Staff
Lori McRitchie - Executive Director
Meghan West - Programs Manager
After graduating from the University of Guelph with a B.A.Sc in Nutrition and a few years working in the non-profit sector, Meghan attended the University of Victoria to complete her Masters of Education. She values collaboration and creativity to create opportunities for all to find the joy and comfort of community through sharing food and skills with each other.
Growing up in northern Ontario fostered Meghan’s love of the outdoors and inspired her to lead canoe trips for many summers. Since becoming an Albertan she has learned to backcountry ski and loves exploring new routes and trails! Although she loves a good dose of fresh air she is also a fan of curling up with a bowl of kettle chips to watch a BBC mystery.
Christine Taylor - Events, Marketing and Communications Manager
Events Assistant - Hailey Mclean
Carolyn Geertsen - Volunteer Coordinator
Barbara Thomsen - Executive Assistant
Barbara has a long career in bookkeeping, financial & statistical reporting & payroll administration. She currently applies her breadth of expertise to her role of Executive Assistant.
It is the personal touches and mindful attention of the Food Bank Team that bring Barbara particular joy. One of her favorite tasks is sending thank-you letters to the generous community of “Neighbour’s helping Neighbour’s”.
Barbara raised a family in Airdrie, before moving to BC in the 80’s and is excited to be reunited with the Airdrie community as an ambassador for the Airdrie Food Bank
Michelle Rousel - Client Care Coordinator
After graduating from the University of Alberta with a degree in Special Education, Michelle pursued her teaching career in Prince Edward Island, Red Deer, and recently retired from Rocky View School Division in Airdrie where she taught Kindergarten, Grade One and Learning Support.
Michelle lives in Airdrie with her husband and two adult sons. She has spent numerous hours at the rink, on the soccer field, and at the basketball court cheering on her boys. She now spends her free time hiking in the mountains, reading, and walking the paths in Airdrie with the newest addition to their family, Ringo.
Angela Hetherington - Client Care Admin
Angela returned to Airdrie in the fall of 2017 and was hired on at the Foodbank in the fall of 2018, in her spare time she loves to watch British movies/sitcoms, working out and hanging out with friends.
Lynn Blackburn - Client Care Admin
Robert Hughes - Warehouse Coordinator
Luke - Warehouse Assistant
2020- 2021 Board of Directors
Tracy Seaman - Chair
Tracy brings over 20 years’ experience providing practical, results-oriented HR solutions. Her core competencies include strategic planning, change management, policy development, talent acquisition, coaching, learning & development, legislative compliance, employee relations, and compensation & benefits.
Tracy has a passion for developing and sustaining corporate culture through effective HR and businesses practices. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and the Chartered Professional in Human Resource (CPHR) designation. She has worked with public company and non-profit Board of Directors.
Tracy is excited about the opportunity to bring her HR experience to the Board, providing a way of giving back to the community and supporting such a critical service organization in Airdrie.
Words to live by...
“We rise by lifting others” – Robert Ingersoll
Paul Brophy - Treasurer
Tony Mauro - Vice Chair
Cam Acheson - Director
Nicholas A. Sawkiw - Director
Sandra Wilkinson - Director
She is a licensed Realtor serving Airdrie and the surrounding communities. Before her career change to real estate, Sandra has an extensive background in Human Resources. Her HR experience includes full cycle recruiting, Human Resources Information Systems management and benefits administration. Thriving as an adaptable multi-tasker, Sandra is committee and dedicated to cooperative teamwork, especially when enriching her community.
In her spare time you can find her building her business, enjoying time outdoors with the kids and dog, or spending summer family time at the lake.
Since 2017 she has volunteered for events with the Brakemen Foundation in Calgary which focuses on Zero Hungry Kids in schools. Sandra is very excited to join such an integral service organization of our community and to contributing her skills and experience to best support the success of the Airdrie Food Bank.
Lori Reist - Secretary
Lori holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mount Saint Vincent University. Before changing career paths to better serve her family she developed significant management and administrative experience including human resources, document control, IT, fundraising and office management.
Lori also helped found and runs a program called Project Jack & Jill. To date Project Jack & Jill, along side the previously established Airdrie Dads Adopt-A-Grad, have raised over $24,000 helping to send over 65 graduates to grad dressed to impress and have also provided $7,000 to four Airdrie high schools to be used to assist families with grad ticket costs. Their goal is to help more students in subsequent years as word spreads of the initiatives.
Lori is eager to bring her education and experiences to the Board, to help contribute to the success of the Food Bank and is thrilled to be part of the Food Bank family.
Rob Agnew - Director
Rob and his family moved to Airdrie in the fall of 2005. His family chose Airdrie for a variety of reasons: The city was growing fast, had a high proportion of young people, had a commitment to environmental issues and had a community feel that reminded them of where they came from. Since 2005 Rob has contributed to that community feel by filling the role of manager, treasurer or coach, often for multiple teams at ADSA, AMHA & RMLL. He has also been involved with the local schools and volunteered at various events and organizations. He and his family have been helping out at the Airdrie Food Bank for the last 5 years.
Rob spent the first half of his working years managing people and operations in the retail grocery industry. He implemented several operational policies relating to reducing out of stocks on specialty items and a shrink reduction in the perishable departments that were adopted company wide. For the last 15 years Rob has been helping people with their tax preparation needs and consulting with small to mid-size businesses on financial, tax and human resource matters. He enjoys getting to know new people and helping them achieve their goals.
Rob enjoys being active and can be found on the golf course, at the hockey rink, hiking in the mountains or kayaking between them. At home he enjoys reading, gardening and game nights with family and friends.
Dr. Phil Hoffman - Director
An Airdrie resident since relocating from Calgary with my partner Suze Casey in 2018, I volunteer at the Food Bank and bring a wide range of relevant professional skills and competencies to the Board.Most of my career has been in the Alberta post-secondary education sector as an instructor and administrator, including over six years as an Associate Dean at SAIT, where I specialized in faculty development, teaching excellence and implementing baccalaureate degrees. More recently, I have been an advisor and consultant to organizations including Keyano College and the Alberta Energy Regulator.In addition, I have experience at the Executive Director level in the Alberta not-for-profit sector and extensive experience as a board member or volunteer for various groups, including Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the Calgary Folk Club and the National Music Centre. Contributing as a volunteer stems from a committed service ethic and a strong desire to give back to my community. I am also a published author of three books on philosophy and the philosophy of physics, and have recorded several CDs of original acoustic guitar music. home he enjoys reading, gardening and game nights with family and friends.
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