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: | Carol Parchewsky, Calgary |
| Carol received her Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Saskatchewan, and her Postgraduate Certificates in Professional Management – PEG, e-Learning, and Creative Writing from the University of Calgary. She is an experienced 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 based in Calgary, Alberta. Carol writes picture books, middle grade, adult fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Her poetry and paintings was published in AWCS Alberta Skies through Paint, Print, Poetry & Prose. She is finalizing her middle grade novel and working on a collection of interlinked short stories. When she isn’t writing or reading, she bakes cookies shaped like characters from her writing. | |
| Vice President: | Leslie Chivers, Edmonton |
Leslie is an author currently living in Edmonton but who has lived all over Alberta. He attended university in the fine arts program majoring in visual arts and minoring in creative writing. He is a senior manager within a regional organization that looks at planning communities for a 50-year time frame. Leslie has three short stories published and is working on a full-length novel. Leslie is a member of PEN Canada. He believes in and advocates for free speech. | |
| Treasurer: | Falon Reed, Redwater |
| Falon has a Bachelor of Applied Business Administration—Accounting degree from Grant MacEwan University. She has previous experience with management accounting in industry and municipal finance. She is currently a freelance reporter for Redwater’s newspaper, The Review. Falon loves everything magical, so her focus is on middle grade, young adult, and adult speculative fiction; however, she also writes literary short stories and creative nonfiction. Falon lives in the small town of Redwater with her husband, son, and two daughters. Falon is the Chair of the Fund Development Committee. | |
| Secretary: | Lori Hahnel, Calgary |
| Lori Hahnel is the author of two novels, Love Minus Zero (Oberon, 2008) and After You’ve Gone (Thistledown, 2014), as well as a story collection, Nothing Sacred (Thistledown, 2009), which shortlisted for an Alberta Literary Award. Her work has been published in over forty journals in North America, Australia, and the U.K.; her credits include CBC Radio, The Fiddlehead, Joyland, and The Saturday Evening Post. Lori teaches creative writing at Mount Royal University and the Alexandra Writers’ Centre in Calgary. She has been a WGA member since 1998. | |
| Members at Large: | |
| Alison Clarke, Edmonton | |
| Alison Clarke is a writer/artist who also enjoys painting and drawing. She also experiences life as a spoken word artist. She recently completed a Masters degree in English with a focus on Children’s literature through Hollins University. She is the author of The Sisterhood, and the upcoming novel, Racine. Alison has also written children’s picture books – The Adventures of Eli the Elephant, and Eli Goes To The Moon, which she also illustrated. For Alison, life is an interesting journey. Whether she is immersing herself in poetry, prose, or visual art, Alison is at home. | |
| Joan Crate, Calgary | |
| Joan Crate was born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and has lived in several towns and cities in B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan, though her longest place of residence is Calgary. Several years after dropping out of high school, she took a Communications diploma at what is now Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. She worked in radio, writing commercials for four years, before attending the University of Calgary to take an Honours B.A. in English, and then a Masters with distinction, completing the first creative thesis at U of C. She taught English Literature and Creative Writing at Red Deer College, Alberta for over twenty years before returning to Calgary with her partner of thirty-six years, Kamal Serhal. As well as having four adult children, she has two grandchildren. Joan is the author of two novels and three books of poetry. In May of this year (2017), her poem “I am a Prophet” was displayed on screen at the U2 concert in Vancouver. Her novel Black Apple was published by Simon and Schuster in 2016 and aside from being short-listed for the Frank Hegyi Award, it is the recipient of the W.O. Mitchell City of Calgary Award for 2017. | |
| Lisa Mulrooney, Stony Plain | |
| Lisa Mulrooney hails from Redditch, England, but now calls Stony Plain home. She has an undergraduate degree in English (Honors) and a master’s degree in Education, both from the University of Alberta. Lisa has worked as a High School English/Drama Teacher and as a Postsecondary Administrator/Instructor. She is passionate about language and education but is most enthusiastic about poetry. While she has taken time away from full-time work to raise her young children, Lisa has been busy writing poetry and volunteering in the nonprofit sector. She is the co-founder and current President of Parkland Poets Society in Stony Plain and the Secretary of the Edmonton Stroll of Poets Society. | |
| Member at Large (Youth Rep): | Sophie Pinkoski, Edmonton |
| Sophie has returned to her hometown of Edmonton full-time after building her literary experiences around the world. After completing her high school education in the UK, she achieved her Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Victoria, where she gained a fanatic interest in Victorian literature and criminal history. She recently completed her Masters in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, where she did marketing and editorial work for acclaimed authors and publishers, including Penguin Random House. She has taken up editorial management roles in numerous projects in the past, from fiction and magazines, to academic journals and business proposals. She currently does freelance editorial work through the Pinkoski Consulting company. As a previous member of the Society of Young Publishers UK, she hopes to emulate the organization’s work as Chair for the WGA’s Youth Committee. When not brainstorming ways to engage youth in Edmonton’s literary community, she’s writing time travel novels and mentoring new writers. | |
| Past President: | Dustin Archibald, Grande Prairie |
| Dustin is an author hailing from Grande Prairie, where he writes middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction. Having been previously published in comic books, his focus is on speculative fiction and creating fantastic worlds. For over two decades, he has been involved in many aspects of technology, from game design to human-computer interfaces, having studied computing science at Grande Prairie Regional College. He is currently Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Cudavision, a leader in business security and automation systems. Since 1997, he has been involved in martial arts, first as a student then as volunteer head instructor with the People’s White Crane Kung Fu Association, and has also served on their board of directors as President and Vice President. In his spare time he reads, binge watches Netflix, and keeps a blog at DCArchibald.com where he reviews books, offers writing advice, and highlights technology releases. |
| 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 |