Board of Directors

Chair – Dave Maffitt

Dave Maffitt is the current Chair of the Volunteer Airdrie Society.  Born in Calgary and raised on a small farm near Carstairs, he is an avid and lifelong volunteer.  He joined Volunteer Airdrie in mid-2013, just as he was wrapping up a 6-year involvement with Airdrie Minor Basketball, including 5 years as its President.  Dave was the Chairperson for the Basketball Sport at the Airdrie 2014 Alberta Summer Games, where he organized and supervised 75 volunteers at 4 venues over 3 days.  When Dave is not volunteering, he finds time to work in the Calgary oil patch as an oil & gas marketing consultant for junior and intermediate exploration companies.  In his “spare time”, Dave also sits on the Boards of Volunteer Alberta, Airdrie Sports Council, Karate Alberta Association and Alberta JKA Karate Association.

Vice Chair & Director, Events – Leon Cygman

Leon moved to Calgary in 1979 and worked as a project coordinator in the construction industry. He turned his profession to teaching in 1983 and has taught courses in computer programming, systems design and security, and technical mathematics. In 2008, he joined Mount Royal University where he is teaching for the business school in the areas of management, e-business, management information systems and statistics. He has chaired the departments of Aviation, General Management, Human Resources, International Business and Supply Chain Management. Leon is the author of a textbook on database design and use, has written several papers and book chapters in the area of distance education and will be publishing a Business Statistics – Level One book in the fall of 2019, with Level Two expected the following year. Calling Airdrie home since 2014, Leon is married with one daughter and one beautiful granddaughter. Besides his work on the Volunteer Airdrie board, he is also a member of the Airdrie Public Library and the Marigold Library Systems boards. Leon is an avid traveler having visited over 20 countries on 4 continents. He is currently writing a book on independent traveling. Leon has a Masters degree in information systems and a PhD in business administration with a major in e-business.

Treasurer & Director, Governance – Phillip Hoffmann

An Airdrie resident since 2018, Phil Hoffmann is an active volunteer in the community. He is on the Board of Directors for the Airdrie Food Bank and is President of the Advocates for Airdrie Public Library Society. Before moving to Airdrie, he volunteered for arts and other organizations in Calgary, including the National Music Centre and the Calgary Folk Club. His former professional roles include Executive Director of Literacy Alberta. Phil holds a PhD. in philosophy from the University of Calgary. He enjoys tutoring philosophy online and composing original acoustic guitar music. His favourite quote is: “Remember your humanity and forget the rest” – Albert Einstein.

Secretary – Charmagne Sumaoang

Charmagne – Born in Isabela, Philippines, and moved to Calgary at 11 years old. She recently completed her undergraduate at the University of Calgary with a combined degree in Political Science and International Relations minor in East Asian Language. Charmagne joined the Volunteer Airdrie Society through Volunteer Alberta’s Youth @ The Table program. In addition to this she is also a crisis line volunteer at the Distress Centre Calgary. On her free time, she loves baking and cooking.

Director, Seniors Programs – Nina Nath

Volunteerism is very much part of my upbringing from an early age, as I started volunteering at a young age from my school days. My grandfather inspired me. He was a Doctor and would provide medical assistance in any form free to people who were unable to provide medical needs for themselves. For his humanities he received the President of India’s Humanitarian Award. Mother Teresa would come to our school, once a month, and involve the students in volunteerism. I have volunteered as a co-coordinator representing the Corporation I was working for, got involved with United Way, convincing as many staff as possible to contribute through monthly payroll deductions any amount, to United Way. I was in the banking and investment business for over 18 years. I was a Director for North Rocky View Community Links for 8 years. When the Youth Program started by the City, I was also involved and tried to rid our society about Gay individuals perception, and promoted their rights as individuals with different bodies and feelings not to discriminate. I have advocated for accessibility for People with Disabilities and Seniors, as well as promote awareness of People with Disabilities and their needs and promote them as individuals with different abilities and different needs, especially with policy makers and politicians as an individual and did not take advantage of my position with Community Links. As well it is important to change the perception of our society that every Disability is different and unique and it does not necessarily mean that all Disabled People are mentally disabled as well and useless. I have been a Director of Volunteer Airdrie since its inception, and left for a few years, and am very happy to be back being a part of Volunteer Airdrie again. Personally, I am a Person with Physical Disabilities and understand them, and I encourage them to be part of some organization either as a worker or as a volunteer.  I am a member of the Welcoming Airdrie Committee, as well as the Indians in Airdrie nonprofit organization.

Director, Program Evaluations – Monique Sereneo

Monique is relatively new to Alberta, having moved to Calgary in May 2019. She was raised in Winnipeg, MB and lived in Kingston, ON while attending Queen’s University for Applied Economics with a minor in Global Development Studies, and a Certificate in Law. Monique joined Volunteer Airdrie through Volunteer Alberta’s Youth @ the Table program, and currently works at CCVO (Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations). She enjoys learning about Alberta’s vibrant nonprofit community and also volunteers for YYC Growers + Distributors and the Calgary Migratory Species Response Team.

Director, Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media and Communications – Naomi Slipp

Naomi moved to Airdrie on Mother’s Day of 2022 with her husband and son. She was instantly won over by the warmth and friendliness of the community but realized her neighbourhood had few opportunities for people to gather and support one another. The next year she organized a successful community litter cleanup with support from Volunteer Airdrie. Seeing the great work that the organization does for the community she joined the board the following September. Naomi works as a Change Management and Communications Specialist focusing on health care and non-profits and is excited to bring her skills to the table at board meetings.

Volunteer Airdrie Staff

Jason Heer – Director, Youth Advisory Board, Community Engagement, & Fund Development

Jason has a degree in Education, and a Master of Leadership. He has been in the non profit sector for the past 15 years and worked for agencies such as Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary and Edmonton, as well, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area. His focus has been working with vulnerable and high risk youth, by providing programs that will engage them with particular life skills, healthy mentors and safe space. Additionally, he has a passion assisting young people achieve their goals, reach their milestones and discover their own potential.

Jason has lived in Airdrie over 10 years, currently raising 5 children, all which participate and volunteer through Airdrie Minor Hockey. Jason also has enjoys participating in most events in Airdrie such as Airdrie Fest and Linking the Community in the Park.

Jason believes that children and youth are the future of our society and the importance of the commitment of the adults to create an impact in them for a better society.

Madelaine Coupland – YVC Team Leader

Madelaine moved to Airdrie from Kelowna, BC in 2018 and has since proudly graduated from St. Martin de Porres. She is currently enrolled in the Child and Youth Care Diploma at Bow Valley College and plans on working with at risk youth in her community. She joined Youth Volunteer Corps as a Team Lead because she is passionate about working with youth and showing them that volunteerism is fulfilling, full of valuable life experiences, and is the core of a community.

Trish Boyer – YVC Team Leader

Trish has lived in Airdrie for the past 14 years with her husband, two daughters and two dogs. She grew up volunteering with her family and is so happy to help instill the importance of volunteering into the youth of Airdrie. Trish has been lucky to volunteer with organizations like Inn from the Cold, The Mustard Seed, AARCS, The Boys and Girls Club Calgary, Ronald McDonald House and Airdrie Girls Fastpitch. She has worked in the airline industry for 20 years and in her downtime she enjoys using her travel benefits to see the world, hiking, kayaking, camping and watching both her girls play softball.