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* |
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 |