Antara Wosnack |
President |
Shannon Dean |
Vice President |
Michelle Stevenson |
Vice President |
Nancy Melnychuk |
Secretary |
Rachel Gosse |
Treasurer |
Bette Gray |
Director |
Brenda Hanson |
Director |
Shannon Jones |
Director |
Nalina Kumar |
Director |
Rheanna Sand |
Director |
Kerry McKinstry |
Director |
Biographies Of The 2007/2008 Board Of Directors
Antara Wosnack - President (xx)
Antara Wosnack is a Principal with Conroy Ross Partners Limited, an executive search and management consulting firm. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree awarded, with Distinction, from the University of Alberta.
Antara leads executive search assignments based in Edmonton and area. She is involved in every aspect of the search process, from business development to client management, candidate assessment, interviewing, and sourcing. Antara has placed top executives for leading organizations in many industries including manufacturing, banking and finance, healthcare, utilities, and the public sector.
Antara is a member of the Human Resource Association of Edmonton and the Human Resource Institute of Alberta, where she is actively pursuing her CHRP (Certified Human Resource Professional) designation. Antara also volunteers her time with the Alberta Ballet Community Engagement Council.
Shannon Dean - Vice Presisdent(x)
Shannon’s connection with the YWCA traces back to her growing years in Saskatoon and New Brunswick where she participated in swimming, badminton and dance. During her early career, Shannon also volunteered as an outreach worker with the Calgary YWCA.
Shannon has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School . Her career has included both private and public sector experience and since 1996, Shannon has served as Parliamentary Counsel with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
During her spare time, Shannon enjoys running, skiing, movies and traveling. Her recent travels have included trips to east Africa and India . In 2006, she participated in a CIDA project in the Mindanao region of the Philippines , and looks forward to future development work in the years to come.
Shannon joined the YWCA Edmonton Board of Directors in an interim position in November 2006.
Michelle Stevenson - Vice President (xx)
Michelle Stevenson has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English from the University of Alberta combined with a diploma in Public Relations from Grant MacEwan College . Formerly Michelle lead the Marketing and Student Recruitment team at NorQuest College , where she had worked for four years. She is now with Sobeys in the Human Resource department and is Manager of Recruitment Initiatives . Her work experience has involved advertising, publication development, writing, enrolment management and corporate communications. She enjoys travelling, having backpacked throughout Western Europe , Great Britain and Cost Rica, as well as skiing, kayaking and playing basketball.
Nancy Melnychuk - Secretary (xx)
Born and raised in Edmonton , Nancy Melnychuk is an Event Manager at Northlands. Her primary focus is on Canadian Finals Rodeo, but is also responsible for components of Capital EX.
Nancy has volunteered at special events in the City of Edmonton and is encouraging her kids to also become active volunteers. She is a fan of lifelong learning and has a certificate in Project Management from Grant MacEwan, and has completed the Human Resources and Management Development Programs from the U of A, as well as recently completing the “mini MBA” program at the Alberta School of Business.
Married with two active children, Nancy enjoys camping in the summer, plays on a ladies soccer team and is an instructor at the Running Room.
Rachel Gosse - Treasurer (xx)
Rachel Gosse moved to Edmonton with her family nine years ago from St. John's , Newfoundland . Rachel has a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Mathematics from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Switching academic directions, Rachel completed her Chartered Accountant designation and is currently a senior manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP. Her area of specialization is public sector and not-for-profit clients.
Rachel enjoys traveling and recently completed a six-month international work exchange with Deloitte. Rachel also enjoys running, golf, gardening and knitting
Bette Gray - Director (xxx)
Bette Gray has a varied background of teaching and administrative experience in K-12, university, and community education environments. Her current position is Director of Stakeholder Technology with Alberta Education. With an academic background in education and policy development, Dr. Gray has degrees from Brandon University (BA) and the University of Alberta (M.Ed. and Ed.D.). Her own research has examined women’s experiences as administrators in non-profit organizations, and women’s experiences in online communities.
Bette also brings to the board her consulting, management, and volunteer experience working with non-profit groups. She has been a board member of Stony Plain Family and Community Support Services, Stony Plain Public Library, and the Alberta Community Learning Network. She served for nine years as Executive Director for Parkland Continuing Education Council, where she established a volunteer adult literacy tutor program and a Community Access Program to provide public Internet access sites in rural locations.
Bette has two grown sons, and is currently enjoying her new phase as an “empty-nester” with her husband, Del.
Brenda Hanson - Director (xx)
After spending a year in Sweden , Brenda Hanson received her Bachelor of Kinesiology Degree with a major in Sport and Recreation Administration from the University of Regina . Brenda moved to Edmonton with her husband so that he could attend school and she could further her career as a recreation professional. She has worked with the not-for-profit sector for almost 10 years. Her experience includes grants administration, volunteer coordination, and program development. She has worked for the Alberta Camping Association as the Program Services Coordinator, and is now with Millennium Place as the E vents and Booking Specialist. Her hobbies include camping, running, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She joined the YWCA Board in April 2006 to have an opportunity to give back to the community.
Shannon Jones- Director (x)
Dealing with community development and women’s issues has been a theme in Shannon Jones’ professional and volunteer experience. Having begun her career as a Coordinator for a Safe Home Program for women and children escaping family violence, Shannon gained lasting insight and commitment into changing the lives of women and children. She went on to complete her undergraduate degree with Athabasca University and shortly after took on the role of facilitating employability workshops for adults returning to education and youth at risk.
Shannon entered the post secondary field in 2000, joining Keyano College as the Co-operative Education Coordinator. She was responsible for the overall coordination of seven academic programs and had the opportunity to work with some of Alberta ’s leading oil and gas companies. From there she went on to work in program development and then entered into the field of fund development. She is currently with CAREERS: The Next Generation as the Director of Stakeholder Relations.
Shannon enjoys camping, biking, and kayaking with her husband Doran and her 16-year-old son, Shawn. She is excited to become involved with the YWCA and sees this as a great opportunity to make a difference.
Nalina Kumar - Director (x)
Nalina was born in India , lived in England and has made Edmonton her home since 1981. She has traveled extensively, but loves to return home to Edmonton after each trip. Nalina has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has completed the Professional Financial Planning course from Canadian Securities Institute. She has a broad background having worked in several industries. Her career includes positions as a Contracts Administrator, Travel Agent, and Financial Advisor. She joined her current employer ATB Financial, 7 years ago where, she currently works in their Finance Department.
Nalina is a life long learner and believes in constantly updating her Finance and Management / Leadership skills. She has recently completed the "Leadership Edmonton" Program. She is currently enrolled in a 3 year Finance Leadership Academy program. In her spare time, Nalina enjoys traveling, reading and teaching teens value based life skills. She practices yoga and meditation regularly and a true believer in an Ayurvedic life style for good health and longevity.
Nalina joined the YWCA Edmonton Board of Directors in an interim position in November 2006
Patti Murray - Director (x)
Patti is a recently retired member of the Edmonton Police Service. She retired as a Staff Sergeant and had many diverse and interesting postings over her 25-year career. She retired as a middle manager with vast experience, which includes being a senior Hostage Negotiator and member of the EPS Harassment Advisor committee, two of the highlights of her career. Her passions include women in leadership as well as mentoring, supporting and coaching other up and coming women.
Patti has education and experience in the Human Resource field and has gone from a successful career in policing to become a consultant in this area. She currently does investigations in Harassment for the Federal Government as well as outplacement career coaching on a contract basis.
Rheanna Sand - Director (x)
Rheanna Sand is a second-year PhD. student in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta , and plans to pursue a career in academic or commercial drug research. She was born and raised in Edmonton as part of a traditional extended Métis family, and considers herself a true "urban Métis." In addition to her academic achievements, she is also active in several University associations: as the Biological Sciences Department Councilor on the Graduate Student Association Council, as a graduate student representative on the U of A General Faculties Council, and as a member of the U of A ONEcard committee, to name a few.
Being the daughter of former YWCA Board Member Debbie Coulter, the granddaughter of the first female Metis Senator, Thelma Chalifoux, and with actress Tantoo Cardinal as her godmother, Rheanna has been instilled with a sense of cultural and feminist pride that she looks forward to bringing to the YWCA Board.
