Chair – Eryn Kelly

Eryn Kelly is a mom to four fabulous little people. She is passionate about wise leadership and community development, particularly the role of school and how we educate our children. One of her favourite ways to unwind is to find a quite place where she can bury into a great adventure or go back in time with a great book! Eryn has a Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Calgary and is working towards a Masters in Leadership. Eryn is an alumna of the Leadership Calgary program. She has worked in Advanced Education with the Government of Alberta and in the not-for-profit sector as a parent educator and co-ordinator of programs for a national not-for-profit literacy organization.

Director – James Dyack

James started his career as an engineer working in the nuclear industry. He left Atomic Energy of Canada to pursue an MBA and after graduation worked as a management consultant in Toronto with Deloitte Consulting. James spent considerable time valuing companies, helping increase equity value and share price so he pursued a chartered business valuator designation through the CA institute. After 12 years with Deloitte he is now a partner in the valuations group specializing in audit/tax/transaction-related valuations for large energy-related companies. James continues his education with a CMA designation which he expects to complete in June 2012. James has been married for 10 years to his lovely wife Sarah. His proudest accomplishment and biggest joy in his life are his three wonderful kids, Ali, Will and Tom.

Director – Andrea (Ange) Fitzpatrick

Andrea works at WestJet and specializes in Organizational Change where she supports strategic programs through the development and implementation of supporting projects, communication and training plans. Andea holds a Bachelors of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary, and in 2010 completed her Masters in Business Administration at the Haskayne School of Business. Andrea and her husband recently welcomed their first child, a daughter, who thoroughly loves being read to on a daily basis. They also enjoy spending time outside with their two dogs, and traveling whenever time allows.

Director – Jill Andres

Jill Andres provides management consulting services to organizations throughout Alberta and British Columbia. Her company, Creating Value, has worked with not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises, small businesses and government departments on projects ranging from business model development and strategic planning to stakeholder engagement and change management. Jill is actively involved in the community as an alumnus of Leadership Calgary (Class of 2004), a volunteer with Inn from the Cold, and coach of her daughter’s soccer team. She shares a love of outdoor adventures, yoga and reading with her daughter. Jill’s daughter has recently discovered the magic and joy of being able to read a book all by herself.

Director – Andrew Donohoe

Andrew works at Suncor Energy Inc. as Senior Legal Counsel for the Oil Sands and In Situ groups.  He was previously a director of a charitable organization based in Toronto called KYTES (Kensington Youth Theatre & Employment Skills), which served to help street youth complete their high school diploma and increase their confidence and coping skills through theatre.  Andrew is looking forward to contributing to Calgary Reads, particularly as a member of the Risk Management Committee.  He is an avid soccer fan, loves to travel, and is married with two children, a son and a daughter.

Director – Jeff Lehrmann

Jeff Lehrmann is President of Chevron Canada Limited, heading a growing organization that oversees oil and gas exploration, production and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids in Canada.A native of central Texas, Lehrmann graduated in 1986 from Texas A&M University where he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in petroleum engineering. Upon graduation, he began his career with Texaco as an engineer, based in Bakersfield, California.  He went on to serve in a variety of engineering and management positions with the company in various upstream operations across the United States and Indonesia. In January 2005, he was appointed advisor to George Kirkland, Executive Vice President, Global Upstream & Gas, based in Chevron’s corporate office in San Ramon, CA.  In March 2006, Lehrmann was appointed Area Manager of Chevron’s San Joaquin Valley heavy oil thermal operations based in Bakersfield, CA. In February 2008, Lehrmann was appointed General Manager of Asset Development for Chevron’s North America – Mid Continent Alaska Business Unit based in Houston, TX.  In that role, he was responsible for Chevron’s Upstream assets from south Texas to the Alaska North Slope and an annual capital budget over $1 billion US. He assumed his current position on April 1, 2010. Mr. Lehrmann is a member of the Society of Petroleum engineers and a member of various civic groups. He leads a team of Chevron employees who dedicate time to support Calgary Read’s operational efforts & tutoring through Chevron’s “Human Energy” program.

Director – Laura Eyford

Laura works as a Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist at Enbridge Inc. Prior to joining Enbridge, Laura completed her M.A. in Political Science at Dalhousie University with a focus on the role of education in post-conflict societies. Following the completion of her M.A., Laura spent six months working in Ghana in West Africa as part of a DFAIT (Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade) internship. Laura recently completed a certificate program in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the University of Toronto. Her first encounter with Calgary reads was as a tutor at Ramsay School, a position she enjoyed for three years. Laura loves to travel with her husband, drink good coffee and read to her son Grayson.

Director – Nazimah Gilani

Nazimah is a management consultant with Meyers Norris Penny LLP, where she works with clients on project management, business strategy and operational initiatives. She holds Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Business Administration degrees.
She has previously contributed volunteer time to many organizations, and since 2009 has been a Calgary Reads Board Member and a mentor with the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. In the recent past she has also volunteered with the Calgary Ski Club, tutored students in high school math and science, and spent 3 terms on the Board of Directors for a Condominium Corporation. Nazimah is an avid reader and sometimes finds it difficult to put a book down (she read the final, 600-page Harry Potter book in a day). In addition to reading books, she also enjoys travelling, learning words in different languages, and spending time outdoors.

Director – Tracey Scott

Tracey Scott coordinates the Operational Excellence Management System at Alliance Pipeline; focusing on program performance, risk management, compliance and governance. Prior to joining Alliance, Tracey provided business process improvement, project management and management consulting services to the energy sector for over 15 years. Tracey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Certificate in Adult Education and is certified in Organizational Change Management. Tracey’s volunteer background includes coaching equine sports, coaching youth soccer and tutoring. She is the proud mother of two adult children, is an outdoor enthusiast and always had three or four books on the go.

Director – Brenda Spilker

Brenda Spilker brings to Calgary Reads a diverse background, which crosses multiple sectors, businesses and locations. She initially pursued a love of children and reading to get a Bachelor of Arts in Literature at the University of British Columbia; and fulfilled a girlhood dream by of becoming a teacher. In Calgary, Brenda transitioned into the fields of Human Resources, Administration and Finance, working for national and global oil and gas companies as well as a large public sector organization. She established a boutique management consulting organization with diverse clientele across sectors. She has been a lifelong volunteer in organizations which include: University of Calgary Senate, Rotary International, Women in Need Society, Volunteer Calgary, a water cooperative and an aboriginal organization. Brenda and her husband have two grown and married daughters (and two grand-doggies) and are thrilled to have just welcomed their first grandchild into the world. Brenda’s love of stories has lead to an independent volunteer initiative called “I Hear People” which captures the early childhood memories of our seniors and elders to be read and cherished by their families for generations to come.

Director – Kris Docherty

Kris Docherty comes from a long line of educators. Both her mother’s and father’s families have a history of teaching and educating. Kris holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and an Master of Science from Daemen College. She played two years of varsity basketball for St. Mary’s University and has maintained her lifelong commitment to University athletics. A strong believer in volunteerism, Kris has worked both inside and outside the classroom in her four years with the Waterloo Regional District School Board. While teaching elementary school she organized events for Me to We, co-ordinated several cancer fund-raisers and coached children’s basketball and volleyball teams. Since arriving in Calgary, Kris has volunteered for Calgary Reads while helping her  daughter adjust to a new city. Kris is married to David Docherty and is mom to Madison, and step-mother to Angus and Quinn.

Director – Jackie Flowers

Bio coming soon.

Past Chair - Pattie Ann Swain

Pattie Anne is currently the principal at McKenzie Lake School and has been a lifelong voracious reader and an educator for over 20 years. Graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in English literature, she immediately began her studies in Early Childhood Education and launched her career teaching kindergarten at Jennie Elliott School in Calgary. That posting was followed by an opportunity to become both a teacher and curriculum leader at Rideau Park School and, while there, Pattie Ann was challenged to work toward a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. Her first administrative role was as Assistant Principal at Hidden Valley School, and then as Principal of James Short Memorial School where she delighted in providing Calgary Reads to a very culturally rich and diverse population. The learning experiences of the children and families at James Short Memorial School profoundly shaped her subsequent approach to the growth of literacy as she strives to ensure that all children can read with confidence and joy. She is thrilled to report that her three children have all grown up with a love of reading as well as with a strong commitment to social justice.