Board of Directors
Chairperson
Jack Little worked for CFRN for 27 years, 10 of them as station manager, before becoming Executive Director of the Edmonton Heritage Festival. His volunteer work has included the Western Association of Broadcasters, the United Way, the Northern Alberta Better Business Bureau, and the Edmonton Community Loan Fund. He has extensive experience with media and public relations.
Treasurer
Garry Ollis is a partner in the chartered accountant firm of Jestin Gibson Ollis, LLP. Garry’s previous work history included senior financial positions with a number of companies in the construction, real estate and venture capital industries. Community work has included membership and leadership roles in service groups, sports teams and board membership in not-for-profit organizations.
Secretary
Brian Besney has volunteered with many non-profit organizations, including the MS Society. He has completed NAIT’s marketing program and serves as the Edmonton Gleaners Association’s recording secretary. For the past 20 years, Brian has worked as a property manager.
Director
David I. Benjestorf has been practising corporate law in the Edmonton area since 2000 and presently serves as legal counsel and general manager for the Alldritt Group’s Alberta operations. He is also an entrepreneur and owner of a few Edmonton-based companies. David has been acknowledged for numerous outstanding achievements, including Alberta Venture Magazine’s “Leader of Tomorrow” (2005), Edmonton Junior Chamber Member of the Year (2003) and being Knighted under the International Order of the Noble Companions of the Swan (2008). In addition, he is involved with the yearly Faculty of Law Alumnifest, serving in various board capacities for the Edmonton Junior Chamber/Jaycees and Junior Achievement.
Director
Lorraine Chaput is a registered social worker who currently works for Uncles and Aunts at Large. Previously she was Executive Director of an Addiction Recovery Centre for 16 years. Over the years she has served on numerous boards and committees and is currently an active alumnus of Leadership Edmonton. Although most of her work of late has been in the non-profit she has managed her own businesses as well. Her professional associations include the Alberta College of Social Workers and the Alberta Association of Fundraising Executives.
Director
Norman Dirr has been with Vector Industries Inc. as its Chief Financial Officer for the past 12 years, after having been a principal at Mowbrey Gil LLB and a manager at Deloitte & Touche. His many years of volunteer work include such groups as Ducks Unlimited (on the Decoys and Diamonds Committee), the Vienna Opera Ball Society of Alberta, Green & White Gala (Prostate Cancer fundraising), Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, and various professional associations.
Director
Chad Harding has become more involved with Edmonton’s Food Bank through his employer, Capital Printing and Forms ink, over the last few years. Chad attended the University of Lethbridge with courses in marketing, marketing research, financing, business ethics, accounting and information processing. His volunteer experiences have included the Shrine Circus and Because We Care (Canada Safeway).
Director
Dr. Frances Harley Urtasun is a semi-retired Paediatric Nephrologist still working in the area of kidney diseases in children and adults, especially in First Nation populations. This, as well as other life experiences, has convinced her of the damaging effects of hunger as well as the injustice and waste of hunger. Undergrad and post grad studies have taken her to several large American cities, Montreal, and Edmonton following a very protected and nourishing childhood in London, Ontario. As Acting Chair of Paediatrics and the Capital Health, Child Health Program, in two lengthy and financially different periods, the goals of merging child health care into a Children’s Hospital were a top priority while increasing academic productivity. Her first post-retirement volunteer position was a two-year term on the newly reorganized governance Board of Food Banks Canada.
Director
Alice Hinds is a staff pharmacist with Canada Safeway in St. Albert. Alice has held senior management positions in pharmacy and heath care administration. Her past volunteer commitments include the Edmonton Community Foundation’s board of directors and distribution committee, as well as the board of Edmonton’s Volunteer Action Centre.
Director
Mary Jane McLaughlin has more than 30 years’ non-profit experience that includes senior management, direct service delivery, fundraising officer, consultant, and volunteer. Since 1998, she has done consulting work with such groups as the Education Field, the Board Development Program, Alberta Community Development, Wildrose Foundation, and Edmonton Community Lottery Board. Past employment includes nine years at the Canadian Mental Health Association and five years as Norwood Community Service Centre Executive Director.
Director
Shami Sandhu is a broker and owner of RE/Max River City. Prior to that, he worked in the airline industry. A father of two, he has been active in many community initiatives, including the Meadow and Heritage Point community leagues, Mill Woods Community Patrol, and the Mill Woods Presidents’ Council.
Director
Anne Smith holds a Masters of Public Administration from Queen’s University. She is self-employed and owns J.A. Smith Research and Consulting Services Inc. Anne has provided research and consulting services to government and community organizations since 1990. Prior to this time she worked for both the Governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan. She chairs the Programs and Services Committee.
Director
At Independent Counselling Enterprises, Kathleen Tilley worked closely with persons with development disabilities and other vulnerable individuals. She facilitated many seminars for employees on understanding and supporting people living with the realities of FASD, substance abuse, and other challenging disorders. While working in Nunavut, she volunteered at the local women’s shelter and saw first hand the difference time and donations can make to the quality of life for those in need. Currently, Kathleen is a Human Resources Manager.