Olds College Board of Governors
Hayes, Sarah
Ms. Sarah Hayes is the Vice President of the Calgary Stampede and the Executive Director of the Calgary Stampede Foundation. Prior, she was the Chief Development Officer with The Banff Centre. She is a Board Director and Co-Secretary with the Right to Learn Afghanistan, and Director/Secretary with the Lake Louise All Mountain Ski Club. She is the past Board Chair with the Alberta Jubilee Auditoria Society, and past Director and Treasurer with the Association for Fundraising Professionals, Calgary Chapter. She holds a Bachelor or Arts degree in Political Studies/Sociology from Queen’s University.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds 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. Hayes was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Gardner, Tracy
Ms. Tracy Gardner is the General Manager of Olds Regional Exhibition and the owner of Gardner Livestock. She serves as a board member on the Olds Institute for Regional & Community Development, industry member on the AgSmart Industry Advisory Committee, industry member on the Olds College Agricultural Management Diploma Industry Advisory Committee, and a member on the Kiwanis Club of Olds & District. She holds a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge, and an Agriculture Business diploma from Olds College.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds 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. Gardner was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Kemmere, Al
Mr. Al Kemmere is a Senior Advisor with Alberta Counsel Lawyers and Lobbyists. He serves as a board member on the Rural Health Practitioners Action Plan and on the Land and Property Rights Tribunal. He is the past President and board member with the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and past Councillor and Reeve of Mountain View County.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds 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. Kemmere was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Bauer, Mykaela
Ms. Mykaela Bauer is a Development Officer at Olds College. Ms. Bauer previously held the roles of Assistant Coordinator of Conference Services and as a clerk with Campus Facilities and Development. Ms. Bauer is actively involved in her community and is the current Event Coordinator for the Oldstoberfest Rodeo. She has a Hospitality and Tourism Management Diploma from Olds College.
Hamilton, Mabel
Mabel Hamilton is the owner/operator of Belvin Angus, a purebred Angus operation. She currently serves as a board member on the Red Deer County AG Service Board. Ms. Hamilton is a past member of the Industry Government Advisory Council for Traceability, and a past Chair of the Alberta Cattle Breeders Association. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary.
Dau, Anna
Ms. Anna Dau is the President of the Students’ Association of Olds College. She is enrolled in the Agricultural Management diploma program at Olds College. She is currently employed at Dau Farms, where she operates machinery, cares for livestock, and ensures herd health. She is a member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Olds College, and she volunteers at Valley Vet in Trochu, Alberta.
Kaur Khambha, Ashmeet
Ms. Ashmeet Kaur Khambha is currently enrolled in the Environment Post Graduate Certificate program at Olds College. She is the Vice President of Academics with the Students’ Association of Olds College. She works as an Early Childhood Educator with BGC Olds and Area, and she volunteers with Alberta Health Services at Olds Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications from Panjab University Chandigarh in India.
Copithorne-Barnes, Cherie
Ms. Cherie Copithorne-Barnes is the Chief Executive Officer of CL Ranches Ltd. She is the Second Vice Chair of the Calgary Stampede and Interim Chair and Executive Committee Member of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency. She also is on the Advisory Board of WA Ranch, Panel Member for the Thought Leaders Producer Panel, and Member of the Canadian Beef Improvement Network Advisory Panel and Livestock Gentec Management Advisory Board.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds College include the core competencies of leadership and governance as well as the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Ms. Copithorne-Barnes was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Pirri, Brenda-Ray
Ms. Pirri has been working at Olds College as a Business Instructor since August 2022. Prior to this, she worked as the Senior Manager of Recruitment and Admissions with Olds College. She is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive and holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree in Marketing from the University of Manitoba and a Business Administration diploma from Assiniboine Community College. She also has an Instructional Certificate from Mount Royal University.
Atta, Rana
Mr. Rana Satwat Atta is a current franchisee and property investor with a diverse professional and community-oriented background. He earned his Master’s Degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Agriculture in Pakistan, which laid the foundation for his expertise in agriculture. In Calgary, he actively contributes to the agricultural community as an executive member of AIAPA, an agriculture group that focuses on advancing agricultural practices and innovations. Beyond his professional endeavours, Mr. Atta is deeply involved in community service and serves as the General Secretary of the Pakistan Canada Association.
Competencies required for members of The Board of Governors of Olds College include the core competencies of leadership and governance as well as the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Atta was directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.