Elected by Our Members
Board of Directors
Our board is comprised of nine directors. Three directors are elected each year, although this can vary depending on vacancies.
There are three officers of the board: chair, vice chair, and secretary. Board appointment of officers, committees and representatives takes place each year following the annual general meeting. The board is based on a democratic structure and is committed to ensuring good corporate governance within the Association.
The board operates with four standing committees: Audit, Governance, Co-operative Relations, and Performance and Compensation.
Board Chair - Terry Geib
Education and professional designations:
Bachelor of Human Ecology, University of Manitoba; Director’s Certification – Level 1 & 2, Community Relations, University of Calgary; Foundation Certificate in Information Technology Service Management, Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology; Professional Home Economist.
Occupation and work experience:
Calgary Co-op Director; Issue strategist, Calgary Fire Department; 15 plus years marketing, communications, strategic planning and IT project management for City of Calgary.
Involvement with Calgary Co-op or other co-operatives:
Vice Chairman, Board Secretary, Governance Committee Chair, PACC, Audit and Member Relations Committees; Co-op Trustee, director: Alberta Community Co-operatives Association and Calgary Co-operative Memorial Society (volunteer); starting Calgary funeral co-op (volunteer).
Board related experience, skills and/or qualifications:
Board director certification; Board Governance, Parliamentary Procedures; lead process to hire new Calgary Co-op CEO; skilled in food science, consumer behaviour and education; 9-yrs on Calgary Co-op board, 6-yrs ACCA board, 2-yrs CCMS board; strong network with Canadian and UK co-op businesses.
Board Vice Chair - Laura Sullivan
Education and professional designations:
DipT. Food Science, BGS, MBA
Occupation and work experience:
COO for a mobile software and content testing company, based in Calgary. Over 20 years experience in general and project management, in a number of industries including food manufacturing, software and telecom.
Involvement with Calgary Co-op or other co-operatives:
Member of Calgary Co-op, Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Affiliation with employees, contractors or anyone associated with Calgary Co-op:
NA
Community or volunteer involvement:
Over 25 years of volunteering for programs, fund raising, governance, and coaching, including: StoryBook Theatre Society, GSW Karate Club, Sea Lions Swim Club, Calgary Academy, Mother Mary Greene School, Calgary Science School, Special Olympics (Burnaby) and PACT.
Your governance and/or oversight experience, skills and qualifications:
Calgary Co-op Director: Audit Committee Chair (2007-2009); Governance Committee Chair (2009-2010)
Alberta Board Development Program Volunteer: workshop facilitator (2006-2008) and trainer to volunteer facilitators (2009-2010)
StoryBook Theatre Society Director: President (2002-2003)
International Business Advisory Group, University of Calgary, Member (2000-2001)
Board Secretary - Peggy LeSueur
Education and professional designations: Bachelor of Science, Agriculture; Masters of Science, Agriculture; Professional Agrologist (PAg).
Occupation and work experience:
Twenty-five years of diversified experience in the food and agriculture industries including senior positions in marketing and operations within the grain, beef and food sectors in Alberta. Consulted on food product development and consumer acceptance of food products. Responsible for on-time, on-budget delivery of business projects with bottom line financial responsibility. Board member on Alberta’s Agriculture and Food Council for six years. Previously worked in investment for AVAC Ltd., an Alberta based investor in early-stage businesses, and is presently employed with Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions, which invests in science and research to grow prosperity in Alberta's agriculture, forestry and healthy food sectors.
Involvement with Calgary Co-op (and its subsidiaries) or other co-operatives:
Dedicated Calgary Co-op shopper and member since 1985; Member of the Calgary Co-op Member Relations Committee since 2009; Employee at Alberta Wheat Pool (a co-op) for 18 years.
Community or volunteer involvement:
Past Board member of the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre (DDRC); Vice President and Board member for the Grain Academy and Museum. Past volunteer at Calgary Cookbook Company
Board Member - Johanna Bates
Education and professional designations:
Graduated from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba in 1968 and from the Faculty of Law in 1971.
Occupation and work experience:
Articled with Canadian Pacific Enterprises and member of the bar in Alberta since 1987. Taught MBA graduate students and undergraduates at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Management for twenty years. Four time recipient of the Master Professor Award and the Superior Professor Award for the University of Calgary. Affiliated for many years with the law firm Faber, Gurevitch, Bickman, practicing in wills and estates, employment law and some personal Injury work.
Involvement with Calgary Co-op or other co-operatives:
Elected to the Calgary Co-op board of directors in 1997 and served on the Governance, Audit, Environment, Corporate Social Responsibility, Performance and Compensation, Member Relations and Education committees.
Elected to the board of directors of Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) in 1999 and elected to the board of directors of The Co-operators Group of Insurance Companies in Guelph, Ontario, in 2002.
Board Member - Stuart Cantrill
Education and professional designations:
Bachelor of Commerce
Occupation and work experience: Financial Planner with Investors Group Financial Services.
Involvement with Calgary Co-op or other co-operatives:
Former employee of the Association.
Community or volunteer involvement:
Exile Island for the Children’s Make A Wish Foundation.
VP of Fair Enterprise (2002)
VP of Marketing (2001) for ACE (Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs)
Board related experience, skills or qualifications:
9 years on the Calgary Co-op Board, Bachelor of Commerce Business Education from the University of Calgary, and Certified Financial Planning courses through the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning.
Board Member - Myra D'Souza Kormann
Education and professional designations:
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science, Minor in Psychology, University of Calgary; Certificate in Human Resources, University of Calgary.
Occupation and work experience:
Eight years with the City of Calgary and Government of Alberta Social Services.
Involvement with the Calgary Co-op or other Co-ops:
Negotiated and arranged the grocery shopping bus service which serves over 70 seniors apartments city-wide. Calgary Co-op member since 1987. Currently serving on the Member Relations Committee. Member of Mountain Equipment Co-op since 1987.
Community or volunteer involvement:
Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee Corrections Canada; Instructor of Board governance with the Government of Alberta department of Community Spirit; Procurer of supplies and fundraiser for Medical Mercy Canada (doctors traveling to treat Burmese refugees); Advisory member of the Diversity Committee Corrections Canada; Volunteer for Servants Anonymous book sales; Volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross; Past Board Director Southwest Communities Resource Centre. Obtained thousands of books to set up library in Nicaragua for World Alliance Relief Mission. Raised funds for Save the Children. Over 20 years of volunteer service with other additional local and international organizations.
Board related Experience:
Currently instructing not-for-profit boards province-wide in board governance, policy development, and legal/ethical duties. Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee Corrections Canada, past board director of SWCRC (encompassing 19 communities).
Board Member - Elaine (Bereziuk) Smith
Education and professional designations:
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Personnel Psychology, Minor in Business and Management – University of Calgary, Certified Travel Consultant - Mount Royal College, Dairy Management – The Dairy Bureau of Canada, Management Essentials – American Management Association, Liquor Sales Management – Calgary School of Bartending, Environmental Management & Compliance – Environmental Science & Engineering Association, Produce Management – Produce Management Association, Medical Terminology Certificate – Mount Royal University, Food Safety – SAIT, Safe Food Handling – Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors
Occupation and work experience:
Employed 30 years at Calgary Co-op in many capacities: Property Manager and Environmental Steward, Assistant Director of Operations, Marketing, Merchandising Specialist and many in-store positions, including Department and Centre Manager. LinkedIn profile: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/elainebereziuksmith
Involvement with Calgary Co-op or other co-operatives:
Member of the Calgary Co-op 50th Anniversary and Charity Golf Classic Committees. Experience negotiating employment contracts with the Collective Bargaining Committee.
Affiliation with employees, contractors or anyone associated with Calgary Co-op:
Extensive professional relationships developed during 30 year career.
Community or volunteer involvement:
Calgary Police Service volunteer – BraeCentre Community Operated Police Station • Secretary, Southland Hockey Association • Volunteer for various community organizations and the public school system
Your governance and /or oversight experience, skills and qualifications:
Over 30 years of food industry experience, with extensive knowledge in human resource management, leadership, planning, budgeting, marketing and customer service. • Board member – Southland & Ridgewood Hockey Associations
Board Member - Rick Smith
Education and professional designations:
• Bachelor of Arts Degree Marketing-Eastern Washington State University
• Graduate Banff School of Advanced Management
• Graduate Revenue Sources Management School - North Carolina State University
• Co-Operative Director Training Program, Federated Co-Operatives Program
Occupation and work experience:
• Community Investment Consultant – Advising Charities and donors with their planned giving strategies
• Very successful 33 year career with Heritage Park, including 22 years as its General Manager
Involvement with Calgary Co-op or other co-operatives:
• Director Calgary Co-Op (17 years)
• Chairman - Performance and Compensation Committee and Member Relations Committee
• Member – Audit Committee
• Past Director – Calgary Co-Operative Memorial Society
• Past Director – Alberta Community Co-Operatives Association
Community or volunteer involvement:
• Member – Historical Committee – Calgary Stampede
• Co-Chair – Longview Music and Arts Festival
• Director – Friends of the Bar U Ranch National Historical Site
• Volunteer – Sheep River Health Trust
Governance and/ or oversight experience, skills and qualifications:
• Extensive experience on Calgary Co-Op Board (17 years)
• Worked with Heritage Park Board for 33 years
• Served on several boards including:
Board - Alberta Tourism
Board – Tourism Calgary
Board – Better Business Bureau of Calgary and Southern Alberta
Board – Western Sky Land Trust
Member – Tourism Advisory Committee, Haskayne School of Business
• My experience and skills have been recognized over the years by receipt of the following:
2012 – Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of contributions to Canada
2006 – City of Calgary signature award in recognition of Outstanding Community Achievement
2005 – Alberta Centennial Medal in recognition of contributions to the community
2002 – Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of contributions to Canada and the community
Board Member - Lisa Wise
Education and professional designations:
Masters of Business Administration, University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business; Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies, University of Victoria.
Occupation and work experience:
Business owner offering marketing services to small and mid-sized organizations. Past managing director for swimwear retailer with experience in management, marketing, purchasing, and sales.
Involvement with Calgary Co-op or other co-operatives:
Volunteer with the Calgary Co-op Member Relations Committee. Involved with International Year of Co-operatives 2012.
Community or volunteer involvement:
Haskayne School of Business Mentorship Program
Board related experience, skills and/or qualifications:
A passion for food and an understanding of the concerns and responsibilities regarding food safety. Values fresh food, healthy products, and the connection between local farmers, food producers and Calgary Co-op. Served on Calgary Co-op board for several terms including role as Governance Chair, Board Secretary and Member Relations Chair.
The board of directors welcomes member calls and comments. You can contact the board by calling 403-219-6040 and leaving a message. The board member you would like to speak to will return your call. Alternatively you can send an email to the board chair.
