Portage College Board of Governors

Sander, Geoff

Mr. Geoff Sander is a Power Engineering Instructor at Portage College. Prior to this role, he was the Chief Engineer with Lamb Weston (a potato processing facility) and the Chief Operating Engineer with the Department of National Defence. He has more than 35 years of experience in the upstream petroleum and petrochemical industry, and more than 25 years of experience in supervising, management, and chief engineering.

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).

Weigelt, Kaylee

Ms. Kaylee Weigelt is President of the Students’ Association of Portage College for the academic year. She is enrolled in the Artisan Entrepreneurship Diploma program at Portage College, and previously completed the Aboriginal Arts diploma program at Portage College. She served on the Students’ Association of Portage College over the past year in the role of Vice-President External, and is a member of the President’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.

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.

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