OUR TEAM

Karen is a respected community and civic leader. Karen’s forte is creating and nurturing networks of people. Graduating with a degree in Economics, she served in senior positions in communications before following her passion for community volunteerism and political engagement. In 2012, Karen received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her dedication to non-profit sector leadership.

Barrett is the co-parent of a child with a developmental disability who accessed our program support early in his life. Now 16 years old and in grade 11, he’s positively thriving at home, at school, and elsewhere in the community. Board leadership provides an opportunity to both celebrate Jake’s belonging and support other families similarly realize their “best selves” unique to their life journey, for none are alone on this walk taken together.

Debbie Couch is foremost a people person. Debbie has applied her professional accounting designation across numerous industries to arrive in an HR Director of Pension and Benefits role where she created an innovative pension plan that garnered corporate accolades, and national interest. She has volunteered her expertise for nearly 24 years with corporate, not-profit and humanitarian boards.

Sandy is an associate professor, an occupational therapist, and director of the Supporting Kids Inclusion and Participation Lab in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. She has a long-term interest in the wellbeing and inclusion of children who experience disability and their families, including participation in their communities.  Sandy has heard accolades of GRIT and is delighted to be engaged with the board.

Jane is a Senior Organizational Change Management and Communications professional with 25+ years of experience. She has worked with both public and private sector organizations at the executive, director, and manager level, developing and implementing change management and communications strategies.

Andy is and has always had the entrepreneurial spirit. Andy’s current role is a Certified Financial Planner with IG Wealth Management.  Andy is married with three children, one of whom was a part of our program. Giving back to the community is a guiding principle that Andy leans on.

Shelby is a HR Coordinator at Sherritt International. She was introduced to us in 2021 through the Leadership Certificate Program at the Alberta School of Business. During her time on the board, Shelby was a Student Director and served as a member of the Executive Director Evaluations Committee. Shelby has always had a passion for diversity and inclusion, and she is delighted to be serving on the board.

Kaiser is a dedicated advocate for inclusive workplaces and a committed educator, bringing over a decade of experience in education and support for diverse learners. Currently in his role as an Operations Manager and Job Coach at Technology North, he works closely with individuals on the autism spectrum, overseeing digital services teams and providing tailored support to enhance productivity and integration within professional roles. With a Master's in TESOL and a Cambridge CELTA certification, his background in language teaching spans several countries and diverse student populations, which has equipped him with a nuanced understanding of effective communication and inclusive learning environments. 

Freddie is the Director of Information Systems and CI&TO with Morgan Construction and Environmental. Freddie is a visionary and success-driven Senior Executive offering 20+ years of experience in transformational leadership, enterprise architecture, business transformation, and business continuity.  Freddie is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Woman Building Futures and has served on multiple boards such as the National CIO Association, CIO Association Edmonton Chapter, Canadian Cloud Council, Senior Assisted Transportation Servers (SATS), and LIFT Drive Happiness.

Sheila Harrison is an accomplished executive leader with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning government, non-profit, and industry sectors. She is well known for her strategic and creative vision and effective leadership. Sheila has driven transformative initiatives that foster organizational growth and high-performing teams. Her expertise encompasses strategic planning, policy development, project management, governance and community development.

Ed and his two teenage daughters are proudly Edmonton born and raised. A passion of Ed’s is his love of sport and the life values it instills. Ed is a firm believer that the mentorship of competitive youth athletics helps prepare our next generation's foundations and builds stronger communities. Ed dedicates his time serving various charitable and professional organizations in voluntary capacities. Ed has accumulated over 30 years of experience mostly in the financial sector, distinguished by a broad and diverse range of director and leadership roles as a strategic change enabler and builder of both businesses and teams. His career has spanned expertise in hospitality, finance, retail distribution, corporate projects, and wealth management. Ed maintains several investment management designations and has a University of Alberta Economics degree.

An award-winning teacher and scholar, Joni now dedicates her expertise to consulting, coaching, university instructing, and guiding forest bathing experiences. Her passion has always been helping others learn, grow, and thrive. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating inclusive spaces and fostering success for all. With decades of experience on both non-profit and for-profit boards—as a staff member collaborating with boards of governors and as a board member herself—Joni is excited to support our program.