently at TransAlta Corporation and is recognized for expertise in corporate services, business integration, information technology, and plant operational management. An adept strategist with a comprehensive understanding of the energy sector, consistently delivering tangible results in diverse and dynamic environments. Shasta has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Revenue Generation Committee

Ron Laing is the Chief Commercial & Corporate Development Officer for Canadian Natural Resources Limited. Ron has been with the company for over 25 years. He is a member of the Company’s Management Committee and is involved in all areas of Canadian Natural’s business.

For many years Ron has been an Executive Sponsor of the United Way Campaign at Canadian Natural Resources Limited.

Ron holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Edinburgh and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary.

Ron and his wife, Karla, have two teenage daughters.

Ron joined the United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2023.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Revenue Generation Committee

Christy Morgan (she/her) is a proud First Nations woman from the St’uxwtéws (Bonaparte) Band, which is a part of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation, in British Columbia. Christy holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary and is employed with TELUS as the Reconciliation Strategy Manager. Christy brings her traditional knowledge, and her work and lived experience supporting the growth and development of Indigenous communities to this position.

Prior to joining TELUS, Christy worked for over 23 years in Calgary and area’s not-for-profit sector, focusing on community development and relations building with the urban Indigenous community. She has been honoured and recognized many times throughout her career, including being named one of the Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine in 2011; being awarded the Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award for Community Leadership in 2015 from the University of Calgary Student Association and Native Centre; receiving the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award recognizing leadership in building relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Calgary in 2021; and in 2022, Christy was recognized by the Calgary Herald during its annual honouring of 20 Calgarians “making their mark on the community and beyond” as one of the Top 20 Compelling Calgarians.

Christy sits on many committees and boards in Calgary and enjoys giving back to the community.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of Community Impact Committee

Lillian Pan’s practice is primarily focused on commercial litigation, including the areas of business litigation, securities, product liability, energy and employment litigation. She has appeared before many levels of court, including the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, the Alberta Court of Appeal, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court and the Federal Court, as well as the Alberta Securities Commission and the Ontario Securities Commission.

Lillian is a passionate mentor and a strong advocate for diversity. She is a senior advisor and mentor to the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) since 2014, and an instructor in the trial advocacy course at the University of Calgary Law School. She has joined the Board of The Advocates’ Society for a four-year term starting in mid-2019. In November 2019, Lillian was awarded the Leadership in the Profession & Private Practice Award in the 9th Annual WILL Awards, which is described as a lawyer who has shown extraordinary leading in a number of areas namely mentoring of law students and junior lawyers, demonstrated leadership in law and diversity initiatives, and a commitment to being a positive role model for other lawyers.

Lillian joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2022.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Community Impact Committee

Stephanie Pankratz is a Chartered Professional Accountant and an Audit Partner with KPMG LLP. She has been with KPMG Calgary since 2006, where she serves clients in the agricultural, chemical, oil and gas, and power sectors.

Stephanie holds a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary. She served on the public practice working group for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta from 2014-2016.

She currently sits on Glenbow Museum’s board of governors.

Stephanie joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2020.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

Beth Reimer-Heck is a corporate director, trusted advisor, and former senior counsel with 36 years of board, legal and executive know-how. She has significant experience in energy (including power and utilities and renewables), extractive resource sector, telecommunications, infrastructure and major projects and professional services industries.

Through her board, legal and executive career, her expertise includes: technology as a catalyst for transformation; corporate governance matters including enterprise risk management, ESG, DEI, strategy, board effectiveness, recruitment and succession; and sophisticated legal affairs including corporate and commercial matters, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory and compliance matters.

Beth has a deep understanding and background in government, public policy, and stakeholder relations. She is Lead Director and Chair of Sustainability Committee of Kiwetinohk Energy Corp., a public energy transition company. She is also a Member of the Advisory Board for Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals Inc., a private corporation. Beth obtained the Institute of Corporate Director’s (ICD.D) designation in 2014 and is past Co-Chair and current Advisory Council Member for the Calgary Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Beth was Senior Counsel to BLG LLP, Canada’s largest law firm, and has been recognized for her distinguished legal career by being appointed King’s Counsel and awarded Acritas Star.

Beth has donated her time and talents to numerous community organizations such as Homefront, Banff Centre Foundation, and SAIT Polytechnic. In 2021, she joined the United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair, Governance and Strategy Committee
• Elder by the Door, Indigenous Advisory Committee

David Smith has more than 38 years of experience in Canada’s energy industry. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Keyera Corp. from 2015 until he retired in 2020. David held senior management roles with Keyera and its predecessors since the company’s inception in 1998. He began his career with Imperial Oil in 1982, before joining Gulf Canada Resources in 1991.

David holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University, and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. David is currently Chair of the Board of Arts Commons (Calgary Centre for Performing Arts) and a Director of Wajax Corporation, in addition to his role with United Way of Calgary and Area.

He has been a supporter and volunteer with the United Way of Calgary and Area for many years. He was Co-Chair of the Campaign Cabinet in 2018 and he joined the Board of Directors in 2019.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of Revenue Generation Committee

Janet is an experienced executive search professional with over 25 years of experience and is a Partner at Janet Soles and Associates Executive Search, an Alberta-based global search firm. Her practice has always focused on senior leadership and along with her colleagues she serves a diverse client base from the private, public, academic and not-for-profit sectors.

Janet’s community involvements have included serving as a Governor for the Calgary Petroleum Club, a Director at Hull Child and Family Services and, prior to co-chairing the 2021 campaign for the United Way, she held volunteer roles as Chair of the Leaders Cabinet and Vice-Chair for the Women United Committee with the United Way in Calgary.

Janet attended the University of Calgary and earned her BA in Psychology; her Human Resources Certificate, and she holds her CPHR designation.

After having grown up in Calgary, Janet is proud to raise her two children in this wonderful community with her husband Rod, a business development executive at MasTec Canada.

Janet joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2022.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Governance and Strategy Committee

Liz is known for her strategic acumen and visionary leadership in the Financial Services Industry. As an executive and director, Liz has acquired extensive experience in Wealth Management, People and Culture, Equity and Inclusion, Corporate Transformation, and Organizational Strategy. Her achievements include skillful management of P&L across Consumer, Wealth, and Business Banking, as well as her role as CHRO overseeing all HR and Corporate Social Responsibility functions at ATB.

Educationally, Liz holds an MBA from Dalhousie University, completed the Indigenous Canada program from the University of Alberta, and holds the ICD.D and CFP designations.

Beyond her professional contributions, she actively engages with the community, serving on several boards.

Liz joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2022 after volunteering in a number of roles since 2019.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Vice Chair of Governance and Strategy Committee
• Board Liaison, Indigenous Advisory Committee

Vivek is a partner in the Corporate Group of the Osler Calgary office. His practice focuses on the energy value chain, from extraction or generation, transportation, and transmission to the marketing of energy products to end users. His practice also includes private M&A transactions, and he frequently advises clients in the structuring, ownership and operation of energy infrastructure projects. He has represented clients on transformative projects, including the development of liquefied natural gas export facilities, equity participation transactions between energy industry project proponents and First Nations, renewable energy partnerships and the development of linear infrastructure projects throughout Canada.

Vivek is a director of the Canadian Energy Law Foundation, serves on the executive of the ABA International Energy and Environmental Law Section and has taught Oil and Gas Contracts at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Vivek is extensively involved in the Calgary community, including as a long-time volunteer with United Way of Calgary and Area and as past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Newcomers.

Vivek joined the United Way Board of Directors in 2024.

Current Board involvement includes:

• 2024 Campaign Co-Chair

Karen Young joined United Way of Calgary and Area as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in June 2014 and has been the President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2017.

Karen came to United Way from The City of Calgary where she served for 26 years as an award-winning leader. As the Director of Community and Neighbourhood Services at The City, Karen led change management, strategic planning and policy, partnership management, funding and grant programs, financial administration, community relations, and program development initiatives. She was instrumental in securing $480 million to build four new recreation facilities in Calgary and led the Emergency Social Services efforts during the flood of 2013.

Karen is a visionary leader who believes that positive change begins at the community level and values partnerships and collaborations in achieving a common goal. Driven by her belief that all Calgarians have the right to a good quality of life, Karen is a catalyst for social change and has been serving our communities since the 1980s, including on the Calgary Housing Company Board of Directors, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre Board of Directors, Trustee of the Burns Memorial Fund, and the Calgary Economic Development Advisory Group.

Prior to joining the Executive Team, Karen worked closely with United Way over the years on many projects including the Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative, Calgary AfterSchool, and the Calgary Local Immigration Partnership.

Karen holds a master’s certificate in municipal leadership and a Bachelor of General Studies in Leisure, Recreation, and Tourism.