Nancy Finlayson, Chair

Nancy Finlayson has been involved in volunteer groups in Alberta for several decades, as founding director for both the Northern Alberta Branch of the Sustainable Agriculture Association and The Garden Institute of Alberta. She is a professional Agrologist recently retired from a career as an environmental scientist in Edmonton. She holds an M.Sc degree in Soil Science from University of Alberta.

Marlene Williams, Past-Chair

Marlene Williams has a diploma from the Rehabilitation Practitioner Program at Grant McEwen and has, up until a few years ago, worked for many years as a Community Support Worker. During that time Marlene served on the Board of the Edmonton Brain Injury Society as well as with several communities, in both advising and working with the Alberta Association for Community Living, capacity building grant process.

Mery Gniazdowsky, Vice-Chair

Mery is a Case Manager with the Workers' Compensation Board, having been named employee of the year at Alberta Human Resources and Employment and moved on to new challenges. She brings to the position a B. Com. and Diploma of Social Work and extensive training in human development coursework.

Sarah Strel, Secretary

Sarah has grown up in Edmonton and has a B.A. (1972) and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary (2002). Recently retired from The Support Network, she has an extensive knowledge of local community resources. In the past she has worked or volunteered with agencies such as the Bredin Institute, Edmonton Immigrant Services Association and the Waln Foundation for Families and Children.

Miguel Angel Campos, Treasurer

Miguel graduated with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration and is currently working as an Accountant for Hope Mission. Miguel has 15 years experience working as a project advisor in El Salvador and 15 more years of experience in Canada at the Group Sicoterapia Ayala (GSA) as a psychotherapy group leader working with people that deal with substance abuse. Miguel also works a local Latin American radio station that runs various programs for the community.

Emmanuel Laku Modi, Member at large

Emmanuel was born in Sudan and he was awarded a Scholarship to study Political Science and Philosophy at Saint Mary's University in Halifax. He moved to Edmonton to continue studying Law and is working with the Skills Society of Edmonton supporting workers. In 2008 he was a participant in the Engaging Immigrants and Refugees (EIR) program.

Barbara North, Member at large

Barbara worked full-time at Grant MacEwan University for over 30 years after doing her undergraduate and graduate work in English literature at the U of A. For 23 of these 30 years at MacEwan, Barbara chaired the English Department. In 2010, she retired from MacEwan but still teaches there from time to time.
She is a member of St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church where she is president of the Parish Council. Barbara and her husband, Alan, live on an acreage near Tofield where they raise lots of vegetables and enjoy watching the wildlife.

Sahro Osman, Member at large

Sahro graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. Through her work and volunteer experience with AHC, Sahro has developed insights on AHC’s mission, vision and its practical impact on the community. She brings with her valuable expertise in the area of Community development and practical skills in working with people from diverse communities. Sahro has worked with youth, families, seniors and members of the homeless population. Sahro is currently a registered Social Worker at the University of Alberta Hospital.