Board of Governors

Board members are responsible for managing the college on behalf of the citizens of Alberta. Lakeland College’s board includes:

Public members:

Academic staff member – Wanjiku Kaai
Non-academic staff member – Trisha Mechor

Student members:

Ex Officio/President and CEO - Dr. Alice Wainwright Stewart

Adam Waterman, chair

Adam Waterman

joined the Board of Governors in 2021 as a public member
appointed chair in 2022
has worked in the oil and gas industry for 15 years and is currently chief operating officer of a Lloydminster-based producer
is past president of the Lloydminster Oilfield Technical Society, among other board positions within the community
has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, as well as graduate degrees in business and finance from University of Fredericton and Georgetown University.
currently lives in Lloydminster, Alta

Dean Fahselt, vice chair

Dean Fahselt

appointed to the Board of Governors in 2022
has been involved in the management and ownership of several businesses within the agriculture sector throughout his career
current CEO of AgLink Canada, an organization focused on supporting Canadian agriculture businesses
with his wife also operates a small 150 cow/calf cattle operation that provides a high level of personal satisfaction and tight connection to the local agriculture community.
is a life-long learner, and has taken numerous courses to progress his skills and knowledge
currently lives in the Vermilion, Alta. area

Brent Fischer, public board member

Brent Fischer

appointed to the Board of Governors in 2020
co-owner of Pleasantview Farms Ltd
has been involved in a number of local organizations, including the Irma minor hockey program, Irma Summerspiel, Alberta Charolais Association, Hardisty Feeder Association, and the MD of Wainwright Ag Service Board
current chair of the Irma School & District School Enhancement Society, which works with Buffalo Trails Public Schools to raise money to enhance the new school building and provide a joint-use agreement that allows the community to use the building for their needs
received the Senators' Contribution Award for Volunteerism and Civic Engagement in 2017
a graduate from the agriculture mechanics program at Olds College
currently lives in the Irma, Alta. area, where he actively farms with his son and daughter

Dr. Sean Lessard, public board member

Dr. Sean Lessard

fappointed to the Board of Governors in 2022
born on the Montreal Lake Cree Nation and later adopted by a family in North Battleford, Sask.
has worked as a respite worker, social worker, teacher, counsellor and consultant focusing on Indigenous education
held faculty positions at the University of Regina in education and the University of Alberta in teacher education
his passion for Indigenous youth takes him across the country for research, speaking engagements and program development
is CEO of his own company - Name to Place Educational and Community Consulting, based in Edmonton, Alta.
graduated from Lakeland's rehabilitation services program in 1994 and later earned a bachelor of education, a master of educational psychology, and a doctorate of elementary education and teaching from the University of Alberta
currently lives in Edmonton, Alta

Kelly Smith-Fraser, public board member

Kelly Smith-Fraser

appointed to the Board of Governors in 2022
was raised on the family farm, a mixed grain and purebred cattle operation at Wimborne, Alta.
began managing the family ranch, NuHaven Cattle Co. at Pine Lake, Alta. shortly after graduation
has served on several boards, including the Canadian Maine-Anjou Association and Canadian Cattle Association
has served as a delegate for Alberta Beef Producers, where she later became the first female board chair in the organization's 50-year history
enhancing youth opportunities has become a driving force, and she volunteers for the CAREERS: The Next Generation and the Canadian Cattleman's Foundation boards
current chair of the AFSC (Alberta Financial Services Corporation) Board of Directors
graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, majoring in marketing
currently lives near Innisfail, Alta. with her husband Scott and their daughter Aubrey

Barb Shackel-Hardman, public board member

Barb Shackel-Hardman

first appointed to the Board of Governors in 2023
has spent 34 years in public service at the provincial and municipal level
worked for Alberta Agriculture in technical roles in soil and water conservation and senior management roles leading extension specialists in business development, livestock management and communications
most recent role was leading environmental compliance and agriculture service programs for Parkland County
has a Bachelor of Science in agriculture as well as certificates in adult and continuing education, business management and workplace learning.
is a professional agrologist
has completed several international development projects to improve governance and gender equality opportunities for women in agriculture and provide training to government officials
currently lives in Stony Plain, Alta.

Wanjiku Kaai - academic staff member

returns to the board in 2023 after serving other terms
is a public services librarian at Lakeland College with over 35 years experience
provides library instruction and reference services to students, faculty and staff
is responsible for developing the college's multimedia collection to meet the needs of both students and faculty
holds a BEd from the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and a Master of Library Science (MLS) from Northern Illinois University (USA)
lives in Vermilion

Trisha Mechor, non-academic staff member

was appointed to the board in 2023
Joined Lakeland College in February 2017 at the Emergency Training Centre and moved to agricultural sciences in Dec 2017
is the administrative assistant to the agricultural sciences dean
completed a human resources management certificate at NAIT
has worked in diverse fields including post-secondary, oilfield, insurance and courier
her experience ranges from working in a Mod Yard to meetings at the Alberta legislature
enjoys downtime on the golf course
lives in Vermilion with her husband and daughter

Holly Arychuck, student member

appointed to the board in 2023
currently a 2nd year student in the agricultural sustainability program
graduated from J.R.Robson in Vermilion where she was an honour roll student and received a citizenship award
earned an provincial Rutherford scholarship and the Vermilion 4-H District scholarship
has extensive volunteer experience with the Vermilion River 4-H Outdoors Club and the County of Vermilion River ALUS/ag service board video crew
holds a basic operations RPAS pilot certificate
enjoys horseback riding and outdoor activities
is a member of the Lakeland Pipe and Drum band

Jaydon Winter, student member

appointed to the board in 2023
Lakeland Class of 2023 grad with a general business diploma
currently enroled in the BCom, finance major, post-diploma program through Athabasca University
was a member of Lakeland's Alberta DEans of Business Case Competition
was the Dean's Honour Roll in both 2022 and 2023
received the Centennial Business Administration Achievement award from Lakeland in 2023
a scaffolder by trade, he worked on many local construction projects. This includes designing and building the broadcast scaffold the Rustlers hockey team at their Ross Robertson area home.

Board policy handbook

If your browser doesn't display the e-document, please use this link Board Policy Handbook (2023 - PDF).

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