From our Alumni
Alumni & Community Projects
The Leadership Network is more than just a leadership development program - it is about building a legacy. Participants create a sense of community trusteeship and develop networks with a common commitment to strengthen and build our community. Participants who successfully complete the program will join a growing and active alumni network. This community of leaders play a key role in building the Central Alberta of tomorrow!
Class of 2011
Michael Williston, City of Red Deer
Ingrid Sudlow, NOVA Chemicals
Shea Mullin, Safe Harbour Society
Andy Treu, Red Deer County
Monica Slobogean, Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre
Bruce Marchand, Board Chair, CADA
Donna Trottier, Lady Doh
Dena Hutchison, , Dow Chemical Canada
Diane Goodwin, Piper Creek Foundation
Brian Lutz, City of Red Deer
Geoff Stewardson, City of Red Deer
Abey Idicula, ME Global
Elane Campbell, Employment Placement & Support Services
Jill Lanz (Central Alberta AIDS Network Society),
Gwen Clarke (NOVA Chemicals)
Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association sponsored participants
Margarita Maria Fuentes
Maria Valencia
Ingrid Ondrovicova
Manuel de Jesus Ramirez
Julia Ranneva
OIga Amy
James Yagata
Juan Bustos.
Class of 2010
Johnny Bachusky, The Express
Brad Howe, NOVA Chemcials
Lynette Grose, NOVA Chemicals
Thomas Metzger , Red Deer County
Jerry Hedlund, City of Red Deer
Steve Parkin, City of Red Deer
Teresa Wigmore, SERVUS Credit Union
Lorianne Marshall, City of Red Deer
Mickey Warkentin, Volunteer
Kristine Bugayong, Red Deer & District Community Foundation
Mandy Griffiths, The Native Friendship Centre
Class of 2009
Belinda Davies, City of Red Deer
Richard Gall, Bruins Plumbing
Roger Goodwin, EPSS
Sheralle Graystone, Native Friendship Centre
Bill Gutsche, NOVA Chemicals
Lane Harris, Petrotreat, Community Savings
Jackie Kurylo, City of Red Deer
Chester Mah, NOVA Chemicals
Tracy Millman, SERVUS Credit Union
Karen Sveinson, Red Deer Public School Division
Mike Tweedy, Hilltop Pharmacy
Chantel Walker, Red Deer Public School Division
Class of 2008
Robert Burton, Petrotreat, Inc.
Barbara Creighton, City of Red Deer
Carol Lynn Gilchrist, Town of Lacombe
Diane Hermary, Housewarmings
Ryan Hornett, NOVA Chemicals
Jackie Leonard, Community Savings
Lisa Manning, Piper Creek Foundation
Darrel Melvin, David Thompson Health Region
Erik Ovie, NOVA Chemicals
Trevor Poth, City of Red Deer
Pam Vust, City of Red Deer
Class of 2007
Bettylyn Baker
Cyndi Bryant
Valdene Callin
Cori Lynn Carlson
Terry Carter
Cyril Cooper
Glen Dunn
Tara Forfellow
Mike Klass
Maureen McMurtrie
Temple Murray
Pierre Oberg
Darlene Parker
Bonny Snihur
Class of 2006
No Class in 2006
Class of 2005
Suzanne Dallorto
Geoff Olson
Paul vanderVoort
Kevin Claerhout
Rene Michalak
Lynda Kelly
Jilaire Wagner
Lee Anne Shinski
Tricia Haggarty
Mandy Flikkema
Barb McKee
Leslee Burton, program manager
Class of 2004
Shane Schuster
Ian Sudlow
Russell Crook
Kenton Biffert
Boyd Rankin
Richard Farrand
Dean Krejci
Liz Simpson
Jacy Morissette
Vanessa Wood
Michelle Pickering
Kathleen Raines
Deb Whitesell
Kim McAllister
Cheryl Rice
Sally Waltz
Tracy Walker
Jennifer Vanderschaeghe
Lianne Hazell
Class of 2003
Glynis Glover
Marilyn Jewell
Doug Wagstaff
Stephen Brosinsky
Monte Greenshields
Leslie Wannop
Sue Carstensen
Leslee Burton
Robin McKay
Linda Jabs
Ed Bryant
Sean Delaney
Kristina Oberg
Stacey Carmichael
Wendy Lyka
Terry Whipple
Raye St.Denys
Class of 2002
Don Hawkes
George Berry
Jim Quinn
Heather Campbell
Tom Marstaller
Penny Fox
Dave Murphy
Dale Withage
Brent Schulmeister
Greg LeBlanc
Paul Duval
Marg Phelan
Kim Senecal
Michael Kulchisky
Lori Pitcher
Esterina Manyluk
Roy Bedford
Dawna Morey
Phil Rauch
Karen Oatway
Roxann Good
Cheryl Davis
Community Projects
The Shoe Project (2011) ~ sponsors: Red Deer Native Friendship Society & the Red Deer Housing Team
This project addresses the need for community awareness and community involvement. The Shoe Project involved collecting the shoes from our homeless folks, in exchange for new shoes. The team is also hoping to raise awareness about homelessness in Central Alberta and dispel some of the myths that are placed upon the image of the homeless.
A Discussion Paper on Income Disparity in Red Deer & A Community Profile on Poverty in Red Deer (2011) ~ sponsors: City of Red Deer, Social Planning Department
This team is conducting a research project on the poverty situation in Red Deer. They will be connecting with individuals, families, seniors, youth and children who are currently suffering the effects of poverty to compile a Community Profile on Poverty. This document will support community discussions to assist with creating strategies to reduce poverty in Red Deer.
The Leadership Centre’s 10 Year Anniversary Celebration! (2011) ~ The Leadership Centre
This project team was responsible for creating The Leadership Centre’s 10 Year Anniversary celebration to bring together past and present participants, founders, funders, and community supporters, to showcase the impact the Leadership Centre has had on Central Alberta!
Inter-Faith Council (2011) ~ Central Alberta Diversity Association (CADA)
This project was to explore if there was an interest in having an Inter-Faith Council in Red Deer. A Council to encourage unity and offer support within the faith community as well as to the greater community.
Bringing the Citizenship Ceremony Back to Red Deer (2011) ~ Red Deer District and Community Foundation (RDDCF)
This group is looking at the logistics and rational for bringing the Citizenship Ceremony back to Red Deer for immigrants who wish to become new Canadian citizens.
Volunteer Mentoring Program (2010) ~ CiRS
This project team developed a community Volunteer Mentoring Program, for Volunteer Red Deer, a division of the Community Information Referral Society (CiRS). The project focussed on creating a ‘culture of volunteering’ that nurtures and supports valuable social roles for people from all walks of life within the community.
Decision Making Models for the Aboriginal Community (2010) ~ Red Deer Native Friendship Society, Common Ground Initiative
This project focussed on researching and learning about Aboriginal decision making models and leadership models that could be used and implemented in Red Deer. Once models were identified, the project team presented to the aboriginal community leaders several options which were inclusive and sustainable.
Increase Awareness About the Kids Help Phone Red Deer & Coordinate the National Annual Event (2009) ~
This project was to reengage the Red Deer community in the Kids Help Phone by organizing, planning and executing a national event in Red Deer ~ the Bell Walk for Kids Help Phone. By rejuvenating interest in this cause, the team was responsible for increasing awareness in Red Deer and area and identify collaborative opportunities for the sustainability of this annual event.
Social Enterprise: A Guide for Central Alberta Communities (2009) ~ RDDCF
This project team’s task was to develop a local strategy to assist the Community Foundation in the development of a Social Enterprise Fund. This would involve demonstrating the need, researching different models, making a final recommendation and strategies for marketing and fund development.
Making Red Deer a Child and Youth Friendly Community (2008)- sponsors, City of Red Deer and Family Services of Central Alberta.
Project team researched and provided recommendations to the sponsors relative to this topic. As a result of this work, a long term committee has been formed to review and implement the recommendation. This project included a broad consultation with children and youth in Red Deer.
Don’t Be Hostile Toward the Red Deer Hostel (2007) – sponsor: Red Deer Residential Society & CAANS
Project team members researched scenarios that would fit Red Deer’s unique community environment and began planning and creating the partnership required to make a hostel a reality.
What is a YAC? What is a YIP? And How Do We Get Some? (2007) ~ Sponsors: Red Deer & District Community Foundation and the Leadership Centre of Central Alberta
This team was charged with investigating the feasibility of establishing a “Youth in Philanthropy” program and a “Youth Advisory Council” to provide depth and diversity to the development, funding and community leadership activities for Central Alberta youth.
Men at Risk (2005) – sponsor: Suicide Prevention Services, Red Deer
The project team worked to determine the viability of a suicide prevention program for high risk Central Alberta men and develop a marketing and communication strategy to launch the program “Blue Print for Survival”. Red Deer Time Dollars (2005) – sponsor: Social Planning Department, City of Red Deer. The project team used a public consultation process to help determine the appropriateness of bringing an alternative currency system to Red Deer to encourage the more effective use of local resources and talent via bartering and volunteerism.
Laying the Foundation (2004) – sponsor: Community Information & Referral Society (CIRS)
The project team investigated and made recommendations on the potential of a non-profit village in Red Deer, which may share resources and physical space thereby reducing administrative costs and allowing these savings to be allocated to frontline services.
Taking the Helm (2004) sponsor: Safe Harbour Society
The project team explored the use of an Appreciative Inquiry approach to determine the needs, concerns and desires of the community regarding the development of a detox centre/homeless shelter in Red Deer. The team developed a strategy to encourage discussion of the issue as well as identify a solution.
Building the Organization for Change (2003) – sponsor: Habitat for Humanity
The project team helped develop a long-term strategic plan for the organization to ensure the vision and capacity of what has been an organization driven by a working board can keep up with future challenges.
The Protecting our Legacy (2003) – sponsor: Normandeau Cultural & Natural History Society
The project team investigated and made recommendations for appropriate tools and resources to ensure increased appreciation for and conservation of our area’s heritage.
Inclusion by Design (2003) – sponsor: Canadian Paraplegic Association, Catholic Social Services and Cosmos
The project team develop a strategy to encourage our community to build private and public buildings in ways that allow people with a wide range of disabilities to access all that Central Alberta has to offer.
The Safe Community Coalition (2002) – sponsor: Safe Community Coalition”.
The “Safe Community” concept is a national initiative with the goal of eliminating injuries while promoting a culture of safety through the implementation of programs and education. The project team’s hard work resulted in the formation of a “Safe Community Coalition” in Red Deer.
The Red Deer Downtown Summer Festival (2002) – sponsor: Downtown Business Association
The work of this team resulted in the creation of CentreFest – a street performer’s festival which launched in July 2003 in downtown Red Deer.
