Board Members

The ESCC Board of Directors is responsible for effectively governing the organization through strategic decision-making, policy-setting, and financial accountability. The Board includes representatives from senior-serving and supportive organizations as well as members at large. Board members act as stewards, monitoring and drawing attention to important issues of concern to Edmonton’s seniors. The Board is accountable to ESCC members, stakeholders, and the broader community. The Board oversees the Executive Director to act as the operational leader.

Executive Members of the Board

Wendy King

Chair

Senior serving organization: Canterbury Foundation

Wendy is the Executive Director of Canterbury Foundation. She has over 35 years of accounting, business, managerial and governance experience. She has been serving seniors in the continuing care sector since 2001 through the development and operation of publicly funded and private not-for-profit seniors’ residences.

During her career, she has been responsible for leading the operations of affordable and market supportive living sites and providing strategic, operational and financial direction and support for continuing care programs including long term care, end of life, designated supportive living, adult day support and home care.

Wendy collaborates through engagement and governance in organizations and associations within the sector to advocate and bring about needed change and quality improvement to community social services, seniors care and housing.

Marilyn Buchanan

Dr. Anwar Haq

Treasurer

Supportive organization: Rocky Mountain House Primary Care Network

Anwar has experience as executive director of several health institutes and was most recently Executive Director of the Network of Excellence in Seniors’ Health and Wellness. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology, MBA, and Masters in Public Policy.

His interests include financial sustainability, relationship building, and collaboration. Anwar is currently Co-Chair of Age Friendly Edmonton and has extensive experience on boards and committees as both a professional and volunteer.

Chris Chilibeck

Treasurer

Senior serving organization: Sage Seniors Association

Christopher received a BSc in Pharmacy in 2001 and is a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Initial Access Prescriber. He is Pharmacy Manager at Betterlife IDA and Clinical Pharmacist in the Sage Medical Clinic. He is also a preceptor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and has prior experience with Assisted Living and Long-Term Care.

He is interested in client-focused care, advocacy for seniors, education and encouraging discussion about seniors’ choices, and finding ways to connect physicians and Primary Care Networks with seniors without barriers. Christopher is driven to advance public health, sustainability and encourage independent decision making.

Directors of the Board

Deb Cautley

Deb Cautley – Mill Woods Seniors Association

Deb Cautley has served as the Executive Director for the Mill Woods Seniors Association since 2020. Since then, she has more than doubled membership in the organization, has developed several new social programs and built partnerships with the Alzheimer’s Society and others. She also served as the Executive Director for YESS for 19 years. Deb is the recipient of several awards including the Citizen of Distinction and the RISE Award (Recognizing Immigrant Success and Excellence) Supportive Community Service Award, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. Deb is skilled at bringing forward new ideas, raising funds for programs and creating an inclusive atmosphere.

Brian Dompe

Brian Dompe – Sage Seniors Association

Brian Dompe spent 35 years in the federal and provincial governments largely in the areas of human resources and has served on several Boards including Habitat for Humanity, City of Leduc FCSS, and Bereavement Society of Alberta. He has worked as community volunteer for decades and over the last few years in Patient Oriented Research, healthy aging, ageism (predominately in the health care system) and financial literacy and security. Brian is currently serving as the Patient Advisor for the Executive Committee for the Alberta Strategy for Patient Oriented Research. Brian is described as a balancing force, pragmatic, practical and a high level thinker.

Wendy Doughty

Wendy Doughty – South East Edmonton Seniors Association

Serving as President of the Board of Directors of the South East Edmonton Seniors Association Wendy Doughty possesses an understanding of the importance of supporting older adults in our community, the need for resources and the value of working as a community. She has worked and volunteered in the seniors serving sector and focused her undergraduate thesis on seniors issues which was included in a report by the Ontario Social Welfare Council. She also brings experience developing programs for learners from the new Canadian, immigrants and those with disabilities. Wendy is committed to being a change maker who will support our diverse community of older adults in Edmonton.

Marian Enow

Marian Enow – Alberta Immigrant Women and Children Centre

Marian has a strong educational background including Library and information science and sociology which she has applied to her community work with newcomers. She currently acts as Seniors Program Coordinator for the Alberta Immigrant Women and Children Centre where she empowers about 135 older adults to engage in their community. Marian strives to offer strength-based, team-based and client-centred holistic practices that she hopes to apply to board work.

Yasmin Kapadia

Yasmin is an organized individual who is both creative and innovative. Her business background and broad understanding of diversity and multiculturalism is an asset to volunteer work.

Yasmin has extensive experience pioneering new initiatives that provide a holistic and age-friendly approach. As a natural diplomat, Yasmin excels in partnering with other institutions and organizations. At the heart of everything that Yasmin does is her vision and values of respect, engagement and inclusion.

Donald Langford

Donald Langford – Metis Child and Family Services Society

Don is currently the Executive Director of Metis Child and Family Services and has held that position for the past 25 years. Prior to that, he served for 37 years in the Canadian Armed Forces in many capacities. Don also brings with him a vast array of experiences the volunteer sector including board work with the Edmonton Food Bank, Zebra Child Protection, Aboriginal Veterans Society of AB and the Poundmaker Lodge Healing Centre to name only a few.

Maureen Ondrus

Maureen Ondrus

Now retired, Maureen was formerly a Vice President with the Alberta Motor Association; a complex organization where she held many positions such as Marketing and Membership. She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is keen to participate in an organization that recognizes that people have evolving needs and interests as they age. The ESCC Vision resonates with her.

Eric Storey

Member at Large

Throughout his professional career, Eric volunteered in various community-based programs. Following his 2007 retirement, he obtained a Bachelor of Social Work Degree.

Eric has served on governance boards of non-profits, government agencies, and trade associations. Additionally, Eric has ample experience initiating and serving on the steering committees of a number of on-going volunteer community projects.

Eric’s efforts are primarily focused on the areas of marginalized seniors, sexual/gender minority populations, and at-risk and in-care youth.

Ex-Officio Members of the Board

Wendy Keiller

ESCC Staff Team

The Executive Director advises the Board on policy matters and provides regular updates. Acting under the direction of the Executive Director, the ESCC staff team is responsible for the day-to-day work of the organization and advising the Board in its decision-making. In executing operational functions, engaging stakeholders, and facilitating coordination in the sector, the ESCC staff team supports the Board of Directors in realizing its strategic vision.

ESCC's staff team is outlined below. To contact a staff member, you may:

Phone: call ESCC's main line at 780-423-5635 (extensions to individual staff members are listed below).
Email: write us at info@seniorscouncil.net. Your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

Sheila Hallett

Executive Director

Ext. 3

Rosalie Gelderman

Project Coordinator

Ext. 2

Caroline Gee

Age Friendly Community Connector

Ext. 4

Asheika Sood

Project Manager - Coordinated Seniors Outreach

Ext. 8

Megan Lala

Communications Specialist

Ext. 6

Megan joined ESCC in the spring of 2022 and brings an expertise of visual communications, social media management, and writing.

Angela Keller

Communications Coordinator

Ext. 1

Angela joined ESCC in the fall of 2022. She brings expertise in incorporating participatory communication practices into strategic communication planning and development. She is interested in supporting engagement among ESCC members!

Krista Mulberry

Project Manager - Social Prescribing

Krista Mulbery has recently joined the team at ESCC as the Social Prescribing Project Manager. Formerly Acting Executive Director at ElderCare Edmonton, Krista began working in recreation and wellness over 15 years ago and is a dedicated advocate for seniors’ health and wellness. Through her work, Krista has seen firsthand the benefits of social interaction, exercise, cognitive and leisure programs for seniors, and recognizes the vital impacts that community-based seniors serving organizations and healthcare teams provide in enhancing wellness, independence and overall health.

Gaylene Manuel

Administrative Specialist

Nancy Wang

Practice Coordinator

Nancy has recently joined ESCC as our Practice Coordinator. Nancy has worked with diverse populations in crises for ten years. Nancy is a registered social worker. She is committed to deploying cultural competence and a social justice approach by understanding the intersectionality of personal cultural identities and systemic barriers. She is dedicated to advocating for marginalized and vulnerable older adults to enhance their well-being.