WHO WE ARE

Our History

The original idea for the Community Foundation came from a local area rancher, Mr. John Ignatius, who had supported other Community Foundations and sought to have a local organization provide similar community benefits. John made the first endowed donation of $25,000 and encouraged his many family, friends and colleagues to follow his example. The Medicine Hat Community Foundation was then founded in 1992 through an act of Legislature of the Province of Alberta. John passed away in January 2000 and, true to his word, left the vast majority of his estate to the Foundation. John’s financial contribution was in excess of $2.4 million but his biggest legacy was the original creation of the Foundation which continues to support vibrant, healthy, caring communities across Southeastern Alberta – today, tomorrow, forever!

The CFSEA is a non-government, non-political and non-religious independent organization that operates under the guidance of a diverse group of community-minded volunteer Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

Michael Anctil
Board Chair

Suzanne Curtin
Director

Sean Blewett
Director

Frances Barnes
Director

Ajit Atwal
Vice Chair

Myrna Stark
Director

Jim van der Sloot
Director

Pamela Lehr
Director

Robert Belau
Treasurer

Gregory J Niwa
Director

Tracy Stroud
Director

Matthew Lofgren
Director

Cheryl Poscik
Secretary

Neil Maser
Director

Larry Johnson
Director

Committees

Community Leadership
Frances Barnes – Chair
Tracy Stroud
Shawna Murphy
Karen Blewett
Marco Jensen
Adam Andrews
Dr. Suzanne Curtin
Myrna Stark
Michael Anctil (ex-officio)
Chris Christie – Executive Director
Niki Gray – Grants and Administration Coordinator

Finance and Audit
Robert Belau – Chair
Larry Johnson
Dennis Egert
Todd O’Reilly
Ryan Dorton
Sean Blewett
Darren Hirsch
Michael Anctil (ex-officio)
Barbara Kenworthy – Financial Administrator
Chris Christie – Executive Director

Grants
Cheryl Pocsik – Chair
Gerry Labas
Keri-Anne Lawton
Keri Bradford
Ajit Atwal
Karen Cunningham
Neil Maser
Michelle Amos
Joanne Stickle
Blaine Whitford
Petra Mauerhoff
Lindsay Niwa
Michael Anctil (ex-officio)
Chris Christie – Executive Director
Barbara Kenworthy – Financial Administrator
Niki Gray- Grants and Administration Coordinator

Endowment Development
Gregory J Niwa – Chair
Jim van der Sloot
Todd O’Reilly
Barry Neubauer
Pamela Lehr
Nora Way
Matthew Lofgren
Michael Anctil (ex-officio)
Chris Christie – Executive Director
Marlene Watson – Regional Development Manager