The Alberta Cancer Foundation falls under the Alberta Cancer Foundation Regulation (07/2009) of the Regional Health Authorities Act of the Province of Alberta and governed by a Board of Trustees appointed for three-year terms by the Alberta Health Services Board.

Investment priorities are determined by the provincial leads of Cancer Care, Alberta Health Services, and the Alberta Cancer Research Institute, a joint initiative of Alberta Health Services, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary and by an international advisory committee.

Chair, John Osler, Calgary

John Osler is a partner and head of the business law group of McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Calgary.

He got involved with cancer fundraising in what he calls “a weird backwards sort of way,” before cancer had ever touched him personally. He became a trustee of the Alberta Cancer Foundation in 2006 and prior to that was the chair of the Playing for Life Concert. Then he got the news. “I was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2007. I’m still fighting that.”

The fight hasn’t slowed him down. Osler was the inaugural chair of the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2009 and rode the 200 kilometer route while leading one of the top event fundraising teams.

He became chair of the Alberta Cancer Foundation in September 2009 and serves on the Audit and Finance Committee.

Osler is past president of the Calgary Winter Club and previously served on the boards of directors of Rundle College and Alberta Theatre Projects. He was recently named to Avenue Magazine’s A-List for his volunteer contributions to the community.

A Calgary native, he received his BA from Queens University and his LLB from Dalhousie University. He is married with two children.

Vice Chair, Dr. Dianne Kipnes, Edmonton

Dianne Kipnes and her husband Irving both survived cancer.

In gratitude, they donated $5 million for the Dianne & Irving Kipnes Endowed Chair in Radiopharmaceutical Sciences at the Cross Cancer Institute, the largest gift in Alberta Cancer Foundation history. Kipnes joined the Alberta Cancer Foundation as trustee in 2006.

A clinical psychologist in private practice, Kipnes received an MA and PhD in clinical psychology from the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara California, following an MSW from McGill University and a BA from the University of Victoria. Kipnes received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in 2009, along with her husband Irving.

In 2008, she was named one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People for her tireless philanthropy. Kipnes is past chair of the Capital Care Foundation, chair of the Edmonton Opera board, and trustee of the National Arts Centre Foundation. She is also president of the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation.

“My husband and I survived cancer thanks to research conducted years ago,” says Kipnes. “It’s a privilege to be an Alberta Cancer Foundation trustee and donor and to be a part of advancing research so fewer people get cancer and more people survive it.”

Past Chair, Sandy Slator, Edmonton

Sandy Slator became a trustee of the Alberta Cancer Foundation in 2004, following the loss of his first wife June to cancer. He served as chair from 2007 to 2009.

“As a business man, I know strategic financial investment drives results,” says Slator. “The Alberta Cancer Foundation applies this principle to building cancer research, prevention and care.”

Slator began his career as a chartered accountant in Winnipeg before joining Byers Transport as Chief Financial Officer in 1973. He later led the management buyout and became President and Chief Executive Officer until 1982 when he became Chief Financial Officer of Vencap Equities, assuming the Chief Executive Officer role in 1989.

In 2000, Slator became President and Chief Executive Officer of PTI Group, one of North America’s largest suppliers of remote workforce accommodations, food services and facility management.

Slator community involvement includes serving as president of the Canadian Venture Capital Association, as vice chair and chair of the fundraising campaign for the Edmonton Space and Science Centre Foundation, and as a member of the fundraising committee for the NAIT Centre for Culinary Arts.

While he officially retired in 2006, Slator and his wife Maureen McCaw remain active in the business community.

Leslie Beard, Edmonton

Leslie Beard, former Senior VP of Public Affairs, Communications and Marketing for Capital Health, is the President of Leslie Beard Communications.

She is a member of the Canadian Pacific Relations Society and specializes in the area of health care.

Leslie has worked on projects for the former Alberta Cancer Board and the new Alberta Heath Services superboard. Leslie is an active member of the board for Habitat for Humanity in Edmonton and a member of the Rotary Club.

Angela Boehm, Calgary

With so many family members affected by cancer, Angela Boehm accepted the offer to join the Alberta Cancer Foundation as a Trustee in 2009.

“When someone you are close to is touched by cancer it can be a helpless feeling. I am honored to sit as a trustee and do my part in the fight against this disease.”

Angela brings a strong background in strategic marketing and finance to the foundation. As a University of Saskatchewan business graduate Angela began her career with Canadian Pacific Railway. At CPR, she held positions of increasing responsibility in areas including marketing, operations and finance. The majority of her career was spent in leading strategic business development.

After retiring from CPR in 2003, Angela has been involved in her community, most recently serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the Calgary Winter Club and Chair of the Strategic Planning committee. Angela has also served as Chair of the Social Issues Committee for the YWCA and is a former member of the City of Calgary’s Feed the Children Committee.

Angela is also serving as a Co-Chair for the Ride to Conquer Cancer 2010.

Marc Bombenon, Calgary

Marc Bombenon is founder and CEO of PDL Mobility Limited of Calgary, an international company supplying business telecommunications solutions. His wife Desiree joined him in 2003, becoming President and Chief Operating Officer.

In 2007, Bombenon, an avid pilot, founded MBE Jet, an executive private jet service. A Concordia University business graduate who grew up in Montreal, Bombenon is the recipient of numerous awards including the Canadian Call Management Association Award of Excellence for seven consecutive years (1996 - 2002), Alberta Chamber of Commerce e-Business Award of Distinction 2001, Consumer's Choice Award for Cellular Retailer 2001/02 and 2002/03, Consumer's Choice Award for Best Call Center 2001/02 and 2002/03, Better Business Bureau Ethics Award 200 and Employer of the Year Award, Calgary Inc. 2004.

Bombenon joined the Alberta Cancer Foundation as trustee in 2004 and currently serves as vice chair.

“We’re all hurt by cancer,” says Bombenon. “We need our best minds at work to find an end to cancer. I’m privileged to work on behalf of donors to the Alberta Cancer Foundation to keeping pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge.” Bombenon supports a number of other charities and is a member and former executive member of the Young Presidents Organization.

Greg Cameron, Edmonton

Greg Cameron lost both parents to cancer, his mother “after a brief and very difficult battle,” in 1986 and his father in 2005.

That same year, determined to take on the disease that had cost his family so much and to change the future for his four children, Cameron accepted the offer to become an Alberta Cancer Foundation trustee.

He now serves on both the Alberta Cancer Foundation Investment Sub-Committee and Major Gifts Cabinet.

“My parents’ deaths are stark reminders of how much we still need to learn in the fight against cancer,” says Cameron. “I owe it to my children to ensure we learn everything possible about how to prevent it and cure it.”

Cameron believes in active fundraising. He has participated in golf tournaments and headshaves and even took up cycling to complete the inaugural 200 kilometer Ride to Conquer Cancer.

While partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cameron raised $50,000 for cancer research by shaving his head and his moustache. He was also founding organizer of the company’s Richard Nuxoll Memorial Regatta. In 2008, Cameron left PricewaterhouseCooper to become Chief Executive Officer of Noralta Lodge Ltd., which offers full worker housing, food and recreation facilities at remote industry work sites.

Heather Culbert, Calgary

Heather Culbert began serving the Alberta Cancer Foundation as a member of the Calgary Campaign Cabinet in 2007. A year later, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees.

Heather brings a strong background in business and community involvement. She began her career in the oil and gas sector, working for Suncor and other companies before launching her own management consulting practice from 1988 to 1993.

She left consulting to join Cody Energy in 1994 as Division Manager and then in 1996 she joined Enerplus Resources Fund as Senior Vice President of Corporate Services. In 2006, Heather retired from Enerplus and now directs her time and energy to the not-for-profit sector.

Heather is a member of the Board of Directors for the United Way as well as The Alliance to End Violence. She is also serving as a member of the SAIT Promising Futures Campaign Cabinet.

In 2003, she was honoured with the SAIT Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2005 with the Alberta Centennial Medal for Community Service.

Heather is committed to making a difference as a trustee through awareness and fundraising efforts for cancer research and early detection. Her determination stems from witnessing her mother’s experiences as a five time cancer survivor, several close friends who have had cancer and her recent discovery that she herself is now facing cancer.

Steven Dyck, Lethbridge

As Lethbridge College’s Executive Director Advancement, Steven Dyck handles all external relations for that institution. Born and raised in southern Alberta, Steven came to Lethbridge College from the University of Alberta, where he served as an Executive Director in the School of Business. There, he led the Alberta Business Family Institute, a world-class executive education institute dedicated to family enterprise and entrepreneurship. Steven was a successful entrepreneur himself in the technology field in northern California before returning to Alberta. He has a long history in providing business planning and corporate finance strategies to several entrepreneurial and mid-market companies. Steven holds an MBA from the U of A, a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge (International Studies) and business diplomas from SAIT and B.C.’s Selkirk College.

Dr. Tony Fields, ex-officio

Dr. Tony Fields is Vice President, Cancer Care, Alberta Health Services and Professor, Department of Oncology and Department of Medicine, University of Alberta. Dr. Fields attended school in his native Barbados, studied natural sciences at the University of Cambridge, and is a medical graduate of the University of Alberta. He trained in internal medicine and medical oncology at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital respectively, in the University of Toronto system. He has been in academic practice in Edmonton since 1980. His clinical practice is at the Cross Cancer Institute in gastrointestinal oncology. He has held various administrative positions within the former Alberta Cancer Board, including Director of the Cross Cancer Institute and Vice President, Medical Affairs & Community Oncology. At the University of Alberta, he was previously Director of the interdepartmental Division of Oncology, and at the inception of the Department of Oncology he served as its Acting Chair. As Vice President, Cancer Care, he is currently responsible for Alberta’s tertiary and associate cancer centres and community oncology programs. Dr. Fields has been very active in cancer control planning and policy making at both the provincial and the national level. He spearheaded the development of Alberta’s network of community cancer centres and community oncology programs. He is a past president of the National Cancer Institute of Canada and has served on the boards of the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, the Canadian Oncology Society and the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies, and as a member of the Council of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. His service to professional organizations includes previous appointments as President of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists, Councillor (University of Alberta Chapter) of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and Governor (Alberta Region) of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Fields has been recognized for his work by several awards, including an honorary doctorate of Athabasca University, the Distinguished Alumni Award of the University of Alberta and the R.M. Taylor Medal and Award of the Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. In Alberta’s centennial year he was named one of Alberta’s 100 Physicians of the Century.

Dr. Brent Saik, Edmonton

Dr. Brent Saik began his crusade against cancer when his father was in hospital battling the disease and said, “Don’t make this worthless, make sure to help keep kids out of here.”

Brent had already lost his grandfather to cancer, so when he lost his dad as well, he began planning for the world’s longest hockey game. “I thought, if we can prove that it’s not impossible to play a demanding game for extended periods of time, then it should be possible to find a cure for cancer.”

While planning the event, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately succumbed to the disease.

Brent grew up in Edmonton and, received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Alberta and then signed with the Atlanta Braves for college baseball. After a year, he headed to Portland for a four-year degree in optometry. He now operates a franchise of eight optometric clinics in the Edmonton area.

His longest hockey games have garnered two Guinness World Records and he’s been named the Association of Fundraising Professionals Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, received Strathcona County Community Service and Involvement Award and the Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Edmontonian Award.

Dr. Prem Singhmar

Originally an eye surgeon from India, Prem Singhmar took a big risk when he bought a chicken farm in 1985, shortly after he arrived in Alberta. Realizing it would take years to qualify as a doctor in Canada, Prem turned to construction and started building daycares. He then branched out to condos, hotels, gas stations and started developing land across the province. Today, Prem is one of the most successful developers in the Edmonton area. He and his wife, Saroj, also a doctor, live in Sherwood Park and have generously supported various initiatives and organizations over the years, including the Heritage Days Festival, Kids Kottage Foundation and Wild Rose Volunteer Wall of Fame. Their $1.5 million gift to the University of Alberta created the Saroj and Prem Singhmar Chair in Classical Indian Polity and Society in 2006 and $1.2 million donation funded the Singhmar Centre for Art Education at the Art Gallery of Alberta in 2008.

Heather Watt, Edmonton

Heather Watt has always been an active community volunteer but when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, her daughter Kate literally took the reins.

An equestrian and University of Alberta student, Kate raised more than $400,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation with her show jumping event, “Bringing Home the Dream.”

Heather and her husband, Angus, managing director of National Bank Financial, have also been strong donors and supporters of the Alberta Cancer Foundation for years. A volunteer patient representative on the Cross Cancer Institute Home Chemo Program, Watt was also the dinner committee chair for the 2008 David Foster and Friends charity concert.

Vern Yu, Calgary

Vern Yu is responsible for overseeing the Investor Relations function for Enbridge Inc. and all its affiliates. He is also responsible for leading the risk assessment and management areas, the corporate insurance function, and generally leading and coordinating the management of all areas of financial and other business risks. Vern joined Enbridge in 1993 in Toronto and has taken on roles of increasing responsibility within the organization. He has held the roles of Manager, Capital Markets; Director, Financial Risk Management; and Assistant Treasurer of Enbridge Inc.

Vern also serves as a Director of Aux Sable Liquid Products, L.P. and is the 2010 co-chair of Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. Prior to 1993, he was employed as an engineer by TransCanadian PipeLines and Bow Valley Industries. Vern holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. (Applied Science) from Queen’s University.