Mary Whale

Co-Chair

Member at Large

Term: 2023

Although retired from paid work, Mary maintains registration as a nurse with diverse experience in acute care, rehabilitation and health promotion. She holds certification as a Gerontological Nurse coupled with extensive training and Gerontology background.

Mary’s current focus is on facilitating a stronger community-based network of senior services with cross sectoral collaborations. She has been involved with Age Friendly Edmonton for many years and has served on the board of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council since 2016.

In addition to her B.Sc. in Nursing, Mary holds a BA in Fine Arts and is active provincially and federally in societies of artists. She is an enthusiastic individual with a good sense of humour and a strong work ethic.

Dr. Anwar Haq

Co-Chair

BioShelf Inc.

Term: 2023

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.

Ratna Basappa

Vice-Chair/Secretary

Mill Woods Seniors Association

Term: 2022

Ratna holds a BA with majors in Economics, Political Science and Public Administration. She also holds an Accounting Diploma and certification as a Systems Analyst. Her work experience includes twenty-seven years with Legal Aid Alberta in their Information Technology department as a Manager-System Analyst.

Ratna has been an active volunteer since the age of twelve. Ratna recently served on the Board of the Mill Woods Seniors Association (MWSA) for five years, two of which as the Board Secretary.

She is currently the President of the Indo Canadian Women’s Association, Secretary for the South East Edmonton Seniors Association (SEESA), and Vice-Chair of the ESCC Board.

Ratna is a great ambassador for seniors when it comes to diversity and inclusion. She chaired the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for MWSA for four years and is now Deputy Chair.

Paul Cheung

Vice-Chair

Alberta Abilities Lodges Society

Term: 2023

Paul has a strong background in the areas of media and marketing. His chief accomplishment in media is his successful delivery of a full hour news program to Cantonese viewers in Alberta. In addition to his media acumen, Paul is a passionate advocate for seniors and has previously succeeded in establishing a housing and care facility for seniors in Edmonton.

Paul has been employed as a producer, program host and director in television and radio. Paul also has worked as the Manager of the Edmonton Chinese Seniors Lodge and is currently the Project Director and Owner of his own small business.

Paul’s education includes a BA in Psychology, specialized training for a Site Management Certification in Seniors’ Housing and an Elders’ Planning Counselor credential. Paul has an extensive background in public involvement with the Edmonton Chinese Lions Club, Chinese community, Indigenous community, seniors programs, sport club, and barrier free nature centre Coyote Lake Lodge.

Yasmin Kapadia

Treasurer

Edmonton Seniors Centre

Term: 2022

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.

Carleen Brenneis 

Palliative Care Institute

Term: 2023

Carleen holds a BScN in nursing and a Masters in Health Service Administration. She is currently Director of the Palliative Care Institute. Carleen is interested in community care, palliative care, compassionate communities, and collaboration and has personal experience as a caregiver. She has experience with grant writing and has worked on national, provincial, and local committees.

Christopher Chilibeck

Sage Seniors Association

Term: 2023

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.

Hugh Newell

North Edmonton Seniors Association

Term: 2022

Hugh retired from the Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) in 2000 after spending thirty-seven years as a classroom teacher in a Junior High School. As an ardent supporter of education, Hugh has shared his knowledge by volunteering and coaching for nearly sixty years.

Hugh has served on a number of boards and most recently spent nine years on the Board of the North Edmonton Seniors Association (NESA). He was also the President of NESA for four years.

Currently, Hugh is Chair of the NESA Council of Governors and will remain on the Council as a NESA Past President. Additionally, Hugh provides his extensive expertise on the Board of the Cabin Owners Association at Makwa Lake Resort.

Wendy King

Canterbury Foundation

Term: 2023

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.

Dr. Sheree Kwong See

Member at Large

Term: 2023

Sheree is a Canadian expert on the psychology of aging and professor of psychology at the University of Alberta. She conducts research on cognitive aging and the development and impact of age stereotyping and ageism in real world contexts. She is an award-winning teacher and administrator who is often asked to speak publicly on research and seniors issues. 

In her almost 30-year career working with and for seniors, Sheree has contributed to a wide range of initiatives supporting the health and wellbeing of seniors. In 2016, she was appointed by the Government of Alberta to serve as the Alberta Seniors Advocate. She served until 2019.

Sheree joined the Board of the ESCC in 2020 and contributes expertise in aging and a provincial perspective on seniors’ services from her experience as the Alberta Seniors Advocate. 

James (Jay) Pritchard

Westend Seniors Activity Centre

Term: 2024

Jay has been a member of Westend Seniors Activity Centre (WSAC) for seven years and was WSAC’s President for four years. His experience includes 45+ years in public education as a Teacher, Principal, and Superintendent of Schools.

Jay says that his newest goal is to help ESCC to be as successful as possible during this very challenging time. 

Sushila Samy

Seniors United Now (SUN)

Term: 2023

Sushila's experience includes work with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Alberta Human Rights Commission. She started and managed Samy Consulting, a human resource consulting business specializing in human rights, diversity and equity. Sushila holds a Certified Human Resources Professional designation as well as BA in Political Science and Economics. Her areas of interest include seniors, newcomer seniors and isolation, seniors’ transportation, and ageism.  

Eric Storey

Member at Large

Term: 2023

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.

Elvis Wong

The Compassion Network

Term: 2022

Elvis is the Owner/General Manager of The Compassion Network. He is passionate about caregiving, nursing and support services for clients of all

ages; expanding business into Calgary; and the importance of integration of care with community supports for higher quality of life.

His educational credentials include a BComm from the University of Alberta and Health Care Aide from NorQuest College. Elvis gained experience with governance, funding and fiscal sustainability, and advocacy as President and board member for Drive Happiness Seniors Association. He has also served as a member of the communications committee for the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton and has experience in volunteer management as a committee member for Alberta Diabetes Foundation.

Dr. Wendy Duggleby

Member at Large

Ex-Officio 2023

Wendy holds a PhD in nursing and is a professor emerita in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. She has both academic and research experience. She is interested in aging and quality of life, palliative care, dementia, caregivers, rural issues, and innovation.

Wendy has experience with strategic planning and measurement, teamwork, and practical ways to support care in community. She is interested in volunteering as she approaches retirement.

Shelley Kwong

City of Edmonton - Citizen Access and Inclusion, Citizen Services Department

Ex-Officio 2022