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.

Danisha was raised in Edmonton, and has been involved with many local organizations. Currently, she is the Fund Development Manager with Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton.

In a volunteer capacity, she is a Member of the University of Alberta Senate, Alberta Party Provincial Board Member and President of the AB Party Edmonton-Whitemud Constituency Association, Vice-Chair of the Edmonton John Howard Society Board of Directors, and a National Member of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board of Canada.

Some of her past activities include being Chairperson of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board of Edmonton, President of the Youth Restorative Action Project, World Partnership Walk Deputy Convenor of Marketing, the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers’​ RISE Awards Jury Member, and a Make Something Edmonton community member.

Danisha has been recognized for her contributions to the community by the Government of Alberta, University of Alberta, Avenue Magazine, Edmontonians’ Magazine and Correctional Services of Canada.

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.

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.

Heather is a doting mother of two who has worked with the youth population for the past 12 years and currently works as a Community Developer with Strathcona County.  Her board work with the Edmonton John Howard Society reflects her personal values as she is passionate about community and empowering people to create change.

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.

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.

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.

Bio Coming Soon

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.

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.