If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please see our Board Recruitment Brochure for more information. For a breakdown of the time and financial commitments required of WGA Board members, click here.
| President: | Leslie Chivers, Edmonton |
| Leslie Chivers is a writer of fiction currently living in Edmonton but who has lived in numerous places all over the province. He attended university in the fine arts program majoring in visual arts and minoring in creative writing. He currently has three short stories published and is working on a full-length novel. Also a member of PEN Canada and PEN America, Leslie believes in and advocates for free speech and the freedom to write. | |
| Vice President: | Leanne Myggland-Carter, Spruce Grove |
| Leanne Myggland-Carter (Oxon. PGCert), published poet and author, studied abroad at Exeter College, Oxford University after graduating from the University of Alberta with an Honours English Bachelor of Arts degree. Throughout the past 20+ years, she has served on many boards including CanWrite! Conference (Volunteer Chair), Get Publishing Conference (Silent Auction Chair), Federal Electoral District (Communications Chair), Alberta Winter Games (Literary Arts Chair), and Spruce Grove Public Library (Secretary). For 12 years, Leanne was the Operations-Communications Manager of the Canadian Authors Association—Alberta Branch and currently is the Marketing and Fund Development Manager/Assistant Director at the Spruce Grove Public Library as well as a Writing and Wellness Practitioner. | |
| Treasurer: | Susan Carpenter, Calgary |
Susan Carpenter holds an Honours English Degree from Western University, a PR Certificate through Mount Royal University, and a Creative Writing Certificate from the Humber School for Writers. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Howard O’Hagan Award, the Journey Prize, was a finalist in the Short Prose Competition through The Writers’ Union of Canada, came first-runner-up in the Little Bird Contest, and won The Fringe Contest at the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival. In 2016, she was chosen by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta as one of five emerging voices to receive a mentorship for a YA novel. Susan teaches Sarah Selecky’s Story Intensive online, volunteer programs with seniors for Lifelong Learners short story club at Loft 112 and participates in the WGA’s Buddy Program. By day, she works as an Associate Investment Advisor in Calgary, and by night raises a blended family of five sons in various stages of higher learning and moving out, and a chocolate lab that refuses to launch. | |
| Secretary: | Kevin Thornton, Fort McMurray |
| Kevin Thornton was born in Kenya and has lived or worked in New Zealand, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, England, Dubai and Afghanistan. He has lived in Alberta for nearly 14 years. Kevin believes in community involvement. He was the library board chair, is a member of the Heritage Society and the local Arts Council, who awarded him the first Fort McMurray Literary award in 2016. Kevin is also on the board of the Crime Writers of Canada and is a member of the CWA, the ITW, the IACW and the Keys. Kevin has had numerous short stories and poems published in over 20 collections and has been shortlisted seven times for the Arthur Ellis Awards. | |
| Members at Large: | |
| Alison Clarke, Edmonton | |
| Alison Clarke is a writer/artist and creative writing and visual arts instructor. She also experiences life as a spoken word artist. Alison is the author of The Sisterhood, a young adult fantasy novel about Oppie, a sorceress’ daughter, and her best friend, Aurie, who is a dragon, and the journey they go on to save the universe. The Sisterhood is Book One of The Sisterhood Series, for which Alison won the award 2016 Writer of The Year by Diversity magazine. The second book in the series is Racine and the third is Circle which was released on November 27, 2018. Alison believes that storytelling can change the world. | |
| Lisa Mulrooney, Stony Plain | |
| Lisa Mulrooney is the first Poet Laureate of Stony Plain (2019-21). She has a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature (Honors) and a Master’s degree in Education (Post-Secondary Leadership & Educational Improvement), both from the University of Alberta. Lisa has worked as a High School English Teacher and as a Post-Secondary Administrator. She is passionate about language (especially poetry) and education. Lisa is the Co-Founder and President of Parkland Poets’ Society and also serves as the Secretary on the board of Edmonton’s Stroll of Poets Society. | |
| Dr. Kimberly Fraser, Sherwood Park | |
| Dr. Kimberly Fraser, an author with an MFA in Creative Nonfiction, has extensive clinical practice and leadership in nursing and health care. A nurse entrepreneur, Kim owned a successful home care company and vocational school with her husband for 25 years. Kim has been active on several boards, specifically those that represent home care and family caregiving. Currently, she is a Board Member and Past President with Caregivers Alberta. Dr. Fraser led a research program in family caregiving and home care using innovative and arts-based approaches in her former roles as a professor (University of Alberta) and Clinician Scientist (Alberta Health Services). She applied research to incite public conversations and inform policy for better outcomes for home care clients and family caregivers. Dr. Fraser has embarked on a second career as author and recently completed her first full-length book manuscript. She does contract teaching with Athabasca University. | |
| Therese Greenwood, Fort McMurray | |
| Author Therese Greenwood‘s memoir of the Fort McMurray wildfire, What You Take With You: Wildfire, Family and the Road Home, was published spring 2019 by the University of Alberta Press. Her short crime fiction has appeared across Canada and the U.S. and she won the 2019 Spur Award from the Western Writers of America for her story “Buck’s Last Ride” in Kill As You Go, her 2018 short story collection from Calgary publisher Coffin Hop Press. She has been short-listed for the Arthur Ellis Award three times, Canada’s top mystery-writing prize, and has co-edited two short crime fiction anthologies. She has also worked as a reporter and editor and spent a decade as a weekly CBC Radio correspondent. Her feature stories and columns have appeared in publications ranging from The Globe and Mail to Cottage Life, and she has a Master’s degree in journalism. | |
| Member at Large (Youth Rep): | Sophie Pinkoski, Edmonton |
| Sophie Pinkoski will continue as Youth Representative. She has been active on the board since October 2017 and is the current chair of the WGA youth committee. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Victoria, and a Master of Science in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University. She is a dark fantasy novelist in both the adult and young adult age bracket and offers marketing and editorial services through Pinkoski Consulting. While completing her Master’s, she took on a Managing Editor role at Merchiston Publishing and Features Editor role for Buzz Magazine, as well as working in the Children’s Marketing and Publicity office at Penguin Random House London. Her experience in the UK has given her opportunities to work closely alongside agents, publishers and authors alike. | |
| Past President: | Carol Parchewsky, Calgary |
| Carol Parchewsky has been an active member of the WGA for over three years. She received her Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, from the University of Saskatchewan, and her Postgraduate Certificates in Professional Management—PEG, e-Learning, and Creative Writing from the University of Calgary. Carol is a MFA candidate in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte. She is a knowledgeable senior leader with experience in government organizations, civic organizations, and in the private sector. Currently, she is Operations Director of Legend Grafix, an all-inclusive graphic design house and wide-format printer based in Calgary, Alberta. Carol writes picture books, middle grade, adult fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. She is working on a novel and a collection of short stories. |
| 2018/2019 | |
| President: | Carol Parchewsky, Calgary |
| Vice President: | Leslie Chivers, Edmonton |
| Treasurer: | Falon Reed, Redwater |
| Secretary: | Lori Hahnel, Calgary |
| Past President: | Dustin Archibald, Grande Prairie |
| Members at Large: | Alison Clarke, Edmonton | Joan Crate, Calgary | Lisa Mulrooney, Stony Plain | Sophie Pinkoski, Edmonton (Youth Rep) |
| 2017/2018 | |
| President: | Dustin Archibald, Grande Prairie |
| Vice President: | Carol Parchewsky, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Falon Reed, Redwater |
| Secretary: | Lori Hahnel, Calgary |
| Past President: | Anne Logan, Calgary |
| Members at Large: | Alison Clarke, Edmonton | Joan Crate, Calgary | Leslie Chivers, Edmonton | Sophie Pinkoski, Edmonton (Youth Rep) |
| 2016/2017 | |
| President: | Anne Logan, Calgary |
| Vice President: | Dustin Archibald, Grande Prairie |
| Treasurer: | Falon Reed, Redwater |
| Secretary: | Fran Kimmel, Lacombe |
| Past President: | Barb Howard, Calgary |
| Members at Large: | Karen Pheasant, Edmonton | Kim McCullough, Calgary | Marc Colbourne, Edmonton | Teresa Wouters, Grande Prairie | Rachel Lee, Edmonton (Youth Rep) |
| 2015/2016 | |
| President: | Barb Howard, Calgary |
| Vice President: | Anne Logan, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Falon Reed, Redwater |
| Secretary: | Fran Kimmel, Lacombe |
| Past President: | Peter Midgley, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | Dustin Archibald, Grande Prairie | Leslie Chivers, Edmonton | Terry Cho, Calgary | Karen Pheasant, Edmonton | Barbori G. Streibl, Calgary (Youth Rep) |
| 2014/2015 | |
| President: | Peter Midgley, Edmonton |
| Vice President: | Barb Howard, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Kimberley Champigny, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | Anne Logan, Calgary |
| Past President: | Vacant |
| Members at Large: | Leslie Chivers, Edmonton | Terry Cho, Calgary | Fran Kimmel, Lacombe | Rena J. Traxel, Onoway | Barbori Streibl, Calgary (Youth Rep) |
| 2013/2014 | |
| President: | Peter Midgley, Edmonton |
| Vice President: | Barb Howard, Bragg Creek |
| Treasurer: | Kimberley Champigny, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | Ann Logan, Calgary |
| Past President: | Julie Sedivy, Calgary |
| Members at Large: | Fran Kimmel, Lacombe | Shannon Lepine, Edmonton (Youth Rep) | Dianne Linden, Edmonton | Rena Traxel-Boudreau, Onoway |
| 2012/2013 | |
| President: | Julie Sedivy, Calgary |
| Vice President: | Peter Midgley, Edmonton |
| Treasurer: | Kimberley Champigny, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | (Vacant) |
| Past President: | Patricia MacQuarrie, Wetaskiwin |
| Members at Large: | Janet Gurtler, Calgary | Barb Howard, Bragg Creek | Fran Kimmel, Lacombe | Shannon Lepine, Edmonton (Youth Rep) | Dianne Linden, Edmonton |
| 2011/2012 | |
| President: | Patricia MacQuarrie, Wetaskiwin |
| Vice President: | Julie Sedivy, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Kimberley Champigny, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | Rosemary Griebel, Calgary |
| Past President: | Patricia MacQuarrie, Wetaskiwin |
| Members at Large: | Jordanna Bubar, Edmonton (Youth Rep) | Dianne Linden, Edmonton | Peter Midgley, Edmonton | Susan Toy, Calgary | Teresa Wouters, Grande Prairie |
| 2010/2011 | |
| President: | Patricia MacQuarrie, Wetaskiwin |
| Vice President: | Julie Sedivy, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Kimberley Champigny, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | Rosemary Griebel, Calgary |
| Past President: | Audrey Seehagen, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | Leslie Greentree, Red Deer | Jennifer Kunlire, Calgary (youth member) | Dianne Linden, Edmonton | Teresa Wouters, Grande Prairie |
| 2009/2010 | |
| President: | Audrey Seehagen, Edmonton |
| Vice President: | Ian LeTourneau, Athabasca |
| Treasurer: | David Richardson, Grande Prairie |
| Secretary: | Patricia MacQuarrie, Wetaskiwin |
| Past President: | Blaine Newton, Red Deer |
| Members at Large: | Karen Bass, Hythe | Leslie Greentree, Red Deer | Rosemary Griebel, Calgary | Jennifer Kunlire, Calgary (youth member) | Julie Sedivy, Calgary |
| 2008/2009 | |
| President: | Blaine Newton, Red Deer |
| Vice President: | Audrey Seehagen, Edmonton |
| Treasurer: | David Richardson, Grande Prairie |
| Secretary: | Karen Bass, Hythe |
| Past President: | Dymphny Dronyk, Grande Prairie |
| Members at Large: | Rosemary Griebel, Calgary | Jennifer Kunlire, Calgary (youth member) | Patricia MacQuarrie, Wetaskiwin | Shirley Serviss, Edmonton | Ian LeTourneau, Athabasca |
| 2007/2008 | |
| President: | Dymphny Dronyk, Grande Prairie |
| Vice President: | Blaine Newton, Red Deer |
| Treasurer: | Arthur Kan, Edmonton |
| Secretary: | Audrey Seehagen, Edmonton |
| Past President: | Lori Lavallee, Lethbridge |
| Members at Large: | Karen Bass, Hythe | J. Paul Cooper, Calgary | Shirley Serviss, Edmonton Richard Stevenson, Lethbridge |
| 2006/2007 | |
| President: | Lori Lavallee, Lethbridge |
| Vice President: | Kelly Clemmer, Wainwright |
| Treasurer: | Arthur Kan, Edmonton |
| Secretary: | Dymphny Dronyk, Grande Prairie |
| Past President: | Vern Thiessen, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | Alexis Hillier, Edmonton (youth member) | Audrey Seehagen, Edmonton | J. Paul Cooper, Calgary |
| 2005/2006 | |
| President: | Vern Thiessen, Edmonton |
| Vice President: | Lori Lavallee, Lethbridge |
| Treasurer: | Arthur Kan, Edmonton |
| Secretary: | John Mulholland, Grande Cache |
| Past President: | Vivian Hansen |
| Members at Large: | Kathryn Arnold, Edmonton | Kelly Clemmer, Wainwright | Dymphny Dronyk, Grande Prairie | Alexis Hillier, Edmonton (youth member) |
| 2004/2005 *elected at the Special General Meeting, December 11, 2004, Red Deer | |
| President: | Vern Thiessen, Edmonton* |
| Vice President: | Lori Lavallee, Lethbridge* |
| Treasurer: | Joan Marklund, Drumheller |
| Secretary: | Lorna Klose, Calgary* |
| Past President: | Vivian Hansen, Calgary |
| Members at Large: | Kathryn Arnold, Edmonton* | Kelly Clemmer, Wainwright* | Marilyn Dumont, Edmonton | John Mulholland, Grande Cache* | Wendy Rajala, Calgary* |
| 2004/2005 (elected at AGM) | |
| President: | Anne Burke, Calgary |
| Vice President: | Harvey Walker, St. Albert |
| Treasurer: | Joan Marklund, Drumheller |
| Secretary: | Gail Gravelines, Edmonton |
| Past President: | Vivian Hansen, Calgary |
| Members at Large: | Marilyn Dumont, Edmonton | Michelle Greyson, Cochrane | Rebecca Holand, Lethbridge | Faye Holt, Calgary |
| 2003/2004 | |
| President: | Vivian Hansen, Calgary |
| Vice President: | Anne Burke, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Susan Weckesser, Whitecourt |
| Secretary: | Vivia Oliver, Caroline |
| Past President: | Christina Grant, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | David Breakenridge, Sherwood Park | Michelle Greysen, Cochrane | Bob Stallworthy, Calgary | Harvey Walker, St. Albert |
| 2002/2003 | |
| President: | Christina Grant, Edmonton |
| Vice President: | Sharon Drummond, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Diane Schuller, Hythe |
| Secretary: | Michael Penny, Edmonton |
| Past President: | Suzette Mayr, Calgary |
| Members at Large: | Vivian Hansen, Calgary | Richard Stevenson, Lethbridge | Diane Schuller, Hythe | Lyle Weis, Edmonton |
| 2001/2002 | |
| President: | Suzette Mayr, Calgary |
| Vice President: | Christina Grant, Athabasca |
| Treasurer: | Mark Giles, Calgary |
| Secretary: | Linda Goyette, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | Sharon Drummond, Calgary | Ruth C. Mackay, Millerville | Anna Mioduchowska, Edmonton | Diane Walton, Alberta Beach |
| 2000/2001 | |
| President: | Geo Takach, Edmonton |
| Vice President: | Suzette Mayr, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Leo Jacques, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | Mark Giles, Calgary |
| Members at Large: | Christina M. Grant, Athabasca | Ruth C. MacKay, Millerville | Anna Mioduchowska, Edmonton | Diane Walton, Alberta Beach |
| 1999/2000 | |
| President: | Anne Burke, Calgary |
| Vice President: | George Takach, Edmonton |
| Treasurer: | Leo Jacques, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | David Huggett, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | Rosemary Nixon, Calgary | Bernard Bloom, Calgary | Don Trembath, Morinville | |
| 1998/1999 | |
| President: | Scot Morison |
| Vice President: | Anne Burke, Calgary |
| Treasurer: | Leo L. Jacques, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | David Huggett, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | Rosemary Nixon, Calgary | Sandra Wunsch, Medicine Hat | |
| 1997/1998 | |
| President: | Tololwa Mollel, Edmonton |
| Vice President: | Shirley Serviss, Edmonton |
| Treasurer: | Paul Harris, Red Deer |
| Secretary: | Cherylyn Stacey, Edmonton |
| Members at Large: | Elizabeth Celements, Medicine Hat | Sarah Murphy, Calgary | |
| 1996/1997 | |
| President: | Fred Stenson |
| Vice President: | Tololwa Mollel |
| Treasurer: | Paul Harris |
| Secretary: | Cheryl Chamberlain |
| Members at Large: | Caterina Edwards | Jenny King-Brown | Sarah Murphy | Anne Burke |
| 1995/1996 | |
| President: | Darlene Quaife |
| Vice President: | Fred Stenson |
| Treasurer: | Michael Penny |
| Secretary: | Diane Walton |
| Members at Large: | Jars Balan | Paul Harris | John Glawson | David Poulsen | Miki Andrejevic |
| 1994/1995 | |
| President: | Alice Major |
| Vice President: | Darlene Quaife |
| Treasurer: | E. Stewart Bishop |
| Secretary: | Diane Walton |
| Members at Large: | Robert Runte | Lyn Thompson | Jars Balan | Irene Morck |
| 1993/1994 | |
| President: | Candas Jane Dorsey |
| Vice President: | Alice Major |
| Treasurer: | E Stewart Bishop |
| Secretary: | Robert Runte |
| Members at Large: | Dave Duncan | Lyn Thompson | Diane Walton | Janeen Werner-King |
| 1992/1993 | |
| President: | George Melnyk |
| Vice President: | Candas Jane Dorsey |
| Treasurer: | E. Stewart Bishop |
| Secretary: | Robert Runte |
| Members at Large: | Marie Jakober | Shirlee Matheson | Charles Noble | Diane Walton |
| 1991/1992 | |
| President: | Reg Silvester |
| Vice President: | George Melnyk |
| Treasurer: | Yvonne Adam |
| Secretary: | Caterina Edwards |
| Members at Large: | Candas Jane Dorsey | Sarah Murphy | Charles Noble | Fred Wah |
| 1990/1991 | |
| President: | Jon Whyte |
| Vice President: | Reg Silvester |
| Treasurer: | Michael Penny |
| Secretary: | Amber Hayward |
| Members at Large: | Caterina Edwards | Larry Harris | Sarah Murphy | Lorine Sweeney |
| 1989/1990 | |
| President: | Myrna Kostash |
| Vice President: | Jon Whyte |
| Treasurer: | Michael Penny |
| Secretary: | Amber Hayward |
| Members at Large: | Lorine Sweeney | Darlene Quaife | Roberta Rees-Whalley | Melody Szabo |
| 1988/1989 | |
| President: | Aritha van Herk |
| Vice President: | Myrna Kostash |
| Treasurer: | Becky Romanchych |
| Secretary: | Monica Hughes |
| Members at Large: | Sylvia Bough | Mary Howes | Birk Sproxton | Andrew Wreggitt |
| 1987/1988 | |
| President: | Martyn Godfrey |
| Vice President: | Aritha van Herk |
| Treasurer: | Phyllis Shuell |
| Secretary: | Vacant |
| Members at Large: | Monica Hughes | Sylvia Bough | Joan Crate Taylor | Andrew Wreggitt |
| 1986/1987 | |
| President: | Monty Reid |
| Vice President: | Martyn Godfrey |
| Treasurer: | Phyllis Shuell |
| Secretary: | Mark Lowey |
| Members at Large: | Sylvia Bough | Rebecca Luce-Kapler | Andrea Spalding | Richard Stevenson |
| 1985/1986 | |
| President: | Gloria Sawai |
| Vice President: | Monty Reid |
| Treasurer: | James W. Fishbourne |
| Secretary: | Shirlee Matheson |
| Members at Large: | Elona Malterre | Don Meredith | Andrea Spalding | P. Derryn Yeomans |
| 1984/1985 | |
| President: | Chris Wiseman |
| Vice President: | Lorne Daniel |
| Treasurer: | Clair Woodbury |
| Secretary: | Shirlee Matheson |
| Members at Large: | Elona Malterre | Rhonda McAdam | Monty Reid | Cora Weber-Pillwax |
| 1983/1984 | |
| President: | Joan Clark |
| Vice President: | Kathy Osgood |
| Treasurer: | Mary Woodbury |
| Secretary: | Ian Adam |
| Members at Large: | Sharleen Chevreaux | Bill Latta | Marie Moser | Marilynn Stratton | Mary Riskin |
| 1982/1983 | |
| President: | Ted Blodgett |
| Vice President: | Tim Christison |
| Treasurer: | Reg Silvester |
| Secretary: | Mary Riskin |
| Members at Large: | Cathy Reninger | Doug Barbour | Fred Stenson | Sharleen Chevreaux |
| 1981/1982 | |
| President: | Ted Blodgett |
| Vice President: | Tim Christison |
| Treasurer: | Reg Silvester |
| Secretary: | Mary Riskin |
| Members at Large: | Cathy Reninger | Doug Barbour | Fred Stenson | Sharleen Chevreaux |
| 1980/1981 | |
| President: | Rudy Wiebe |
| Vice President: | Christopher Wiseman |
| Treasurer: | Beverly Hocking |
| Secretary: | Merna Summers |
| Members at Large: | Joan Clark | Jan Truss | William Latta | Ted Blodgett |