Portage College Board of Governors
Sallstrom, Linda
Ms. Linda Sallstrom is an Economic Development Officer at STEP Economic Development Alliance, and the former Executive Director of St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Sallstrom is a Board Director and volunteer at Boscombe Community Centre, and Secretary and founding member of the Lasting Impressions Toastmasters Club.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance, and preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Ms. Sallstrom was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Webster, Donna
Ms. Webster is the Executive Director of the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre Association, and the former Director of the Metis Child and Family Services Society. Ms. Webster has been a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers, as well as holds a Bachelor of Professional Arts degree in Human Services from Athabasca University. She has previously served three years on the Board of Governors of Portage College (2017 to 2020).
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance, and preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Ms. Webster was directly reappointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Makokis, Patricia
Dr. Patricia A. Makokis is an online tutor for Athabasca University. She has worked in many educational capacities at colleges and universities in both Alberta and British Columbia, and has over 25 years of Indigenous community service. She holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of San Diego, a Master of Arts degree from San Diego State University, and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance, and preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Dr. Makokis was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies,
Fyten, Molly
Ms. Molly Fyten is an Environmental Services Manager who works with Lac La Biche County. Ms. Fyten has served as the President of Normandeau Community Centre, as well as the Board Director for the Craigend Recreation and Agricultural Society. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Earth Sciences from the University of Alberta.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance, and preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Ms. Fyten was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Irwin, John
Mr. John Irwin retired from Alberta Advanced Education after a long career with the Apprenticeship and Industry Training division where he held various positions, including Consultant, Assistant Examinations Supervisor, Regional Supervisor, Area Manager, and Senior Consultant. Mr. Irwin is a former councillor with the Town of Bonnyville. He is a past Director, Vice President, and President of Lakeland Co-op. Mr. Irwin holds a trade certificate with an Interprovincial Standards Red Seal endorsement in the Carpenter trade.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance and the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Irwin was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Benson, Randy
Mr. Benson has been the Chair of The Board of Governors of Portage College since June 2017. He has extensive experience in the legal sector and is currently self-employed at his own law practice in Lac La Biche. Mr. Benson has assisted in matters heard in the Federal Court of Appeal, and has appeared in the Tax Court of Canada, Federal Court Trial Division, the Provincial Court of Alberta and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. He first served as a public member on the Portage College board starting in 2004, and held the Chair role from 2008 to 2011.
Mr. Benson is a graduate of the University of Alberta where he studied Political Science and Law. He was the 2006 recipient for Distinguished Achievement from the Alberta Association of Colleges and Technical Institutes (AACTI).
Rudyk, Brian
Brian Rudyk is an educator and tradesperson with over 40 years experience in the automotive/RV industry and as an educator and administrator at Edwin Parr Composite School and Aspen View Schools. He received his Motor Mechanics Certificate at NAIT eventually earning Journeyperson and Red Seal Status. He received his Bachelor of Education degree with Distinction from the University of Alberta.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance as well as preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Rudyk was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Young, Ron
Ron Young is a community leader and educator. He served nine consecutive terms on municipal councils in the City of Cold Lake and Grand Centre. He began his career as a high school teacher and went on to serve as an administrator with the Northern Lights School Division. He also developed an independent aviation school and acted as its superintendent. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta in 1978.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance as well as preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Young was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Lyons, Cordelia
Ms. Cordelia Lyons has been on The Board of Governors of Portage College since January 2023 and is a student in the Business Administration Diploma program at Portage College. In April 2023, she was elected as the Vice President Internal of the Students’ Association of Portage College. She volunteers with the Students’ Association of Portage College for campus events and has previously volunteered with Interact, the Greater Lac La Biche C.H.I.L.D. Coalition, and as a community helper with the Community Suicide Prevention Program for Youth (Peers).
Lett, Heather
Ms. Heather Lett has been an employee of Portage College since 2015. Ms. Lett is the Continuing Education Operations Supervisor at Portage College. Previously, she was the Student Advisory Team Lead and Records Clerk Assistant.
Pare, Kevin
Mr. Kevin Pare is currently the Ward 2 Councillor of Lac La Biche County. He has 30-years experience working in the oilfield industry. He has worked for Cenovus Energy, ConocoPhillips (Surmont), Alberta-Pacific Forest Ind., and Logan Resources. Mr. Pare is a long-time volunteer and advocate. He helped raise money for local charities and non-profit organizations in his community. Mr. Pare has completed both the Third-Class and the Fourth-Class Power Engineering Programs at Portage College.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance and the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Pare was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Brosseau, Elisa
Ms. Elisa Brosseau is currently the Mayor of the Town of Bonnyville. Prior to being elected Mayor, she was Deputy Mayor and a Town Councillor. She as serves Chair of Community Futures Lakeland and a board member on the Lakeland Credit Union. Ms. Brosseau holds a Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations degree from Athabasca University and completed the Leadership, Advanced certificate at the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Portage College include the core competencies of leadership and governance as well as preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Ms. Brosseau was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Papirny, Laura
Ms. Laura Papirny is a Practical Nurse Instructor at Portage College and is a casual Emergency Department Nurse at the Elk Point Health Care Centre. Ms. Papirny is a certified CPR instructor as well. She served as Mayor for the Village of Glendon for 8 years (2013 to 2021), during which she volunteered for many community events and sat on several different boards, including the Lakeland PCN Board. She currently sits on the newly formed Glendon Public Library Board. She is also a founding member of the Lakeland Hospice Society. Ms. Papirny holds a Rural Nursing diploma from MacEwan University.
McBraun, Manuel
Manuel McBraun is the president of the Students’ Association of Portage College for the 2024/25 academic year. He is a student in the Business Administration diploma program at Portage College. Mr. McBraun is currently working as a night auditor with Canalta Hotel in Lac La Biche. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Wisconsin International University College, Ghana.