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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.
Board of Trustees
 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.”
 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.
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
After cancer touched both his family and closest relationships in life, Steven Dyck committed himself to advancing progress towards the end of this disease.
Born and raised in southern Alberta, Steven Dyck has 15 years of experience in private and public-sector leadership. He is currently president of Western Tractor, John Deere, the largest dealer in Southern Alberta. Prior to joining Western Tractor, Steven senior management positions at both Lethbridge College and the University of Alberta.
Before his public sector stint, he was a successful entrepreneur in the technology sector in northern California, and spent several years with Myers Norris Penny’s Business Advisory Services. Dyck holds several credentials, including an MBA from the University of Alberta; a bachelor of management from the University of Lethbridge, and various business diplomas and certificates.
 John J. McDonald III, Edmonton
John J. McDonald III brings a wealth of business experience to his trustee role and first-hand cancer experience. In 2006, John was treated for both kidney and prostate cancer. He lost his mother and his best friend to cancer. “Unfortunately, I could go on,” he says. John moved from Texas to Edmonton in 2008 to serve as publisher for the Edmonton Journal. He had been a principal of Management Consulting of Texas and included one of the largest U.S. cancer agencies among his clients. Prior to consulting, John served as area president for Verizon Communications in Texas and as Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Business Development for the Dun and Bradstreet Corporation, New York State. John has returned to management consulting and maintains extensive community involvement. He currently serves as an Edmonton Public Library trustee and a board member for the Alberta Ballet. He has also served on UNICEF’s Patron’s council, St. Michael’s Health Care Cabinet and the Premier of Alberta’s Economic Roundtable Task Force. John received his BA from Boston College, an MA from Carleton University and an MBA from the Babson Colllege Frank W. Olin Graduate School of Business. He and his wife Joan have two grown children.
 Katie McLean, Calgary
When Katie was 17 her Mom passed away from cancer and she gained an early and life-long awareness of the brutal effects of this disease. Katie was introduced to the world of fundraising and cancer research when she met Joe Finley, a man who transformed his cancer journey in his last years to raise funds and awareness for head and neck cancer. Katie was inspired by Joe's courage and selflessness.
A life-long athlete, three-time IronMan competitor and accomplished marathon runner, Katie loves to motivate others to achieve their personal goals while giving back to their community at the same time. Most recently responsible for bringing "Joe’s Team" (a sprint triathlon and Alberta Cancer fundraiser) to Calgary, Katie is passionate about making a difference to cancer research in Alberta.
With a background in technology, sales, marketing and alliances, Katie brings experience from the corporate world from her time spent at companies such as Oracle and Xerox. She works as a volunteer for various organizations, sporting events and school activities. Katie lives with her husband Brian and their four children in Calgary.
 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. Brent is currently gearing up for yet another World's Longest Hockey Game event in February 2011.
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 recently joined Liquids Pipelines in the role of Vice President, Head of Business Development, for Enbridge Pipelines Inc. In this role, Vern is accountable for all business development and market development strategies and activities for Enbridge’s crude oil infrastructure business.
Vern joined Enbridge in 1993 in Toronto and has since taken on roles of increasing responsibility within the organization. He has been the Manager, Capital Markets; Director, Financial Risk Management; Assistant Treasurer; and VP Investor Relations and Enterprise Risk. Vern also served as a Director of Aux Sable Liquid Products, L.P., and is the 2011 co-chair of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Before coming to Enbridge, Vern worked as an engineer at TransCanada 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.
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