Board of Directors

President:Anne Bailey, Edmonton

Anne Bailey’s writing career has two main trajectories. First, in 1993, she earned a PhD in English from Western University and published two books of literary criticism on Timothy Findley in 1998. Then, after a 12-year academic career, she moved into strategic communications at the University of Alberta and began a second career as a professional writer. Over 20-plus years, Anne held leadership roles in several key strategic communications units and served as speechwriter for three successive university presidents. She is now a self-employed professional writer and communications consultant.

Anne recently joined the WGA to reconnect with her roots as a literary writer as well as to develop more connections to the non-academic writing community in Alberta. Although a new member, she feels serving on the Board is an exciting opportunity to unite the two parts of her career—the literary and the professional. Working closely with the executive team at the U of A, she gained extensive experience in board and committee governance and has an excellent understanding of board roles and responsibilities. She brings expertise in strategic communications to the Board (from strategic planning to group facilitation to fundraising), and most importantly, to supporting and promoting Alberta writers and their work. It is her privilege to serve this thriving community.

Vice President:Anna Shannon, Calgary

Anna Shannon is a writer and editor living in Calgary, Alberta on Treaty 7 land. She has publications in Bellingham Review, The Coachella Review, and others. She is currently writing STEMinist historical fiction to give a voice to the Canadian women whose stories need to be told. www.annashannon.ca

Treasurer:Judith Clark, Calgary

Judith Clark is a Calgary-based playwright and novelist. After receiving a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), she worked as a children’s and young adult services librarian before taking on several roles with a library automation software company. Her young-adult novel Under the Radar was published by DCB (Toronto). Her play Brown Eggs was selected for Lunchbox Theatre’s Stage One Festival of New Canadian Works 2025 (Calgary). She is a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC).

Secretary:Kendall Bistretzan, Calgary

Kendall Bistretzan was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, before moving to Calgary, Alberta, to pursue her journalism degree. She works as a branded content writer for Hive Labs and is a proud board member of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and Sask Girls United. She is currently in the process of querying her debut novel. You can find her on Instagram @kendallbistwrites.

Members at Large:T.F. Pruden, Thorsby

T.F. (Timothy Frederick) Pruden spent much of his life learning to write fiction while touring North America performing his music under the stage name Tim Harwill. Since retiring from life on the road, he’s published a series of literary and well-received novels.

Of Metis descent, Mr. Pruden is a chronicler of the obscure captivated by a never-ending search for independence.

His minimalist fiction depicts postmodern life and the challenges of moral relativism among the people of western Canada. Mr. Pruden’s eighth novel ‘A Whippoorwill Called’ published in 2025. He lives in the small town of Thorsby, Alberta, in western Canada.

 Natalie Simpson, Calgary
Natalie Simpson writes poetry and practices law in Calgary, Alberta. She is the author of two collections, Thrum (Talonbooks) and accrete or crumble (LINEbooks), and many chapbooks, mostly recently post spell (Gap Riot). Her poetry has appeared in several anthologies, including The Best Canadian Poetry in English. She has served on the board of filling Station magazine and on the steering committee for the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program.
 Megan Jamieson, Stony Plain

Megan Jamieson is a deeply curious and sarcastic dreamer who loves seeing the world, sharks, and controversial discussions over charcuterie boards. An emerging writer from Stony Plain, Alberta, her first novel, The Ties That Bind Us (Black Rose Writing) is slated for publication in early 2026, and she is starting to expand her range into other genres and forms, including non-fiction short stories and speculative fiction. Educated at the University of Alberta, she is a Registered Nurse and has worked in many fields before landing in leadership within the Quality in Continuing Care sector. She has previously served as Chairman of the Board for a non-profit focused on health promotion both locally and 

internationally. 
 Jenna Butler, Central Alberta

Dr. Jenna Butler (she/her) is an award-winning poet, essayist, editor, and teacher of creative and environmental writing. She is the author of three books of poetry, two collections of ecological essays, and an Arctic travelogue. Revery: A Year of Bees, essays about beekeeping, the climate crisis, and trauma recovery, was a finalist for the 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award in Non-Fiction and a longlisted title for CBC Canada Reads 2023. Butler farms off the grid in northern Treaty 6 and is deeply grateful to be part of, and learn from, a diverse community of seed-keepers, growers, and land stewards.

Member at Large (Youth Rep):Aubrianna Snow, Sherwood Park
Aubrianna Snow (she/her) is a Mi’kmaw writer, poet, and educator whose work explores interpersonal and systemic violence, connection to place, and the healing power of land and water. Her writing spans journalism, poetry, and creative nonfiction, and has been published in This Magazine, Chatelaine, Muskrat Magazine, Decolonial Passage, Ghost Girls Zine, and the Edmonton Journal. Aubrianna holds a Bachelor of Communications from MacEwan University and is pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Alberta. Recognized as a 2024 Writers’ Trust of Canada Rising Star and a 2023 Best of the Net nominee, Aubrianna brings a powerful voice to the national conversation on equity, justice, and cultural resurgence.
Past President:Colin Martin, Calgary
Colin Martin is a literature and writing instructor who lives in Calgary. He has contributed to the local writing communities for the past two decades in myriad ways including as the founding editor of NōD Magazine, former editor and long-time President of filling Station Magazine, President from 2017-2021 of the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, and as freelance editor, instructor, writer, grant jurist, and arts and education administrator. He seeks always to advocate for writers and writing communities and is more than comfortable reading financial statements; after all, they’re just another way of writing the story of a place and its people.
2024/2025
President: Colin Martin, Calgary
Vice President: Anne Bailey, Edmonton
Treasurer: Judith Clark, Calgary
Secretary: Angie Elsinga, Calgary
Past President: Colin Martin, Calgary
Members at Large: Moni Brar, Calgary | Nicole Hill, Edmonton | Anna Shannon, Calgary | Dr. Jenna Butler, Barrhead | Kendall Bistretzan, Calgary (Youth Rep)
2023/2024
President: Colin Martin, Calgary
Vice President: Dorothy Bentley, Southern Alberta, Rural
Treasurer: Nicolas Brown, Westlock
Secretary: Moorea Gray, Calgary
Past President: Blaine Newton, Edmonton
Members at Large:  Moni Brar, Calgary | Nicole Hill, Edmonton | Anne Bailey, Edmonton | Anna Shannon, Calgary | Kendall Bistretzan, Calgary (Youth Rep)
2022/2023
President: Blaine Newton, Edmonton
Vice President: Colin Martin, Calgary
Treasurer: Nicolas Brown, Westlock
Secretary: Moorea Gray, Calgary
Past President: Carol Parchewsky, Calgary
Members at Large: Dr. Kimberly Fraser, Sherwood Park | Nicole Hill, Edmonton | Dorothy Bentley, Southern Alberta, Rural | Moni Brar, Calgary
2020/2021
President: Carol Parchewsky, Calgary
Vice President: Theresa Uchechi Ezeuko, Calgary
Treasurer: Nicolas Brown, Westlock
Secretary: Lori Hahnel, Calgary
Past President:
Members at Large: Alison Clarke, Edmonton | Lisa Mulrooney, Stony Plain | Dr. Kimberly Fraser, Sherwood Park | Teresa Wouters, Grande Prairie | Sophie Pinkoski, Edmonton (Youth Rep)
2019/2020
President: Leslie Chivers, Edmonton
Vice President: Leanne Myggland-Carter, Spruce Grove
Treasurer: Susan Carpenter, Calgary
Secretary: Kevin Thornton, Fort McMurray
Past President: Carol Parchewsky, Calgary
Members at Large: Dr. Kimberly Fraser, Sherwood Park |Teresa Wouters, Grande Prairie | Sophie Pinkoski, Edmonton (Youth Rep)
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*
Secretary:Gail Gravelines, Edmonton
2004/2005 (elected at AGM)
President: Anne Burke, Calgary
Vice President: Harvey Walker, St. Albert
Treasurer: Joan Marklund, Drumheller
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 | Christine M. Grant, Athabasca
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 | Don Trembath, Morinville | Bernard Bloom, Calgary
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 | Anne Burke, Calgary | David Poulsen, Claresholm
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
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