Members of our Board share a vision for thriving communities across Alberta and, through a generative governance model, provide leadership on their vision for Volunteer Alberta. The Volunteer Alberta Board honours the values of curiosity, care, collaboration, authenticity, and courage.
Our Board represents the many corners of Alberta and includes rural and urban representation, Volunteer Centre representatives, and professionals working in a variety of roles. In celebrating a diversity of perspective, skills, and experience, as well as personal networks of influence, Directors on the Board bring their individual knowledge to inform the work of the Board and Volunteer Alberta.
Directors are responsible for the effective governance of the organization, which includes fiscal responsibility, strategic directions, and generative leadership. Directors are informed on sector trends and the impact of volunteerism. They participate in the Board’s deliberations and decisions in the governance areas of policy, finance, senior personnel, advocacy, and education.
Robyn Blackadar joined Volunteer Alberta Board in 2024 and brings over 30 years in Alberta’s nonprofit and public sector rural perspective. Currently, Robyn is a part-time instructor at the School of Business, University of Alberta, teaching nonprofit organization management, public and nonprofit leadership courses. She volunteers with the Seniors Advisory Committee, Strathcona County Social Framework Grants Advisory Committee, Strathcona County National Advisory Committee on Nonprofit Data Lab.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary, a Master of Business Administration, Senior/Executive Management Development certificate, and a Canadian Health Services Research Foundation/Center for Knowledge Transfer Training Award from the University of Alberta. She participates in numerous province-wide, as well as national committees and strategies. Robyn has had many valuable opportunities to support provincial system change, with initiatives such as A Stronger, Safer Tomorrow, Valuing Mental Health Strategy, Building an Inclusive Education System, Early Childhood Research and Innovation Strategy, and Integrated Youth Mental Health Hubs.
Some Alberta nonprofits that Robyn values include: ECVO – strong ability to engage and build capacity with other nonprofits; Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters – collaborative, innovative, great relationship development; and Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society – critical services provided, strong leadership and reach, vital mission.
Robyn’s favourite place in Alberta is Abraham Lake in the David Thompson Region. She has 3 grandsons and love to spend time with them outdoors on our acreage in Strathcona County. She also plays the violin in an amateur string orchestra and provide music in continuing care homes.
Hala Ezzeddine, from Grande Prairie, joined the VA Board as a Director in June 2024. She brings her experience in the nonprofit sector, advocacy, knowledge from volunteering in rural/remote communities, open-mindedness, and tech and business saavy.
Hala is the Vice President Internal of the Students Association of Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP), a nonprofit within the post secondary institution. Her role as VP Internal is to strengthen ties within the institution, advocate for students, and oversee the student club portfolio as well as Student Council. She sits on multiple boards/committees within the institution and the Students Association. Hala was awarded Volunteer of the Year 2023 for outstanding volunteerism at NWP. Before starting at the Students Association, she was involved with the NWP Student Ambassador Program. Having also completed 2 years of her Bachelors of Education, she switched paths to pursue a degree in Business.
One of the nonprofits she admires is the Sunrise House, based in Grande Prairie. Having volunteered there a few times, it has become a special place in her heart. The Sunrise House is a youth emergency shelter helping youth at risk of being homeless. Hala has also volunteered at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.
Her favourite place in Alberta is the Valleyview Burger Baron. Having spent her childhood in Valleyview, her parents used to manage the Burger Baron, and she has fond memories (also the food is AMAZING!). Hala is obsessed with musicals, K-Pop, and has a passion for learning.
Aedon Janes joined VA’s Board of Directors in June 2023, bringing over three years of nonprofit experience with a focus on rural, youth, and Indigenous communities. He has served on the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Board and actively participated in the National Association of Friendship Centres and Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association youth committee, the latter of which he admires for their commitment to empowering Indigenous youth.
Aedon calls Grande Prairie home and considers Edmonton his second home as a fourth-year accounting student at the University of Alberta. During his degree, he received the Laurence Decore Award for Student Leadership and the Don & JoAnn Gnatiuk Leadership Award. He currently works as a summer student for Fletcher Mudryk and will continue there after receiving his degree. He previously worked a Accounts Payable Administrator for Atco Frontec Ltd. and part-time operational manager for Uniteam. Outside of board responsibilities, he enjoys cooking, chess, and piano.
Naomi (she/her) has volunteered for many organizations and causes, and particularly loves giving her time to support environmental education, refugee settlement, local community initiatives/events, and youth mentorship. Currently working as a Community Development Officer with the Government of Alberta, Naomi supports nonprofits and government Ministries in their efforts to engage communities in decision making, collaborate in new ways, and create impact in the face of complex challenges. Past roles have included coordinating a provincial social innovation network (ABSI Connect), and serving as a Global Learning Advisor with Calgary-based Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technologies. In her spare time, Naomi can be found chasing her toddler around, hiking in the mountains, baking bread and other tasty delights, and playing in the snow/garden (depending on the season).
Corinne joined the Volunteer Alberta Board as a Director in June 2021, bringing her experience working in the sport sector. As an avid user of parks and recreation facilities, she really appreciates the unity of the Alberta Parks & Recreation Association and their commitment to building healthy communities.
Currently, Corinne is working with City of Calgary as a Sport Advisor, working with sport partners on their organizational health so they can focus on delivering strong sport and recreational opportunities to the community. She previously worked with Hockey Canada, the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary and the Oilers Entertainment Group, and has a Bachelor of Business and Entrepreneurship, Sport and Recreation from Mount Royal University.
Corinne is a sun worshipper who loves being outdoors year-round. With Calgary as her home base, some of her favourite activities take place on mountain lakes with paddleboarding in the summer and wild ice skating in the winter. Corinne is an avid traveler who has explored over 50 countries around the globe (and counting!).
Amanda Jensen was elected to the Board in 2024. She brings 25 years in Alberta’s nonprofit sector, including four years as Executive Director of Volunteer Lethbridge, an organization deeply involved in all things volunteer management.
She also has four years of experience as a nonprofit governance instructor for Alberta Arts, Culture & Status of Women (formerly Alberta Culture & Tourism), was a member of the Funding Allocation Committee for the United Way of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, and a former Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lethbridge & District. She has many short term volunteer commitments, such as The Big Cook, Coulee Clean Up, and helping at casinos for various organizations.
Amanda is enamored with the Kids Cancer Care Foundation. Her son was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2016 and the Foundation provided them with a full “Christmas” in that first year, giving her son an opportunity to attend a camp every summer that catered to the unique needs of children battling various types of cancer. Related, the Make-A-Wish Foundation became a pretty important part of their lives. Her son’s wish was recently granted – the family went to the NBA All-Star Game – not only did they get tickets, they also met and had photo opps with ALL East and West team members. Something never to be forgotten. The Make-A-Wish Foundation made it easy to attend, held them in the palm of their hands throughout the experience, and went above and beyond.
Amanda spent a summer working for Travel Alberta in Blairmore and can’t get enough of the Crowsnest Pass. Currently located in Lethbridge, Amanda has four kids, ranging from 14-21 (hoping teenagers like her again one day!). She is obsessed with stand-up comedy – some favourites include Jo Koy, Taylor Tomlinson, and Gary Gulman.
Ken Kirk joined VA’s Board of Directors in June 2022. He is a passionate, results-oriented business executive with a long history of building trust and nurturing relationships. Over 30+ years, he has held many roles in a variety of sectors that included strategic planning, business development, relationship building, business analysis, needs assessments, and most recently coaching. His expertise also includes market share strategy and execution, technology implementation, organizational transformation, and performance optimization. Ken leverages his diverse experience across both for profit and nonprofit sectors, enhancing his ability to cross-pollinate ideas and strategies. Ken’s lifelong interest in his community has led to roles in coaching, training, serving as co-Chair of Fighting Blindness, and acting as CEO of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate. He believes that volunteering is fundamental to a healthy community and emphasizes the need to attract and retain the energy and ingenuity of our youth. Ken’s extended family, including four grandchildren, has further deepened his passion for fostering a healthy community where children can be safe and nurtured.
Bio to be added soon!