Who We Are

Johannes (Hans) den Boer was born in The Hague, the Netherlands, where he received his formal education.  He received a B.Sc., M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Geology and Geophysics in 1957 from the State University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

After a short period as a Mining Geologist in the Yukon and B.C., Hans joined the Geophysical Department of Mobil Oil Canada in Calgary in 1958.  He progressed through several geophysical functions to hold the position of Chief Geophysicist and Geophysical Manager, first in Canada and subsequently in Indonesia.  He retired from Mobil, after 32 years of service.

Hans’ involvement with Calgary Association of Self Help started in 1985 when the Association obtained its first computer.  As a volunteer, he has provided information systems programming for the Association since that time, with a four year interruption while he was in Indonesia.  In addition to Hans’ role as Chairperson of the Board, he is also on the Fund Development Committee.  Through his volunteering with Self Help, first as a computer specialist and later as a member of the Board of Directors, he has gained a thorough understanding of the vital function the Association performs in the field of mental health in Calgary.

Hans has been volunteering for over 15 years with the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) and is an active member of Living Spirit United Church in Calgary.

Irene is a lawyer who has been practicing law in Calgary for over 18 years.  She is currently practicing law with the law firm of Edy Dalton.  Her previous years of practice were spent in a variety of legal areas including civil litigation, criminal prosecutions and administrative law.  In addition to her Law degree, she has a Bachelors degree in Arts and Education, and a Master degree in Public Administration.  She has also been active in various volunteer roles, both in the legal profession and in community activities.  Of particular relevance is her volunteer work for Calgary Legal Guidance, as Chair of the Mount Royal Junior High Parent Council and past positions as Director of Calgary Family Support Society (Discovery House), Director of the Elder Statesman Group and President of the Scarboro Community Association.  Irene also belongs to the Volunteer Lawyers Service, a group that does pro-bono work for non-profit societies, run by the Canadian Bar Association.  She is married and has two children, ages 12 and 14.  Irene is very impressed with the mission and activities of Calgary Association of Self Help, and she likes being on the Board of Directors and sharing her expertise.

Kam is an Associate Professor of Project Management and Strategy in the MBA program at Athabasca University in Alberta and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary.  Kam has been a board member with the Calgary Association of Self Help since 1995. She is currently the Secretary of the Board and the chair of the Fund Development Committee that reports to the board. Kam knows that mental illness is a life-altering illness, no different than cancer or heart disease in its causes or severity. Kam is committed to sharing her time and compassion for our mission – as a volunteer on our board, at the casino, on the gala committee or in the kitchen helping with Christmas baking.  She is intent on promoting the abilities of those who live with chronic mental illness in our community and securing funding to strengthen and sustain the programs that keep these individuals out of hospital, and in our community.

Faye is an Accountant, and has been in the accounting profession for a number of years, mainly in the public accounting field.  She enjoys crafts of all types, especially her angel crafts.  Prior to coming on the Board in September 2003, as Treasurer, Faye was a great supporter of the Association and has made significant donations of craft items for Creative Arts and Occupational and Leisure Skills.  Faye has recently agreed to Chair the Audit Committee at Self Help.  She has also assisted the instructors in researching craft ideas for their programs.  This past year, Faye has also spent many hours baking delicious desserts for the RAC activities and supporting the Association’s fund development activities.

Faye joined Self Help to give something back to the community through her self-awareness of mental health issues

Henning has been on the Board of Directors since September 2003.  He has a B.A. in Finance/Economics from the University of Toronto and a Business Degree in Administration from Germany. His work experience/expertise includes consulting in Import and Export, Credit and Investment Management, Supply Chain Management and formulating/negotiating Commercial Contracts.

Henning has in the past volunteered his time as an ESL teacher with the Toronto Board of Education and the Calgary Multicultural Association.  He has extensive Board experience with investment firms and community associations.  He would like to share his expertise and supports our Association’s work and objectives.  Henning is a member of Self Help’s Audit Committee.

Peter is a lawyer practicing with Alberta Justice.  He has practiced law in Calgary since September, 1994.  Peter currently works in the Special Prosecutions Branch at Alberta Justice.  His practice focuses on economic crime, complex and sensitive cases and referrals from the Law Society of Alberta.  Peter's practice provides him with skillsets in corporate governance, privacy law and media training.  Peter has served as a Director with the Calgary Association of Self Help since January, 2004.

Rosemary has been a volunteer on the Association’s Fund Development Committee since March 2004 and has been extensively involved in all of the Association’s fundraising events.

As a senior business generalist, Rosemary has over 25 years of diverse management and internal consulting experience.  She has her MBA, Major Human Resource Management and a BA, Major in Psychology.  She also holds the Project Management Professional designation.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to support an organization that contributes such high value to the community through providing specialized and personal support to individuals with mental illness. I am proud to be associated with the Calgary Association of Self Help because I have seen the highest standard of care and diligence in management of operations and funding.”

 Rosemary looks forward to continuing her volunteer work and sharing her expertise and supporting the Association’s work in the community.

Jean-Sébastien Jetté moved from Québec during the summer of 2006. He received a B.Comm. in 2003 and a M.Sc. in Accounting/CMA in 2006 from HEC Montréal Business School. In his student life, Jean-Sébastien was VP-Finance of the Masters’ and Doctoral Student Union. He is currently working as a consultant in Calgary.

Jean-Sébastien’s involvement with Calgary Association of Self Help started in 2006 as a member on the Board of Directors and member of the audit committee.

Steven has a Bachelor of Arts, in political Science and administration and is currently enrolled in the Disaster and Emergency Management Master’s program.  Steven’s career includes 22 years with the Canadian Armed Forces and currently has his own business as a Management Consultant

Angie has been with Self Help for twenty years, and is well known in the Resource/Activity Centre.  Over the last fifteen years, she has been supporting the Association by volunteering her time.  She was elected to the Board, again, in June 2003 and is an active member on the InterAction Committee and the Fundraising Committee.

Angela was born in England, and has lived in Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.  Angie will tell you that Self Help has changed her life – helping her gain self-respect, self-esteem and many friendships.  Recently, Angie received a Lifetime Membership.  Angie continues to find fulfillment on the Board and other committees and continues to support the Association’s work in our community.

 Brandy has been a member of Self Help and a Telephone Reception Volunteer since May of 2004. She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005 and re-elected in 2006. As part of her elected responsibilities Brandy sits on the InterAction Committee and has helped to organize many socials for the general members and she has also done the cooking for a couple of these
>events. She loves volunteering at Self Help and her favorite part about coming in are the people she gets to see. Brandy is a student at the University of Calgary working towards a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She will soon be starting a job at Public Outreach but she will continue to volunteer her time to Self Help.

Pauline has been a member of Calgary Association of Self Help for 3 years and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.

After graduating from Life Skills, Pauline became a volunteer in the Resource/Activity Centre. She has been quite extensively involved in the day to day operations of the R/AC by volunteering in the areas of telephone/reception, supporting the recreation activities, helping with the Clothing Bank and representing the members on the InterAction Committee. Pauline enjoys her involvement with Self Help and feels the Association provides a safe place where members benefit from the rehabilitation, recreation and counselling services.

Susan has been a member of Self Help for 25 years.  She has worked on the Board of Directors of Self Help on and off for approximately 15 years.  She also works in the Clothing Bank every Friday afternoon or whenever there is a need for her to work there.  In the past, Susan volunteered to answer phones at Self Help, participated in Occupational Leisure Skills, Life Skills and the smoking cessation group.  Susan enjoys volunteering at Self Help – she feels more confident when working on Board matters (the people are nice to work with) and believes the Association has done a lot for her in regards to helping her find a place to live and to develop relationships with people.  Susan is a nursing assistant by trade and understands people with mental illness quite well. 

Marion McGrath is the Chief Executive Officer of Calgary Association of Self Help, a community mental health centre.

Over the past 31 years, Ms. McGrath has been a passionate advocate for mental health wellness services for Calgarians in the community.

As a client-centered, action-oriented individual, she has been extensively involved in identifying services with, and for, consumers (Calgarians) and with the mental health community.

She has led her team of dedicated professionals in planning, developing and implementing innovative and unique services within the mental health continuum of care system.

Recently, Ms. McGrath was honored with the Women of Vision Award (July 2005) in the category of Humanitarian and Community Service.  This award, sponsored by the YWCA Calgary and Global Television, is only one of the awards that Ms. McGrath has received in recognition of her remarkable contributions to our community.  In 2006, Marion accepted the role of Visionary for the Mental Health Forever Funds with The Calgary Foundation.

 

Cory’s first summer job was at Calgary Association of Self Help as a recreational assistant. Over the next 24 years, she’s continued her commitment to the Association by working as a weekend staff member in two residential settings, an instructor for the Occupational Leisure Skills class, and the administrative assistant on two different occasions. As a volunteer she has hosted and performed at fundraising galas, been a fundraising committee member and burned the midnight oil at several casinos.  An Honorary Lifetime Member of Calgary Association of Self Help, Cory became the Association’s Fund Development Manager in the fall of 2005.

Cory has her BFA in Drama and her diploma in Early Childhood Education and Development. Since 1995, Cory’s been honing her skills as a fundraiser and event planner with Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary Association of Self Help, and Quest Theatre. She is a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals, a professional comedian and an aspiring writer.