Dedicated, diverse and involved
Our team is committed to the Community League movement
Each member brings considerable skills, expertise and experience to their work benefiting the EFCL, Community Leagues and the city as a whole.
Interested in working for the EFCL? Visit this page for current job opportunities – https://efcl.humi.ca/job-board
Laura Cunningham-Shpeley
Executive Director – Laura is the past president of Ritchie Community League and previously worked as a Senior Program Officer with Indigenous Services Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.
Laura Cunningham-ShpeleyExecutive Director
Colin Johnson
Deputy Executive Director – Colin has spent the last 10 years working in human resources and program management roles. His passion in human resources is in training and development. Having experience as a board member for social services, education, community development and funding agencies allows him to understand the challenges and opportunities that the non-profit sector faces. Colin works to enhance programming at EFCL and support the staff of the EFCL in their work with Community Leagues.
Colin JohnsonDeputy Executive Director
Kim Tanasichuk
Special Projects and Digital Platforms Senior Advisor – Kim managed the Service Innovation Project at EFCL from 2020 to 2022. This three-year pilot program created an online learning platform, mentorship program and various centralized services for Leagues. She is now the EFCL Special Projects and Digital Platforms Senior Advisor. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology and brings her previous 18 years of self-employed experience in web and graphic design to her role. She is passionate about gardening and is delighted to be a part of supporting Community Leagues because they are places that bring people together and support neighbourhoods.
Kim TanasichukSpecial Projects and Digital Platforms Senior Advisor
Jennie Gurnett
Community Activator-Senior Advisor – Jennie holds a Masters of Social Work with a specialization in Community Development. She has experience working with a variety of social care agencies in Edmonton, in particular with housing and homelessness. She is passionate about community and the impact of healthy neighborhoods! As the Community Activator she will work with the EFCL team to ensure that Community Leagues are connected to each other and to the resources, services and supports offered through the Federation.
Jennie GurnettCommunity Activator - Senior Advisor
Sandra Johnston
Board Development Advisor – Sandra has bachelor and masters degree in education and has 20 years experience working with volunteers in public education. She has served on a number of boards and committees and is currently Chair of the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board. Sandra holds both the Institute of Corporate Directors and Governance Professionals of Canada designations. Sandra is passionate about good governance and good decision making and the role that volunteers play in building our communities.
Sandra JohnstonBoard Development Advisor
Priya Harinath
Human Resources and Project Administrator – Priya Harinath has 17 years of work experience in various office positions, including in administration, as an executive assistant and in customer service. Priya has her Payroll Compliance Practitioner Certification and has her PCP designation. She has been a member of the National Payroll Institute since 2020. Priya’s favorite hobbies are spending time with her kids, gardening, food, travel and photography.
Priya HarinathHuman Resources and Project Administrator
Darlene Dudley
Membership Engagement and Placemaking Advisor – Darlene is passionate about creating and maintaining healthy, thriving communities. She brings over 6 years of experience managing a busy Community League centre to the EFCL. She is excited to learn and share this knowledge through serving the many Community League volunteers and staff in her role as Membership Engagement & Placemaking Advisor.
Darlene DudleyMembership Engagement and Placemaking Advisor
Shaun Good
Infrastructure and Amenities Advisor – Shaun is an MBA graduate and long time business owner in Edmonton. He is a highly involved community supporter and volunteer. Shaun is the former president of the Rio Terrace Community Preschool. Shaun will help ensure our Community League facilities, amenities, and infrastructure are constructed and maintained at the highest level.
Shaun GoodInfrastructure and Amenities Advisor
Barb Stang
Administrative Assistant –
Barb StangPart Time Administrative Assistant
Erin Olefeldt
Climate Resilience Advisor – Erin Olefeldt holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Manitoba. She has experience working with environmental non-profit organizations like the Sierra Club of Canada and has also worked for the federal government’s Species at Risk branch. Erin enjoys hiking with her family, baking, gardening, landscape design, and working with her amazing community. As the sustainability director for the North Glenora Community League, Erin initiated several community sustainability projects and is excited to bring her skills to the position of Climate Resilience Advisor with the EFCL. She hopes to support Edmonton’s many Community Leagues as they create healthier, more sustainable neighbourhoods.
Erin OlefeldtClimate Resilience Advisor
David Berry
Communications, Strategy & Engagement Senior Advisor – David has worked as a journalist for both local and national outlets, and has helped numerous non-profit and community-based organizations with branding and strategic communication. He has served on Wesmount’s Community League board, and is passionate about the power of community-level organizing. He looks forward to helping the Community League movement step into its next century of making Edmonton a great place to live.
David BerryCommunications, Strategy & Engagement Senior Advisor
Candace-Housman
Administrative Assistant – Candace Housman has recently graduated from Norquest’s Administrative Professional Program and has over ten years of customer service expertise. Known for her dedication and attention to detail, Candace is excited to bring her skills to EFCL. Her commitment to excellence and enthusiasm for community engagement make her a valuable asset to your Community League.
Candace HousmanAdministrative Assistant
Maria Flores-Achtymichuk
Digital Communications and Design Advisor – Maria has over 25 years of graphic design experience, specializing in logos and signage across Alberta and Western Canada. She’s spent several years in the nonprofit world, working with groups like the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies and the Junior Forest Wardens. Maria loves creating videos and marketing content, and she’s great at crafting digital material that connects with communities and strengthens their message. In her free time, she enjoys attending events and festivals around the city, as well as fairs across Alberta with her family. She’s excited to be working with the EFCL.
Maria Flores-AchtymichukDigital Communications and Design Advisor
Melissa Campbell
Community Activator- Melissa has completed a Certificate in Dialogue & Civic Engagement from Simon Fraser University and a Masters of Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alberta. As a Community Engagement & Group Facilitator and Consultant, she has supported a variety of non-profit organizations in the Edmonton area. She has been a member of the North Glenora Community League board since 2020 and has spearheaded several events and projects to build connectivity and belonging in her neighbourhood. She is passionate about using an asset-based lens to create a connected and engaged city through grassroots, neighbourhood-level initiatives.
Melissa CampbellCommunity Activator
Michael Parker
Fund and Membership Administrator-Michael has been working with not-for profit community-based organizations for over 15 years in Regina, SK and Edmonton. He is passionate about supporting community led organizations like Community Leagues and brings a combination of practical experience with non-profit operations, community programming, fundraising, grant making and governance. Michael enjoys board games, spending time with family, and walking his dog Daisy through the lovely tree-lined streets of the Newton neighbourhood. Michael will support Leagues by administering the Community Leagues Operating Grant (CLOG) and supporting the Friends and Neighbours program.
Michael ParkerFund and Membership Administrator
Chris Brentlinger-Grant
Communications, Strategy and Engagement Advisor – Chris has spent the last ten years in talk radio and corporate communications roles. He is passionate about helping people connect with their communities, allowing Edmonton’s neighborhoods to thrive and grow. He is an active member of the Westwood Community League. When he’s not at work with the EFCL, he can be found doing hockey play-by-play broadcasting, with his wife and very good dog, Willow, or bemoaning the recent results of his chosen football team.
Chris Brentlinger-GrantCommunications, Strategy and Engagement Advisor