Kathy MacFarlane, MA (Leadership) and CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) is a Leadership Consultant with credentials as a Spiritual Intelligence coach, an MBTI practitioner and a Resilience @Work Coach. She integrates these disciplines to help leaders cultivate self-awareness, strengthen relationships, navigate complexity, and build resilient teams.

Through her 30-year career, Kathy held senior leadership positions in children’s services, health care, colleges and universities. Her expertise spans legacy giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, annual giving, grant writing, and special events. She has also volunteered on many non-profit boards and committees.

As a consultant Kathy works with nonprofits, institutions, and private-sector clients to advance strategic direction, leadership development, governance, organizational culture, and team coherence. She also mentors and guides private individuals for inner capacities that help influence leadership or life challenges.

Kathy has a passion for promoting healthy leadership so people can thrive at work, home and in the world. She believes maximizing creativity and empowerment by inviting people to bring their soul to the workplace.

She and her husband love to travel in their RV, ride their e-bikes and take their rambunctious dog on many walks. She also enjoys writing poetry, blogs and contributing magazine articles.

Jaclyn Doherty is a leadership and strategy consultant whose work focuses on how organizations navigate change, make sense of complexity, and create better ways of working. Over more than 20 years, she has worked across education, municipal government, business, and the non-profit sector in areas including strategic planning, organizational change, leadership development, and program and service design.

Much of that perspective was shaped during her time as Dean of the Teaching and Learning Centre at Lethbridge Polytechnic, where she led a broad multidisciplinary portfolio spanning strategy, curriculum, quality assurance, library services, digital learning, accessibility, and learner support. Working across so many parts of the institution gave her a deep understanding of how leadership decisions, organizational structures, relationships, and systems influence one another.

Jaclyn holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Western University. Her doctoral research explored how leaders can create the conditions for adaptability, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative problem-solving in complex organizations. That work strengthened an approach she continues to use in her consulting practice, drawing on systems thinking, human-centred design, strategic foresight, and action research to help organizations understand complex challenges, explore possibilities, and make thoughtful decisions.

Kristine Cassie has spent more than 40 years building safer, stronger communities across Alberta, with a career focused on gender-based violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Since 2018, she has served as CEO of the Aurora Centre of Southwest Alberta, which she helped establish as the region’s first stand-alone sexual assault centre and later expanded to include the Aurora Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. Previously, she spent nearly 25 years with YWCA Lethbridge and District, including more than a decade as CEO, where she led nationally recognized programs and organizational initiatives.

A registered social worker with a Master of Science in Leadership and certification as a community traumatologist, Kristine continues to contribute to provincial and national initiatives in gender-based violence, child advocacy, and human services. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honours, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and YWCA Canada’s inaugural Mentorship Award. A respected mentor, speaker, and advocate, Kristine remains deeply committed to strengthening the human services sector and investing in the next generation of leaders.

Christa Merrell is a philanthropy professional with extensive experience in fundraising, community engagement, donor relations, and nonprofit development. She currently serves as a Annual Giving and Community Engagement Advisor at the University of Lethbridge, where she works to build meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners.

Christa also serves on the Allied Arts Council Board, contributing to the strength and vitality of the arts and cultural community in Lethbridge. Her professional and volunteer experience spans arts, education, community, and philanthropic organizations, with a particular interest in relationship-based fundraising, strategic partnerships, community giving, and creating compelling opportunities for people to connect with causes they care about.

Her approach to fundraising is grounded in a simple belief: the best fundraising doesn’t start with an ask—it starts with a relationship and a conversation about what matters.

She is passionate about helping nonprofit leaders and boards rethink fundraising as an opportunity to build community, inspire participation, and create long-term sustainability

Charlene is a commercial lawyer and partner with Davidson & Williams LLP. She maintains a primarily solicitor focused practice encompassing commercial and corporate law, foreclosure, real estate, and wills and estates. 

Charlene is an avid volunteer and has particular experience in not-for-profit governance. She currently serves as Chair of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and Past Chair of Economic Development Lethbridge, and has also served several years on the YWCA Lethbridge & District Board, the Lethbridge Bar Association Board, as well as volunteered nationally and provincially with the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Alberta. 

Her community leadership earned her recognition as a 2026 Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Top 40 Under 40 recipient, and she continues to lead by example, sharing her legal knowledge and life experiences through speaking engagements including conferences, webinars, seminars, and podcasts. When Charlene is not practicing law or volunteering, she enjoys crocheting, playing piano, and writing for her own newsletter, The Scheffette, which earned a Canadian Law Blog Award (Clawbie) in 2022.

Justin works in the community development area within Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women. His first role was supporting non-profit groups affected by the 2013 Southern Alberta Floods, and over the years has morphed into non-profit sector capacity building through online and in-person governance learning and development training.

Justin’s background is in community organizing and engagement, program coordination and facilitation. He has a Master of Social Work degree specializing in International and Community Development from the University of Calgary. Highlights include a practicum with the United Nations Non-Government Organization Committee in New York. He has a wealth of experience working in diverse communities and organizations with diverse needs.

Mandy brings over 20 years of leadership experience, beginning as an Executive Director in the non-profit sector where she developed a passion for strong board leadership and effective governance. She later co-owned an award-winning Southern Alberta business and founded Collaborative Strategies Consulting Inc. in 2019. Her work supports Boards, senior leaders, and cross-sector organizations in strengthening governance frameworks, refining strategic direction, and aligning leadership practices with organizational values.

She holds a Diploma in Communication Arts (Lethbridge College), a BFA (University of Lethbridge), and an MA in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University). A Canadian Certified Counsellor and CPHR Candidate, Mandy combines governance expertise with insight into human dynamics and leadership behavior. In 2024, she was named a YWCA Woman of Distinction in Leadership & Empowerment.

Shelby is a Designated Professional at MNP LLP, in their Lethbridge office. As part of the firm’s Assurance Services Team, Shelby delivers a range of audit and compliance services to non-profit organizations, commercial businesses, and First Nation entities in a variety of industries.

She has been the senior team leader for several audit files ranging from owner managed to large corporate groups, as well as various municipalities and not-for-profit entities for over 3 years. This experience has allowed Shelby to gain extensive knowledge in auditing and specific reporting requirements within these industries.

With extensive executive leadership experience in the food-processing sector, firsthand insight as a small-business owner, and impactful roles across the public sector, Trevor brings a broad, pragmatic, and highly collaborative perspective to advancing economic growth in southern Alberta.

Trevor serves as Director of Growth & Engagement for Lethbridge County and is an instructor with Economic Developers Alberta, contributing to their award-winning community economic development training program. He is also Board Chair of the University of Lethbridge Property Group, overseeing development of the south campus.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Change Leadership Certificate, and professional designations including CPHR, CCLMP, ICD.D, PEcD and MCIPD.

Deeply engaged in community leadership, Trevor served as Mayor of the Village of Stirling until 2025 and previously sat on the boards of Economic Developers Alberta (including as President) and the Economic Developers Association of Canada. He was a founding Director and Corporate Secretary of Ridge Utilities Ltd.

Trevor’s contributions have been widely recognized. He received an honorary doctorate from the Claustro Doctoral Iberoamericano, was named 2019 Economic Developer of the Year by Economic Developers Alberta, and earned national recognition from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for his international capacity-building work in Belize and Jamaica. He is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Erika Scott (BA, MTS, CFRE) is an alum of the University of Lethbridge and is proud to lead a team of fundraisers and donor relations professionals in the University's External Relations department since 2022. This team is responsible for engaging with the University's dedicated and generous donors and alumni to help shape the University's future and to support student success. With over 15 years of prior experience across the non-profit and fundraising industries in both Calgary and Montreal, Erika has experience in very small and very big shops, and everything in between. Before joining the University of Lethbridge, Erika held several progressive roles at United Way of Calgary and Area in transformational and strategic giving where she developed an expertise in endowments, legacy giving, campaign planning and the powerful role of peer-to-peer volunteer (and board!) fundraising. She is a dedicated life-long learner who obtained a master's degree in 2010 from Harvard University after graduating from ULethbridge in 2008, and this fall, returned as a part-time student at the University of Lethbridge Dhillon School of Business in the Bachelor of Business Administration (second degree program). In 2025, Erika became a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She is excited to share her experience and expertise to mobilize and ignite the power of volunteer board leaders in Lethbridge!

Timothy Hachkowski is an entrepreneur, software developer, and real estate investor with deep expertise in large language models (LLMs), IT infrastructure, and real estate finance. As the creator and lead developer of Blueprint's Fund Director, he is building an AI-powered platform that automates private equity investing and asset management, enabling firms new to the space to scale into managing hundreds of millions of dollars in assets.

Timothy has also served as Chair and President of Economic Development Lethbridge, where he introduced AI-driven governance tools to improve efficiency and implemented board development initiatives. His work blends technical innovation with economic vision, always with a focus on helping others succeed.

He sees LLMs as a transformative opportunity to strengthen local economies, attract talent, and give Canadian communities a leading role in the creation and adoption of emerging technologies—ensuring that homegrown talent thrives and the next wave of AI innovation grows within Alberta’s borders.

For the past 20 years Karen has worked as a Community Development Officer with Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women to provide support to non-profits in the area of board governance, planning, community engagement, evaluation and fund development. She holds a Master of Science degree in Community Development, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a diploma in non-profit management.

Karen also stays active in community service with her involvement in Rotary, the YMCA, Community Foundation, and many other boards, committees, and projects across the region and province.  

Lane Anderson has worked in marketing since 2013 and has run his own agency since 2016. He co-owns Larry Marketing, offering full-service, strategy-based marketing for Lethbridge-area businesses and nonprofits. He also owns Otis Quality Garments, a custom suit business, and runs Your Quintessential Lethbridge, a community media project that includes the monthly Story Slam event series.

Lane brings first-hand board experience to his sessions: he currently serves on the board of the Community Foundation of Lethbridge & Southwestern Alberta, and previously completed full six-year terms with both Tourism Lethbridge and 5th on 5th Youth Services.

Jerry Firth is a Community Development Officer with the Community Development Unit of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women, supporting the non-profit and volunteer sector in building organizational and board capacity. His Blackfoot name is Píítaana (bee-dah-nah) meaning Eagle Man. Family is the heart of Jerry’s life. He is married to Tammy, and they have two children together, Addisen and Caydence. He has a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of  Social Work degree specializing in Leadership in Human Services from the University of Calgary; with extensive experience in different capacities within the human service and non-profit sector, as well as leadership capacities. Jerry is very involved in the community, having volunteered for various committees, boards, and projects.

Born and raised in Southern Alberta, Sandi brings with her a deep-rooted passion for community and an impressive track record of leadership. With many years of experience, Sandi has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting local organizations, building community partnerships, and leading with vision and heart. A dedicated volunteer herself, Sandi understands firsthand the power of giving back. Her long-standing involvement in community and regional initiatives reflects her belief in the value of service and the strength of collaboration.

Jesse Amos (He/Him) is an owner and senior technician at Altis MSP, a Lethbridge based managed services provider.  He graduated from the Computer Network Technologies program with honors from Lethbridge Community College in 2003 and has worked in various areas of IT in southern Alberta ever since. As the senior technician he is responsible for creating the computer policies and procedures used for administering corporate network of numerous small and medium sized businesses, and consulting with IT departments of various organizations regarding network technologies, telephony, and various other managed services. The last five years he's has had an increasing focus on IT policies to respond to the changing security landscape in addition to the day-to-day administration of client networks.