The JFSC Family

Kristen is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelor's degree in both Political Science and Cultural Anthropology and holds a Community Investment Professional Extension Certificate from Mount Royal University. She began working for the Calgary Food Bank, first as the Volunteer Coordinator, and then as a Fund Development Coordinator. She was responsible for stewarding the Calgary Food Bank's annual signature events such as the annual CBC Food Bank Drive, as well as developing new signature fundraising events with corporations and community partners. Most notably is the Put the Boots to Hunger initiative, now in its 10th year and responsible for raising $4.1 million for the Calgary Food Bank since inception. From there she became the Marketing Coordinator for Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer LLP overseeing their Community Investment strategy. Since 2013 she has been the Community Investment Coordinator for Fluor Canada Ltd. overseeing their support in communities across Canada. She received Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 award in 2010 and the United Way of Calgary and Area's Power of One award in 2019. In November of 2019, Kristen was awarded the Hazel Gillespie Community Investment Leadership Award. She has a long and extensive history of volunteerism, including 5 short term field placements with a grassroots development organization in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and remains an active local volunteer with the Calgary Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Hull Services, and Beakerhead to name a few. Kristen joined the JFSC Board in 2017 with a passion to support the organization regarding emerging trends, best practices and expectations from the Community Investment sector and to support fundraising activities and volunteer engagement strategies. Current JFSC Role: Vice  Chair, Chair Governance Committee, and Executive Committee

Denis Levandovsky is a finance professional with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, financial analysis, tax, and business planning. He has over 10 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure industries, and is currently a member of the Strategy and Corporate Development team of a large energy infrastructure company headquartered in Calgary. Denis holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with distinction from the University of Calgary and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. Denis is an active volunteer with the Calgary CFA Society, most recently as a grader and a judge in the CFA Institute Research Challenge. Denis joined the JFSC Board in 2018. Current JFSC Role: Treasurer, Chair Finance Committee, and Executive Committee

In her more than 28 years of professional and volunteer roles in Communication/Public Relations, Lisa has a wide range of experience – including hanging out of a helicopter doing aerial photography across Canada, strategic communications planning, working on special events, writing/producing/editing speeches and publications, coordinating annual meetings, running a speaker’s bureau, and fundraising. She has worked with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, international officials, school children, business people, and leading edge research scientists. A graduate from the University of Calgary (BA) and the Public Relations program at Mount Royal College (Dip PR), Lisa’s varied communications roles over the years have taken her into high performance sport, oil and gas, education, ski industry, medical research and hospitality/tourism. Lisa’s volunteer Board experiences include Jewish Family Service Calgary, Calgary Jewish Academy, Julia MacFarlane Diabetes Research Centre, Diabetes Association (Foothills) and charity the Glencoe Club Aquatics Committee. Lisa is a Level 2 Official for Alpine Canada, works on the Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup and is the Volunteer Coordinator for the NorAm Cup international alpine ski race events. She is a professional artist. A Board member at Jewish Family Service Calgary since 2012, Lisa was drawn to the organization because she believes that the organization serves a critical role in both the Calgary Jewish Community and the overall Calgary community. Current JFSC Role: Secretary, Executive Committee

Jackie is a Social Worker at the Carewest Geriatric Mental Health Rehabilitation and Recovery Unit. Jackie has worked in the areas of Mental Health and Heath Promotion for the past 13 years, and has a special interest in working with diverse populations. Jackie joined the JFSC board in 2018. She has served as a Co-President on the board of Na’amat Canada Calgary, and has volunteered for a number of years as a Shelter Liaison for Na’amat’s School Supplies for Kids Program. Jackie has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary, with a Clinical Concentration and a Specialization in Gerontology. She is authorized to perform Psycho-Social Interventions. Jackie is thrilled to be a part of a not-for-profit agency that is so integral in providing services to many different populations in Calgary. Current JFSC Role: Fundraising Committee

Lisbeth (Libi) Hilzerman is honoured to join JFSC in 2019. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Design, Fashion, & Technology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver, BC in 2010, Lisbeth has devoted herself to business and fund development, both in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Through her work experience, Lisbeth has had the opportunity to expand her creative talents in graphic design, marketing and communications with the world of development, fundraising, and event planning. Aside from her dynamic professional background, Lisbeth has a unique experience with the Jewish community both on a professional and personal level. As a Chilean born, who was raised in Israel and moved to Canada in her teenage years, Lisbeth has a fundamental sense of empathy and obligation for those facing integrational, social, and economic vulnerabilities. Her experience working as a Development Officer for Jewish Family Services in Vancouver and volunteering for Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta has brought her a direct insight and appreciation of the work necessary to achieve social justice while creating a healthy, sustainable and inclusive community comprised of individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life. Lisbeth currently works in the Development department of Calgary International Film Festival and is a proud new Calgarian resident. Lisbeth is excited to join the JFSC family and offer added skills and guidance in fundraising, branding, marketing, and event planning. Current JFSC Role: Fundraising Committee

Chandra has worked in the non-profit realm for most of her career. She has served in both large post-secondary institutions in Canada and the United States as well as smaller regional and local non-profits. Her Alberta experience includes work with the Alberta Lung Association, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and United Way. She has also served as a consultant, where her expertise has benefited several small charities looking to increase capacity and diversify revenue. Chandra currently serves as Senior Development Officer with Mount Royal University Foundation. During the course of her career, Chandra has achieved certification with CFRE International, an internationally recognized professional designation in the fundraising sector. She has written a variety of articles specific to philanthropy and the charitable sector. She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, USA, where her areas of concentration were History, English, and Women's Studies. Originally from the USA, Chandra has taken Canadian citizenship and is a now proud Calgarian. Chandra brings to JFSC a passion for empowering people to achieve dignity and a strong belief in social justice. She joined the Board in 2018. Current JFSC Role: Nominating Committee and Chair, Fundraising Committee

Will is a native Calgarian. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Facility Management from the University of Alberta in 2010. Following his undergraduate studies, Will pursued his interests in emergency medicine volunteering as an instructor and medic for Magen David Adom (the Israeli Red Cross). Upon his return to Canada in 2012, Will attended the University of Calgary and graduated in 2016 with a Juris Doctorate and Masters of Business Administration. While obtaining his JD/MBA, Will volunteered with Pro-Bono Students Canada and Student Legal Assistance gaining experience in family, civil, and criminal law. Will joined the board of JFSC of JFSC in 2017. As a child growing up in the City of Calgary, Will felt safe and secure knowing the Jewish community was always there to support him through life’s endeavours and being on the Board is a means of giving back to a community that has given him so much over the years. Besides serving on the board of JFSC, Will currently works as a civil litigator at the prestigious law firm JSS Barristers and is the acting Co-Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Articling Section. Current JFSC Role: Governance Committee and Life and Legacy Team

Since graduating from Arts & Cultural Management at MacEwan University in 1999, Brenda has positioned herself as a full-time film festival programmer in Calgary. Currently her time is divided between her role as Festival Director, Co-Founder and Programmer for the Calgary Underground Film Festival, now going into its 16th year, and Lead Programmer for the Calgary International Film Festival. In addition, she has been involved with several other start-up film festivals, she curates off-season events and screenings, and she participates on industry juries and panels internationally. In 2009, Brenda was awarded Avenue magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, and in 2018 received the Distinguished Alumni award from McEwan University. Brenda joined the JFSC board in 2013, to offer added skills and experience in the non-profit sector, special event coordination, and marketing support where required. Current JFSC Role: Fundraising Committee

Eric is an accounting professional and achieved his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation in 2015. He currently works with an accounting and professional services firm in Calgary. He has strong analytical skills with extensive experience in process improvement, financial modelling, damage quantification and insurance claims. Eric has over 10 years of experience in the accounting industry, which includes a 2 year stint in Hong Kong. He has experience in a variety of industries such as mining, IT and oil and gas companies, and continues to work across multiple industries in his current role supporting clients with insurance losses. Eric joined the JFSC board in 2019. Current JFSC Role: Finance Committee

Jim Meadow is a highly experience finance professional – specializing in US and cross-border tax matters – including US and international taxation, cross-border planning and compliance issues. Jim is a CA, CPA, and lawyer. In addition he has an MBA. Jim has authored many articles and Blogs as well as conducted courses and seminar on US Tax Matters for Universities and Councils. Jim continues to consult on US and cross-border tax matters. He has worked for companies such as Moodys Gartner Tax Law, MNP, and PWC in Calgary, Montreal and the US. Jim has been Treasurer of the American Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2015. He was Treasurer, and President of the ICRF (Israel-Cancer Research Foundation) in Montreal from 2002-2006 and was a Board Member and President of his BB Chapter in Charlotte, NC. Jim joined the JFSC Board in 2017, joining the Finance Committee. Jim’s extensive experience has helped shape the financial direction of JFSC. Current JFSC Role: Finance Committee and Executive Committee

Beth has been leading HR, IT and Finance with ServiceMaster of Calgary Disaster Restoration (with a staff of 65 and over 120 contractors) since 2000. Before that, she had a 10 year career in Human Resources at The City of Calgary, including roles as Total Compensation Manager and Senior Organizational Development Consultant. She holds an MBA from the University of Calgary, a Certified Chartered Professional in Human Resource (CPHR) designation, and an undergraduate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta. For many years, Beth was involved in volunteering and on the Executive for the Nakiska Alpine Ski Association and affiliated teams in addition to serving on the Calgary Jewish Academy Board and committees. She joined the JFSC Board in 2017 in order to once again give back to the Community, this time with a focus on social services and those most in need. Current JFSC Role: Chair Nominating Committee, Governance Committee, Executive Committee, Life and Legacy Team

Victor is a finance manager at Birchcliff Energy (joined 2008) and has been a Chartered Professional Accountant for the past 15 years. He manages a team of 12 direct and indirect reporting staff members in the accounting and finance group. He has extensive experience in the oil and natural gas industry, including in-depth knowledge of public financial reporting, assurance and advisory, debt and equity capital management, C-SOX internal controls, insurance, corporate taxation, financial analysis and business development. Prior to joining Birchcliff, Victor served as a Chartered Professional Accountant with PricewaterhouseCooper from 2004 to 2008. Victor holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with honors from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from the University of Winnipeg. As a member of the CKE Community Association he has assisted with various fundraising events for the betterment of local community initiatives. Victor is committed to building a more open, accessible, and rewarding community for all Calgary residents. Victor joined the JFSC board in 2019. Current JFSC Role: Finance Committee

Bev is a management Consultant, specializing in Organization Effectiveness, Change Management and Leadership Effectiveness. Prior to opening her own firm in 1994, Bev worked for major organizations in Oil and Gas and the Industrial Sectors in Calgary and Toronto. Bev’s client work took her to many locations around the world. Bev has an Honors Business Administration (HBA) degree from the University of Western Ontario (London) and a Masters Degree of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) from Pepperdine University in California. Bev is a native Albertan, having lived almost 30 years in Toronto. Moving to Calgary in 2013, Bev became a Volunteer Alberta Health Services, visiting Jewish people in the Hospital on behalf of the Jewish Community. Bev is also on many committees at Rockyview Hospital and in the Calgary Zone. In 2014, Bev joined the Board of JFSC, contributing her business experience and HR/organization background. Current JFSC Role: Governance Committee