MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION - Key Persons
AileenGiesbrechtisapassionatecommunitybuilderandisproudtoholdthepositionofCityClerkfortheCityofEdmonton.ShehasheldavarietyofpositionssincejoiningtheCityin2005,includingChiefofStaff,ExecutiveDirectorCommonwealthGamesBid2022,aswellasleadingteamsinCorporateBusinessPlanningandPerformanceMeasurement.PriortohertenureattheCityofEdmonton,AileenspentadecadeinScotlandworkinginavarietyofsocialinclusionpartnershipsandtheScottishGovernment.
SheisagraduateofboththeUniversityofAlbertaandtheUniversityofGlasgowandhasembarkedonajourneyoflifelongcontinuingeducation,includingtheHarvardKennedySchoolExecutiveProgram,andtheJudyProjectatRotmanSchoolofManagement.
AileenhasrecentlyjoinedtheMentalHealthFoundationasaTrusteeandChairoftheGovernanceCommitteeandisinspiredbythevisionoftheFoundationtoworkwithcommunities,raisingfundstoenhancementalhealthandaddictionsrecoverythroughresearchandinnovation,education,andcare.AileenlovesEdmontonsummersandwintersandsharesherpassionforoutdooractivitieswithherhusband,Scott,andson,Emerson.
GordGilroywasborn,raisedandeducatedinEdmonton.HegraduatedfromtheUniversityofAlbertain1986withadegreeinBusiness.FromtherehefoundedVisionCreativein1987andoperatesittodaywithtwobusinesspartnersand10employees.GordiscurrentlyamemberoftheUofASenate.PreviousboardcommitmentsincludeCanadianBreastCancerFoundation,HabitatforHumanity,StolleryChildren'sHospitalFoundation,theArtGalleryofAlbertaandtheGlenoraRotaryClub.GordhasbeenmarriedtohiswifeAngiesince1996andtogethertheyhavetwoadultkids-JackandGrace.Inhissparetimeheenjoyshiking/skiingtheCanadianRockies,travelabroadandartinitsvariousforms.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Donor Impact & Engagement
Job Titles:
- Fund Development Coordinator
DonnaisaCPA,CMAwithover25yearsofexperienceinvariousindustriesincluding,construction,manufacturing,not-for-profit,anddistribution.SheiscurrentlytheDirectorofSharedServicesforWomenBuildingFuturesSociety,anot-for-profitprovidingtrainingtowomenandassistingthemtogaineconomicsecurity.
Donnahasbeenmarriedfor34years.Together,herandTravishavetwogrownchildrenandthreepreciousgrandchildren.Whennotworkingorvolunteering,Donnaenjoysspendingtimewithherfamily,reading,enjoyingtheoutdoors,andsocializingwithfriends.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Events & Engagement
Job Titles:
- Digital Media and Content Coordinator
BradHaws,adedicated4th-yearcommunicationsstudentspecializinginpublicrelationsatMountRoyalUniversity,isaninvaluablememberoftheMentalHealthFoundation'steam.Withadiverseacademicbackground,includingpublicrelations,businessadministration,andradiobroadcasting,Bradbringsauniqueblendofskillsandpassiontoourmission.
HisjourneyatMountRoyalUniversityhasallowedBradtocultivateessentialskillsandinsightsthatdirectlycontributetotheFoundation'swork.Withaprofounddedicationtomentalhealthadvocacyandourmission,BradhashonedhiswritingskillstoeffectivelyconveytheFoundation'smessage.
WhattrulydrivesBradisadeep-seatedcommitmenttopromotingmentalhealth,rootedinastrongsenseofcommunityandagenuinedesiretomakeameaningfuldifference.Hisbackgroundincommunicatingwithnewsorganizations,socialmediawriting,andcorporatebrandingpositionshimasagreatadvocateforourcause.
ServingasthenewDirectorofCommunications,Rolandohasdecadesofexperienceincommunications,projectmanagement,andleadershiproles.Asancommunicationsandengagementspecialist,anentrepreneur,andanonprofitleader,Rolandohasreceivednumerousrecognitionsandhonoursforhisworkandvolunteerism.Heisdrivenbycontributionandcreatingdynamicteamsfulloffunandgrowthopportunities.
Over25years,hehasgainedexperiencedevelopingbusinessstrategies,operationalizingplans,aswellaswithoutcomeandperformanceevaluations.Rolandowasresponsiblefordevelopinganengagementframeworkfor40,000+MétiscitizensacrossAlberta,andgrownastart-upto20staffand$1.5Minrevenuewithinitsfirstyear.Hehasdraftedandimplementedinternalandexternalcommunicationsstrategies,createdproceduresandpolicies,andhasbeenthekeycontactonseveralinitiativesreceivingnationalmediaattention.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- President & CEO of Edmonton John Howard Society
DeAnnisthePresident&CEOofEdmontonJohnHowardSocietyworkingtoeradicatetherootcausesofcrimetobuildsafeandhealthycommunities.Asaseasonedexecutivewithmorethan20yearsinbusiness,healthcareandthecommunitysector,DeAnnisknownfordrivingtransformationalchange,maximizingoperationalexcellenceandbuildingcollaborationstoenhancethelivesofindividuals.DeAnnispassionateaboutmentalhealthandcommunitydevelopment.ShehasheldnumerouscommunityboardappointmentsincludingBoardChairforBoys'&Girls'ClubsBigBrothersBigSisters,BoardChairforTerraCentreandaBoardmemberwiththeMentalHealthFoundation.DeAnnholdsanundergraduatedegreeinCriminology&CriminalJusticeandaMBAinexecutiveleadership.Inhersparetime,DeAnncanbefoundonthesoccerfieldandrunninginEdmonton'sbeautifulrivervalley.
MohammadAsifisaforward-thinkingprofessionalwithover20yearsofprogressiveexperienceinBusinessDevelopment,RetailBanking,FinancialPlanning,BranchManagement,Hospitality,RealEstate,andBusinessConsultancy.MohammadisbestknownforhispassionforcoachingnewimmigrantsandsupportingMentalHealthinthecommunity.Hehasreceivedservalcommunityawardsandrecognitions.MohammadispassionateaboutraisingMentalHealthawarenessinhisorganizationandinthecommunityandhasevensharedhispersonalmentalhealthstorypublicly.MohammadholdsaMaster'sDegreeinBusinessAdministrationfromAthabascaUniversityandaBachelor'sDegreeinEconomicsfromtheUniversityofthePunjab.
Deborahisafundraisingprofessionalwithmorethan15yearsoffunddevelopmentleadershipexperienceandatrackrecordofraisingmorethan$30M.DebsteppeduptoherroleasMHF'sPresident&CEOafterformerlyservingasVice-President,PhilanthropyatCovenantFoundationEdmonton.Shehasalsoservedas:Director,FundDevelopment,YWCA,Edmonton;Director,Children'sMiracleNetwork&NationalPartnerships,SickKidsFoundation,Toronto;andSeniorManagerAnnualFundraisingPrograms/Children'sMiracleNetwork,StolleryChildren'sHospitalFoundation.SheisalsoaboardmemberforYMCAEdmontonFoundation.Inhersparetime,Deblovestocookandhangoutwithherhusbandanddogs.
Job Titles:
- AHS Representative
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry
NicholasMitchellisanAssistantProfessorintheDepartmentofPsychiatryattheUniversityofAlberta,andtheSeniorMedicalDirectoroftheAddictionandMentalHealthStrategicClinicalNetworkandProvincialMedicalDirectorfortheAddictionandMentalHealthProvincialTeamwithinAlbertaHealthServices.InhisroleswithAHSheisinvolvedingovernmentandcommunitystakeholderrelations,policy,strategy,andresearchandinnovationwithagoalofimprovingthequalityofhealthcareforAlbertans.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Executive & Board Operations
GordGilroywasborn,raisedandeducatedinEdmonton.HegraduatedfromtheUniversityofAlbertain1986withadegreeinBusiness.FromtherehefoundedVisionCreativein1987andoperatesittodaywithtwobusinesspartnersand10employees.GordiscurrentlyamemberoftheUofASenate.PreviousboardcommitmentsincludeCanadianBreastCancerFoundation,HabitatforHumanity,StolleryChildren'sHospitalFoundation,theArtGalleryofAlbertaandtheGlenoraRotaryClub.GordhasbeenmarriedtohiswifeAngiesince1996andtogethertheyhavetwoadultkids-JackandGrace.Inhissparetimeheenjoyshiking/skiingtheCanadianRockies,travelabroadandartinitsvariousforms.
YaldaKazemiisaPolicySpecialist,publishedAuthor,Speaker,andMentalHealthAdvocate.Herpersonalexperiencewithpostpartummentalillnesshasledheronamissiontobeavoiceforthosewhosufferinsilence.Yaldaworkstoraiseawarenessandbreakstigmasassociatedwithmentalillness,throughstrategiesdiscussedinherbook,corporateeducationalsessions,policyreview/development,andpublicspeaking.SheistheFounderofstylEsteemIncandhasaBScinPsychologyandaBComminMarketing.Yaldalovestospendtimewithherson,family,andfriendsandlovestoexperimentwithfashiontoexpresshercreativeside.
Jillisaprofessionalfundraiserwithover11yearsofhands-onexperienceinthenonprofitindustry.SheholdsaBachelorofBusinessdegreefromOkanaganCollegewithadoublemajorinManagementandMarketing.JillspentseveralyearsworkinginfunddevelopmentatCampHealth,Hope&Happiness(i.e.CampHeHoHa)andthoroughlyenjoyedmakingsummercampdreamscometrueforchildrenandadultswithdisabilities.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Philanthropy
MickeyMelnykhasworkedfortheMentalHealthFoundationsinceSeptember2022.
Mickeyhasover20yearsoffunddevelopmentexperienceinmajorgifts,donorstewardship,communityrelations,fundraising,andeventandprojectmanagement.Duringhiscareer,MickeyhasalsoworkedforCovenantFoundation,EdmontonOpera,AlbertaBallet,MacEwanUniversity,AlbertaChambersofCommerce,andEnbridge.Mickeyledandorganizedspecialeventsduringthe2010VancouverWinterOlympics.
Heispast-PresidentandFounderoftheAlbertaPianoChamberSocietyandpast-BoardofTrusteeoftheEdmontonSymphonySocietyandEdmontonConcertHallFoundation.Hechairedthe2001EnbridgeUnitedWayCampaignraisingover$212,000fortheAlbertaCapitalRegion.In2015,heledandorganizedtheEdmontonOperagala,whichraisedover$350,000.
Mickeyisknownforexcellentrelationshipbuildingandstewardship.HeobtainedhisPublicRelationsDiplomafromMacEwanUniversityin2005.Mickeystudiedpianoperformancesincefiveandplaysatconcertlevel.Heenjoysgardening,hiking,travellingtoseemuseumsandexperiencingdifferentcultures.
Job Titles:
- Fund Development Committee Chair
MohammadAsifisaforward-thinkingprofessionalwithover20yearsofprogressiveexperienceinBusinessDevelopment,RetailBanking,FinancialPlanning,BranchManagement,Hospitality,RealEstate,andBusinessConsultancy.MohammadisbestknownforhispassionforcoachingnewimmigrantsandsupportingMentalHealthinthecommunity.Hehasreceivedservalcommunityawardsandrecognitions.MohammadispassionateaboutraisingMentalHealthawarenessinhisorganizationandinthecommunityandhasevensharedhispersonalmentalhealthstorypublicly.MohammadholdsaMaster'sDegreeinBusinessAdministrationfromAthabascaUniversityandaBachelor'sDegreeinEconomicsfromtheUniversityofthePunjab.
RoseanneisaCharteredProfessionalAccountant(CPA)withover20yearsofexperience,whohasspentthemajorityofhercareerprovidingstrategicandadvisorysupporttobusinessclients.SheiscurrentlytheChiefFinancialOfficerattheUniversityofAlbertaHospitalFoundationEdmonton.Shepreviouslyranherownconsultancyfirmworkingwithclientsworkingacrosscountlessindustries-includingtechnology,financialservices,realestate,benefitsandnot-for-profit.Whennotsupportingherclients,Roseannecanbefoundspendingtimewithherfamily,enjoyingtheoutdoors,delvingintoanewbookorgivingbacktothecommunitybyvolunteeringwithlocalsportsorganizationsandcharities.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Communications
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Chartered Professional Accountant
AileenGiesbrechtisapassionatecommunitybuilderandisproudtoholdthepositionofCityClerkfortheCityofEdmonton.ShehasheldavarietyofpositionssincejoiningtheCityin2005,includingChiefofStaff,ExecutiveDirectorCommonwealthGamesBid2022,aswellasleadingteamsinCorporateBusinessPlanningandPerformanceMeasurement.PriortohertenureattheCityofEdmonton,AileenspentadecadeinScotlandworkinginavarietyofsocialinclusionpartnershipsandtheScottishGovernment.
SheisagraduateofboththeUniversityofAlbertaandtheUniversityofGlasgowandhasembarkedonajourneyoflifelongcontinuingeducation,includingtheHarvardKennedySchoolExecutiveProgram,andtheJudyProjectatRotmanSchoolofManagement.
AileenhasrecentlyjoinedtheMentalHealthFoundationasaTrusteeandChairoftheGovernanceCommitteeandisinspiredbythevisionoftheFoundationtoworkwithcommunities,raisingfundstoenhancementalhealthandaddictionsrecoverythroughresearchandinnovation,education,andcare.AileenlovesEdmontonsummersandwintersandsharesherpassionforoutdooractivitieswithherhusband,Scott,andson,Emerson.
NicholasMitchellisanAssistantProfessorintheDepartmentofPsychiatryattheUniversityofAlberta,andtheSeniorMedicalDirectoroftheAddictionandMentalHealthStrategicClinicalNetworkandProvincialMedicalDirectorfortheAddictionandMentalHealthProvincialTeamwithinAlbertaHealthServices.InhisroleswithAHSheisinvolvedingovernmentandcommunitystakeholderrelations,policy,strategy,andresearchandinnovationwithagoalofimprovingthequalityofhealthcareforAlbertans.
Job Titles:
- Donor Engagement Coordinator
ShreyaSharmaisacurrentstudentattheUniversityofAlbertastudyingComputersciencetobeaninnovatorwithapassionforcreatingasustainablefuture.Thispassionhasledhertoactivelyengagewithnon-profitorganizations,usinghertechnicalskillstomakemeaningfulcontributionstocausesshecaresabout.Beyondhertechnicalaptitude,Shreyaisalsoafreelanceartist,operatingasmallbusinessonInstagramarounddigitalportraitsandtemplates.SheadvocatesfortheartsandservedasaGraphicIllustratorforTheGateway,thestudentpaperattheUniversityofAlberta.Inherfreetime,youcanfindherreadingfictionbooks,painting,tryingnewrestaurantsaroundthecityorwatchingsunsets.