Ron has lived, worked and volunteered in the Red Deer community since 1986, after completing post-secondary education at the University of Waterloo. He retired from a 30+ year career in various engineering and leadership positions with NOVA Chemicals in Joffre and corporately.   Volunteering included both non-profit and sports organizations plus a long-term commitment with the Canadian Ski Patrol. The Red Deer Food Bank has embarked on an exciting and novel path to addressing food insecurity in ever more challenging times and Ron is honoured to support the organization achieve a successful and sustainable future. 

Jim is a retired telecommunications professional with over 40 years of experience in technical design, planning and implementation of telecom hardware and systems. Over the years he has volunteered and has been part of varying boards and organizations: Served as an Auxiliary Member of the RCMP; a Board Member of the AGT Limited Pension Board; Board Member of a Homeowners Association (HOA) in Phoenix, AZ serving as the treasurer; Board Member of a strata association where he was the Chair of the Maintenance Committee. Since returning to Alberta in 2022 he has been involved in supporting the Red Deer Food Bank in varying roles.

Donna moved to Red Deer in 1986 with her husband, Ron and family in 1986. Donna graduated from the University of Waterloo and has a B.Ed from the University of Alberta. Raising an active family, teaching and volunteering are things that made Donna appreciate our community. She continues to be an active volunteer in retirement. Donna became involved with the Red Deer Food Bank after volunteering in various activities. She is committed to helping others in Central Alberta and enjoys the tasks involved with working with a caring and dedicated board. Community involvement, and making a difference in people’s lives is what makes Donna smile.

Bio coming soon.

Alex was born in Calgary, but Red Deer has been her home for most of her life. She completed her post secondary schooling in 2016 and received her BA from the University of Prince Edward Island. She currently works as a Foster Care Support Worker with Vantage Community Services. Alex has been involved with the food bank as a volunteer since she was 16 years old and has worn many hats in the past 15 years of her Food Bank volunteer roles, the last 7 serving on the Board of Directors. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside with family and friends, yoga, and listening to music.

Richie has a background in technology and business development and combines a passion for innovation with a proven track record in strategic planning and execution. He hopes to contribute with a forward-thinking approach to drive impactful change and foster growth. Richie joined the board of directors to help the Food Bank provide crucial services to our community and believes strongly in nurturing healthy relationships with food.

Sharon joined the Board of Directors in 2023 after retiring from IG Wealth Management, where she worked as a Financial Advisor for almost 20 years. Believing that no person in a prosperous nation like Canada should ever be hungry, and that everyone deserves to have nutritious and tasty meals, is what brought her to the Red Deer Food Bank. An interest in social enterprise and how it can fit into the non-profit sector was also a factor. Sharon is very involved in the community as a volunteer and with Rotary Club of Red Deer East, where she has served as Co-President, Fundraising Chair and Committee Chair for several fundraising projects.

Shelley is an experienced community leader with a background in governance, policy, and stakeholder engagement. Over more than a decade of public sector and volunteer involvement, she has developed a thoughtful, collaborative approach to leadership — one grounded in integrity, accountability, and service.  Shelley brings experience in strategic planning, advocacy, and partnership development, with a focus on ensuring organizations remain responsive to community needs. She values diverse voices, practical solutions, and boards that balance strong oversight with empathy and purpose.  She is honoured to contribute her skills to advancing food security and supporting the essential work of community organizations that make a difference every day.

Lori is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) with a strong background in non-profit leadership. She currently serves as Executive Director of The Lending Cupboard® in Red Deer, Alberta. Lori brings extensive experience from roles in children’s aid and hospital foundations, with expertise in fund development, event planning, donor relations, and strategic planning. Her passion for community impact drives her commitment to providing support that helps build healthy and stronger communities. Lori is known for her ability to build meaningful relationships and lead successful fundraising initiatives.

Kelli is a passionate entrepreneur, connector, and leader in business development and strategic partnerships with experience in the social profit sector, private industry, and her own consulting business. Having called Central Alberta home for nearly three decades and as a proud mother of four, she understands the importance of food security and strong communities. Kelli also serves as a Red Deer County Councillor and is honored to support the Red Deer Food Bank, an organization she greatly admires for its innovation, creativity, and commitment to helping individuals, families and community. 

Shelley has lived in Central Alberta for most of her life. She had a 25-year career in Information Technology, working for local independent businesses. In 2022, she transitioned from IT to manage Twisted Steel Blacksmithing, a local business she co-founded with her husband in 2020. Deeply committed to service, Shelley is a Rotarian, and a member of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce. She is honored to join the Board of Directors, bringing her technical background and entrepreneurial spirit to help nourish her community. In her free time, she enjoys walking her two large dogs and spending time with her husband.

Jennifer Forrest is a Healthcare & Professional Specialist at Scotiabank with expertise in commercial lending and financial analysis. She also brings over nine years of nonprofit leadership experience as a Resource Development Director, specializing in fundraising and strategic partnerships. Jennifer contributes strong insight in financial oversight and community engagement to the Red Deer Food Bank Board and is passionate about supporting its mission.

Mitch has been the Executive Director of the Red Deer Food Bank since May 2021, bringing a wealth of experience in business, municipal politics, and community development. A former foster parent, Mitch has a diverse professional background, having owned and operated funeral homes and childcare centers. His dedication to public service includes serving on the municipal council in Olds and participating in numerous regional boards.

Mitch is passionate about people and community service. He has driven significant redevelopment at the food bank, including the creation of a commercial kitchen, the Kitchen 49 culinary classroom, mobile food services, and food production activities.

The Rotary Club of Red Deer East Community Kitchen is our base for Culinary Services. The Rotary Club raised – and continues to raise – funds to develop the facility so that we can provide a social enterprise that would include food portioning for hampers, food education, and food services that put surplus funds earned back into Food Bank programs.

The Red Deer Food Bank Society is proud to be one of the 14 projects supported through Co-op Community Spaces in 2024. The Co-op Community Food Farm will produce nearly 400,000 cherry tomatoes a year to supplement the fresh produce selection available for their emergency food hamper program.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints provided us with a $75,000 grant to purchase one of two hydroponic sea cans to grow green leafy vegetables year-round. These vegetables will be used to add produce that might not otherwise be available to our emergency food hampers.

The Jules Foundation invested a $75,000 grant with the Food Bank to purchase one of two hydroponic sea cans as part of our long-term solution to sourcing fresh produce for our emergency food hamper program. These sea cans will grow items like lettuce, spinach, kale and other healthy produce for our clients.