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

Dr. Suzanne Curtin
Director

Cody Ibbotson
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

David Andrews
Director

Committees

Community Leadership
Frances Barnes – Chair
Tracy Stroud
Karen Blewett
Marco Jensen
Jason Openo
Dr. Suzanne Curtin
Myrna Stark Shannon Bergstreser Michael Anctil (ex-officio) Chris Christie – Executive Director Sue Edwards – Assistant Director

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

Grants
Cheryl Pocsik – Chair Keri Bradford
Ajit Atwal
Karen Cunningham
Neil Maser
Michelle Amos
Joanne Stickle
Blaine Whitford
Petra Mauerhoff
Lindsay Niwa-Mathers
Michael Anctil (ex-officio)
Chris Christie – Executive Director
Barbara Kenworthy – Financial Administrator
Sue Edwards – Assistant Director Niki Gray – Community Engagement 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 Sue Edwards – Assistant Director

Rural Development Advisory Committees

Advisory Committee –
Brooks & District Community Fund
David Andrews, Chair
Inge Ellefson
Leona Ferguson
Grant Jensen
Kathleen Jenson
Matthew Lofgren
Debbie Piper
Cindy Slenders
Lisa Tiffin
Nicole Gardner
Brian Petersen
Nicole Nichols, Community Fund Coordinator (Staff)
Chris Christie, Executive Director (Staff)
Sue Edwards, Assistant Director (Staff)

Advisory Committee –
Prairie Crocus Community Fund
Linda Bingeman, Chair
Lois Bedwell
Roger Bedwell
Lucille Hertz
Elaine Michaels
Lorraine Guckert
Kim Stief, Community Fund Coordinator (Staff)
Chris Christie, Executive Director (Staff)
Sue Edwards, Assistant Director (Staff)

Advisory Committee –
Rural Community Fund of Forty Mile
Clint Thacker, Chair
John VanTryp
Jill Bernhardt
Lorne Buis
Stephanie Hlady
Tyson Ormann
Larry Robinson
Nathan Kiffiak (youth member)
Michelle MacLean, Community Fund Coordinator (Staff)
Chris Christie, Executive Director (Staff)
Sue Edwards, Assistant Director (Staff)