Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Pilz, Cindy
Cindy Pilz is a deaf services manager at a non-profit organization in Alberta. As a deaf person, Cindy is passionate about her work assisting deaf and hard of hearing individuals and families with a variety of supports. Cindy loves being part of the deaf community and has participated as a board member for deaf organizations over the years. She currently sits on the Advisory Committee for Accessibility for the City of Calgary. Cindy has received a variety of recognition awards for her work with deaf Albertans.
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Cindy was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Suvanto, Katie
Katie Suvanto is a mother to a son with autism, an advocate for her Indigenous community and the disability sector. Katie has identified gaps in the disability sector during her time in community development and Indigenous relations and continues to work to assist families with navigating the system. Katie has been a community builder through various sectors of her employment and looks forward to serving Albertans.
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Katie was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Shaw, Dominic
Dominic Shaw of Calgary effects social change by improving accessibility through transportation services, inclusive recreational sports, future arena design and providing services to the adaptive community. He is an entrepreneur who started Third Wheel Mobility, a consultant who provides advice on mobility barriers and the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association president. He also served as the Calgary Stampede mascot for seven years. Dominic has many connections within the disability community as well as having a disability himself.
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Dominic was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Nakane, Shino
Shino Nakane of Calgary has been a volunteer board member for a variety of organizations over the past decade. As a mother of a son with a developmental disability, she has a passion for helping non-profit groups that strive to meet the unique needs of families like hers. Her work experience includes communications, advocacy, research, stakeholder engagement and project management. Shino manages Community Relations for Autism Society Alberta.
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Ms. Nakane was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Hoebarth, Frank
Francis (Frank) Hoebarth is a social worker who is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities. He has volunteered on various boards, including the Calgary Handibus Association. He has strong connections within the disability community, as well as having a disability himself.
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Frank was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Thiessen, Earl
Earl Thiessen is a dedicated leader with 13 years’ experience in the addictions and mental health sector, with a special interest in the development of supportive housing and the well-being of marginalized populations. He provides an Indigenous perspective and has family members with cognitive and behavioural issues due to substance use disorders. Earl sits on the Calgary Mental Health and Addiction Leadership Group, Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee and the province’s CSS Coordinated Community Response to Homelessness Task Force.
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Earl was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Birkholz, Heath
Heath Birkholz is a Community Advocate Coordinator for Self Advocacy Federation Edmonton, and a Freelance Writer and Facilitator who contributes to community building and development and creating accessible tools. Mr. Birkholz is also an Integrated Dancer/Choreographer/former Community Liaison with CRIPSiE, an organization run by artists with disabilities, a Community Liaison with Solidance, and Co-Founder of Right to Love, which provides sexual health education and support for people with disabilities.
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Heath was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Lovely, Jackie
Jackie Lovely was elected to the Legislative Assembly representing Camrose on April 16, 2019. She is a member of the Standing Committees on Public Accounts, Families and Communities, Legislative Offices, Privileges and Elections, and Standing Orders and Printing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (University of Saskatchewan), a diploma in hotel/restaurant administration (Saskatchewan Polytechnic) and an MBA (Cape Breton University). Her community involvement includes the Camrose and Leduc chambers of commerce.
Competencies required for the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include knowledge of specific social challenges, awareness of government and public policy, and experience with community and stakeholder relations. Members must also have good leadership and teamwork skills. Ms. Lovely was recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.