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Board of Directors

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Alberta Food Banks is governed by a volunteer board of directors, elected by the membership annually. Here are the board members for 2015-16:

Executive Committee

Arianna Johnson, Chair of the Board of Directors (Fort McMurray)

Throughout her life, Arianna has moved around. She was born in Whitecourt, raised in Calgary, and moved to Fort McMurray in 2006. Arianna graduated from UBC Okanagan with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. Arianna has worked in the social and non-profit sector since 1999. Arianna has extensive experience and served on multiple non-profit Boards. Arianna has recently completed her Non-profit Management Certificate through Keyano College in Partnership with Mount Royal University. She is also a certified life coach. Arianna joined the Wood Buffalo Food Bank (formerly Fort McMurray Food Bank) in April of 2011.

Lori McRitchie, 1st Vice-Chair (Airdrie)

Lori McRitchie has been part of the Airdrie Community since 1981.  Lori worked for the Rockyview School Division in Airdrie schools for many years and has been the Director of the R.J. Hawkey Breakfast Program since 1998.  She was hired as the Executive Director of the Airdrie Food Bank in 2006.  In 2012, Lori was recipient of the Amazing Airdrie Women 2012 Leadership Award and the Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.  In 2013, she was voted Airdrie’s Citizen of the Year for the People’s Choice awards and was named News Maker of the year for her efforts in bringing the community together to support  those in need.

Shelby J. MacLeod, 2nd Vice-Chair (Lethbridge)

Shelby MacLeod is retired government employee, mother of two adult children; formerly of Taber and has lived in Lethbridge for over 25 years.  Shelby is a lifelong community volunteer and learner who believes ongoing great achievements in any person's life start with a healthy family, supported by good parenting skills and an effective K-12 education system. Currently, Shelby is the secretary to the Lethbridge Food Bank, an Alberta Food Banks board member, a member of the Lethbridge Canadian Mental Health Association board, on the CMHA Alberta Division Executive and board of directors and a variety of other community boards. 

Suzan Krecsy, Secretary (St. Albert)

Suzan has been the Executive Director of the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village for almost eight years and is the past chair of Alberta Food Banks. Suzan has a background in nursing and she worked in home care for 10 years in Ottawa, Edmonton and St. Albert. She also ran a small food bank for four years just outside of Ottawa. Through her work she is the co-chair of the St. Albert Working Group, sits on a committee which looks at issues dealing with housing and homelessness and is on the steering committee for a homelessness prevention strategy funded through the federal government and in partnership with the University of Alberta research team.

Karen Campbell, Treasurer (Edmonton)

Karen Campbell Esau is a registered dietitian residing in the Edmonton area. She was born and raised in Calgary. She currently works as a territory manager for Nestle Infant Nutrition and covers the northern half of Alberta. Her previous employment roles as a dietitian include mental health, public health, outpatient and inpatient nutrition and senior’s health. She has always had a passion for food and nutrition and feels food security is the base level that all individuals require. During her internship to become a dietitian she was involved in creating and updating a document for the former Calgary Health Region regarding services that Calgarians could access to achieve food security.

Board of Directors

Mark Doram, Director (Edmonton)

Mark Doram has extensive experience in community relations, marketing, communications, event planning and management along with knowledge and contacts in the media.  For thirty years, Mark was a Manager for SHAW Cablesystems in Lethbridge and Edmonton.  He was a Sessional Instructor (management & television production) and Program Advisor for Lethbridge Community College.  Mark is an active community volunteer serving on governance boards.  For the last four years, Mark has been the Director of Operations of Edmonton’s Food Bank.  In 2013, Mark completed the Max Bell Institute for Public Policy.  He is the recipient of the Order of St. John, Canada 125, Alberta Centennial and the Queens Jubilee Medal.

Kim Dumont, Director (High Prairie)

Kim was born and raised in High Prairie, Alberta and continues to reside close to her home town. Since the early 1990s, Kim has been involved with the High Prairie & District Food Bank Society in some capacity by either volunteering or sitting on the board of directors.  In October 2006, Kim was employed as the Coordinator for the High Prairie & District Food Bank Society and continues to work hard to assist families within her region.

Elaine Hook, Director (Ferintosh)

Elaine lives on an acreage near Ferintosh. She grew up on a farm in rural Ontario and graduated from the Royal Victoria Regional School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She then attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she received a degree in Nursing Science. Married to an officer in the Canadian Arms Forces, Elaine has moved 24 times in 40 years, both inside and outside Canada. Professionally, Elaine taught nursing and worked in community and school health. Elaine is active in community, church and service clubs. She also held a variety of executive positions, including the board chair of the Camrose Neighbour Aid Centre and Food Bank.  

James McAra, Director (Calgary)

James McAra is member of Calgary's not for profit community. He has been with the Calgary Food Bank since 2000 and as CEO since 2007. Under James' leadership the food bank is recognized as one of the 100 Great Places to Work in Canada, a Recommended Charity by Charity Intelligence since 2007 and a 2011 Alberta’s Best Workplace finalist for Health and Safety. MoneySense magazine also reports the Calgary Food Bank as a top ranked charity for the last five years in their review of Canada’s 100 largest charities. James started in Edmonton but his various roles have created adventures all over Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.  He is an active participant with many groups that address poverty, food security, and the voluntary sector.  James believes that having coffee with friends and neighbours builds our community, he also thinks that our world will be a better place if we shared more casseroles.

 

Doug Tweddle, Director (Edmonton)

Doug was born and raised in Edmonton. A graduate of the University of Alberta, he was a career Senior Manager for a number of national retail chains.  Alongside his retail responsibilities, Doug facilitated paid, volunteer days for his team members who volunteered with E4C, Elizabeth Howard Society, and other non-profit organizations. This experience led to an abiding interest in the non profit sector and its tremendous contribution to our communities.  Doug has been in the insurance industry for over 6 years and holds an Account Executive position with Foster Park Brokers Inc. He is responsible for the development of relationships and is dedicated to working with non-profit groups, both provincially and nationally.  He is very passionate about insurance and the role he plays to provide tangible insurance solutions for his clients. His passion and belief in what Alberta Food Banks is trying to achieve led Doug to spearhead an initiative at Foster Park Brokers Inc. to make Alberta Food Banks the firm’s charity of choice. With the severity of this economy clear to see, the strain on food banks is significant, and the role of Alberta Food Banks more important in the coming challenges. 

 

 

 

 

Want to donate food but don't know what to give? Most food banks have specific items they need regularly. These 'Most Wanted' items vary from one food bank to another, but we have created a list to help you support your local food bank.

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