Lori Farquharson Persaud

Executive Director

Lori Farquharson Persaud (She/ Her) provides the senior executive leadership for the Foundation staff and Board of Directors. Lori has tremendous experience from varied stakeholders in the non-profit, for-profit, and government environments who have represented Edmonton within local, provincial, national, and international markets. She is thrilled to be part of preserving Edmonton's history by leading the Foundation's vision to build capital projects and community initiatives at Fort Edmonton Park.

Adam Watt

Manager, Partnerships

Adam Watt (He/Him) is a born and raised Edmontonian who is responsible for sourcing and managing Fort Edmonton Foundations' corporate partners. He has been working in corporate partnerships for the past 15 years, and has been running his own sponsorship agency, Event Partnerships, for the past four years. When Adam isn't working to bring corporate partners to the Park, he is running or biking in the Edmonton River Valley, playing a late night mens league hockey game, or enjoying time with his family

Rhonda Webster

Finance Manager

Rhonda (She/Her) provides financial management and organization health and wellness development to a plethora of nonprofits in Edmonton. She is excited to be working with the Fort Edmonton Foundation in supporting their financial management and analysis as they continue to grow and foster community connections. Rhonda is honoured to be involved with the Foundation in helping to create a space that celebrates our history, provides opportunity for reconciliation, and creates interactive educational opportunities for the public.

Magdalen Hanson

Events and Community Outreach Coordinator

As the Events and Community Outreach Coordinator Magdalen (She/Her) works to support the Fort Edmonton Foundation’s by showcasing the work of the Foundation in the community through events, markets, and more. She works to share the joy the Foundation brings to her with the people in Edmonton and beyond. She loves the opportunities to learn and grow at the Fort Edmonton Foundation. She is a business student majoring in accounting at MacEwan University. Magdalen has loved visiting Fort Edmonton Park since she was a little girl, and loves that she now gets to contribute to a place she has loved her entire life.

Grace Kallal

President

Grace joined the Fort Edmonton Foundation Board of Directors in 2017 and quickly became involved with the Gala Committee and Online Auction, and also serves on the Finance Committee.

After more than thirty years, Grace retired from the Financial Services industry, working for two of the most highly rated Canadian life insurance companies. While working she earned industry designations of Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Certified Senior Advisor.

She also served on the Board of the Edmonton Estate Planning Council for six years, and is a firm believer in the numerous benefits of Legacy Gifting.

Grace enjoys cultural experiences through food and travel, reading and running. A lifelong learner, she takes courses in all types of genres, including art and personal development.

Grace's first experience of Fort Edmonton Park was at age seven. What puts a smile on her face is hearing the steam train's first whistle on opening day, the taste of tiger ice cream from the Ukrainian Bookstore, and Bannock from the fires with the Indigenous interpreters.

For Grace, to be a Director of the Fort Edmonton Foundation is a means of giving back to one of Edmonton's most special gems and Western Canada's largest living history interpretive museum.

Chelsea Yarmuch

Treasurer

Director of Finance, McKillican International

Chelsea moved to Edmonton in 2012 after completing her Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. After articling at Crowe MacKay she received her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 2015. In 2019, Chelsea completed her Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management.

With over 10 years of progressive accounting experience, Chelsea is able to bring her accounting knowledge and expertise to the Foundation. As the Director of Finance, Chelsea manages a number of departments including Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll for McKillican’s Canadian and US divisions. Transformational change, expense mitigation, and operational efficiencies are some of Chelsea’s key strengths.

Chelsea is a past Treasurer of WECAN Food Basket Society of Alberta, a charity that is dedicated to helping provide food security and nutritional information to families and individuals at an affordable price.

Fort Edmonton Park is one of Chelsea’s favourite places to visit with her young daughter and husband in the summer. The iconic steam train, barn animals, and rich educational exhibits make the Fort the best place to spend an afternoon.

Jason Clarke

Vice President

Vice President of Sales, Pleasant Solutions

Jason Clarke is the Vice President of the Fort Edmonton Foundation, joining the board in 2017. He is currently the Vice President of Sales at Pleasant Solutions, an Edmonton-based software developer with clients around the world.

Jason fell in love with Fort Edmonton Park during a grade four field trip, especially entranced by the Bellerose School House on 1885 Street. He was inspired by the idea that the kids who attended this one-room schoolhouse with only blackboard slates and chalk grew up to help build and shape Edmonton and our region.

Serving on the Fort Edmonton Foundation's Board is important to Jason because of its dedication to preserving Edmonton's history at Fort Edmonton Park. He feels it is essential that all generations have the opportunity to find inspiration in the historical treasures at Fort Edmonton Park the same way he did.

Jason is an active community member and is passionate about children's education and history. He is married with two children, and every year on Father's Day takes a picture with his two sons at the same spot in Fort Edmonton Park.

Holli Bjerland

Director

Holli Bjerland has spent her career in the not for profit sector. She has 25 years of experience working as a professional fundraiser with experience in social services, community development, post secondary and healthcare settings. She has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.

Holli is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) from the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. She is passionate about local history and has helped to organize local history events. She is pleased to be a member of the Fort Edmonton Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Alle DeMelo

Director

MBA Candidate, Alberta School of Business

Alle has been a Board Member of the Fort Edmonton Foundation since 2020. She is deeply passionate about the preservation and exhibition of the Arts and Culture Sector in Edmonton.

Alle has been a Board Member of the Fort Edmonton Foundation since 2020. She is deeply passionate about the preservation and exhibition of the Arts and Culture Sector in Edmonton.

She has previously worked for the Fringe Theatre, the Art Gallery of Alberta, and the Royal Alberta Museum working in Stakeholder Engagement, Logistical Organization, and Brand Ambassadorship. She now works at KPMG Canada and continues her work in assisting the public sector succeed and remain accountable to Albertans.

As a lifelong attendee of the Fort, Alle is passionate about ensuring the Park will be sustainable for generations to come and that it remains a gem in the cultural crown of Canada.

Barbara Dowker

Director

Barbara was born in Sherwood Park and visited Fort Edmonton regularly, starting at a young age. Her love of history and the origin of Edmonton grew from those visits and her dream of helping Fort Edmonton Park began.

Barbara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with Honours from MacEwan University in 2014, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alberta in 2019. She was called to the bar in July of 2020. Barbara was heavily involved in Student Legal Services while at University and worked at the Edmonton Crown Prosecutor’s Office and the Legal Aid Family Law office. She was a Research Assistant with publication in the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation through the Forensic Psychology Department and was Co-President of the Mental Health & Wellness Committee.

While not at work, Barbara enjoys taking her dogs for walks in the river valley, traveling as much as she can, TTRPGs, and spending time with her partner.

Paul Harris

Director

Chartered Accountant/Partner, Crowe MacKay

Paul is the Past-Treasurer of the Fort Edmonton Foundation. As a Partner at a local accounting firm, Paul brings his accounting and governance experience to the Foundation.

Paul is a Partner at Crowe MacKay LLP, assisting his clients with audit, tax, and advisory services. Paul is considered a specialist in the not-for-profit sector but also services a cross-section of industries.

Originally from the United Kingdom, he joined Crowe MacKay LLP in September 2009 when he moved to Canada. He attended the University of Southampton in England, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 2003.

He obtained his Chartered Accountancy qualification in the United Kingdom with F.W. Smith, Riches & Co. in London in 2006, before moving to a big 4 firm.

Whilst at the big 4 firm, he also worked overseas in Auckland, New Zealand, before moving to Canada to join Crowe MacKay LLP in the Edmonton office.

Paul is a past Treasurer of the Rainbow Society of Alberta, a charity dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of Alberta children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

Fort Edmonton Park was the first attraction Paul visited when he arrived in Canada. As a father of three young children, Paul and his family enjoy riding the train, and visiting all the different attractions at the park.

Bob Hassel

Director

Bob was with the Edmonton Police Service for 25 years. His last eight years were spent in very senior leadership positions eventually retiring at the rank of Superintendent. After his retirement he was selected as the CEO of a not for profit organization in Edmonton and served in that role for approximately four years.

Bob has been heavily involved in volunteering in the community. He has served on many not for profit Boards gaining experience in the roles of Committee Member, Director, Vice-chair and Chair. He also served on the St. Albert City Council Community Services Advisory Committee. Bob is now fully retired and has plans to continue to serve the community through volunteer activities.

Bob and his family have experienced Fort Edmonton Park for decades. In his opinion it is the best living history museum in Canada. For Bob, to be a Director of the Fort Edmonton Foundation, allows him the opportunity to help with the future growth and development of the park.

Stephen Lau, BCom, LLB

Director

Founder, Edmonton Home Pros Real Estate Group (RE/MAX Real Estate)
REALTOR®

Stephen Lau was born and raised in Edmonton, and graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws. He started his career in the commercial real estate industry and soon expanded his work into the residential real estate sector with excellent results. He has been consistently ranked in the Top 5% of Realtors in Edmonton since starting his career in 2008.

Participating in community service and philanthropic work is meaningful to Stephen, and he has been a member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Riverview since 2005. He added to his roster of community work by joining the Fort Edmonton Foundation’s Board in 2016. The Foundation’s efforts to preserve Edmonton’s history at Fort Edmonton Park struck a chord with Stephen because he feels our city has so much to offer and has a significant history that forms the fabric of our country.

Since working on the Foundation’s Board, he has seen the rejuvenation of Fort Edmonton Park to make dramatic strides in offering the public a deeper and candid look at some of Canada’s darker history, its racism, and its ongoing struggle to create a harmonious and fair society. In particular, the new Indigenous Peoples Experience fosters a deeper understanding of our history. Learning how the Indigenous people of our country lived before and after engaging European settlers will form the basis of reconciliation of the unfathomable injustices they were subjected to.

As a member of an ethnic minority group, Stephen can identify with how marginalized people feel when society builds structural roadblocks that impede their life potential. Bringing a broader cross-section of participation and engagement with the community-at-large are key reasons why working with the Fort Edmonton Foundation is important to him.

Tim Marriott

Director

Protocol Officer, Government of Alberta

Tim Marriott has a degree in western Canadian history from the University of Alberta, with minors in Canadian politics and in philosophy.

For many years, he was the co-ordinator of interpretive programming at Fort Edmonton Park, being variously responsible for daily programming, school programmes, adult programmes, and special events. This included the development of programmes from concept to piloting to being included in FEP’s ongoing programme repertoire. As well, he was responsible for staff training and development.

He integrated music and drama into the Fort’s daily programme, including commissioning original plays, interpretive vignettes, and designing special events. In 2007, he worked with colleagues and Indigenous partners on the “Sacred Self” series of art workshops.

With the restructuring of City of Edmonton Attractions, he performed similar roles at the Valley Zoo, Muttart Conservatory and John Janzen Nature Centre.

While employed with the City of Edmonton he was an instructor at Metro College and at Lakeland College (Sherwood Park) in eco-tourism and in heritage interpretation.

He currently holds the position ofManager, Diplomatic Visits, Alberta Protocol, the Government of Alberta, which works with foreign ambassadors visiting Alberta, since 2007.

Tim Marriott was a member of the Board of the Alberta Museums Association from 1996 to 2000, and again in 2005 to 2010, serving as president in 2008-2009.

He is a past president of the Edmonton and District Historical Society, past Chair of the Edmonton Historical Board and was a member of the founding board of the Edmonton Heritage Council. He is past chair of the Edmonton and District Heritage Fair, which programme he was co-founder of in Edmonton (1996). At present, he is President of the Historical Society of Alberta (from 2019). He has been a member of the Fort Edmonton Foundation Board since 2018.

A lifetime participant in theatre as an actor and backstage, he has twice been President of Walterdale Theatre Associates and was a board member of the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. Tim has performed in, directed, or worked backstage on more than fifty productions.

His contributions to the various communities in which he has been involved have been recognized by the Alberta Museums Association Award of Merit, the Walterdale Theatre Jack Wilson Award (Lifetime Contribution) and the Edmonton Historical Board Historical Recognition Award.

Juliana Masiuk

Director

Juliana Masiuk works as Senior Legal Counsel at Canadian Western Bank (“CWB”), the largest Schedule 1 bank headquartered in Western Canada.

Prior to joining CWB, Juliana practiced corporate and real- estate law at a large Alberta law firm.

She is a graduate of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts with distinction and the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law.

Juliana has been passionate about community service from a young age. Her grandparents fundraised to establish the Ukrainian Bookstore at the Park, a place she now enjoys visiting with her husband and two young children. Juliana is excited about joining the Board of the Foundation and making a positive and lasting contribution.

Josh Ramsbottom

Director

Senior Business Advisor, Business Development Bank of Canada

Josh Ramsbottom has been involved with the Fort Edmonton Foundation in various board roles since 2015. As a second-generation Edmontonian, one of his earliest memories of the Fort was riding the steam engine through the river valley while sitting on his parent's lap. Even today, he is thrilled every time he steps back through time into the Fort of 1846, imagining what it would be like to live in the past.

Having completed his education in England, Josh witnessed firsthand the importance of celebrating history and the historical spaces that shape communities. Fort Edmonton allows people of all ages to learn and share the struggles, triumphs, and achievements that made Edmonton and Northern Alberta what it is today.

"We have incredible stories about Edmonton, and the Fort allows people to learn those stores by walking in the footsteps of history – it also is an incredible place for young people to let their imaginations run wild. We don't have to go anywhere else – Fort Edmonton in a magical place right here in the city."

Today, Josh continues to share his love for Fort Edmonton with his daughters, Darien, Laura, and Morgan, and son Everett, all of whom have participated in various Fort Edmonton programs and fundraising activities over the years. His youngest daughter Morgan has also become deeply involved with the Fort Edmonton Foundation, starting in junior high and continuing through high school) leading several student volunteer activities and fundraising opportunities.

Lynn Wyton

Director

Senior Advisor, Business Partnerships at Explore Edmonton

Lynn Wyton serves as the Senior Advisor, Business Partnerships at Explore Edmonton, a role that allows him to connect partners to regional, national and global opportunities. Lynn’s work takes place in a wide variety of sectors including tourism, education, aviation, manufacturing, energy and others. He offers leadership expertise in both the private and public sectors.

His passion for Fort Edmonton Park is grounded in the Park’s ability to provide reconciliation, community connections, and good fun for locals, Canadians, and global visitors. Lynn enjoys exploring and hiking with his wife, two daughters, and dog in his leisure time.