Executive
Jackie Kleiner
President
Jackie joined the Board in September 2018 and has been an active member of the Historic Calgary Week Committee for many years. She retired from the Government of Alberta were she worked as a Senior Manager in Human Resources. As well, she was an Instructor in the Faculty of Continuing Education She brings to CCHS her experience on other Boards in roles such as, Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. As a native Calgarian, Jackie very much enjoys our history and sharing it with others.
Walt Deboni
Past President
Walt spent 44 years in the Petroleum industry with various companies, most often in charge of international exploration & production. While always based in Calgary, he made many business trips to Indonesia, China, United Kingdom, Norway, Iran, Abu Dhabi and Romania. Walt and his wife, Irene, have been very involved with Historic Calgary Week for the past several years and this year is no exception. From 2015-2017, they led the committee that published two history books for young readers. Walt and Irene are very involved with the arts scene in Calgary and Walt was past Chair of the Board of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Vacant
First Vice President
Megan Ballard
Second Vice President
Born in Calgary, Megan has also lived in the UK, Australia, Ontario, and British Columbia. Megan has a passion for western landscapes, their ecosystems and fascinating human histories. She also serves on the Board of the Southern Alberta Pioneers and their Descendants, and is the former Board Chair of Dancers’ Studio West.
Diane Devonshire
Secretary
Diane hails originally from Montreal and has lived in Calgary since the 1970's so may qualify to almost being a native Calgarian. She retired from a career as a project management consultant at City Hall . As well she was an instructor in the Faculty of Continuing Education and the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Diane brings Board experience to CCHC having served in executive roles in the MnM Outdoor Club and the francophone performing group, La Voix des Rocheuses. She coordinates the Creative Arts programs for the Calgary Association of Life Long Learners.
Dean Thomson
Treasurer
Grew up in southern Alberta in a local farming community and had a rich interest in those industries. He always had a passion for History and Political Science and completed a degree at the University of Calgary. He then moved on to the business world working for companies in transportation, health care, real estate, retail and life insurance. He has a very diversified background working with profit and not for profit businesses, and understands the challenges required to obtain grants, funding and to remain relevant in today’s market.
Directors at Large
Kim Geraldi
Kim graduated in 2014 with a degree in Canadian History from the University of Calgary, and from McGill University in 2016 with a Masters in Information Studies. She is the Southern Alberta History Archivist at the Glenbow Western Research Centre, Libraries and Cultural Resources, University of Calgary. Before that Kim was a Librarian at the Glenbow Library and Archives. Previous experience includes Assistant Archivist at the Public Archives and Records Office of PEI, Special Projects Assistant for McGill University Digital Initiatives, and Student Librarian at Concordia University.
Sarah Harvey
Sarah has been a volunteer with the CCHS for over a decade. Besides volunteering for the CCHS, Sarah has also volunteered with Historic Calgary Week, Old Banff Cemetery Preservation and Conservation, Calgary Regional Heritage School Fairs, Doors Open Calgary, McDougall Stoney Mission Society, Project Brewery and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. With a great respect for Indigenous history and culture, Sarah recently completed the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada Course. Sarah works at the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site as a Heritage Interpreter and is a licenced motorman of the 100 year old Macha Mule Mine Locomotive.
Andrew Bardsley
Andrew Bardsley is a Calgary based historical researcher and writer who graduated from Mount Royal University. He is part of the group working on ‘Calgary Story,’ the CCHS mobile history app. Prior to working with the CCHS, Andrew worked for Fort Calgary and the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
Doyin Osakuade
Doyin has a BA in Business and Management and an MBA. She moved to Canada in 2015 and she and her family reside in Airdrie. She is a highly organized, detail oriented and results- driven Accountant and Business Manager with years of experience within the banking, financial and healthcare industries across three continents. She will be assuming responsibility for the production and distribution of the enewsletter for the Society.
Susan Turner
Susan was born into a family that has a long history in Southern Alberta. She rejoined the CCHS Board last year, she has been heavily involved in organizing programs. As well, she is an active member of Southern Alberta Pioneers and the Eastern Star/Daughters of the Nile.
Yvonne Schmitz
Originally from Saskatchewan, Yvonne grew up on a farm. She holds a BA and a MSW and spent her career supporting vulnerable populations with the Government of Alberta. Since her retirement she has served on numerous Boards in Director and Executive positions. She has received many awards and recognition for the many contributions the has made in the not for profit sector. Yvonne has volunteered with the Society during Historic Calgary Week.
Gordon Franson
Previously serving for 3 years as a member of the CCHS Board, Gordon is rejoining us. Gordon holds a BA in History from U of C. He has a lifelong interest in Western Canadian History and has served for 10 years on the Historical Committee for the Calgary Stampede, also he has been an employee and volunteer for over 20 years with Heritage Park. As well, he was a Curator for the Grain Academy, is a member of Pioneer Acres and the Calgary Association of Life Long Leaners.