Board of Directors 2010-2011

List of Current Board of Directors

Laurel Benson (CEO)	Scott Hartley	Martha Willson
Dariel Bateman	Norm Kelly
Blythe Butler	Heather Kinghorn
Ashley Cormier	Shelagh Lenon
Dani DeBoice	Stacie Lundberg
Stephen Detrey	Lucas Tomei
Janice Florence	Virginia Trawick

Message from Board Chair - Dani DeBoice

Around the world, volunteers strengthen our communities. They serve on boards and committees, mentor peers, organize cultural and recreational activities, support the elderly, provide shelter, counsel youth, clean parks, coach teams, read to children and so much more! Volunteers do the work they do because they believe in causes, equal opportunities, clean, healthy and safe community spaces, active living and helping others. Volunteers aspire to make life better for others and we honour them for doing so.

Your Board of Directors recognizes the needs and challenges facing the voluntary sector are extensive, and more pressing than ever before. Our role as a board is to steward and position Volunteer Calgary, not only to ride through the current economic crisis, rather to emerge stronger and more resilient for the longer term. This time of difficulty is also a time of opportunity. Calgarians want to contribute and help, and Volunteer Calgary is ready to connect people to volunteer opportunities that will provide meaningful impact.

Volunteer Calgary is committed to our role as energized volunteerism advocates, to reconnect with our membership and to finalize the definition of our strategic plan for the next three years. A key focus for our board going forward is the adoption of a new three-year strategic plan. We anticipate sharing this with you in the upcoming year. The board, along with input from Volunteer Calgary employees, will ensure we are focused on what is most relevant, most important and create the most impact in our community.

We strive to be a board of choice and have recently adopted a ‘Governance as Leadership’ model. As a board, we are building our own capacity, learning and development. It is our goal to provide the space and opportunity to focus on the ongoing vision of Volunteer Calgary –to see all Calgarians take responsibility for creating healthy and caring communities by getting involved in local issues.

Thank you to all of our member organizations for your ongoing support. You make our communities stronger by engaging the citizens of Calgary in many unique volunteer initiatives. You know the value of volunteers and to quote a wise but unknown author, “Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer!”

Laurel Benson - President & CEO, Volunteer Calgary

Laurel brings 15 years of experience in the voluntary sector to her role of President & CEO at Volunteer Calgary. Throughout her career, she has worked with a focus on building the capacity of the sector through the mentorship of individuals and the strengthening of organizations. Her background in Fund Development has enabled her to work in support of numerous organizations including Hull Child and Family Services, SAIT, Mount Royal University, Prince George Public Library, Grande Prairie Museum and the Melbourne Zoo. Her experience includes working with organizations throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Australia.

Laurel has been an instructor in Mount Royal's Fundraising Certificate program and Nonprofit Management Applied Degree program and is a graduate of the Association of Fundraising's Faculty Training Academy. She completed Volunteer Calgary's Leadership Calgary program in 2008 and recently completed the Governance as Leadership Course offered through the Harvard Kennedy Executive School. She attended the University of Western Ontario and Lakehead University and has degrees in Business and Economics.

Her work with volunteers includes supporting individuals, committees and boards in the areas of direct program delivery, fund development and governance. As a volunteer in the community herself, Laurel has served on the Board of the Calgary Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and the Board of Leave a Legacy Calgary, was a volunteer mentor in AFP's Mentorship Program and is currently a volunteer instructor with both AFP and CentrePoint.

Dariel Bateman (Vice-Chair)

Dariel is the Executive Director of Calgary Reads. Her entire career has focused on children and literacy, and the work of establishing the enabling conditions for children to become resilient and economically self-sufficient grown-ups. She holds a professional teaching certificate and an M.A. in Community Development.

She not only believes in the importance of volunteerism, she is one. As a passionate and committed volunteer, her current endeavors include the National Advocacy Steering Committee for the Grandmother's Campaign - Stephen Lewis Foundation, the Board of Literacy Alberta, and as a dinner cook for Inn from the Cold.

In her leisure time she can be found reading, cooking, bike riding, and best of all, playing with her granddaughters.

Blythe Butler

Blythe has over 10 years of experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including her most recent role in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Investment. Blythe is a principled leader with a broad and diverse background in consulting, strategic planning, management framework & process design, and organizational development. Blythe's passion is to help individuals, organizations and communities to build the capacities required to effectively meet the challenges & opportunities they face. She is deeply committed to supporting human and social development by helping create cultures that pursue adaptive learning and wisdom.

Blythe is a graduate of Leadership Calgary, and has volunteered as a Guide, Program Committee Co-chair and Advisory Board member for the program. In 2008, Blythe was named as one of Calgary’s 'Top 40 Under 40' for her career achievements and contributions to the community. She holds a BComm in Finance and International Development from the University of Alberta, and has studied Design Marketing at Parsons in New York City.

Ashley Cormier

Ashley graduated from the University of Calgary in 2007 with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a major in Marketing. During her time in University she was an active member of many student clubs and helped to organize countless fundraising events that aimed to engage University students in the community while benefiting local charities.

Since graduating from University, Ashley has held several roles at Suncor Energy. She began her career with the Suncor Energy Foundation as a Community Investment Advisor where she was responsible for sponsorships, special events and supporting employee volunteer and community involvement activities. More recently, Ashley has taken a new position at Suncor as Advisor, Events and Logistics. In this role Ashley is responsible for fostering high levels of employee engagement through the provision of events that instill company pride. Ashley is also a key proponent in developing standard tools, guidelines and templates that drive efficiency and encourage collaboration across departments and geographic regions.

While Ashley has moved on from her position with the Suncor Energy Foundation she still feels that a connection to the charitable and non-profit community is essential. Through her volunteer commitments Ashley hopes to make a valuable and on-going contribution to the Calgary
community.

Dani DeBoice (Chair)

Dani DeBoice has over twelve years experience in marketing and communications, having worked specifically in community relations and corporate citizenship for the past nine years. As manager of corporate citizenship with First Calgary Savings, Dani provides leadership on community partnerships, sponsorships, donations, employee volunteerism, community outreach and environmental advocacy. Dani is alumni of the Leadership Calgary Program (Class of 2005) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary. In May 2007, Dani completed the Corporate Community Involvement Certificate through Boston College and in June 2009 received a Community Economic Development Certificate through Simon Fraser University. Dani was selected as one of Avenue magazine's Top 40 Under 40 - Class of 2009, for her career achievements and contributions to the community.

Dani is on the Board of Make it Good, an initiative which supports, educates and engages current and future business leaders, entrepreneurs and community members in opportunities that enhance the sustainability of community, environment and commerce over the long term. She is also on the Steering Committee for Thrive - Calgary’s Community Economic Development network.

Stephen Detrey

Stephen is a Chartered Management Accountant from the UK and a Certified Management Accountant Alberta (CMA). Having graduated with an arts degree, Stephen's 'first career' was in Arts management in London UK, before qualifying as an accountant and moving to Calgary in 2001. With a passion for animals Stephen has supported various charitable organizations including training as a volunteer docent at Calgary Zoo and supporting the RSPCA in various capacities in the UK, he also continues to pursue his interests in the arts. Stephen currently works for Ernst and Young in their Business Advisory practice here in Calgary.

Janice Florence

Janice is a Senior Consultant with strong organizational leadership and management experience in a wide variety of Canadian and U.S. organizations for over 25 years. As a seasoned frontline manager, Janice has a proven ability to translate strategy into clear, achievable action. Her situational leadership and coaching skills effectively guides individuals to define and achieve goals. At the organizational level, she facilitates the creation of effective business plans. Janice is a catalyst for change, using her relationship-building skills to revitalize and rejuvenate organizations lacking direction and leadership. Her hands-on experience in program development and delivery make her a valuable asset to operational teams.

Scott Hartley

Scott has 12 years of marketing communications and community investment experience, most recently as Director, Community Marketing & Creative Services at WestJet. Scott has also dedicated volunteer hours over the years here in Calgary with Kerby Centre, Special Olympics and Alberta Easter Seals as well as in Toronto with the Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity.

Norm Kelly

Norm Kelly is a U of A alumnus who has been a practicing lawyer with 18 years of experience litigating in our criminal justice system. Norm has always had a keen interest in supporting community endeavors that facilitate people: from working with crime victim's assistance groups; to speaking publicly about our system of justice to various community organizations to reading with the children of immigrant families to promote literacy.
Norm is a graduate of the Leadership Calgary program and currently sits on the Board of Volunteer Calgary.

Heather Kinghorn

Heather is the Operations Controller at ProspEx Resources Ltd. She has over 15 years of experience in operational and financial accounting in the oil and gas industry. Heather brings to Volunteer Calgary her ability to be effective in a constantly changing environment, her strategic approach to problem solving as well as her great people skills. Heather has enjoyed giving her support to numerous charitable causes over the years and is very involved in her community from being past treasurer of the Curling Club to coaching soccer. Heather has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Management Accountant.

Shelagh Lenon

Shelagh has been an ESL professional for 15 years, working with immigrants, youth and volunteers. She currently works in the Bridge & Youth LINC programs at Bow Valley College as an advisor to young adult immigrants and refugees where she creates opportunities for learners to develop leadership & life skills and engage in their community. Shelagh also manages VESL, an innovative training program & website for volunteers working with ESL learners in Calgary. She has diverse volunteer related experience with the Garfield Weston Scholarship Foundation and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, and she has been actively engaged in several volunteer initiatives in her local community, including the City of Calgary's NeighbourWoods program and the Renfrew Apple Tree Registry. Shelagh holds an Honors BA from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism from Ryerson University.

Stacie Lundberg

Stacie actively volunteers in the community. She has been a member of the Volunteer Calgary Board since 2005 and has served as the Board Vice Chair and Governance Committee Chair. Stacie is also a board member for RiverWatch, a water education field study initiative which impacts 10,000 Alberta students each year. Stacie has been a Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Committee volunteer for the past ten years. She also volunteers with her community soccer program and is a martial arts instructor. Stacie has an Applied Communications Degree and a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She has completed the Leadership Calgary program (Class of 2008), Canadian Securities Course and National Certificate in Fundraising Management. Stacie works as a senior development officer at Bow Valley College.

Lucas Tomei

Lucas is a business lawyer with Burstall Winger LLP, specializing in corporate law and securities law. He received his Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary. Lucas is a director of a non-profit, Calgary-based organization and the corporate secretary of a public company.

Virginia Trawick

Virginia accumulated more than 15 years of experience in accounting and finance, mostly in the non-profit sector before making a focused shift to the field of organizational development in her current role as the Director, Organizational Effectiveness at the YWCA of Calgary. She is responsible for overall people management including staff and volunteers and is delighted to see the continuing growth of volunteering and the capacity it is bringing to the sector. She is passionate about volunteerism and its potential to engage people in the non-profit community. She has held voluntary positions in a variety of organizations including as a community volunteer on the YWCA of Calgary finance and audit committee prior to being employed there, treasurer of the Alberta Association of YWCA's and ongoing roles in community schools. Virginia has completed training in leadership and strategic planning, has a Bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Calgary and is a Certified General Accountant.

Martha Willson

Martha connects people with the resources they need to be successful. As a senior career coach and educator of adults in transition, she has assisted thousands of people in finding meaningful work. Recent experience includes supporting internationally educated professionals
.
Martha has over 25 years' experience working one-on-one with clients and facilitating group learning. She has designed and delivered various seminars focused on building an effective marketing campaign for career success. Volunteer experience includes President, YWCA of Calgary, Founder and President, Calgary Women's Network, Member, Calgary Association Professional Coaches and involvement with various community organizations.

In addition to holding BA and BEd degrees, Martha recently was awarded her CPCC designation. She is certified to deliver the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, True Colours and Personality Dimensions programs.

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