Board of Directors and Committees
Board of Directors
To ensure that the Athabasca Watershed Council is representative of voices from across the watershed, the Board of Directors is comprised of seats representing specific sector groups.
As outlined in the Board of Directors Terms of Reference, the Board of Directors has a maximum of 21 members (including the past Chairperson) representing seats for industry (5), non-governmental organizations (5), governments (5), Indigenous members (3) and Members-at-Large (2).
If you’re considering joining our Board of Directors, please take a moment and read through our INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE BOARD MEMBERS. It provides details on time commitments, committees and performance expectations for AWC Directors.
Committees
The AWC has 5 committees:
The Executive Committee, which oversees the effective and efficient management of the Athabasca Watershed Council.
The Technical Committee, whose primary goal is to generate and compile knowledge about the Athabasca River watershed and to advise the Board of Directors on technical matters.
The Communications, Education and Community Engagement Committee, which works to engage stakeholders from across the watershed.
The Finance and Fundraising Committee, which works to identify and execute fundraising strategies and oversees the prudent financial management of the AWC.
The Human Resources Committee works to advise the Board of Directors and make recommendations on employment matters.
Become a Member
Learn how you can become part of the Athabasca Watershed Council
2022-23 Board of Directors
Government
Abdi Siad-Omar | Alberta Environment and Parks
Vacant | (Provincial/Federal Government)
Vacant | (Municipal – Upper Basin)
Rob Minns | Athabasca County (Municipal – Middle Basin)
Lorin Tkachuk | Lac La Biche County (Municipal – Lower Basin)
Industry
Dan Moore, President | Alberta Forest Products Association/Alberta Newsprint Company (Forestry)
Janice Linehan | Suncor Energy Inc. (Oil and Gas)
Kennedy Deregt-Taschuk | West Central Forage Association (Agriculture)
Vacant | (Industry – Nonspecific)
Vacant | (Mining/Utilities)
Indigenous
Cleo Reece | Individual (Indigenous)
Alyssa-Mae Laviolette | Individual (Indigenous)
Vacant | (Indigenous)
NGO’s, Stewardship, Academia
Julie Hink | Healthy Waters Lac La Biche (Health and Environment)
Brian Deheer | Individual Member (Health and Environment)
Kendra Gilbert, Vice-President | Baptiste and Island Lakes Stewardship Society (Stewardship)
Paula Evans, Secretary-Treasurer | Crooked Creek Conservancy Society (Stewardship)
Scott Ketcheson | Athabasca River Basin Research Institute (Research and Academia)
Members-at-large
Vacant | Individual (Member-at-Large)
Laura Pekkola | Individual (Member-at-Large)
2022-23 Board of Directors – Alternates
Government
Curtis Brock | Alberta Environment and Parks
Gary Cromwell |Athabasca County (Municipal – Middle Basin)
Industry
Jennifer Knievel | Alberta Forest Products Association/West Fraser (Forestry)
Indigenous
Chantel Quintel | Individual Member
NGO’s, Stewardship, Academia
Alia Schamehorn | Crooked Creek Conservancy Society (Stewardship)
Members-at-large
Paul Belanger | Individual (Member-at-Large)
Committees
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is comprised of four positions: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board Chair is elected by the membership at our Annual General Meeting and the other executive positions (Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer) are approved by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee oversees the effective and efficient management of the Athabasca Watershed Council.
The 2019-2020 Executive Committee: Brian Deheer (Chair), Dan Moore (Vice-Chair), Cleo Reece (Secretary), and Marcel Ulliac (Treasurer).
Technical Committee
The primary goal of the Technical Committee is to generate and compile knowledge about the Athabasca River watershed and to advise the Board of Directors on technical matters. The Technical Committee is comprised of a group of experts from different fields and organizations from across the Watershed.
Communications, Education and Community Engagement Committee
The CE&CE Committee works to engage stakeholders from across the watershed. Its primary goal is to share knowledge about the Athabasca River watershed and to help stakeholders understand how they can affect positive change.
Finance and Fundraising Committee
No organization can succeed without revenue generation and sound financial management. The F&F Committee works to identify and execute fundraising strategies and oversees the prudent financial management of the AWC.
Human Resources Committee
The Human Resources Committee supports the AWC by advising the Board of Directors and making recommendations on employment matters, in support of the AWC vision, mission and values.