About Us

Director

Sixteen years ago, Ann and her husband John moved from Ontario to Alberta to experience the west. It didn’t take long for Ann to get involved in the Cochrane community by volunteering, giving back and helping out wherever needed.

Ann has volunteered at the Cochrane Activettes for over 13 years.  As well, she has been involved in the Helping Hands society since its inception.  Ann has years of experience sitting on various not for profit boards.

In her spare time, Ann spends time with her 4 grandchildren.  Her hobbies include, walking, quilting and knitting.

Secretary

Kathy, a native of southern Alberta, grew up on a farm near the town of Granum. After completing college, she embarked on a career as a legal assistant, working with various law firms specializing in corporate, commercial, and real estate matters.

Kathy’s curiosity led her to explore new horizons. She returned to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and enrolled in their computer technology program. Her dedication paid off when she was awarded the prestigious Canada Scholarship in Technology, graduating with honors.

Her professional journey took an exciting turn as she transitioned into the world of software design and development. She became a key player in Calgary’s thriving oil and gas industry, contributing her expertise to top companies. Her analytical skills and business acumen made her a sought-after business analyst.

In 2014, Kathy decided to retire from her role as the lead of the IT Project Manager office at Cenovus. Retirement didn’t slow her down. She now enjoys yoga, hiking, golfing, gardening, and volunteering—a well-deserved break after a successful career.

Kathy Neall is an accomplished professional with over 30 years international experience in areas of Financial Management, Corporate Reporting, Process Improvement, Budget Implementation and Project Management in the IT sector with both Hewlett Packard and IBM.

Kathy strongly believes in the power of community and has actively volunteered throughout her career and into retirement. She feels it is important to Give where you Live. She has been a core volunteer with the Strathcona Food Bank for ten years, a board member with Strathcona Youth Justice committee for two years as well has participated in numerous community endeavours through the years.

Kathy has volunteered with the Cochrane Food Bank since moving to the community and she is proud to work with the dedicated team of volunteers to provide support to those in need in our community

Vice President

Kathy Tucker has been volunteering in some capacity for most of her adult life.

Her time spent working in the oil and gas industry and banking industry has given her many years of experience with people, finances and organizing schedules.

After retirement in 2016, she has been volunteering at the Food Bank ever since. She has always been passionate about helping people.

Kathy loves to garden and grow flowers, hike, do puzzles and read. Spending time with her family and friends is her favorite past time.

Maureen, a resident of Cochrane since 2016, has been an active member of the Cochrane Food Bank since 2019. She was the Chair of the Food Bank Committee most recently.

Throughout her storied career, she has demonstrated business acumen, competence and compassion in leading teams, running her own business and helping people.

Maureen has a degree in Health Care and a Masters degree in Business. She is a retired registered nurse who managed three inpatient units in Ontario. After leaving the hospital, she ran her own community foot care business for several years before retiring.

She has gained many insights and skills from both her education and work experience which she continues to use.

Maureen has always acknowledged, that every person has a story, that we are all equal and we all deserve an opportunity to succeed. She views and approaches people from a holistic viewpoint believing that accepting people for who they are, treating them with respect and compassion, will enable them to triumph in their own ways.

Director

Myrna has spent many years working in Calgary in large energy corporations as well as not-for-profit organizations. She has always been focused on continuous learning and making a difference.

Her work experience has included strategic planning, event management, fundraising, change management, leading and being part of teams, editing and grant writing.

Highlights of her career included working for United Way as a Campaign Associate, working as a Volunteer Coordinator, working as President of a 20-person AltaLink United Way campaign which resulted in the most funds raised to date and conceptualizing and executing events of up to 700+ people.

She gained board and fundraising experience while sitting on the board of Executive Women International (EWI) as Director of the Ways and Means Committee. Myrna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree from Royal Roads University. In addition, she has designations in change management, event management and most recently in grant writing.

In her spare time, Myrna likes to dabble in interior design, create music and entertain.