John is a retired Vice President, Production of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. He was previously Vice-President and Co-founder of Verdant Energy and Vice President of Numac Energy. He also held technical and management roles with Shell Canada Ltd. He currently serves on the Deep Tech Investment Advisory Board of UCeed. John is also a past University of Calgary Senator. He previously served on the Autism Calgary Association Board of Directors, Capital Fundraising Committee for Society for Autism Support and Services and the Board of New Heights School for Children with PDD/Autism. John was born and raised in Calgary. He has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta, an MBA from the University of Calgary and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Howard, John
Chair
Peter Johnson – Director, Past Chair
Peter is CEO AVP Financial Corp. He formed his own Employee Benefits and Brokerage Company in 1983 and has been working in the insurance business since 1967.
Peter became a Director of STA in the early 1990s and was Board Chair from 1992 to 2020. He oversaw it’s change from just surviving, to today’s solid financial position by supporting the excellent senior staff at the organization.
Johnson, Peter A.
Past Chair
Ryan Adlington – Treasurer, Director since 2019
Ryan is currently a partner at Deloitte LLP in their financial advisory practice based in Calgary. Prior to Deloitte, Ryan has held previous senior leadership positions at one of the other Big 4 Accounting firms as well as a large US based financial advisory/consulting firm.
In addition to the Society for the Treatment of Autism, Ryan is active within the New Heights School and Learning Services, having just recently left the board of the Parent Advisory Council after serving for 4 years.
Ryan was born in London, Ontario and has resided in Calgary since 2015. He has an Honours in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business, is a Chartered Professional Account as well as a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
Adlington, Ryan
Treasurer
Elizabeth Shepherd, Secretary – Director since 2020
Elizabeth (Liz) is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and a soon-to-be retired lawyer. After working in Alaska early in her career, Liz returned to Calgary where she focused her practice on estates and trust law and Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship law. Liz taught as a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. She has presented papers at legal education courses and spoken at numerous seminars for community groups and charitable organizations.
Liz is a past co-Chair of the Wills and Trusts section of the Canadian Bar Association, South Alberta. Her volunteer experience has included the Calgary Legal Guidance Society, the (former) Volunteer Lawyers Society, the Kerby Centre Legal Advocacy Clinic, and the Ability Hub (Sinneave Family Foundation). She previously served on the boards of New Heights Early Learning Centre and the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society.
Liz was born and raised in Calgary. She has a B.A. from the University of Alberta, a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario and an LL.B. from the University of Alberta.
Shepherd, Elizabeth
Secretary
Barrie F. Pomerance
Born and raised in Calgary, Barrie has been a practicing lawyer in Calgary since 1977 and is currently Senior Legal Counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais, Barrister and Solicitors, where he conducts a corporate, commercial, and real estate law practice. As a trusted advisor to his clients, Barrie has provided ongoing legal advice to both the Society for the Treatment of Autism as well as a variety of other Boards and Committees throughout Alberta both in the private, public, and not profit sectors.
In addition to holding Directorships in various private corporations, Barrie continues to serve as the Chair of Governance for the Ranchmen’s Club and has served as an advisor to the Parent Committee of the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Center (AARC). Barrie is also actively involved in mentorship to improve the connection of men to their families, friends, work places and communities.
Barrie’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with Distinction) from the University of Calgary (1974) as well as a Bachelors of Laws from the University of British Columbia (1977). Barrie has authored numerous legal papers on best practices and the current state of the law and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Calgary both in the Faculties of Law and Continuing Education.
Pomerance, Barrie
Director
Terry Kapuscinski (she/her) – Director
Terry has been involved in the Employee Benefits field for over 40 years. Her primary responsibility was medium to large client plan design, communication and financial sustainability. She also managed a Health and Welfare Trust/PHSP division. In 2007 she changed her focus to the administration of Spending Accounts.
Terry became involved with Society for Treatment of Autism as a volunteer for various fund raising initiatives over 19 years ago. She has served as a Board member since 2005.
Kapuscinski, Terry
Director
Elizabeth Shepherd, Secretary – Director since 2020
Elizabeth (Liz) is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and a soon-to-be retired lawyer. After working in Alaska early in her career, Liz returned to Calgary where she focused her practice on estates and trust law and Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship law. Liz taught as a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. She has presented papers at legal education courses and spoken at numerous seminars for community groups and charitable organizations.
Liz is a past co-Chair of the Wills and Trusts section of the Canadian Bar Association, South Alberta. Her volunteer experience has included the Calgary Legal Guidance Society, the (former) Volunteer Lawyers Society, the Kerby Centre Legal Advocacy Clinic, and the Ability Hub (Sinneave Family Foundation). She previously served on the boards of New Heights Early Learning Centre and the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society.
Liz was born and raised in Calgary. She has a B.A. from the University of Alberta, a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario and an LL.B. from the University of Alberta.
Shepherd, Elizabeth
Secretary
Craig Melton
Craig Melton is the Director of Development at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. In this role he engages alumni, corporations, and foundations in order to encourage community partnerships and philanthropic support to enhance research and broaden student learning opportunities. Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2016, Craig enjoyed a career in the Calgary energy industry in a Business Development role for a local geophysical company. Craig has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.
Melton, Craig
Director
Kimberley Ward Ph.D. (R.Psych) (she/her) – Executive Director since 2018
Kimberley became a Registered Psychologist in 1996 and joined the clinical team at Society for Treatment of Autism (STA). After serving as the Clinical Director for nine years, she transitioned to the role of Executive Director in 2018.
Kim has also worked with the Government of Alberta to develop a resource manual for teachers (i.e., Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders) and draft recommendations for service delivery (i.e., A System of Care for Children with Autism: Expert Panel Report). She has also facilitated workshop for parents and professionals across Canada. Finally, as a Sessional Instructor Kimberley developed and taught a course that focused on “ASD across the Life Span” at the University of Calgary as part of Graduate Certificate program. Kimberley joined the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance Board of Directors in 2020 where she serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee and Board Secretary.
Kim completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1995 at the University of Calgary. During her years in graduate school, her research focused specifically on the social-cognitive differences associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
