Olds College Board of Governors

Cove, Gordon

Gordon Cove has been on the board since 2018 and serves on the Audit Committee. He has more than 30 years experience in the food industry. He is the past president of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA). He was a director on the Alberta Financial Services Corporation and the Red Deer and District Community Foundation. He was a past chair of the Sub-Division and Development Appeal Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from the University of Alberta.

Wood, Jennifer

Jennifer Wood is a partner with Grey Owl Investments and also co-operates her family cattle ranch. She is a recipient of the Women of Distinction Award, Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the University of Alberta Alumni Horizon Award. She is Chair of the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, a member of Waskesiu Seasonal Residents Association Board and serves as on the Waskesiu Community Council working with Parks Canada.


Jennifer is a professional agrologist and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business Management from the University of Alberta.

Richardson, Brendan

Brendan is a Communications Instructor at Olds College. He is currently teaching Workplace Communications and Workplace Professionalism classes in a selection of programs throughout the college. He previously was an Instructor and Student Engagement Officer at Bow Valley College. He is currently working on his Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies at Athabasca University and anticipates graduating in 2023 with specializations in Adult Education and Writing and New Media. He has a postgraduate degree in Journalism from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Creative Writing with a minor in Political Science from Concordia University in Montreal. He also has a Level 1 diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Vancouver Community College (2008). His first teaching job was in 1997 when he was a Visiting Professor and Head Teacher at Seowon University in South Korea.

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.

Sutton, Celia

Ms. Celia Sutton is the President of the Students' Association of Olds College. Ms. Sutton is in her first year of the Horticulture Technologist diploma program. Following graduation in 2023, she intends to continue her studies with the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program. She is involved with the Community Learning Campus Fitness Centre, an active member of the Horticulture Club of Olds College, and conducts campus tours for incoming students and their families as a Student Ambassador.

Rendall, MacKenzie

Ms. MacKenzie Rendall is enrolled in the Land and Water Resources diploma program and is the Vice President of Academics on the Students’ Association of Olds College. Ms. Rendall volunteers with the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation. She holds a Horticulture Management Certificate from Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia.

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.

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