Jim is a partner in Emerging Directions Ltd., a private Alberta consulting firm operating since 1999. His practice is dedicated to helping small and medium-sized non-profit and charitable organizations solve problems and identify opportunities by providing responsive planning, facilitation, and evaluation services. Jim is an active board volunteer, having served on a variety of local and provincial non-profit agency boards, several times as Chair.

Kevin is the Chair of the Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies program at MacEwan University, where he has taught for the past 27 years. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Kevin teaches courses in Human Relations, Leadership, Correctional Counselling and Interviewing, Substance Abuse Intervention and Restorative Justice. He shares his passion for lifelong learning with his students.

Lorne F. Penner is the senior solicitor at Ahlstrom Wright.  Born in Three Hills, Alberta, Mr. Penner graduated with his LLB from the University of Alberta in 1999. He was admitted to the Alberta and Northwest Territories Bars in 2000 and 2007 respectively, and is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association. Prior to becoming a lawyer Lorne was a successful businessman in both the agricultural and construction industries. As a result of his agricultural experience, Lorne has acted as a troubleshooter, mediator and advisor for the Government of Alberta, Department of Agriculture, and other related bodies. He has experience as a municipal councilor and continues to sit on the boards of various business and non-profit entities. He is experienced counsel in the areas of Regulatory, Business, Property, and Estate Law. Lorne has been involved in a number of large scale mergers, acquisitions, international business transactions as well as the administration of a number of large estates.  He presently has clients operating in Canada, West Africa, the U.S. and China. 

Mr. Penner is currently the Vice-President of International Justice Mission Canada, an international human rights organization based in London, Ontario, and a Board Member with the Edmonton John Howard Society.  The advancement of the principles of justice for the underprivileged of the world is Mr. Penner’s passion. 

Erika Rebus, CPA, CMA, is an accountant with Alberta Education, where she works in the area of capital planning. A graduate of the University of Alberta, she has accumulated over a decade of diverse public sector experience, including roles in business planning, performance measures, reporting, forecasting, and regulatory policy. In her free time she enjoys exploring the outdoors, fishing, reading, and chasing after her two wonderful children.

Heather Teghtmeyer is passionate about building healthy communities and empowering people to create change. Heather believes that healthy communities create healthy people and has worked in the social sector for over 20 years.

Her working career includes work with youth, addictions, recreation therapy and community building and holds the belief that compassion for all will help solve our complex social issues.

Her board work with the Edmonton John Howard Society reflects her personal values as an advocate for social change believes that everyone is worthy of love and care.

Heather is crazy about her family, the pursuit of happiness and is still searching for the perfect margherita pizza!

Faye Hamilton teaches in the School of Social Work at MacEwan University and is a partner in Walking Beside Trauma, a private practice focused on supporting organizations and individuals who work with traumatized people. She is a strong supporter of the high quality, ethical work done by the Edmonton John Howard Society.

Marissa is a practising Crown Prosecutor with the Fort Sasketchwan Crown’s Office. She is the former Criminal Law Coordinator for Student Legal Services at the University of Alberta, and continues to act as an advisor for program volunteers. In her spare time, she serves as a performer and member of the planning committee for the annual Rock n’ Robes fundraiser in support of Youth Empowerment and Support Services and other community not-for-profit organizations.

Case Watson retired after close to 35 years as a Chartered Accountant in public practice most recently as a partner with Grant Thornton LLP. In addition to his interest in the Edmonton John Howard Society Case spends his retirement raising game birds and farming. He still participates in several sports including karate and golf and enjoys hunts with his buddies. He enjoys his time on the EJHS Board and the friends he has made there.

Peter has been a social worker with Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services (Region 6), for over 24, and is currently the Specialist for High Risk Youth Services. Much of the past 18 years has been focused on youth including the development of a practice framework and philosophy incorporating progressive, non-traditional, and anti-oppressive intervention methods to better meet the needs of this very challenging population. He has written about issues confronting youth, and he provides consultation, training and workshops on engaging and working with youth. He helped found the Old Strathcona Youth Society in 1998, and remains involved to date. Peter was pleased to join the board in 2013, and believes in the values, philosophy and approach of Edmonton John Howard Society.

Dan Yereniuk was born and raised in Edmonton, and is currently a lawyer in Dentons Canada LLP’s real estate practice group. He has been an associate with the firm since 2016 when he was called to the Alberta Bar, and prior to this he summered and articled with Dentons. Dan’s practice incorporates all aspects of commercial real estate law including purchase and sale transactions, property development, leasing, and financing.

Dan is a passionate advocate for social justice and working to create strong, safe communities through the programs offered by EJHS.