Board of Directors and Committees

To ensure diverse representation across the watershed, the Athabasca Watershed Council’s Board of Directors includes members from various sector groups.

According to the Board of Directors Terms of Reference, the Board can have up to 21 members (including the past Chairperson), with seats allocated as follows: 
Governments: 5 seats
Industry: 5 seats
Indigenous Members: 3 seats
Non-governmental Organizations: 5 seats
Members-at-Large: 2 seats

If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors, please review our Information for Prospective Board Members. This page outlines time commitments, committee involvement, and performance expectations for AWC Directors.

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Government

Abdi Siad-Omar

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas

Dean Litzenberger

Provincial/Federal Government

Alan Deane

Woodlands County (Municipal – Upper Basin)

Rob Minns

Athabasca County (Municipal – Middle Basin)

Colette Borgun

Lac La Biche County (Municipal – Lower Basin)

Industry

Dan Moore, President

Alberta Forest Products Association (Forestry)

Janice Linehan

Suncor Energy Inc. (Oil and Gas)

Tyrell Nagtegaal

(Agriculture)

Vacant

(Industry – Nonspecific)

Amanda Buchanan

Bighorn Mining (Mining/Utilities)

Indigenous

Cleo Reece

Individual (Indigenous)

Alyssa-mae Laviolette

Individual (Indigenous)

Vacant

(Indigenous)

NGO’s, Stewardship, Academia

Julie Hink, Secretary

Healthy Waters Lac la Biche (Health/Environment)

Brian Deheer

Environment

Kendra Gilbert, Vice-President

Baptiste and Island Lakes Stewardship Society (Stewardship)

Scott Ketcheson

Athabasca University (Academia)

Vacant

Stewardship

Members-at-Large

Ida Edwards, Treasurer

Individual (Member-at-Large)

Laura Pekkola

Individual (Member-at-Large)

2022-23 Board of Directors – Alternates

Government

Long Fu

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas

Gary Cromwell

Athabasca County (Municipal – Middle Basin)

Industry

Jennifer Knievel

Alberta Forest Products Association/West Fraser (Forestry)

Indigenous

Chantel Quintel

Individual Member

NGO’s, Stewardship, Academia

Vacant

Stewardship

Members-at-Large

Vacant

Individual (Member-at-Large)

Committees

The Athabasca Watershed Council (AWC) has five key committees:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of four positions (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer), with officers selected and approved by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee oversees the effective and efficient management of the Athabasca Watershed Council.

The 2023-24 Executive Committee:

Technical Committee

The primary goal of the Technical Committee is to generate and compile knowledge about the Athabasca River watershed and to advise the Board of Directors on technical matters. The Technical Committee is composed of a group of experts from different fields and organizations across the Watershed.

Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&F)

The Finance and Fundraising Committee works to identify and execute fundraising strategies and oversees the prudent financial management of the AWC. They are responsible for revenue generation and sound financial management.

Communications, Education and Community Engagement Committee (CE&CE)

The CE&CE Committee works to engage stakeholders from across the watershed. Its primary goal is to share knowledge about the Athabasca River watershed and to help stakeholders understand how they can affect positive change.

Human Resources Committee

The Human Resources Committee advises the Board of Directors on Human Resources-related matters and makes recommendations on recruitment.

Board of Directors and Committees

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Government

Abdi Siad-Omar

Dean Litzenberger

Alan Deane

Rob Minns

Colette Borgun

Industry

Dan Moore, President

Janice Linehan

Tyrell Nagtegaal

Vacant

Amanda Buchanan

Indigenous

Cleo Reece

Alyssa-mae Laviolette

Vacant

NGO’s, Stewardship, Academia

Julie Hink, Secretary

Brian Deheer

Kendra Gilbert, Vice-President

Scott Ketcheson

Vacant

Members-at-Large

Ida Edwards, Treasurer

Laura Pekkola

2022-23 Board of Directors – Alternates

Government

Long Fu

Gary Cromwell

Industry

Jennifer Knievel

Indigenous

Chantel Quintel

NGO’s, Stewardship, Academia

Vacant

Members-at-Large

Vacant

Committees

Executive Committee

Technical Committee

Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&F)

Communications, Education and Community Engagement Committee (CE&CE)

Human Resources Committee

Athabasca Watershed Council

780.213.0343

info@athabascawatershed.ca