A volunteer Board of Directors determines United Way’s straegic direction, advises and takes responsibility for financial decisions and the CEO’s performance. The Board members are accountable for achieving United Way’s objectives. In Central Alberta, the Board members come from business, government, social services and the public sector.

Board President

Rick Van Hemmen – NOVA Chemicals

Rick Van Hemmen has been a member of the United Way board since September 2010, and has been an active United Way supporter through NOVA Chemicals’ workplace campaigns for many years.  Rick holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and has over 25 years’ experience at NOVA Chemicals’ manufacturing locations in Ontario and Alberta.  Rick is currently the Manufacturing Director for NOVA Chemicals’ operations in Alberta.  He comes to the UWCA with previous board experience from his time in Ontario, as former President of the Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association and founding Chair of the Bluewater Sustainability Initiative.  Rick and his wife, Ann, moved to Red Deer in 2008.  They have two grown children, Alysia and Keith, who currently reside in Ontario.  Rick and Ann are dog lovers, and enjoy vacationing in the Caribbean to help shorten the Alberta winters.  Rick is also a martial artist who can often be found weight training in a local gym.

Vice Presidents

Murray Cunningham – Scott Builders Ltd.

Murray has been a board member for 4 years, currently sitting as Vice-Chair and prior to this was a member of the Community Impact Committee.  Murray has been a supporter of the United Way since joining Scott Builders in 1997.  He lives in Lacombe with his wife Nadine and three young children.  Murray is the Vice President and General Manager for Scott Builders in Red Deer.  Murray and Nadine keep very busy outside of work coaching and organizing their kids in sports and other activities.

Belinda Davies – WorleyParsons Canada

Belinda Davies has been a member of The United Way Board since November 2010. Belinda brings 8 years of Human Resources experience working in both private industry and the public sector. Currently she is a Human Resources Advisor with WorleyParsons Cord. Belinda has completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge as well as certificates in Business Management and Human Resources Management from the University of Calgary.  In addition, Belinda is a member in good standing with the Human Resources Institute of Alberta and holds the Certified Human Resources Professional designation. In her time off, Belinda enjoys traveling and being physically active.  She is also a big hockey fan and her favourite team is the Red Deer Rebels!

Treasurer
Nicholas Mah – Genivar Inc.

Nicholas Mah has been a member of The United Way Board and the current position of Treasurer since September 2011. Nicholas brings considerable accounting and financial knowledge in his role of Treasurer having obtained his CA designation in 2008. He currently holds the position as the Regional Controller of Alberta for GENIVAR Inc. one of the largest professional multi-disciplinary engineering firms in Canada. In his spare time, Nicholas can be seen enjoying the outdoor wilderness within Alberta and driving his motorcycle on some of the greatest scenic highways in North America.

Board Members

Donna Morrison — Red Deer College

Donna has served on the United Way Board for five years and prior to this was a member of the Citizens Review Committee for six years. She holds a PhD in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alberta, and has been employed by Red Deer College in the ELCC department since 1989. Donna is committed to supporting young children and their families through both volunteer community work and engagement in a number of projects and activities through her company, CareX Consulting Inc. She was a researcher on the Red Deer Understanding the Early Years initiative and is a moderator with Alberta Early Learning and Care Services.  Donna and her husband, Stewart, have six children and twelve grandchildren. They enjoy traveling and experiencing diversity around the world.

Cathy Peacocke –  Community Member

Cathy has served on the United Way Board of Directors since the fall of 2010. She is a member of the Governance Committee and previously sat on the Citizens Review Committee. Formerly employed at a UWCA funded agency, Cathy understands the positive impact the United Way has on its member agencies, and on the community as a whole. Raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cathy graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in mathematics. She was elected to the Board of Trustees for Red Deer Public Schools in 2007. Cathy enjoys volunteering with a number of Red Deer charities and values the incredibly caring people she has met along the way.

Darlene Wilson – RDC Donald School of Business

Darlene joined the United Way Board of Directors in June 2012, and currently lives in Lacombe, Alberta. She received her BEd from the University of Alberta and will complete her Master’s Degree in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University (Spokane) in 2013. Darlene teaches business communication classes at Red Deer College and the Donald School of Business. She has over twenty years of experience with Wolf Creek Public Schools, as well as experience in editorial writing, public speaking, and project management. Her passions include intercultural travel, music, and sports with family and friends. She and her husband Ian have three girls.

Jim Brinkhurst – Red Deer College

Jim Brinkhurst is the V.P. of College Services at Red Deer College and recently moved to Red Deer in 2011, coming from Brandon, Manitoba. He is a Certified Management Accountant and graduated from Red River College in 1985 and is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Brandon University. He was born in Brandon, however grew up in Northwestern Ontario before moving back to Manitoba many years later.  Jim has worked for a number of companies over the years, in such areas as insurance, forestry, manufacturing and telecommunications. Before returning to Brandon in 1996, Jim and his family spent six years living in Whitehorse, Yukon. He’s volunteered at Grand Valley Community Church and Brandon United Way, and helped with other community and College events over the years.  Jim, his wife Shaun, have found Red Deer to be one of the best places in Canada to live and wants to see great things happen for Central Alberta.

Rocco Schurink – MEGlobal Canada

Rocco Schurink has been a member of the United Way board since June 2012 and has been an active United Way supporter through  MEGlobal & Dow’s workplace campaigns and United Way’s citizen review committee for many years. Rocco holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, and has over 22 years experience at MEGlobal and Dow Chemical locations in Alberta, Louisiana, Dubai and the Netherlands.  Rocco is currently the Manufacturing Vice President for MEGlobal’s operation.  Rocco and his wife, Trudi, moved to the Red Deer area in 2002. They have a grown son, Niels, who resides in Alberta.

Kerry Bales – Alberta Health Services