BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE RIVER VALLEY ALLIANCE HAS EIGHT MUNICIPAL DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE MUNICIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND EIGHT DIRECTORS AT LARGE.  

Municipal Directors

Councillor
Sandy Koroll,
Town of Devon
Councillor
AnnLisa Jensen,
Parkland County

AnnLisa currently represents Division 1 on Parkland County Council. She serves on several boards and committees, both as a volunteer and in her elected role. These include the River Valley Alliance Board of Directors, community policing, inter-municipally led watershed management steering committees and as an Alberta regional board member for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.  She also represents all rural municipalities in Alberta as an elected member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board of Directors.

Prior to election, she dedicated her career to municipal government as a senior-level administrator in economic, cultural and tourism development.

Councillor
Sarah Hamilton,
City of Edmonton
Sarah is proud to be City Councillor for Edmonton’s Ward 5. Prior to her election, she served as an educator, journalist, small business owner, and has held various public service-oriented roles in provincial and municipal government. Growing up in west Edmonton, Sarah received degrees from the University of Alberta and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has spent much of her life active in her community through volunteer work. She enjoys Edmonton’s river valley and unique arts and culture scene and considers Edmonton one of the most forward-thinking cities in Canada with some of the best prospects for continued and sustainable growth.
Councillor
Aaron Paquette,
City of Edmonton
Aaron was elected to Edmonton City Council in October, 2017. His work is shaped by his passion for community building and common-sense decision making. Aaron works hard for good jobs and a thriving economy. He is known for his calls for responsible budgeting, accessible transit, and investments in the local food economy. Prior to his election to Council, Aaron owned a thriving small business and worked as an award-winning Indigenous artist and author.
Councillor
Robert Parks,
Strathcona County
Robert worked in the financial services industry for almost a decade, starting in the branch network as a Financial Advisor, and later as a Branch Manager and then in Agricultural Lending Practices. After leaving the bank, Robert worked extensively with small, medium and large organizations in assisting them build their footprint and grow their business. He is actively involved with the United Way’s Tools for School Program and believes that all children deserve an equal opportunity to achieve their version of success. Robert’s hobbies include golf in the summer and five-pin bowling in the winter.
Councillor
Wayne Bokenfohr,
Sturgeon County
Councillor
Gordon Harris,
Fort Saskatchewan
Councillor Gordon Harris was elected as Councillor for the City of Fort Saskatchewan in October 2017. Gordon is a passionate supporter of the City's outstanding recreational amenities including its river valley trail network. Prior to his election to Council he served as a public representative on the River Valley Alliance Advisory Committee.
 
 

Directors at Large

Guy Bridgeman,
Board Chair, City of Edmonton

Guy has over 30 years of experience in the Alberta energy industry. He retired from EPCOR Utilities in 2020 after 25 years of service; the last 14 years as a member of the Executive team. Guy served in a number of Executive roles including Chief Financial Officer, SVP of EPCOR Water Canada, SVP of EPCOR Electricity and SVP of EPCOR Energy Services.

Guy currently serves as a Director on four Boards: the University of Alberta Board of Governors, River Valley Alliance Board of Directors, Edmonton Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), and Rohit Developments Advisory Board.

Marcel Chichak,
City of Edmonton

Marcel is a Professional Engineer specializing in transportation planning, river engineering and bridge structures. He has served on volunteer boards for decades, primarily focusing on local history and historic infrastructure.

Although he retired from full time consulting, he continues to provide senior review and mentorship within the industry. In his spare time he’s an avid trail runner, marathoner and recreational cyclist.

He sits on RVA’s Implementation Committee contributing his extensive knowledge of river valley trails, geotechnical and river engineering.

Bob Horton,
Strathcona County

Bob is a Professional Engineer with a background in management, design and construction, real estate development, and land sales and acquisition.

He has volunteered on numerous local, regional and international boards and committees, and is the Chair of the RVA’s Implementation Committee.

Michael Gardiner,
City of Edmonton
Michael is a Director and Portfolio Manager at Scotia Wealth Management. He’s responsible for the strategic direction of the Gardiner Group, which works closely with High Net Worth families and Institutional clients for their Wealth Management needs.  He’s been involved with the RVA for over a decade, serving on various committees and is the current Chair of the Finance committee and a Board member at large for the City of Edmonton.
Cathy Kiss,
Strathcona County
Cathy is the Principal of Crown Strategic Consulting Inc., an Alberta-based public affairs firm that works with local and national organizations to sustain and grow their businesses by navigating government, policy development, the regulatory and legislative processes, and the shifting political, social and economic landscapes.  Cathy has been involved with many community organizations including the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Make Something Edmonton, the United Way Cabinet, Women United as well as the Government Relations Committee for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.  She currently sits as a Board member for the River Valley Alliance, Compassion House Foundation and the Edmonton Police Foundation.
John McGladdery,
Strathcona County
John is a Professional Biologist and Agrologist who believes that the North Saskatchewan River Valley is the Capital Region's greatest asset. Creating an end-to-end park enables enjoyment of this resource while preserving it for future generations. Each summer he enjoys a multi-day canoe trip with friends anywhere from Drayton to Waskatenau.
Katherine O’Neill,
City of Edmonton
Katherine joined the YWCA Edmonton as Chief Executive Officer in March 2020. She has worked in leadership positions in communications and politics throughout her career. A writer by trade, she spent most of her journalism career working as a national correspondent with the Globe and Mail, dispatching stories from across Canada and even the dusty battlefields of Afghanistan in 2008. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Journalism from Carleton University. She lives in Edmonton close to the Mackenzie Ravine and the river valley trail system and is passionate about introducing more people to this incredible natural community resource.
Wendy Boje, Interim CEC Chair,
Parkland County