Our Staff

Aden Hirtle

Aden has been working with Volunteer Calgary for the past 7 years. Currently, his work involves helping to promote the programs and services of the organization through the Volunteer Calgary website, as well as exercising his creative juices producing videos, podcasts, and email marketing campaigns for the organization on many social media channels.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with an emphais in Marketing from Brigham Young University - Idaho and a Web Graphics certificate from the University of Calgary. He is also a current member of the CanOrators Toastmaster club here in Calgary and is working towards finishing the Competant Communicators manual.

Aden has had a lifetime of volunteering. Organizations that he has volunteered with include the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Calgary Zoo, Olympic Oval and serves in his religious community.

Amy Baquir

Amy Baquir is an experienced communications professional with over 9 years of experience in her field. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Amy has worked as a copywriter and account manager in advertising firms in the Philippines and Malaysia and has written for print and web publications, before bringing her communications experience over to Canada, which she has called "home" for over 4 years now.

Her passion for writing and volunteering makes this the perfect role for Amy. She has volunteered as a Reading Buddy with the Calgary Public Library, as a "Big" with Big Brothers Big Sisters, an image consultant with Making Changes Association, and, currently in the communications committee for the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society. In her spare time, Amy likes to try out different cuisines, practice martial arts, run, cycle, and plan future travels.

Anna-Marie Ashton

As an advocate of human rights and believer in capacity building to solve tough systemic challenges, Anna-Marie is grateful to work and volunteer with organizations who make a difference in the community.

Anna-Marie joined Volunteer Calgary as Leadership Development Coordinator in November of 2011, responsible for the Leadership Calgary program. Having taken the program in 2010, and volunteered as a program guide in 2011, Anna-Marie has been excited to learn about and support more aspects of Leadership Calgary.

Prior to joining Volunteer Calgary, Anna-Marie worked for WestJet as a Program Manager for Finance Learning and Development and as Manager of the Strategic Project Office, after years of small business management experience in the Okanagan. Anna-Marie currently serves as treasurer for the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, and is excited to see this organization position itself over the years to come.

Doug Watson

Helyn Udott

Kim Wright

J.P. Hermano

JP Hermano has volunteered and worked in the non-profit sector within a variety of student, community, and advocacy organizations for the past 8 years.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Grant MacEwan University, as well as a Legal Assistant Diploma from CDI College. In addition to working within the non-profit sector, he has recently worked within a consulting setting, supporting a number of instructional design projects and facilitating training in a number of areas such as board development and administrative law for non-profit, private sector, and government groups.

JP is passionate about helping people and, as Member Relations Coordinator at Volunteer Calgary, hopes to build relationships with member organizations and provide them with resources and opportunities to help strengthen their programs.

In his spare time, JP prides himself on being a "volunteer-a-holic" and enjoys volunteering for events, festivals, and boards. Having formal musical training in classical voice, he enjoys singing in group and solo settings and has volunteered much of his spare time over the years performing with a variety of choirs and for events throughout Edmonton. Having recently moved back to Calgary, he hopes to devote more of his time volunteering within Calgary's vibrant communities.

Jamie Niessen

A passionate community volunteer, Jamie is the past board chair with the Calgary Public Library (CPL) and is currently serving on CPL, CEO Search Committee. Jamie is currently serving on the Alberta Non-profit Volunteer Sector Initiative (ANSVI), Renewal Task Force. Jamie also sits on the Advisory Committee for the Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal University.

Prior to joining Volunteer Calgary, Jamie worked as the Manager of Community Investment for TransCanada Corporation, a North American energy infrastructure company. He has also worked as marketing director for a Calgary law firm, TV and interactive media producer at The Banff Centre and as public relations manager for a computer hardware manufacturer in Montreal. He holds a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, is an alumnus of Leadership Calgary and was selected among the "Top 40 Under 40" by Calgary Inc. magazine in 2003.

Janet Burstall

Janet has been with Volunteer Calgary for 7 years. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, she began volunteering with her family at the age of three. Other volunteer opportunities range from executive board member to volunteer pianist and she is currently on the Community Advisory Panel of the Junior League. An admitted keener, she has filled roles in various areas at Volunteer Calgary including Leadership Calgary, Membership, Volunteer Services, BoardMatch and Training. Her previous experience includes one year of volunteering in Los Angeles as a teacher, and working as a personal care attendant in senior's homes. She loves travel, music, reading, and learning to cook complicated things that require a lot of stirring.

Jay Blue

Jay has worked in the performing arts in Calgary for more than thirty years. Her background working in the industries of film, television, theatre, festivals and special events has meant that she has worked as a volunteer and with volunteers for most of her working life.

Most recently she was the Special Events Manager for Calgary Opera, producing some of her favorite events such as Grave Gala, California Wine Fair and Dinner on the Set. She enjoyed working alongside dedicated committee members; many of whom volunteered for the 8 years she held the position.

Some recent volunteer activities have been for Calgary International Children's Festival, Cantaré Children's Choir, Calgary Opera and Parkland Summerfest.
Her whole family volunteers and her mother was featured as a Volunteer In Profile many years ago.
Jay is grateful for the opportunity to support volunteers through her work at Volunteer Calgary having had the support of volunteers for so long.

Jeff D'Silva

.Jeff D'Silva is a born and raised Calgarian who has had a unique range of professional experiences over his career. Jeff holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary and an MBA from the Haskayne School of Business. Jeff has worked in a diverse group of industries including residential finance, non-profit, and even entertainment.

His passion for volunteering and desire to strengthen organizations began as a volunteer for Calgary's famed Loose Moose Theatre Company. Jeff has also volunteered for the Calgary International Film Festival, Quickdraw Animation Society, and the Calgary Zoo. In 2009, Jeff was awarded the Allan Clowes Family MBA Fellowship for Community Involvement. Among other things, Jeff has won a Big Rock Eddie Award, written and starred in a feature film, and interned at the Conan O'Brien show. In his spare time Jeff likes to perform and write comedy and spend time with his wife and their miniature Dachshund "Chappelle".

Karen Franco

Karen has spent over 15 years engaged in communications, marketing, and public relations in and around the Calgary area. She has worked in the both the private and non-profit sectors as well as spending over a decade working in the media industry.

In her current role as Communications Director for Volunteer Calgary, she is responsible for all internal and external communications including several electronic and print newsletters and spearheaded the development and use of Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and LinkedIn to further advance the organization's mission, vision and goals.

Karen has also used her communications skills and previous media experience in a volunteer capacity. Most recently, in her role with the Calgary Stampede Parade Committee, she is responsible for the development and writing of the annual televisions scripts, parade line-up and promotional material for the Parade for several years.

Lori DeLuca

Lori DeLuca has worked in Calgary's non-profit sector for the past six years in a variety of capacities. Her work has largely been focused on connecting youth serving organizations to programs in the community through volunteer engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Development Studies from the University of Calgary and an Office Administration Diploma from NAIT. Lori is passionate about community development and believes strongly in the non-profit sector's unique ability to be innovative in it's response to the emerging needs of Calgarians. In addition, Lori believes the non-profit sector is vital in creating opportunities for the growing arts and culture scene in the city. As Member Services Connector, she is thrilled to support Volunteer Calgary's member organizations in working toward vibrant and thriving communities.

Lori takes any opportunity she can to travel both locally and internationally leading her most recently to places like Tofino, the Olympic Peninsula and Southern Italy. In her spare time Lori loves to cook and experiment with new recipes and restaurants around the city. She also loves to attend local markets and theatre performances.

Marlene Mulligan

Marlene has been working in the field of business communications for 10 years both in Canada and abroad. Since her move to Calgary 5 years ago, she has been focusing on corporate community investment and employee volunteer and giving programs at Chevron Canada Resources. A native of Prince Edward Island, Marlene has a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce with a Minor in Economics from the University of Prince Edward Island and Public Relations Certificate from Mount Royal University. Marlene is also a graduate of Volunteer Calgary's Leadership Calgary program, class of 2009, and remains an active volunteer with the program. She also applied her community investment and fundraising skills to her volunteer roles with several non-profits, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Prior to her work in Calgary, Marlene was a small business owner with a focus in marketing and a college instructor of business communications.

Sandra Penney

In her role as Executive Assistant, Sandra plays a key role within our organization and is responsible for keeping Volunteer Calgary's Executive and the Volunteer Calgary Board on track and on schedule! With over 20 years of 'hands on experience' in a variety of administrative roles in the non-profit sector, who better than Sandra to make sure the entire team is dotting their I's and crossing their T's! When Sandra isn't busy at Volunteer Calgary she enjoys taking on the even more rewarding role of 'favourite' Grandma to her 4 young grandchildren; Bronwen, Carter, Joshua and Jillian.

Sue Luciuk

Sue Luciuk is a Chartered Accountant who has spent over 25 years engaged in the management of finance, human resources and office administration in Calgary. The majority of this experience was gained in the Professional Services and High Tech industries with the last few years being spent in Non-profit.

In her current role, Sue is responsible for the timely and accurate preparation of the organization's financial results including budgeting, internal controls and reporting to the Finance & Audit committee and the board.

She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and has used her financial skills in a volunteer capacity on various Parent Councils in the school system, a number of ski clubs and currently as the Treasurer for her community association. After recently becoming an empty-nester she has added "baby cuddler" at Children's Cottage Society to her volunteering resume.

Tracey Merrin

Tracy Merrin works in our Finance department. She has been with Volunteer Calgary since she first arrived in Calgary in 2003, first as a volunteer and then as an employee. She has previously worked with the Leadership Calgary and BoardMatch programs. Her volunteer history includes the Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Feed the Hungry, Calgary Block Watch and the Calgary Foodbank. She is also a member of the Canadian Payroll Association.