Friends of the Alberta Jubilee Auditoria Society

Meet the Chair of our AJAS Board of Directors, Dr. Maureen Toews!

Dr. Maureen Toews is a post-secondary academic leader, recently retired as Associate Vice President, Teaching, Learning and Research, after a 35-year career at Red Deer Polytechnic. Maureen holds a PhD in Education (Dissertation: Postsecondary Instructor Experience Teaching in Flexible Learning Spaces, 2014) and a Master of Library Science.

Meet the Vice-Chair of our AJAS Board of Directors, Anne Green!

Anne has extensive experience as both a funder at all three levels of government, and as working within the sector. In her most recent role as Director of WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival, she brought it from concept to reality. She provided the leadership to build and grow upon the inaugural Festival event bringing it to internationally recognized standing. She stepped down from the organization after 15 seasons at the end of 2010.

Anne has been a cultural sector professional since her late teens when she co-founded Edmonton’s then second professional theatre, Theatre 3 (later known as The Phoenix). She has been the recipient of Arts Festival Recognition for the XV Olympic Winter Games and Woman of the Year Award from the City of Edmonton for her contribution to the arts. As an Honorary Alumna of De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre, Wikwemikong, she was the first person to be so recognized who did not work at the company. She received the prestigious 2004 Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management and the 2009 Calgary Award for Contribution to the Arts and was honoured with The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Meet our AJAS Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance & Audit Board Committee, Adam Conrad!

Adam is the CFO & VP Finance at Leede Jones Gable Inc., which is one of Canada’s leading independent investment dealers providing a full range of investment products and services to clients all across Canada. Adam leads the accounting and finance team at Leede, which entails all aspects of financial and regulatory reporting. The financial sector is a highly regulated industry and dealer members are subject to extremely strict reporting requirements and undergo numerous regulatory and government audits. From this environment Adam has developed a skillset which would serve as an asset to the Jubilee.

Adam received his Charted Accountant designation in 2013. He began his career as an articling student at the public accounting firm MNP LLP, and specialized in public and large private company audits in all different industries including not-for-profit, financial services and oil & gas. His not-for-profit audit experiences has served as an excellent foundation for Adam’s role on the Jubilee’s finance committee. A strong set of financial and analytical skills along with an interest and appreciation for the arts make Adam an excellent fit as director.

Meet our AJAS Board Secretary, Laura Inglis!

Laura is a partner with Bennett Jones LLP, an internationally recognized Canadian law firm. Laura practices in the areas of Labour & Employment and Health Law. She routinely works with clients across a range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, energy, education, information technology, and health care. Laura has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, as well as various tribunals.

In addition to her practice, Laura is a regular presenter on a range of topics including new developments in employment law, privacy, corporate governance, and EDI initiatives. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience related to policy development, risk management, and strategic oversight to the AJAS Board.

Meet the Chair of our AJAS New Initiatives and Community Engagement (NICE) Board Committee

Michael is a business development professional who has worked in corporate development, market research and project management roles with technology companies in Canada and in Silicon Valley. He serves as a Board member, company advisor and a mentor to entrepreneurs as they strive to build their business.

Meet the Chair of our AJAS HR&G Board Committee, Darryl Boessenkool!

Darryl is a visionary, entrepreneurial professional with over 30 years of executive leadership experience. Darryl currently owns a advisory/consulting company focused on the trend towards interim executive assignments. His clients are based in industries such as Life Sciences, Healthcare, Industrial, Aviation, Venture Capital/Start-ups, and Entertainment. His prior experience included serving as a key member of the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) executive team from 1996 to 2018, as COO/EVP Corporate Strategy & Business Development, and previously as CFO for the OEG group of companies. Darryl continues to serve on various strategic corporate boards, while maintaining his commitment to the community serving on not-for-profit boards such as the Edmonton Elks Football Club, Edmonton Screen Industries Office, Make a Wish Foundation, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, and many others. He is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a graduate from the University of Alberta (Economics).

Valerie McDougall is a member of the Tsuut’ina Nation. She is Dene and Cree. Valerie has 4 grandchildren, two children and has been married for 38 years. Valerie has been an educator for 19 years. Receiving her Bachelor of Education at the University of Lethbridge, Master of Education in School Administration at the University of Gonzaga and is currently work on her Doctor of Education at the University of Calgary. She is currently employed with St. Mary’s University as a Faculty member. Valerie has sat on the College of Alberta Superintendent Schools, First Nation Metis and Inuit Action Committee board and the Calgary Consortium Professional Development Board. Valerie is excited to be part of the Alberta Southern Jubilee Auditorium Society and looks forward to collaborating with all members.

Arthur is a lawyer, advisor and businessman and resides in Calgary. He has practiced law since 1985 and has been active in the development and management of commercial and industrial real estate since 1990. Arthur received his King’s Counsel appointment in 2004 and earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors of Canada. In his role as legal counsel and advisor, his work focuses on negotiation, structuring commercial transactions, governance and strategic personal and business planning.

Arthur has been actively involved as an advisor and board member of various charitable organizations, including The Shriners, Calgary Rite to Learn Foundation, Hungarian Arts & Heritage Foundation of Alberta and, together with his spouse Nancy, established the Szabo Family Foundation. Arthur is the Hon. Consul for Hungary for Alberta and in 2020 was decorated with the Knight’s Cross, Hungarian Order of Merit.

Trudi is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge and holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of Louisiana. She is currently the Dean of the Centre for Justice and Human Services at Lethbridge College and previously held faculty positions at the University of Lethbridge, University of Louisiana and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
In her current role, Trudi collaborates across the institution to ensure student and team success. She has been instrumental in the development of new programming, including the Indigenous Policing Micro-credential. An active performer, Trudi has performed with numerous groups throughout Canada and the United States including the Aeris Brass Quintet, Appalachian Brass Quintet, the Louisiana Brass Quintet, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, and the Wednesday Night Big Band. Trudi has appeared as a soloist at the University of Saskatchewan and as featured soloist with the Fairmont Festival Chamber Orchestras, Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and the Musaeus String Quartet.
Through her teaching and leadership, Trudi works with learners of all ages and has spent the majority of her life as an educator and mentor. In 2024, Trudi was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction award for Education and Mentorship. As she shares her passion for teaching, learning and music with others, she aims to instill within them lifelong love of both music and learning.

Tynan Groves is multi-disciplinarian artist/ musician from the Crowsnest Pass, he defines himself as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, painter, and educator. Tynan has played with many musicians from around Southern Alberta and all over Canada as a freelance guitarist and with his own music. In other parts of his life Tynan has also worked with people of differing abilities supporting them in their lives and has a real heart for real inclusion, working as a community support worker and finding that great gift of empathy from them. Tynan, as an educator, runs his own studio of students and helps out with the music program at Crowsnest Consolidated High School. Tynan also works as an educational assistant at CCHS and helps students of all abilities.

Tynan’s community in the Crowsnest Pass has offered the special honour of meeting and working with Blackfoot elders for various special events. Tynan holds a special place in his heart for all First Nations and especially the Stoney (from where he grew up) and the Blackfoot, where he currently lives. Tynan and his wife has also had the privilege of working with Metis groups around Southern Alberta helping with fiddle camps, another special place held in his heart. A small part of Tynan’s heart also belongs to the Cree up at Driftpile where he taught at The North Country Fair camp.

Tynan is currently playing solo everywhere and anywhere, including hosting his long-running jam at the historic Greenhill Hotel in Blairmore. Tynan also plays in his own group called The Skylight Postcards, a composite of various forms and genres of music. In addition to all of this Tynan also plays in The Lani Folkard Band, a rock and country band focused on playing the original material of Lani Folkard.

Tynan holds two diploma’s, both in Jazz Performance, the first being from Mount Royal and the second being from Humber in Toronto. Tynan also has a Bachelor of Music Jazz Studies from Thompson Rivers University. He holds all of his alma maters in high esteem and Tynan values and holds education in the highest regard.