Our Team

Esther Elder

CEO

CEO of Calgary Meals on Wheels with more than 20 years’ experience in the social-profit sector. Esther has held several leadership positions and has a deep understanding of community challenges and opportunities. An energetic, hands-on strategic leader with a passion for building community and effecting social change.

Karen McKeogh

Manager of Charitable Initiatives and Strategic Engagement

Karen started working at Calgary Meals on Wheels in April 2022 in the Philanthropy department and became the Manager in August. She is responsible for guiding a team of four to achieving each year's fundraising goal through events, campaigns, grant applications and funding proposals. Her department provides all external messaging to the community to educate and engage with Calgarians about the work we do.

Christine Hentschel

Community Builder and Development Manager

Christine oversees our involvement in community partnerships that support social connection for our clients, and contributes to our collaborative committees and projects in the sector. Christine is also our data guru and has more than a decade of non-profit experience.

Kelly Gauthier

Facility and Logistics Manager

Kelly began volunteering with Calgary Meals on Wheels in 2019 and became a staff driver in March of 2020. A little over a year later, this Regina-born gentleman began working with us full-time as Operations Manager. When not at Meals on Wheels, Kelly spends time with his wife of 28 years, his two kids and his newly born grandson.

Sandra Nicholas

Controller

Sandy joined Calgary Meals on Wheels in May 2024 and brings over 20 years of experience in financial accounting, project management, auditing, and leadership. As an accomplished and dedicated Senior Accountant, she obtained her CPA in 2016. Having lived in Banff and Canmore for 15 years, Sandy has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and takes every opportunity to return to the mountains.

Karen Forster

Production Manager

As a SAIT graduate in Dietary Service Technology, Karen brings decades of experience in food and nutrition. Prior to joining Calgary Meals on Wheels in 2006, she worked with AHS in positions that utilized her expertise in clinical nutrition, production and retail management. She oversees our production department and has developed and mentored a strong and dedicated team of 18 who are passionate about combating food insecurity. Karen maintains our high-quality menu standards by developing standardized recipes, analyzing detailed nutritional data, and procurement of quality products at competitive pricing. Karen also established all our workflow processes for cook chill/cook freeze meal production, maintaining efficiencies and food-safety protocol in all areas of food service production.

Board of Directors

Tim Gillespie - Director

Former VP, Corporate Financial Services Retired (ATB)

Senior leadership, executive and governance experience, business, and financial acumen including CFA designation.

Mohamed Teja - Chair

IT / Business Project Manager Impact at Work

Executive leadership, strategy, governance, risk management and organizational transformation. Strong background in IT program and project management, business and system analysis.

John Pieri - Vice Chair

VP, Marketing, Reputation & Brand ATB

Chair of Market Development Committee. Specializes in branding, marketing, advertising, strategy, leadership, communication, team building, social media, sales effectiveness, and agile marketing.

Claudia Ling - Secretary

Manager, Business Campaign Strategy Shaw Communications Inc

Management experience in strategic business development roles, marketing degree, passion for helping others achieve their potential, committed volunteer.  

Lesley Bolster - Treasurer

Senior Director Finance Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Finance Leadership (CFO, VP and Director roles, CPA designation), committed volunteer.

Heather Truber - Director

E.D., Provincial Operations Support AHS Retired

Compassionate healthcare professional with senior leadership experience with Alberta Health Services, strong nutrition background and active involvement with Canadian Society of Nutrition Management and Canadian Malnutrition Task Force Long Term Care Working Group.

Scott Sangster - Director

Partner Fasken Martin DuMoulin LLP

Partner and Practice Lead – Financial Services Practice Group – Banking and Finance lawyer.

Christie Phelan - Director

Assoc. V.P. Strategy & Performance Enablement ATB

Human resource and talent development professional; executive advisor.

Ilir Kuqi - Director

Director  Enterprise Fleet

Strong background in vehicle fleet management and business development, passionate volunteer.

Duane Blahun - Director

President & Owner, DB Collaborative Strategies Limited

Senior management and executive leadership in the Canadian financial services and credit union industry focused on leading strategy, corporate operations, business transformation, organizational culture & design, and stakeholder engagement. Currently an independent consultant providing strategy consulting, facilitation, and project management services. A passionate champion for service excellence, community support, and collaboration.

Darcie Nastiuk - Director

An established marketing and fundraising professional who combines strategic planning, analysis and team work to achieve the most optimum results for an organization's vision. Her passion lies in developing strong relationships with donors and other stakeholders. Helping to create the connection to the community and enabling them to see the impact that they can make through philanthropic endeavors.