Lakeland Board of Governors welcomes new public members

Lakeland College is pleased to welcome two new public members to the Board of Governors – Dr. Sean Lessard and Dean Fahselt.

“Our board of governors is a tremendous resource for all of us at Lakeland,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “They bring together a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we are privileged to have them as part of the Lakeland family. I am excited to welcome Sean and Dean to the board. With the addition of their unique perspectives and expertise, our board is definitely well positioned to help guide the future of Lakeland College.”

Dr. Sean Lessard

Dr. Lessard was born on the Montreal Lake Cree Nation and later adopted by a family in North Battleford, Sask. He 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.

Dr. Lessard has worked as a respite worker, social worker, teacher, counsellor and consultant focusing on Indigenous education. He’s also had 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. He’s also the CEO of his own company – Name to Place Educational and Community Consulting.

“I am honoured to be part of the Lakeland College family,” says Dr. Lessard. “As a First Nations person, I have watched closely the strategic steps that Lakeland College has undertaken to create a diverse and safe space for both students and staff. I am hoping to bring my positive energy to growing and sharing the Lakeland College experience.”

Dean Fahselt

Fahselt has been involved in the management and ownership of a number of successful businesses within the agriculture sector throughout his career, spending the last 24 of those years in the Vermilion area. He is presently the CEO of AgLink Canada, an organization focused on supporting Canadian Ag Businesses. Dean and his wife also operate a small 150 cow/calf cattle operation that provides a high level of personal satisfaction and a tight connection to the local ag community. Fahselt is a life-long learner and has taken numerous courses to progress his skills and knowledge.

“Lakeland College has been a very integral part of the development of my career as well as in the success of the businesses I have been associated with,” Fahselt says. “I take great pride in the quality of education offered at the Lakeland College and the alumni working within the industry. It is vital that the next generation of employees, entrepreneurs and business owners are able to critically think, develop robust soft skills and remain life-long learners.
I strongly support the methods utilized at Lakeland College to immerse students in active roles and situations for real-life learning and feel it has placed those students with a recognizable advantage for their future. Lakeland College is an important institution in Canada. Contributing to the vision, mission and long-term strategies of Lakeland is truly an honor and something I am looking forward to very much.”

Dr. Lessard and Fahselt join the board which includes Adam Waterman, chair, Jo-Ann Hall, vice chair, public members Brent Fischer, Dianne Harder, Doreen McCaw, academic staff member Chris Thompson, non-academic staff member Greg Barr, and students Amelia Magee and Mary Janice Novick. Dr. Wainwright-Stewart serves as an Ex Officio member.

“It’s a sincere pleasure to welcome Mr. Fahselt and Dr. Lessard to the board of governors,” says Waterman. “Their combined knowledge, perspective and experience will bring valuable contributions to our board as we continue to work towards driving Lakeland’s growth and development.”