Who We Are

2009—2010 Board of Directors

Maureen Whitesell (Past President)
Maureen joined the board in 2004 and has sat as Secretary, Treasurer and finally as Chair from 2007 to 2009. Maureen’s employment history has been in the field of business management and that of supporting children with disabilities in a variety of ways, including involvement with the YWCA of Edmonton for the past 7 years as a Coordinator and a Contractor. She is currently self- employed in this field. Due to her own personal experience in this area, Maureen is a strong advocate and is constantly seeking innovative ways to provide support to children with disabilities in order for them to attain their full potential. She is also the liaison between Community Options and Edmonton Regional Coalition for Inclusive Education (ERC) who has made significant gains towards integration. Maureen believes very strongly in the Mission and Vision of Community Options and is dedicated to completing another term on the Board of Directors along with her valued colleagues.

Tom Lee (President)
Tom served as chair of the Hearts of Blue Charity Committee (Alberta Blue Cross’ employee charity committee). He originally got involved with Community Options as a supporter of their Hot Lunch Program at Inglewood School. He is quite passionate about volunteerism. As a father of two young boys, he is especially interested in organizations advocating for children and their family’s needs. Currently, Tom is employed with Alberta Health Services as a Systems Analyst. Tom joined the board in 2005.

Trisha Khan(Secretary)
Trisha Khan is a graduate student pursuing her Master’s Degree at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Recreation and Leisure Studies degree in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, and her area of interest is recreation and leisure programming for children and youth. Trisha has worked in municipal recreation for the last 8 years (6 years part-time, 2 years full-time) coordinating, facilitating and supervising various programs for children and youth such as summer day camps, March Break day camps, a Girls Night Out program, Youth Leadership Development Program and Youth Councils. Trisha’s thesis research will explore the nature of the relationship between recreation and leisure experiences, and the perceptions of managing the acculturation process of Chinese immigrant youth. She hopes to discover whether or not recreation and leisure has a role to play in managing the challenges of adapting and adjusting to life in Canada. If not, she hopes to learn why not, and what can be changed or implemented to develop recreation and leisure opportunities that will be significant to these youth. If so, Trisha hopes to begin to develop some best practices applicable to developing meaningful programs and experiences not only for Chinese immigrant youth, but also for immigrant youth of other ethnicities. Trisha joined the board in 2009.

Sandra Black (Treasurer)
Sandra is passionate about children and has made a career working with children with disabilities through various roles. She has collaborated with Community Options over the years and came to the Community Options Board while on maternity leave from Services to Children with Disabilities (now FSCD). Sandra strongly believes in the core values, mission and vision of Community Options and is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the team. Sandra joined the board in 2004.

Heather Kennedy-Plant (Member)
Heather is a passionate community and family advocate. She believes that building strong communities is essential and important work along the path towards transforming the social and structural barriers which interfere with the well being of our children, youth, and families. Heather has worked at the University of Alberta as an advisor and administrator since 1999 and currently holds the position of Cooperative Education Coordinator at the U of A School of Business. She formerly held positions with the University’s Faculty of Education and with the U of A International Education Abroad Program. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts Sociology degree from the University of Alberta, Heather has a diploma in Child Psychology, Supervisory Development Certification from the School of Business, and is now working towards a Masters Degree in Educational Policy Studies at the U of A. Heather joined Board in 2008.

Lana Buoy (Member)
Lana, has a B.PE, a degree with emphasis on children and youth with special needs and behavioral challenges. She has over 20 years educational experience that has provided her the blessing of working with diverse groups of children and their families, many of whom experienced traumatic life stresses such as poverty, mental illness, behavioral challenges and abuse. Recently Lana completed a year experience as a treatment facilitator for children and youth at-risk. She has graciously implemented the program she created - A Life in Pieces - into the lives of many of the children and youth she has worked with and has seen and experienced so much success from its process. Along with creating and implementing her program, Lana also presents its philosophy to child-centered institutions, treatment homes/agencies, First Nations and she has expanded the message of A Life in Pieces globally as a presenter at the International Peace Conference 2008 and the Global Youth Assembly 2009. Lana is the author of the book A Life in Pieces: A Piece -by-Piece Guide to Realizing Harmony in Families, Schools and Communities, a message promoting lasting peace and healing through the simple act of loving the world’s children. A Life in Pieces has opened her life experiences as she has expanded it to death and dying and also into growth for marriages/families. Lana is looking forward to being a part of Community Options Board of Directors and bringing her thoughts and techniques together for the children and their families. Lana joined the board in 2009.

Bridget Conroy (Member)
Bridget works in the food industry. She has previous experience on an Out of School Board and is extending her support to the community by serving as a Board Member for Community Options. Bridget joined the board in 2009.

Brian Leonard (Member)
Brian recently retired from his position as a Children’s Advocate with Alberta Children’s Services. He is interested in dedicating some of his interest in supporting children to being a Board member for Community Options. Brian joined the board in 2009.

Tom Vandevalk (Member)
Tom has been a member of the RCMP for over 20 years and is a Corporal assigned as an Auditor/Analyst to the Canadian Police Information Centre, (CPIC), Field Operations Section, Alberta/N.W.T. He is a proud non-custodial father of a 15 year old daughter and 8 year old son. Thomas’s own experience with dealing with ADHD and learning disabilities, and being a father with a child with early speech difficulties, has furthered his belief in children and community. He is looking forward to serving on the Board, to assist in the development of policy that will guide Community Options in the future while building on the strength of the past. Tom joined the board in 2009.