Board of Directors

We are led by a Board of Directors consisting of nine individuals who truly understand the issue of homelessness and the work needed to help individuals and our community as a whole. Our Board works closely with our CEO to fulfill commitments through the Community Plan and 10-year plans. This collaboration is very important to our day-to-day operations and helps provide the strategic direction and guidance for all of our funding decisions.

A minimum of four of the nine directors are Indigenous community members. Directors are nominated through the Indigenous Nominating Committee and a nominating committee composed of community stakeholders and government members. This governance model ensures that the views and culture of Indigenous peoples are respected and reflected in our work and relationships.

Apply to be a member of our Board

We are currently recruiting Indigenous and Non-Indigenous board members. Please review information on role and responsibilities, time commitment, and eligibility requirements HERE. You can download an application form HERE.

If you would like more information about applying for Homeward Trust’s Board of Directors, please get in touch with aschneider@homewardtrust.ca.

Chair - Sherri Stace

Sherri is an enthusiastic Edmontonian passionate about embracing the unknown, creating change, and advocating for her community’s most vulnerable. Sherri has 20 years of experience in the home-building industry, and her work as Vice President for a residential home builder presents her with countless opportunities to connect with community members, foster meaningful relationships with home buyers, and make a difference for families in search of their new sanctuary.

Sherri’s dedication to being a voice for people in need stems from 10 years of family experience with mental illness as well as eight years of family experience with homelessness. Navigating the complexities of homelessness is a cause she holds near to her heart, and through her involvement with Homeward Trust, Sherri is committed to ensuring every Edmontonian has a safe place to land.

Secretary/Treasurer - Nazim Merali

Board Director - Jonathan Rockliff

Jonathan is committed and passionate about making a difference in reducing homelessness in Edmonton. He believes housing is a fundamental human right and everyone is entitled to a safe, affordable and appropriate place to call home. He is active in his community, having volunteered as a board member for many years with his local community league and other non-profit organizations, such as Operation Friendship and the Edmonton Joint Planning Committee on Housing. As a Registered Architect in Alberta since 2001, he has designed numerous affordable housing projects, with a particular focus on affordable housing for seniors. He understands the challenges and opportunities for these types of projects and how they can improve people’s lives and the communities in which they live. Joining Homeward Trust allows him to continue to help some of those people most in need within the Edmonton region.

CEO, Homeward Trust - Susan McGee

Susan McGee is the CEO of Homeward Trust, the organization leading Edmonton’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness in Edmonton. In 2009, Homeward Trust launched a Housing Supports Program that has helped more than 10,000 previously homeless individuals find a home, contributing to a 43% reduction in homelessness since 2016.

The organization is committed to ensuring culturally appropriate services are available to address the over-representation of Indigenous peoples among Edmonton’s homeless, funding Indigenous Housing Supports teams operated by Indigenous organizations, offering sector training and cultural services and managing and developing Indigenous housing, including Morning Fire Protector, a supportive housing project for Indigenous families and individuals. Homeward Trust has provided funding to over 1900 units of housing, and develops and manages Permanent Supportive Housing with on-site supports.

In addition to her professional work, Susan has been an active community member, volunteering on various committees and boards, including the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association board, the CHRA Indigenous Advisory Committee, ANPHA, the Edmonton Community Foundation and others.

Ms. McGee received her B.Sc. in Architecture from Ryerson University, Toronto, and has an MBA through the Edinburgh Business School of Heriot-Watt University. She is a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Board Director - Leith Cardinal

Board Director - Bertha Laboucan

Bertha Anderson-Laboucan is a First Nation mother, grandmother, social worker and educator from the Treaty Eight territory in northern Alberta. Her first language is Cree. Bertha currently works as a school-based therapist for First Nation Schools. She also provides mental health supports for Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council. Before completing her Clinical Masters in Social Work, she had also completed her Master of Education degree and is a former teacher and school principal for First Nation school in northern Alberta.

Board Director - Anita Makokis

Chair - Meaghan Conroy

Meaghan was born and raised in Edmonton and is a lawyer with MLT Aikins LLP. She works with First Nations and Metis communities on issues related to Aboriginal law, environmental law and governance. She has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as many administrative tribunals.

She holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta.

Board Director - Angela Ferguson

After an extensive government career that spanned 22 years with both the Federal and Provincial governments, Angela’s foray into the private sector took her into Aboriginal Markets and now Indigenous Banking for the last five years. As a proud Cree Metis woman, her wish and desire have been to work with and for her people. Angela has managed to bring that dream to life by carving out and finding Aboriginal-specific branches or sectors. She is proud to say that she has focused and directed her career to work in Indigenous specific programs and services for at least the last 15 or more years.

She was raised to always remember to give back, and Angela strongly believes in volunteering and making a positive impact in the community in which she lives and works. Previous volunteer commitments include Big Sister, Vice Chair of the Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, six years on the Board of Directors for Bosco Homes and currently on the Indigenous Wisdom Council with Oxford Properties. After sitting on the Indigenous Advisory Council with Homeward Trust for the last four years, she is humbled to be appointed to the Board of Directors and looks forward to listening, learning, and contributing at this table.

On a more personal note, Angela is a proud hockey mom to two young men, Donovan and Malone. When not in the arena, she can be found at the ball diamond, on the golf course, or out camping.

Board Director - Raymond Off

A Senior Executive with 25 years of management and executive experience in five industry sectors: insurance, technology commercialization, airports/aviation, telecommunications and food processing. Raymond has held positions in Human Resources, Operations and Marketing.

He is a Certified Executive Coach and Head Coach at Operative Coaching & Consulting.