Chair – Dave Maffitt

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, Finance – Paige Fossheim

Paige has worked at ATB Financial for 8 years, starting as a Customer Service Representative in a branch, then promoted to a Client Service Officer for Corporate Financial Services and currently is in the role of Manager, Retail. She is also working on her BA, with a major in psychology, through online studies with Athabasca University.

In addition to working at ATB, Paige is very active in the volunteer community, including the theatre community – behind the scenes and on stage, the Distress Center and other charities within ATB

Her most memorable volunteer involvement has been with the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, Seniors Secret Service, Teddy for Toonie, Marathon of Sport, Habitat for Humanity, and Brown Bagging Calgary and most recently, Speak Anglos, a language immersion program where she spent 8 days in Italy helping people learn English.

Volunteering is very important to Paige as she believes in giving back to the community, which she does in support of ATB’s various charities and on her own. Helping people is a large part of Paige’s beliefs, it is something she feels very strongly about and looks forward to helping people in the future.

Secretary – Hyejun Kim

Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, Hyejun moved to Calgary with her family in 2009. She is a public health practitioner by training, having completed a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She comes from a background of government, academic & applied research, and community outreach, and is currently working in the primary care sector to improve the quality and accessibility of primary care for patients and communities in Calgary and area. Her areas of interest include community engagement, Indigenous health, process improvement, change management, health policy & equity, and mental health advocacy.

Hyejun joined the Volunteer Airdrie Society through the Youth@ the Table program. She is also a board member of the Indigenous Kids Network of Canada and a crisis line volunteer at the Distress Centre Calgary.

Director, Seniors Programs – Nina Nath

Volunteerism is very much part of my upbringing from an early age, and 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. Plus 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. Have been a Director for North Rocky View which is now Community Links. 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, specially 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.

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, 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.

Director, Fund Development – Nuhad Hussain

Nuhad moved to Airdrie in 2007 with his family. Nuhad started his new career with the City of Airdrie in 2022 as a Senior Project Manager, in the Emerging Solutions department. Before that, he has been working in the telecommunication and government sectors in various roles in Information Technology (IT). He received his MBA from Athabasca University in 2018. Nuhad has been volunteering with many charities since 2002 and is excited to be part of the Volunteer Airdrie as a board member.

Director – Amanda Boadi

Amanda has lived in Calgary since 1997 and has explored many towns and cities across the province, especially in her work supporting local school divisions. She studied Health Sciences at the University of Calgary and currently works in the charitable sector, collaborating with schools and community agencies on nutrition programming for students. Amanda has worked in roles that incorporate volunteer management, training and facilitation, and special event and conference planning. Amanda has fulfilled her passion for youth empowerment through tutoring, working in summer camps, planning youth leadership conferences, and supporting development programs with Calgary YMCA. Amanda joined the Volunteer Airdrie Society through Volunteer Alberta’s Youth @ The Table program. Outside of working and volunteering you will likely find Amanda trying a new recipe in the kitchen or working on a new jigsaw puzzle.

Director – Amy Deng

Amy moved to Calgary in May 2022 with work. She was born in Sichuan, China, and moved to Edmonton at 8 years old. She graduated from University of Alberta in 2018 with a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering Process Control. Amy joined Volunteer Airdrie through Volunteer Alberta’s Youth @ The Table program to learn about board governance and give back to the community. She is passionate about empowering youth and advocating for diversity and inclusion.

Director – 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.

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.

Jessica Neufeld – Director, Program Administration

A born and raised Albertan, originally from the Red Deer area, Jessica and her family have called Airdrie home since 2007. She is happily married to husband Colin and together they have 3 beautiful children, Tiernan, Liam & Sadie whom they cherish and are extremely proud of. Jessica and her husband own and operate their own successful electrical contracting company, providing expertise and professional service in the oil and gas sector. Jessica believes in giving back to her community and as such has dedicated a great deal of her time and energy to volunteerism in Airdrie. In addition to sitting on various boards and committees including the Airdrie Festival of Lights and the Airdrie Youth Engagement Strategy (YES), she has given her time to Soap for Hope, the Airdrie Food Bank, Volunteer Airdrie, Airdrie Relay For Life, Our Lady Queen of Peace school, and WH Croxford High School to name a few. For the past 9 years Jessica has been a proud member of Girl Guides of Canada in Airdrie serving in several senior administrative roles including Contact & Unit Guider for 2nd Airdrie Brownies, Goldenfields Membership and Public Relations Adviser, Parkland Area Trainer and Parkland Area Training Adviser. In her downtime you will find Jessica relaxing at home with her family, spending time with her friends & Guiding Sisters, hanging out at the Calgary Comic Expo or out camping in one of Alberta’s beautiful Provincial Parks or campgrounds. Jessica is excited to join Volunteer Airdrie’s Youth Volunteer Corps as the incoming YVC Airdrie Director of Program Administration. She brings to the table a diverse set of skills, a quirky, fun personality and a cooperative leadership style.

“I believe there’s a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength and makes us noble.”
-May Parker, Spider-man 2

Madelaine Coupland – YVC Team Leader

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.

Meghan McCracken – YVC Team Leader

Meghan McCracken is a person who wears many hats; she has worked for many years as a construction worker in the oil and gas industry, she has a Bachelor of Science Degree in psychology from the University of Lethbridge and she has taught as an English language teacher’s assistant in a francophone middle school in New Brunswick. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in respect, empathy and amplifying cultural brilliance for all youth. She is also a proud Red-River Métis person and loves to engage meaningfully with her cultural identity. Meghan is an active listener who develops relationships and connections with people by accepting them for who they are. She understands the importance of reciprocity and giving back to her community and is honored to share this passion with the youth volunteers in Airdrie. Her dream in life is to become a psychologist who builds her own home and adopts many pets.