Governance

Dr. Ray Block retired August 22, 2020 as Interim President and CEO of NAIT, and has currently been operating a consulting practice, Block and Associates. Dr. Block has extensive post-secondary experience. He was the Vice-President Administration and CFO at NAIT, prior to taking on the Interim President role. He also served as Vice President Finance and Administration at Athabasca University, President and CEO of the Alberta Mental Health Board, and held executive positions with Agricultural Financial Services. 

Dr. Block holds a Ph. D from the School of Public Health, University of Alberta, with a major in Health Care Economics, a M.Agr from the School of Agricultural, Life and Environment Sciences, University of Alberta with a major in Field Agriculture Economics, and a BComm. From the Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta with a major in Field Accounting. 

Leona Staples is the co-owner/operator of the Jungle Farm. She was a member of Olds College’s Board of Governors in 2006-12 and was appointed as the Board Chair in May 2017. She is an active member of the Innisfail Growers’ Cooperative, which focuses on producing food for farmers’ markets. Leona has served as chair of the school parent council, as a member and treasurer of the Calgary Farmers’ Market Association, and with various other community organizations.

Leona has a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics.

Gordon Cove has been on the board since 2018 and serves on the Audit Committee. He has more than 30 years experience in the food industry. He is the past president of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA). He was a director on the Alberta Financial Services Corporation and the Red Deer and District Community Foundation. He was a past chair of the Sub-Division and Development Appeal Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from the University of Alberta.

Meghan Dear has been on the board since 2018 and serves on the Board Effectiveness Committee. She is the CEO and president of Localize, an internationally recognized agrifood data company. Prior, she was a manager of food programmes and Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture Liaison with Engineers Without Borders and a researcher with the Alberta Research Council. Ms. Dear is a professional biologist and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the University of Alberta.

Ms. Marnie DesJardins has been an Instructional Assistant with Olds College’s Bachelor of Applied Science - Agribusiness since its inception in 2001. Ms. DesJardins was previously the Lead Hand with Olds College Grounds.

She holds a Horticulture diploma in Landscape Design, a trade certificate in Landscape Gardening, and a Bachelor of Applied Horticulture Technology degree from Olds College.

Mabel Hamilton is the owner/operator of Belvin Angus, a purebred Angus operation. She currently serves as a board member on the Red Deer County AG Service Board. Ms. Hamilton is a past member of the Industry Government Advisory Council for Traceability, and a past Chair of the Alberta Cattle Breeders Association. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary.

Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds College include the core competencies of leadership and governance, and preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Ms. Hamilton was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.

Roy Weasel Fat "Namahkan (hunting and bring back coup)" was born and raised in Kainai and continues to live and be involved in community initiatives. He was a Kiipiitapoka from a young age. He lived with his grandparents for three summers and during that time he really learned about being a Niitsitapii. He attended St Paul's Residential School for four years.

Kiipaitapiiysinnoni (Our Way of Life) is where Roy learned that change in a human being can begin to take place. Kiipaitapiiysinnoni is an interconnected Blackfoot value system. It takes time to learn about the Kiipaitapiiysinnoni values, but eventually it comes and you realize what elders having been telling or showing you. Roy is a society member in the Brave Dog Society (Kanatsumita).

He was inducted into this society at the annual Sundance ceremonies in the summer of 2011. It was suggested by the elders of the Kainai community to become a member of this society to further his learning journey to being Niitsitapi. He credits his learning and journey of being Niitsitapi to Kainai elders; Andrew Black Water (Ahtsootoaa), Alan Prairie Chicken (Aotahkoisaapo'p), Pete Standing Alone (Nitakaisaamailoan), Louise Crop Eared Wolf (Sakowohtaomaahkaa), Rosie Red Crow (Tsiinaaki) and other Blackfoot elders. He considers the learning received from these elders a great honor.

Roy has continued his journey in life-long-learning through elder teachings and membership in Brave dog Society. He practices the Blackfoot values instilled in him by elders and society members in Niitsitapi community.

Kami Tams is a current board member for the Students’ Association of Olds College (SAOC), a Broncos student athlete on the women’s soccer team, a student in Horticulture, and a member of the Olds College Hort Club. Kami works to advocate for creating a better student experience, and her involvement in several different areas of the college, including clubs and athletics, gives her the opportunity to hear many different student’s perspectives.

Kami is finishing her second year in the Horticulture Technologist diploma program and will be entering into her first year of the Business Management program in fall of ‘22. She plans to work on the Students’ Association and play on the Women’s Soccer team at the college again. In the next year Kami intends to show more involvement in creating changes at the college, using her previous experience and knowledge from her role at the SAOC in ‘21-’22 to accomplish this..

Donna Maxwell sits on Olds College’s Board of Governors and serves on its Teachers’ Discipline Review Committee. A retired lawyer, she has appeared before the Alberta Provincial Courts and the Court of Queen’s Bench and appeal bodies in the workers’ compensation system, the Hospital Privileges Appeal Board, the Child Welfare Appeal Board and the Mental Health Appeal Committee. She has served on several boards, including the Calgary Science School Board.

Donna has a bachelor of science in nursing and a bachelor of laws.

Paul McLauchlin is a Sr Aboriginal Advisor/Sr Biologist with Environmental Leadership Matters. He has been the Reeve of Ponoka County since 2013. He is the Director of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, Chair of Rimoka Foundation, & Chair of Battle Lake Synergy Group. He holds a MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester and a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology/Animal Biology from the UofC. He is a Chartered Manager and earned his certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute of the UK.

Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds College include the core competencies of leadership, and governance as well as preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. McLauchlin was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.

Mr. Ted Menzies is a former federal Cabinet Minister and former President and Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Canada. He was appointed as Federal Minister of State for Finance and The Queen's Privy Council for Canada. He is a former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.

Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds College include the core competencies of leadership, and governance as well as preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Menzies was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.

Celia Sutton is the current President of the Students’ Association of Olds College (SAOC). Through her role as a delegate and advocate for students, Celia aims to diversify the image, culture, and value of the Olds College student experience. Celia is currently in her first year of the Horticulture Technologist diploma program, and upon her anticipated graduation in 2023, she intends to continue with the Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Horticulture. Celia’s extracurricular activities include involvement with the Community Learning Campus Fitness Centre community, being an active member of the Hort Club, and conducting campus tours for incoming students and their families as a Student Ambassador.

During her time as a student representative, Celia’s goals include pioneering a five-year strategic plan for the SAOC, fostering an inclusive and safe student culture, and facilitating progressive projects for the growth and development of the Olds College student community.

Brendan began teaching Communications at Olds College in January 2017 and has been teaching full-time since September 2019. He currently teaches Workplace Communications and Workplace Professionalism classes in a selection of programs throughout the College and is particularly interested in interpersonal communications, persuasive writing, media, public relations, and advocacy. Brendan has been a key contributor to the ideas phase and implementation of Work Integrated Learning which will be introduced in the upcoming academic year.

With an extensive background in English Language Learning (ELL) instruction, Brendan has taught cohorts of visiting students from Mexico at Olds College and has a lead role in instructing, working with, and creating opportunities for international learners. He is currently finishing my Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Athabasca University and will graduate in 2023 with specializations in Adult Education and Writing and New Media. He also has a Postgraduate Degree in Journalism (then Bachelor's now Master's) from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University, Toronto, 2002) and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English Literature and Creative Writing with a minor in Political Science from Concordia University (Montreal, 1996). Additionally Brendan holds a Level 1 diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Vancouver Community College (2008). His first introduction to teaching took place over a five-year span, teaching English at various institutions in South Korea."

Jennifer Wood is a partner with Grey Owl Investments and also co-operates her family cattle ranch. She is a recipient of the Women of Distinction Award, Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the University of Alberta Alumni Horizon Award. She is a member of Waskesiu Seasonal Residents Association Board and serves as on the Waskesiu Community Council working with Parks Canada.

Jennifer is a professional agrologist and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business Management from the University of Alberta.