Board of Directors
Chairperson
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.
Past Chair
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 chartered accountant with his own firm that serves owner managed businesses. Garry’s past volunteer experience includes board membership of various NPO‘s and coaching and managing various hockey, ringette and soccer teams.
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 currently 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 (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. For 15 years Norman also taught advanced accounting courses at NAIT for students enrolled in the CMA program. Norman has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Alberta and is a Chartered Accountant.
Director
For the past 13 years, Sherry Fowler has filled a number of different positions with Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. These positions have included child care supervisor, volunteer coordinator and community liakson. While Sherry has a background in childhood development, her professional and volunteer commitments have taken her down a number of paths. Some of Sherry’s current volunteer commitments include the Jasper Place Revitalization Steering Committee, Park Watch Working Group and Edmonton Safe Parent. Additionally, Sherry has been a long-term special events volunteer with Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Director
Since 2004, Cheryl Nattrass has been the Coordinator for the Board Development Program of Alberta Culture & Community Spirit. This program provides workshops, volunteer training and other support to not-for-profit boards in the area of governance throughout Alberta. Prior to this work, Cheryl was an Education Consultant and Community Programmer. Cheryl has a Master of Education in Educational Administration. Some of Cheryl’s relevant volunteer experience includes Chair of the Policy Review Committee for the Allen Gray Continuing Care Centre, Chair of the Canterbury Foundation and Volunteer Instructor for the Alberta Board Development Program.
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 Capital Health’s 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
Kelvin Smith is an Associate Partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP. Deloitte & Touche provides audit, accounting, tax and business advisory services. Kelvin has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and earned his designation as a Chartered Accountant in 1994. Kelvin is a member of the Arena Development Committee of the Canadian Athletic Club.
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
Currently, Larry Villneff is an Executive Search Consultant with Davies Park. Davies Park is the largest executive search firm in Western Canada. Larry’s professional career has included executive management and senior management roles with companies such as Ikon Office Solutions Edmonton and Canon Canada Inc. Larry has served on a number of community Boards including the Edmonton Symphony Society and the Edmonton Art Gallery.