Michele is originally from Ottawa and moved to Edmonton in 2000. After graduating from Carleton University in English and Philosophy she worked at the National Archives of Canada and later at Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, a non-profit social housing organization. In 1992, she was fortunate to be selected as one of the hosting staff for the World Exposition in Sevilla, Spain where she was able to immerse herself in another language and culture through work and community.

Once in Edmonton, she worked for a variety of organizations including the Centre Culturel Marie-Anne Gaboury and the NDP Official Opposition, before deciding to return to university to pursue an after-degree in education at the Campus Saint-Jean. It was her dedication to youth, her love of communication and her lifelong commitment to language learning that inspired her to study in French and which became the foundation for her trajectory as an educator with Edmonton Public Schools where she taught French, Spanish, English and Social Studies at Eastglen for three years. However, in May of 2015, when then Premier Rachel Notley won the provincial election, Michele could not resist the pull of the political sphere and took a leave of absence from teaching to work as the Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. She subsequently moved to become the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Indigenous Relations and then finally landed in the Office of the Premier as the Director of Public Agency Appointments. It was her great privilege to be part of such a dedicated team led by an even more extraordinary leader whose diligence in ensuring gender parity on agencies, boards and commissions became the impetus for Michele’s desire to continue this similar work with WAVE at the municipal level.

Over the course of her life, Michele has volunteered in a variety of organizations from women’s shelters to her most recent position as a Board Member with Change for Children Association. She lives with her partner, Jonathan, and has two daughters, Sasha and Eliza.

Andrea started her career specializing in business development and advertising sales, growing into roles as a communications professional, 10 years as a writer and editor in the magazine publishing industry, and finally, combining her work skills, volunteer experience and passions, she transitioned into fundraising. Now, with almost a decade of professional fundraising experience, she continues to support organizations locally, nationally and internationally as a fundraising coach. She has specifically honed her skills in Major Gift fundraising, has worked in healthcare philanthropy, and her current full time role is as Associate Director of Advancement with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. She is a graduate of the University of Alberta (BA), a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and holds CFRE certification.

Andrea is also an active volunteer in the community. She spent 9 years working with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress National in various roles including her last role as 1st Vice President. She helped develop the Ukrainian Canadian Arts Network committee, served a term on the UCC Saskatoon Branch as Secretary, as well as a two year term on the UCC Saskatchewan Provincial Council’s Nation Builders Selection committee. She was president of the Alberta council for the Ukrainian Arts, a Director of Vesna Festival in Saskatoon, board member with Nuit Blanche Edmonton, and member of the Contemporary Ukrainian Studies Program Advisory Council with the Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies at the UofA. Currently she sits on the Ukrainian Bilingual Parent Advisory Society board as Vice President, is a Director with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Edmonton and area chapter, Co-Chair of National Philanthropy Day and is a coach for U17 girls’ community soccer.

Andrea lives in Edmonton with her husband and 3 children who inspire her to keep learning and to keep trying to make our communities a little bit better each day.

Sarah is studying economics and minoring in international studies at the U of A, with a view to specialize in sustainable international development in future studies. Volunteering locally and internationally has ingrained in her a passion for equity, and an optimism in the strength of empowered communities and individuals, and their capacities to bring about change. Currently, she is working as a research assistant on a global review of community-based freshwater conservation projects.

Terry is a Professor Emeritus and former Canada Research Chair in the Centre for Distance Education and the Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Centre at Athabasca University. He has held Acadmic and administrative positions at University of Alberta, Athabasca, Confederation and Northen Lakes Colleges. Terry has published widely in the area of distance education and educational technology and has co-authored or edited 10 books and over 100 peer reviewed papers.

Terry is a regular on the “keynote” circuit at major distance education conferences and has visited many of the Open Universities around the world. He has served on the Boards of NorQuest College, Edmonton Social Planning Council, Alberta Distance Education and Training Association, Riverdale Community League and Westwood Unitarian Congregation.

Maria is a returning Board member with Change for Children. She holds a Bachelor of Theology Degree from the University of Ottawa, Education Degree from the University of Calgary and a Masters of Education from the University of Alberta. Maria spent her career as a teacher and now, in retirement is excited to return and continue applying her personal commitment to social justice to support the efforts of Change for Children. Maria has served two previous terms with CFCA. Her experience planning curriculum and liaising with schools has been a valuable asset to the organization’s education initiatives, along with her volunteer support during the last few Fall Fundraisers. Maria enjoys family, reading, travel, arts and culture, as well as nature and active living.

Board and council experience includes several terms in each of the following organizations: Edmonton Companions in Mission, Alberta Teachers’ Association, Friends of the Arden Theatre, St. Albert Children’s Theatre, Edmonton Suzuki Piano School, various local school parent councils

Sabrina is an engagement and partnership professional bringing over 15+ years of experience across a variety of private and public sectors. She recently started a new role as Director, Growth & Partnerships with MuniSight, where she will continue her work in technology and innovation with municipalities across Canada. In her spare time Sabrina enjoys volunteering, photography and is a coffee fanatic. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and is also a board member with the Edmonton Humane Society

Gus has a history of working both as a theatre artist and as a development worker. As a theatre artist, he has mainly focused on helping marginalized communities create theatre based upon the community’s stories. As a development worker, he has been a fundraiser, executive board member, project coordinator, and founder of a non-profit organization. He has worked with seniors, inmates in prisons, various groups of Canada’s Indigenous populations, young people, GLBTQ communities, and religious groups. He has also taught workshops at conferences and by request throughout Canada, rural Mexico, and India.

Change for Children has always had a special place in my heart ever since my first visit to Nicaragua in 2013 with CFCA and seeing first-hand how your organization makes a difference in people’s lives. I just want to say that I’m thrilled that you ask me to be on your Board of Directors and look forward to add my time and talents to your organization.

I have been traveling to almost all corners of Central America for the last 30 years always absorbing the culture and meeting the people. Retired from the University of Saskatchewan after 26 years of service. Volunteering is one thing that gives me great joy, so if there is a community event or a festival I’m usually involved. Although the people of  Guatemala has always held a special place in my heart the people of the Bosawas come a close second and look forward to many more visits to both regions .

Kimberly Ho brings over 16 years of experience spanning the consulting and HR services arena. Her work history has included time with leading innovative companies headquartered in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, which has enabled her to keep current on world news, emerging trends, and directional changes in HR practices. A sociologiest and data scientist at heart, her favourite assignments have focused upon process improvement and enhancing data management practices for improved business outcomes. In her free time, you can find Kimberly volunteering with local organizations, outside enjoying nature walks, playing with her puppies, or challenging herself to try new activities.

Ben is the Director, Leasing for First Capital REIT in Edmonton, overseeing the successful management and operation of some of the most prominent retail shopping centres throughout the city and surrounding areas. Ben is active as the current President of Parkview Community League, the co-chair of the FCR Foundation, and sits on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion council for FCR. Ben has a long-standing passion for Habitat for Humanity and has bee part of several builds in Alberta and BC. Ben loves to spend time with his wife and two young children, golfing, skiing, and playing hockey.

Omar has supported Change for Children for the past 5 years through attending and hosting fundraisers, translation, and working on projects in Nicaragua and Guatemala. He is familiar with the indigenous communities in the south of Mexico and has travelled through protected areas to gain a greater understanding of the environmental challenges facing these communities. After completing his Mechanical Engineering degree, he participated in service programs for lower income communities, designing and installing water systems. He later received training as a teacher and taught courses at Universidad Tecnologica de México and Universidad del Valle de México. In BOSAWAS, Nicaragua, he used this experience to support capacity building of teachers, as well as meet functional needs in the communities. Omar also has a degree in Industrial Administration and a Masters in Business, adding strong analytical capacity to the board. His vision for development is a focus on equal partnerships where both parties share and learn, gaining knowledge and skills to support their own communities.

Kerry has been working in the human service field, including working with vulnerable children, for almost 20 years. She has worked as a literacy volunteer with Wildman Street Project, serving marginalized children living in impoverished areas in her home country of Jamaica. She later started her own literacy project in her community, which led her to become an educator. In 12 years as an educator, Kerry has worked with a range of age groups, from elementary to University students. Kerry emigrated to Canada in 2016 and enrolled in a graduate business degree program. She has worked with various government and non-profit agencies in the field of change, project management, and leadership development.