Our Board of Directors

Ashley Anderson is the Manager of Consumer Sales and Learning at Shaw Communications Inc. She has over ten years of experience in leadership development, sales, team optimization, organizational programing, and corporate training. She brings a unique ability to harness the power of human capital both within and between organizations.

Ashely holds a degree in International Relations and Economics. Her multi-disciplinary history has given her a breadth of experience within leadership and consultancy roles where she continually discovered ways to enhance the strengths and processes of her domestic and international clients.

Having successfully transformed grassroots startups and multimillion-dollar organizations, Ashley continually promotes and facilitates the development of transparent, accountable, and performance-oriented cultures. Ashley thrives when business executives and their teams learn to create success by design rather than by default.

Ashley has been involved with United Way of Calgary and Area for several years, serving as Chair and Vice Chair of Gen Next, and as an ex officio Board member.

She joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2019. Her current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Revenue Generation Committee

Dan Allen recently retired from ATB Financial where he was the Vice President of Business and Agriculture for the previous eight years. At one time, he led a team of 300+ employees supporting the financial needs of small to medium-sized businesses and farming enterprises in Alberta. Prior to joining ATB, Dan spent 31 years with CIBC in various leadership roles, including retail banking, private banking, small business banking, and regional office roles.

Dan was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University, moved to Calgary in 1979 and began a career in banking. An Albertan for 40 years, Dan has also lived in Drumheller, Edmonton, and St. Albert.

Dan has been involved with United Way of Calgary and Area since 1989, when he was seconded for 10 months to support United Way’s campaign that year. Since then, Dan has been involved in various volunteer capacities and, more recently, joined the Campaign Cabinet in 2012 as Co-Chair of the General Business Division.

Dan joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2015. His current Board involvement includes:

• Chair
• Campaign Cabinet
• Member of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee
• Vice Chair of the Governance and Strategy Committee
• Member of the Board H.R. Subcommittee

Prior to his United Way Board responsibilities, Dan also served on the Financial Services Advisory Committee at SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary, and for almost 10 years, along with his family, had been heavily involved in the Killarney Swim Club.

Dan enjoys travelling, reading, and playing golf. But most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife Gloria and seeing all the latest blockbuster movies with his three daughters, Kate, Kari, and Ali.

Passionate, dependable and experienced, Janet brings an extensive background in investment management and financial planning to her role with our team. Formerly with another Canadian bank – where she operated as a Private Banker and Senior Financial Planner – Janet has worked with business owners, high net worth and ultra high net worth clients on strategic financial planning, and long and short-term financial strategy.

Janet will continue to focus on the crucial discipline of financial planning in the work she does with and for clients of the Hudson Financial Advisory Group. Through Scotia Wealth Management, Janet will work closely with our team of specialists to provide a complete range of financial and comprehensive wealth management services.

A Certified Financial Planner, Janet has earned an Advanced Estate & Trust Strategies Certificate and a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Committed to community, Janet is an avid volunteer. A Girl Guide Leader, Janet sits on the board of United Way of Calgary and Area, and participates in The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Janet has been involved with United Way of Calgary and Area since the beginning of her career. She was a member of United Way’s Leaders Cabinet from 2013-2017, and has been on The Tomorrow Fund Committee from 2015-present. She joined the Board of Directors in 2017. Her current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

Myrtle Sharkey is a proud Inuk woman from Nunatsiavut who grew up in Labrador with both Inuk and Mi’kmaq bloodlines. She is proud of her Indigenous background, proud to be from Labrador, and misses her time spent growing up in the Big Land, spending time with her family on the land.

Myrtle received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Acacia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. After university she moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta where she joined Fluor and has worked in several of the business units including energy and chemicals, mining and power since 2000. Her work has given her the opportunity to also take advantage of her love for adventure and travel and she has been to offices or projects throughout Canada, the United States, Asia, South America, and Europe.

Myrtle has held many roles at Fluor Canada Ltd. and is currently Director, Project Control with responsibility for the Indigenous Relations work across Canada, as well as the Global Data Governance Quality Manager. Myrtle holds a position on the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Board of Directors and is the Chair for the Thought and Advocacy Leadership Committee and sits on the Board’s Executive Committee. She is also a part of the Indigenous Advisory Committee, Elders Knowledge Circle, and the Vice Chair of the Community Impact Committee with United Way of Calgary and Area.

Myrtle is committed to making an impact and puts that energy in all that she does. She spends her free time at home with her fiancé and his boys camping, biking, and watching them play soccer and hockey. Myrtle loves to laugh, teach, and learn, and spends time with family and friends always looking for her next adventure and creating memories.

Her current Board involvement includes:

• Vice-Chair of the Community Impact Committee
• Member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee

Kent Ferguson has over 20 years of experience in the banking industry and, in 2014, was appointed Co-Head of Canadian Energy for the RBC Capital Markets investment banking group. Kent also leads senior account coverage and execution of financing for mergers and acquisitions for oil and gas companies.

Kent holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is a member of the CFA Institute. His work in the community includes RBC’s Capital Markets Foundation and annual employee giving campaign, UNICEF’s patrons council in Calgary, and United Way of Calgary and Area. Kent also loves coaching hockey.

Kent has served on United Way Calgary and Area’s Campaign Cabinet from 2015 to 2018, and joined its Board of Directors in 2018.

Kent is married with two children. His current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

Shane Fildes joined BMO in 1993 and has been the Managing Director and Global Head of the BMO Capital Markets Energy Group since 2009. He leads a team comprised of over 160 professionals located across offices in Calgary, Houston, Toronto, New York, London, Beijing, and Melbourne. Shane has over 25 years of experience providing strategic advice to clients, ranging from capital raising to mergers and acquisitions to restructurings.

Shane holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance (Gold Medalist) from the University of Alberta and is a CFA Charterholder. He was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 by the Globe and Mail in 2009, as well as one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People by Alberta Venture in 2014.

Shane and his wife, Roxanne, have supported United Way of Calgary and Area for the past 20 years. Shane joined the Major Donor Cabinet in 2003 and was co-chair from 2015-2017. In April 2018, Shane joined United Way’s Board of Directors. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

Shane also supports the Kids Cancer Care Foundation through the Tour for Kids Cycling Adventure and the High Hopes Challenge at Camp Kindle.

Nancy Foster was appointed Senior Vice President & Special Advisor to the CEO of Husky Energy in August 2019.  Prior to that, Nancy was Senior Vice President, Human & Corporate Resources, a role she was in since July 2011. She was responsible for Human Resources, Diversity, Real Estate, Corporate Services, Information Services and Corporate Responsibility. She is an experienced human resources practitioner with extensive oil and gas experience, both domestically and internationally.

Prior to joining Husky, she was the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Services at Nexen, responsible for strategic oversight and operation of all human resources functions for a global employee base. She also provided oversight of the supply management and corporate administration functions.

Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University and is a graduate of the Harvard Advanced Management Program.

Over her career, Nancy has served on several industry and community related committees, including the Alberta Economic Development Authority, CAPP, the Conference Board of Canada, and the YWCA of Calgary. She currently is a member of the University of Calgary Board of Governors as well as a member of the Calgary & Area Child Advocacy Centre Board. Nancy has been a member of the International Women’s Forum since 2012.

Her current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

As a partner and 28-year veteran of Deloitte, Marc Joiner 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 extensive experience coaching chief financial officers (CFOs) and their finance teams on improving their effectiveness and efficiency resulting in more strategic and enhanced value to the rest of their organizations.

Marc is also a speaker and facilitator, having spoken often both externally and internally on finance, accounting, and soft skills. Within Deloitte, Marc has facilitated primarily on client relationship management and business development. His facilitation style is that of a storyteller, demonstrating key points through stories of his and others’ experiences and referencing books he has read.

Marc has an international view having worked in Deloitte offices in Toronto, Calgary, and Paris and having worked on engagements and facilitated courses in Canada, the United States, France, England, Belgium, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and Sweden.

Marc is married to Lesley with whom he has 4 kids, ages 11, 15, 18, and 21. He is an avid skier—downhill and backcountry—and road, gravel, and fat bike cyclist. Marc has always been a very active community volunteer mostly with United Way Calgary and Area. He recently joined the Board of Directors, was 2019 co-chair of the overall campaign and co-chaired the Major Donor cabinet in both 2017 and 2018. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Revenue Generation Committee

Vance Langford is Managing Partner of Langford Law, a boutique law firm practicing corporate, commercial and immigration law. He has practiced law with leading firms in Calgary for 20 years.

Vance holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of British Columbia, and a Master of Laws Degree from the University of Dundee, Scotland.

Vance is actively involved in the Calgary community and serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Talent Pool Development Society of Calgary, and is a mentor with the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council. He has previously served as Chair of Board of Directors of Distress Centre Calgary, member of the Board of Governors, and Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Council of Bow Valley College, and finally, as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area.

Vance began volunteering with United Way of Calgary and Area in 2007 and served on the Board Investment Committee, Public Policy Committee, and Campaign Cabinet. He joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2015. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Finance, Audit and Technology Committee

Mike MacSween has been Suncor’s Executive Vice President of Upstream since 2017. He leads Suncor’s oil sands, in situ, and exploration and production assets.

Since joining Suncor in 1996, Mike has held a variety of leadership roles, including Vice President of Upgrading; Vice President of Strategy and Development; and Senior Vice President of In Situ. He more recently served as Executive Vice President of Major Projects where he was accountable for the safe and cost-effective engineering, procurement, and construction activities for Suncor’s growth projects in the upstream, downstream, and renewable energy portfolios. Prior to joining Suncor, he worked at Betz Process Chemicals Inc. and Shell Canada Inc.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Mike is Chair of the Board of Directors at Syncrude Canada, and serves on the Board of Directors of both the Canadian Welding Bureau and Go Productivity. Mike joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in April 2017. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Community Impact Committee

Bruce McFarlane retired as Vice President of Business Development at RMP Energy Inc in 2017. His oil patch career started in 1980 as a landman at Dome Petroleum. He has over 38 years of experience in the energy sector with 19 years in executive positions in both small and large energy companies, including Rider Resources, Meota Resources, and Poco Petroleum. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL).

Bruce holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in math and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree from Queen’s University, where he currently sits on the Queen’s Campaign Cabinet. Bruce and his wife were recognized by the Calgary Branch of the Queen’s University Alumni Association with the Johnson Award in 2012. Bruce was also recognized by the CAPL as its Distinguished Citizen in 2012. In 2019, Bruce was awarded the United Way Centraide Chairs Award of Distinction for his sustained dedication and commitment to the success of the organization.

Bruce was Co-Chair of the Financial Services division for United Way of Calgary and Area’s 2010-2013 campaigns. He joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2014, and became Board Chair in 2017. His past Board commitments include Chair of the Governance and Strategic Planning committees, and past member of the Tomorrow Fund. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Community Impact Committee
• Board Liaison for the Indigenous Advisory Committee

Bruce is married to Dr. Janice Heard and has three daughters, three grandsons, and two granddaughters.

Rachel Moore is the Vice President of Human Resources for Ovintiv Services Company Ltd. She has two decades of experience working in a variety of industries helping organizations develop and implement human resource strategies in areas of total compensation, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, employee training and development, and change management. Prior to joining Ovintiv in 2015, Rachel held senior leadership positions, including Executive Vice President of Human Resources with Savanna Energy Services Corporation and Vice President of Human Resources with Enerflex Systems Ltd. In 2012, Rachel was named Top Human Resources Executive by Alberta Oil Magazine.

Rachel was born and raised in Alberta and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary. Rachel served as Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way of Calgary and Area from 2013-2015 and joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2016. Her current Board involvement includes:

• Past Chair
• Chair of the Governance and Strategy Committee
• Member of the Board H.R. Subcommittee

Rachel is married with three daughters.

Seyi Oyewumi is currently a Senior Specialist for Brookfield Residential Properties’ Development Group (BPD)., a leading North American developer and homebuilder with operations in strategic markets, including Alberta and California. Seyi’s work focuses on the North American Residential business efforts around sustainability and digital marketing initiatives. His work includes strategic planning, marketing strategy development, reputation management, and corporate communications projects.

Seyi has an Executive MBA from Queen’s University, a postgraduate certificate in Sports Business Management from Algonquin College, a certificate in E-Marketing from the Canadian Marketing Association, and two degrees (BSc. & BPHE) also from Queen’s University.

Seyi is a strong team player and highly skilled problem-solver with the ability to develop strategies that provide positive business solutions and lead teams towards success. Having worked with a variety of organizations, Seyi has a wide range of experience in client relations, branding, corporate communications, social media, digital media, and strategic partnerships.

Seyi has a passion for innovative community work. He has been involved with the United Way of Calgary and Area since 2010. His community work involves being past Chair of the United Way’s Gen Next strategic engagement initiative, an ex officio Board member to the United Way Board of Directors, and is currently actively involved with a local Rotary Chapter. In April 2018, Seyi joined United Way’s Board of Directors.

His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Revenue Generation 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 Masters 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 the board of governors at the Glenbow Museum.

Stephanie joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2020, and is in her second year as Women United Committee Chair.

John Rossall recently retired as the Executive Director of North America for Repsol Oil & Gas Canada Inc. In November 2011, John joined Repsol with the acquisition of Talisman Energy Inc., where he led Talisman’s Canadian oil and gas business.

Before joining Talisman, John was President and CEO of ProspEx Resources, a TSX listed junior oil and gas company, from 2004 to 2011. Prior to that, he was the Vice President of the North Business Unit of Burlington Resources Canada, and led the Deep Basin business at Canada Hunter Exploration before it was acquired by Burlington. John served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers from 2014 to 2016.

John holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo and has completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.

John joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2017. His current Board involvement includes:

• Vice Chair
• Chair of the Community Impact Committee
• Member of the Board H.R. Subcommittee

Ken Skingle, Q.C. is a tax lawyer and has been a partner at Felesky Flynn LLP for the past 22 years; he was co-managing partner from 2008 to 2015. His practice focuses on tax litigation and tax dispute resolution, and he has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada and other Canadian courts with tax jurisdiction. Ken also has extensive experience in corporate income tax planning, including reorganizations of public and private business enterprises, and personal income tax planning.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Law (with Distinction) degree and Bachelor of Commerce (with Great Distinction) degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2008.

His community volunteer roles have included being a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Calgary Health Trust and past Chairman of the Planned Giving Committee of the Calgary Health Trust. He is also a past member of the Board of Directors of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter Association.

Ken has served on United Way of Calgary and Area’s Campaign Cabinet a as Division Chairman of the Legal and Accounting Division (1999 and 2000) and a Section Chairman within the Accounting, Legal, and Finance Division (1996 to 1998). He has been a community member on United Way’s Finance and Audit Committee since 2013 and joined the Board of Directors in 2016.

His current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of Revenue Generation Committee
• Member of Governance and Strategy Committee

Darwin Smith is a Partner and Managing Director of the Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) Calgary office. He joined BCG in 2007 and has worked with leading energy and industrial goods clients across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Prior to joining BCG, Darwin worked as a drilling engineer in Canada, Yemen, and the United Kingdom.

Darwin holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (with Distinction) from the University of Calgary and Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, where he was awarded the Gold Medal for highest overall academic performance.

Darwin has been involved with United Way of Calgary and Area since 2013 and joined the Board of Directors in 2017. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of Governance and Strategy Committee

Darwin enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children. Originally from Saskatchewan, Darwin has called Calgary home since his undergraduate days.

David Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Keyera Corp. He has held senior management roles with Keyera and its predecessors since the company’s inception in 1998. David has more than 37 years of experience in the energy industry in Canada. He began his career with Imperial Oil Limited in 1982 and joined Gulf Canada Resources Limited in 1991.

David is a director of Keyera Corp., Crew Energy Inc., Arts Commons (Calgary Centre for Performing Arts) and United Way of Calgary and Area. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Business Council of Canada and Business Council of Alberta. He 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 joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board in 2019. His current Board involvement includes:

• Vice-Chair of Revenue Generation Committee

Roc Spence is Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and Business Development for Seastar Chemicals, a global leader in the chemical manufacturing industry.

Roc is a long serving Board Member on the Calgary Stampede Board, Winter Start Events Ltd., and the founder and president of the National Alpine Training Centre. He was the sport representative to the Canadian Olympic Development Association (CODA) Board from 1996 to 2000. He also serves on several corporate advisory boards for leadership and human resource utilization and engagement.

A third-generation Calgarian, Roc is committed to building a more open, accessible, and rewarding community for all Calgary residents. Roc believes the true test of any great city is how it provides the necessary support to those who need a fresh start, a leg up from time to time, or a safe and encouraging environment that allows youth to succeed.

Roc was the Chairman of United Way of Calgary and Area’s Community Leaders Program from 2012-2015, and joined the Board of Directors in 2016. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Community Impact Committee

In his spare time, Roc rides his horses at his home just west of Calgary. Roc has been married to his wife, Lori, for 40 years. They have two grown children.

Trevor Wills is a Partner at Boost Energy Ventures Inc., a boutique energy consultancy firm. Boost works with clients to provide strategic advisory, transaction support, and market analytics in Canada, The United States, and the UK.

Trevor holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Alberta and a Master of Science in Management (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics.

Having directed his research at the LSE toward exploring the link between energy infrastructure investments, economic performance, and socio-economic outcomes; Trevor is passionate about the implementation of innovative constructs in the energy sector that strengthen society by delivering responsible, reliable, and cost-effective energy.

Trevor joined United Way of Calgary and Area’s Board of Directors in 2017. His current Board involvement includes:

• Member of the Revenue Generation Committee

Trevor and his wife Justine are grateful for the opportunity to raise their children in a city like Calgary.

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 1980’s, 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.

Beth Reimer-Heck is a dedicated proud Calgarian having over 30 years of legal, executive, and strategic acumen. She has extensive experience in governance and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Corporate Directors, a director for private and not-for-profit corporations and Counsel for BLG LLP, Canada’s largest law firm.

In both board and executive roles throughout her career, Beth has helped organizations navigate transformational change whether as a result of crisis, innovation, or growth.  She believes in collaboration and community and has held numerous community leadership positions including current Chair of HomeFront and Past Chair of Banff Centre Foundation, as well as Past Vice-Chair of SAIT. She has been recognized for her contributions by being appointed Queen’s Counsel by her peers and 2019 Acritas Star.

Beth has been spotlighted by Canadian Diversity Network’s symposium among leading female business leaders and nominated for WXN:Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada and Top 25: Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.

She is married to Barry Heck and has two adult children, Emma and Luke.

Alec Clark has over 35 years of experience in the corporate lending, energy, and investment banking sectors. In November 2019 he was appointed 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.

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

Alec has volunteered with United Way of Calgary and Area for many years, most recently serving as Co-Chair of the Major Donor Cabinet where he championed and promoted innovative ways of giving, such as leveraging the gift of life insurance and gifts of securities.

A native Calgarian, Alec and his wife Sloan Pipella-Clark have two adult children.

Alex Shevalier is President of the Calgary and District Labour Council, where he represents the interests of affiliated unions before the City of Calgary, the school boards, and the community.

Alex is a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers’ (UFCW) Local 401, where he has served as Vice President. He also serves as a Director for both Public Interest Alberta and Friends of Medicare, and as the Chair of the pride and solidarity committee at the Alberta Federation of Labour. He sat as a Worker Representative on the Employment Insurance Board of Referees until it was dissolved in 2013.

Alex is a United Way of Calgary and Area ex officio Board Member representing labour partnership.

Heather Culbert is the former Senior Vice President of Corporate Services for Enerplus Corporation, a mid-sized oil and gas company. During her 27 years in the oil and gas sector, she also held senior management positions at Cody Energy and Suncor.

She is a graduate of the Queens University Executive Program and a Computer Technology grad of SAIT. In 2003, Heather was recognized as SAIT’s Distinguished Alumnus, and was awarded a SAIT Honorary Bachelor of Science degree in 2014. In June 2016, she made history as the first graduate and Distinguished Alumna to be appointed as Chair of the institution’s Board of Governors.

Heather has been an active volunteer and philanthropist for many years. She founded the Women on Boards initiative in Alberta, and the C5 (Concerned Citizens for the Calgary Cancer Centre). She also served as Board Chair of the Alliance to End Violence, and Campaign Chair of the SAIT Promising Futures Campaign (phase II).

Recognized for her leadership and community service, Heather has received numerous awards, including the BMO Celebrating Women 2016 Community and Charitable Giving award, the Doc Seaman Generosity of Spirit Award as an individual philanthropist in 2013, and the Alberta Centennial Medal for Community Service in 2005. In 2019, she was awarded the Governor General’s Sovereign Volunteerism Medal in recognition of her exemplary philanthropic efforts throughout Canada.

Heather is a United Way of Calgary and Area ex officio Board Member, Chair of the United Way World Leadership Council, and member of United Way’s Million Dollar Roundtable. In the past, she served both as Chair of the Board of United Way of Calgary and Area, and Chair of the Board Governance and Development and Strategic Planning Committees.

Jason Hatcher is the Managing Principal of Navigator and leads their Western Canadian operations from Calgary. He specializes in strategic communications, media relations, issues management, and government relations. He works with clients in the telecommunications, technology, health, agriculture, finance, and energy sectors to enhance their public profiles through communication, stakeholder consultation, and government advocacy strategies.

Jason has also worked extensively with provincial and federal governments, advising premiers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as cabinet ministers and other political leaders across the country.

Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Jason’s English and French bilingual education covered political science, business, and law. He is a current board member of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and is also involved with the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

As a community leader and passionate volunteer, Jason believes it is important for people to be involved and to give back to their community. Jason is proud to work alongside United Way of Calgary and Area’s dedicated staff, partners, and donors towards improving lives and communities through lasting social change. Jason joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2012 and is a former Vice Chair of the Board Public Policy Committee and represented the Board on the 2018 Campaign Cabinet.

Jason lives in Calgary with his wife and two children.

Larry Macdonald is President, CEO, and Director of Point Energy Ltd., and Managing Director of Northpoint Energy Ltd, both private oil and gas exploration companies.

Larry and his wife, Gloria, are long-time United Way of Calgary and Area supporters who are the first Canadian recipients of United Way Worldwide’s highest award, the Alexis de Tocqueville Award, which recognizes extraordinary and continued volunteer and philanthropic leadership across community or national borders. Their leadership in representing United Way around the world has changed countless lives.

Larry is a United Way of Calgary and Area ex officio Board Member, and serves as its Director Emeritus.