Read about our Commissioners – the men and women who hear appeals and make decisions.
- Appeals are heard by a panel of at least two Commissioners (and usually three), who then make the decision.
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Read about our Commissioners – the men and women who hear appeals and make decisions.
- Appeals are heard by a panel of at least two Commissioners (and usually three), who then make the decision.
One of the Commissioners on each panel is the Hearing Chair, who leads the hearing. All Hearing Chairs are Commissioners, but not all Commissioners serve as Hearing Chairs.
- Commissioners are recruited through public competition, selected on the basis of merit, and appointed by the Government of Alberta. Some Commissioners work full-time and some work part-time.
- Review what our commissioners are paid.
Dale Wispinski
Dale Wispinski is the CEO and Chief Appeals Commissioner.
Appointed 1 November 2018: CEO and Chief Appeals Commissioner
Appointed 1 November 2018: Appeals Commissioner
Dale Wispinski is a lawyer who joined the Appeals Commission in 2012, after several years practicing labour and employment law with a national law firm. From 2014-2018, she was the Commission's General Counsel, with responsibility for legal, privacy, knowledge management, training, communications and quality assurance matters, in addition to serving as a member of the Commission's executive team. Dale holds an LL.B. from the University of Alberta (where she continues to serve as a guest lecturer) and a B.A. (Hons) from the University of Calgary. Dale also holds the Certified In-House Counsel (CIC.C) designation from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.
Lynn Parish
Lynn Parish is the Edmonton Vice-Chair and shares responsibility with her counterpart as a deputy chair of the Appeals Commission.
Appointed 3 July 2019: Vice-Chair, Edmonton
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Lynn Parish is a lawyer who has practiced in the United Kingdom and Canada. She holds an LL.B. from the London School of Economics and an LL.M. from the University of Alberta. As a solicitor in England, Lynn acted primarily for trade union clients pursuing compensation through the courts for workplace accidents. In Canada, she was admitted to the Alberta Bar and pursued a career combining mediation, research, and teaching that involved working with the Government of Alberta and the University of Alberta. Lynn also holds an ICD.D designation from the Rotman Directors Program and has been a member of the University of Alberta Board of Governors. Her work with administrative tribunals has included being a member and Chair of the City of Edmonton Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and a member of the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board. Currently she is an active volunteer and board member with the Edmonton Community Legal Centre and the Rossdale Community League.
Gary Godziuk
Gary Godziuk is the Edmonton Vice-Chair and shares responsibility with his counterpart as a deputy chair of the Appeals Commission.
Appointed 1 May 2021: Vice-Chair, Edmonton
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Gary Godziuk was a commissioned senior officer, branch executive and a member of the Edmonton Police Service for over 28 years. During this time he served in diverse capacities, including operational, command, administration, and management roles within the organization, and externally with the City of Edmonton and Province of Alberta. Additionally, he served as a public and presiding member on multiple quasi-judicial boards for the City of St. Albert, and instructed at the Canadian Police College.
HEARING CHAIRS
Sherryl Basarab
Sherryl Basarab is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Sherryl Basarab has a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Law Society of British Columbia. Her legal career has focused on labour, employment, and administrative law. Sherryl has represented clients in matters before several tribunals including the workers' compensation system, human rights, labour relations and employment standards tribunals. She was previously legal counsel at the B.C. Labour Relations Board and the B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal. She has also appeared in superior court on applications for judicial review of tribunal decisions at both the trial level and appeal level.
Levi Bilton
Levi Bilton is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Levi Bilton holds a B.A in Psychology (with Distinction) and a J.D from the University of Alberta. He began his career as Appeals Lead with the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services’ Appeals Secretariat where he provided guidance to tribunals deciding AISH, Income Support and other matters. For several years Levi was a Tenancy Dispute Officer for the Alberta Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service, and prior to joining the Appeals Commission he was Tenancy Dispute Officer Team Lead, a role in which he managed adjudicative staff while continuing to personally adjudicate landlord-tenant disputes.
Grace Brittain
Grace Brittain is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2005: Appeals Commissioner
Grace Brittain has been a Registered Nurse for over 45 years. She also has training in Health Administration and Forensic Studies, and her professional background includes progressive roles in health care management, education, and administrative justice. She has worked more than 28 years in health care leadership, holding the positions of Chief Executive Officer, Director of Care, and Community Team Manager, and she has been an adult educator for Health Studies at the Medicine Hat College. Grace has served on the Alberta Mental Health Review panel, and the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) hearing tribunal, and she was a public member for Alberta Health under the Health Professions Act, and member and Chair for the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) appeal panel. She also served as a public adjudicator on the Law Society of Alberta (LSA). Currently, Grace is a member of the CRNA Council and serves as a public member on the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) Council. Her interests include dogs, books, writing, and she remains an optimistic golfer.
Chris Davison
Chris Davison is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Chris Davison obtained his juris doctor from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. He worked as a Crown Prosecutor in Regina from 2013 to 2017, specializing in fatality drinking and driving prosecutions. He was appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in Toronto in 2017 as a member of the refugee protection division. He was counsel for the Registrar at the Real Estate Council of Alberta from 2018 until 2023, prosecuting real estate and mortgage broker licensee misconduct. He has also served as Calgary Hearing Chair for the Consumer Services Appeal Board since 2019.
Asheena Edmunds
Asheena Edmunds is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2024: Appeals Commissioner
Asheena Edmunds studied business and marketing at NAIT. She worked as an employment consultant and then spent 24 years in a variety of roles in the Alberta workers' compensation system. She began working as an Appeals Advisor in 2012, and then became certified as both an Advocate and a Tribunal Member by the Foundation of Administrative Justice. More recently, Asheena worked as an adjudicator for the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors, making decisions on non-criminal impaired driving citations. She is an active school and sports volunteer, and has been a Team Manager for the Edmonton Minor Soccer Club Program.
Lynn Faulder
Lynn Faulder is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2020: Appeals Commissioner
For the past 25 years, Lynn has worked on a number of provincial and federal administrative tribunals. She also has served on the boards of the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission, NorQuest College, Northlands, and the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. Lynn has a background in nursing and is a certified Board Director.
Susan Gordon
Susan Gordon is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2003: Appeals Commissioner
Susan Gordon has been serving on quasi-judicial boards/tribunals since 1999. She also has a background in sales. Her education includes a B.A. (with Distinction) from the University of Toronto, an M.A. from York University, and an LL.B. from the University of Calgary. She has served in the past at the provincial and national levels of the Canadian Bar Association in respect to Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Robin Heslop
Robin Heslop is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2024: Appeals Commissioner
Robin Heslop holds a B.Comm (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta and a J.D. from the University of Victoria. After initially working as an accountant, she became a lawyer in private practice with a focus on research and civil litigation support. She also has public service experience, including roles at the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, and the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services' Appeals Secretariat, where she provided guidance to administrative tribunals.
Jodi Keil
Jodi Keil is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 Sept 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Jodi Keil is a lawyer with years of experience in administrative law at all levels of government. She has provided professional support to the Land Compensation Board, Municipal Government Board, Alberta New Home Buyer Protection Board, and City of Edmonton’s Assessment Review Board. She also spent time as legal counsel for the Alberta Court of Appeal. Her career has been the result of her passion for legal education and access to justice. Since 2016, Jodi has taught various business law courses at the University of Alberta School of Business. She is on the board of directors of the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals and was previously on the board of directors of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton.
Gregory Kelly
Gregory Kelly is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Gregory Kelly was previously employed as the Chair of the Review Committee for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Prior to this, he held the positions of Case Manager and Entitlement Officer/Adjudicator in WSCC's Iqaluit office in Nunavut. From 2008-2016, he was employed as a relief Correctional Youth Officer with the North Slave Young Offenders Facility. He also served several two-year appointments as a Member of the Northwest Territories Social Assistance Appeals Board and as Vice-Chair of the Student Financial Assistance Appeals Board. Gregory has a Masters in Criminology, a Bachelor of Arts in Law, and most recently, received certificates in Tribunal Administrative Justice and Professional Leadership Development.
Bram Marshall
Bram Marshall is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Bram Marshall holds a B.A. (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta (Campus Saint-Jean) and a J.D. from the University of Ottawa. In addition to having practiced law in the private sector, Bram has experience working with quasi-judicial tribunals at both the municipal and provincial levels of government, including the Edmonton Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, the Alberta Transportation Safety Board, and the Edmonton Assessment Review Board.
Robert Moore
Robert Moore is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 Sept 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Robert Moore was a commissioned officer with 25 years of service in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He held a variety of operational and management roles in municipal, provincial and federal policing throughout Alberta and at national headquarters in Ottawa. Robert was also an adjudicator in the RCMP's quasi-judicial grievance and appeal regime. Before joining the RCMP, he earned a BComm degree from the University of Calgary and worked in the banking industry.
Robert Reimer
Robert Reimer is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Rob Reimer operated a ranch, along with his spouse Marlene, for 40 years. He served as Trustee with Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools from 1995 until 2010, with 11 years as Chair. He was Vice-Chair of the County of Wetaskiwin Subdivision and Development Appeal Board from 1996 until 2009. Rob was also a Co-Chair with Region 9, and later, Region 4, Child and Family Services Authorities from 1998 until 2006. He served as Chair of the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities Appeal Panel from 2006 until 2009, and Chair of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Appeal Panel from 2006 until 2010. He has also been a member of the Municipal Government Board.
Colin Robblee
Colin Robblee is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2024: Appeals Commissioner
Colin Robblee has a Bachelor of Education degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history, and a Jazz Composition Diploma. He was a Health and Safety Officer, and he then worked in disability management with several different consulting firms. He went on to spend several years in the Alberta workers' compensation system in various roles, including case management, and worker and employer representation.
Colleen R. Ryan
Colleen Ryan is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 5 Dec 2012: Appeals Commissioner
Prior to joining the Appeals Commission, Colleen served on the Parole Board of Canada, the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board, and the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, and practiced criminal law and civil litigation during her legal career. She taught law and business administration courses for over 15 years, earning a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Alberta during that time. She holds an LL.B. and a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a B.A. (with Distinction) from McGill University.
Colleen enjoys facilitating learning and has been a mentor/coach in the fields of law, education and athletics. Some of her accomplishments in these fields include receiving a City of Edmonton Citizenship Volunteer Award and earning a Gold Medal in Women's Hockey at the World Masters Games.
Jody Saunders
Jody Saunders is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 Sept 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Jody Saunders joined the Appeals Commission in September 2020. Her past positions have included Tribunal Counsel with the Law Society of Alberta, where she managed the quasi-judicial hearing and appeal process, and Associate General Counsel and Professional Leader, Legal with what is now the Canada Energy Regulator, where she practiced administrative law for 16 years. She began her legal career at a small corporate and commercial civil litigation firm in Calgary. Jody obtained her law degree from the University of Alberta and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary.
Patty Whiting
Patty Whiting is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2009: Appeals Commissioner
After several years in the oil and gas sector working for a servicing company, Patty Whiting was appointed to the Board of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, and also as Chair of the Occupational Health and Safety Council. Patty served as Chair or panel member of many appeals in these roles, as well as advising on matters of policy. She currently serves on two charitable boards and sits as a Chair for the Board of Referees for Employment Insurance Appeals.
Gia K. Wong
Gia K. Wong is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Gia Wong is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta and she worked with the Society as a Formal Complaints Reviewer, Legal Counsel. She has a varied litigation background with a major insurer as in-house counsel, and over 20 years of active litigation and dispute resolution experience, as well as four years of senior management experience. Gia has a diverse work history, which includes the Legislative Assembly Office, the Ethics Commissioner's Office, and private legal practice.
COMMISSIONERS
Bukola Abioye
Bukola Abioye is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Bukola Abioye was called to the Nigerian Bar after earning her Bachelor of Laws. Upon relocating to Canada, she earned a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University and then a Diploma in Police and Investigative Studies from MacEwan University. She was called to the Ontario Bar (inactive) and then to the Alberta Bar. Currently she is legal counsel at an Edmonton-based law firm where she practices criminal, family, and administrative Law, and represents clients at tribunals and various levels of court. In her previous roles, Bukola worked in the banking industry as a financial and investment consultant, and she served as an Enforcement Officer with the City of Edmonton before moving to a Judicial Clerk position with the Government of Alberta. She has also been a volunteer with the Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC) and the Elizabeth Fry Society.
Aituaje Aizenobie
Aituaje Aizenobie is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Aituaje Aizenobie is an Associate Lawyer at a Calgary-based law firm. She had previously worked in both public and private post-secondary educational institutions in Canada. Aituaje earned her Bachelor of Laws degree in 1999 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001. Aituaje holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Laws, and she is a certified instructor at the post-secondary educational level. In addition to a robust legal career, she also held a unique role as a Refugee Status Determination Officer on a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) project. Transitioning to Canada, Aituaje was called to the Ontario Bar in August 2021 and she transferred her membership to the Law Society of Alberta in January 2022.
Giuseppa Bentivegna
Giuseppa Bentivegna is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Giuseppa Bentivegna is a lawyer who worked for the Alberta Utilities Commission and its predecessor for 19 years. Giuseppa has enjoyed an extensive career in administrative law, including stints in Yellowknife, Toronto, and Halifax before moving to Calgary. She has participated in many hearings during her career as counsel to tribunals. Giuseppa has also served as Chair of the Ontario Review Board and as a Justice of the Peace. She has held management positions within government and worked as a consultant. She started her career in private practice in Montreal.
Gordon Bogstie
Gordon Bogstie is a Commissioner.
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Gordon Bogstie worked for Canada Post for over 30 years. He has also been elected to a variety of positions within his union and has served as a full-time officer in the capacity of Local President and Health and Safety Officer. He has served on the executive of the Calgary and District Labour Council and recently finished a nine-year term on the Board of Referees Tribunal for Employment Insurance.
Denis Boissonneault
Denis Boissonneault is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2005: Appeals Commissioner
After a short time in retail sales, Denis Boissonneault began his career in workers' compensation. During that time, Denis also obtained several years of post-secondary education in the field of Business Management Studies. For the past 41 years, Denis has worked in various capacities in the workers' compensation system, specifically with vocational rehabilitation, claims review and analysis, and as an appeals adjudicator and quality assurance advisor. For the past 28 years, Denis has worked directly with the Appeals Commission in the areas of appeal preparation and management, as a senior policy advisor and a Hearing Chair for 12 years.
Lori Bonnett
Lori Bonnett is a Commissioner.
Appointed 8 May 2018: Appeals Commissioner
Lori Bonnett received a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Alberta in 1998 and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall in 2003. Lori has been an active member of the Law Society of Alberta since 1998, and her career has included in-house counsel roles for various sectors of the oil and gas industry over the past 13 years. In these roles, Lori has advised on numerous, complex infrastructure projects, joint ventures, and operational matters. Lori's board experience also includes being a member of the Alberta Transportation Safety Board and the Municipal Government Board.
Lori has been an active member of the volunteer sector in each place that she has resided. She served as a member, and then as Chair of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut from 2005 to 2014, and has also been a volunteer at the Calgary Drop-In Centre since 2010. She currently serves on the Research Ethics Board at SAIT in Calgary.
In her leisure time, Lori spends time with her two young grandsons and enjoys travelling.
Gideon Christian
Gideon Christian is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Gideon Christian is a law professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law, where he has been teaching since 2019. Gideon obtained his LL.M and PhD from the University of Ottawa. During his doctoral studies, he was a SSHRC - Joseph Armand Bombardier Canada Doctoral Scholar and an International Development Research Center IDRC Doctoral Fellow. Between 2012 and 2019, he worked part-time as an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. Between 2014 and 2019, he held a full-time position as Legal Counsel in the National Litigation Sector of the federal Department of Justice where he participated in high-profile litigation involving the Government of Canada.
Andy Cimolai
Andy Cimolai is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Andy Cimolai studied business and recreation management at Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge. He has worked in business, manufacturing, and financial services, and spent over 25 years as a financial advisor. Throughout his professional life, Andy has volunteered with many nonprofit organizations and youth sports groups. He was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in the Builders category in 2011, and in 2016 served on the Lethbridge Family Services Board. Since 2019, Andy has held quasi-judicial roles with the Subdivision Development Appeals Board, the City of Lethbridge’s Assessment Review Board, and most recently, the Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC) Assessment Review Board which reviews property assessment appeals across 40 southern Alberta communities.
Christina Clark is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Christina Clark is a professional engineer who has spent over 25 years in executive and leadership roles in the electric utility industry. She trained as a mediator at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta, and holds an advanced certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. She currently serves on the City of Edmonton Assessment Review Board, and the Board of Appeal of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta.
Cathy Claughton
Cathy Claughton is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Cathy Claughton has a Master of Science in Administration degree and holds certifications for Tribunal Administrative Justice (CTAJ™), executive coaching, and change management. Cathy was previously the Executive Director of Tribunal Services at the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers' Compensation, and she has held a number of senior leadership roles within the Government of Alberta, including Director of Strategic Planning and Governance with the Department of Human Services.
Currently, Cathy serves as the Chair of the Foundation of Administrative Justice board and previously she held the positions of Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Chair of the Strategic Planning and Risk Management Committee at that organization. She is also member of the Operation Friendship Seniors Society board and she serves on the Ministry of Education Attendance Management Board. In addition, she is pursuing a Qualified Mentor (QMed) designation.
Joshua Fernando is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Charlie Fisher is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Charlie Fisher is a seasoned professional with many years of adjudicative experience, and training from the Alberta Foundation of Administrative Justice. He has a 30-year history of involvement in labour relations, occupational health and safety, workers' compensation, and long-term disability appeal hearings throughout western Canada.
He is currently a board member with the Government of Alberta Long Term Disability Income (LTDI) Second Level Appeal Board for Bargaining Unit Employees, as well as a board member and a hearing chair with the Government of Alberta LTDI Second Level Appeal Board for Management, opted out and excluded employees. He is also a former panel member and a hearing chair for the Government of Alberta Children's Services Appeal Board.
Charlie has served as a panel member on the Millard Centre Symposium on Chronic Pain, the Alberta Workers' Compensation Policy and Service Review Committee, and has twice represented the Alberta Industry Task Force on the Alberta Appeals Commissioner Selection Committee.
His volunteer experience includes serving as a hearing chair on the St. Albert Community Justice Committee, a director with the St. Albert Minor Hockey Association, a team manager with the St. Albert Raiders Bantam AAA Hockey Team, and a coach with the Calgary, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, and St. Albert Minor Hockey and Baseball Associations.
Donna Gilman
Donna Gilman is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Donna Gilman has had a diverse career in both the public and private sectors, including in managerial, policy and human resource positions, and roles at the Workers' Compensation Boards of Alberta and Saskatchewan. She worked extensively with workers, employers, and business owners while serving as Director of Maintenance Enforcement for Saskatchewan Justice, and as Manager of Collections for the Consumer Taxation Branch of British Columbia. She has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and is also a trained mediator. Donna began serving on tribunals in 2014, working with panels for Alberta Community and Social Services and the Alberta Transportation Safety Board before joining the Appeals Commission in 2017.
Gibson Glavin is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Gibson Glavin was a commissioned Officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, serving for over 31 years. During his policing career, he held the senior positions of executive assistant to the Senior Deputy Commissioner at the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa, Aid-de-Camp for the Lieutenant Government of Alberta, and Officer in Charge of strategic communications and provincial support services for the Alberta RCMP, and he commanded the Special Tactical Operations unit and the Behavioural Sciences Group. He has previous experience as a Chair, adjudicator, and board member with the Alberta Transportation Safety Board, Fatality Review Board, and RCMP Discipline Tribunal. He holds a Communications degree and an Advanced Certificate in Police Leadership, and is a qualified arbitrator.
Lisa Heighington
Lisa Heighington is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Lisa Heighington is a registered nurse who has worked in health care for over 30 years, with experience in clinical practice, disability management and, as a transplant coordinator and a nurse educator. She also worked as a medical adjudicator with the Victims of Crime Program. She is currently a member of the Assessment Review Board with the City of Edmonton and her past board work includes serving as a public member on the Criminal Injuries Review Board with the Alberta Government, and on a disciplinary committee with the College and Association of Registered Nurses.
Michael Humphreys is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Michael Humphreys worked as a lawyer in the United Kingdom, almost exclusively on behalf of trade union members. He specialised in claims for damages for accidents at work, industrial disease, breaches of employment rights, and human rights violations. In 2000, he was appointed to sit as a part-time Chair of Employment Tribunals, adjudicating claims for unlawful termination, breach of contract and discrimination cases arising in the workplace. In 2007, he came to Canada and obtained a position as an Appeals Advisor on workers' compensation claims. He later worked for the Health Sciences Association of Alberta as a labour relations officer, providing advice and advocacy services to members of the union, and negotiating collective agreements.
Valerie Hunter is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Valerie Hunter holds a diploma in Human Resources Management and certificates in Labour Management Relations, and Occupational Health and Safety. She worked in disability management for private industry, and then 25 years in the human resources field at the University of Alberta. She is a qualified mediator (Q.Med) and a designated workplace fairness analyst, and Co-Chair for the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Institute of Canada’s DEI Committee on Indigenous Pathways.
Vesna Kavaz is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Vesna Kavaz has been involved in quasi-judicial appeal adjudication since May 2016, when she was appointed to five Community and Social Services Appeal Panels. She has heard appeals for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, Income and Employment Supports, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and Family Support for Children with Disabilities benefits. She is experienced in administrative proceedings, interpretation and application of legislation, decision-making, and decision writing. Previously, Vesna worked at NorQuest College, Athabasca University, and several agencies and schools. She has taught English as a Second Language classes to adults from four continents and 25 countries, and she was involved in adult literacy program development and delivery. Vesna holds credentials from Simon Fraser University and the University of Zagreb.
Kevin Kelly is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Kevin Kelly is a lawyer and chartered arbitrator in Calgary with extensive dispute resolution training in negotiation, conflict management, mediation and arbitration. He has practiced primarily in insurance, real property, business law, and estate planning and administration, and has appeared in the Federal Court of Canada and all levels of court in Alberta. Kevin specializes in dispute resolution and regularly acts as a mediator, arbitrator, and facilitator for board meetings and multi-stakeholder group disputes. He has designed and facilitated law and negotiation courses for SAIT, and is a facilitator, assessor and practice manager with the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education's Alberta Bar Admission Program. Currently, in addition to serving as both chair and adjudicative panel member on several quasi-judicial tribunals, Kevin is on the Board of Directors for the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre for Canada.
Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Susan Kennedy has a B.A. in psychology and an LL.B. from the University of Manitoba. She practised law in Calgary for several years as a crown prosecutor. Currently, Susan has her own conflict resolution practice where she provides conflict coaching, mediation and arbitration services, with a specialization in adult family and intergenerational conflicts.
Todd Laycock
Todd Laycock is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Todd Laycock is an industrial security professional employed with the oil sands industry in northern Alberta. Prior to this, he was a member of the Edmonton Police Service, working in a variety of capacities over the course of his 25-year career.
Todd has previous experience with adjudicative boards, having served on the Assessment Review Board for the City of St. Albert, and the Mental Health Review Panel Roster in Alberta. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree, as well as several professional designations in the security field. Todd has also instructed at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.
Marilyn McAvoy
Marilyn McAvoy is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 Mar 2004: Appeals Commissioner
Marilyn McAvoy has had an extensive career in administrative law. For the last five years she has been a member of the Alberta Land Compensation Board, and counsel to the Surface Rights Board. Marilyn began her career with the Federal Department of Justice, and then acted as counsel for the City of Edmonton for 16 years. She has appeared frequently before Alberta Courts and various regulatory boards. An accomplished athlete, Marilyn enjoys a variety of sports and recently was inducted into the Oshawa Ontario Sports Hall of Fame for the sport of baseball.
Jerry McKenna
Jerry McKenna is a Commissioner.
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Jerry McKenna worked for a number of years as a lawyer with the Alberta Justice Department in the Civil Law Branch, in solicitor, advocacy and management positions. His practice included the giving of advice to, and appearing before, a number of administrative tribunals, in the areas of expropriation, education and policing law. He was also involved in the planning and development of large infrastructure projects. Jerry has also been an active volunteer, serving in various positions at a number of organizations in Edmonton.
Leslie Paetz
Leslie Paetz is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Leslie Paetz obtained her law degree from the University of Alberta in 1992. She was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1993 and practiced law until 2023, with a focus on insurance litigation. In 2023, Leslie transitioned to full-time work as a mediator, having completed training at the Straus Institute at Pepperdine University. Leslie is currently a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta, and she is a sessional lecturer at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. Leslie is also an active board member and volunteer with a particular focus on helping students at the high school and law school levels. Currently she sits on the board of the University of Alberta’s Law Alumni and Friends, and she is active in her community league.
Paul Paquette
Paul Paquette is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Paul Paquette has served on various boards and committees as chair and board member. His board member experience includes sitting on the Assessment Review Board in Strathcona County, the Child Care Licensing Review Board, and the Bargaining Unit Long Term Disability Income Continuance Second Level Appeal Board. Paul's past experience also includes consulting and representing injured individuals appealing disability claims.
Gary Peckham
Gary Peckham is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Gary Peckham retired from the Alberta Public Service after 34 years of service. His experience includes being chair of the Alberta Debtors’ Assistance Board, a statute administrator for various pieces of legislation, and a director of the Service Alberta Contact Centre. Since retiring he has served as a public member for six years on the Alberta Transportation Safety Board, and been a member of the Strathcona Subdivision and Development Appeal Board for eleven years.
Gary enjoys travelling and is an avid photographer.
Steve Rapanos
Steve Rapanos is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Steve Rapanos has a M.A in Leadership from Royal Roads University, a graduate certificate in management from Harvard Business School, and over 30 years experience in healthcare and municipal government. He was General Manager of the Regina Ambulance District and then Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Regina Health Region. He served more than a decade as Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the City of Edmonton, and later became Branch Manager of Fleet and Facility Maintenance, leading large-scale business transformation initiatives. A certified executive coach and mediator, Steve currently works as a consultant providing leadership development, operational reviews and individual and team coaching. Steve has been recognized for his contributions to public service with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Meritorious Service Decoration from the Governor General of Canada.
Carol Read
Carol Read is a Commissioner.
Appointed 5 Dec 2012: Appeals Commissioner
Carol Read has a Bachelor of General Studies degree, and a Labour Studies Certificate from the Labour College of Canada. She worked at Canada Post for 35 years where she held various elected positions with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, including 14 years as local Grievance Officer and two years as local President. Carol has been a member on the Employment Insurance Board of Referees.
Liz Thompson
Liz Thompson is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2025: Appeals Commissioner
Liz Thompson recently retired from her position as a labour relations consultant where she provided advice and guidance on cases involving disability insurance, workers' compensation, and accommodations which included appeals and arbitrations. She has previously provided advocacy services related to the WCB for employers and labour organizations. Prior to this, she worked for the federal government as a technical advisor and trainer, and managed the Employment Insurance Board of Referees team.
Liz has been a board member for the Local Authorities Pension Plan, where she served on a committee for hearing appeals, and she co-chaired the Canadian Blood Services Pension Advisory Committee. She has also been a speaker for Lancaster House and other conferences on accommodations and human rights, and an instructor for WCB and Health and Safety courses.
Jamie Tiessen
Jamie Tiessen is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Jamie’s career in media and broadcast networks spans 25 years. He has operated radio stations and broadcast networks in the Calgary area and held positions as an executive, director, chairperson, and consultant. He is a committed community volunteer, and has been a municipal councillor for the Town of Okotoks and the Kananaskis Improvement District. He has also served on tribunals for several Government of Alberta ministries, and is the current Chair of the Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association.
Judy Tran
Judy Tran is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Judy graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with experience primarily in financial reporting and budgeting. She currently adjudicates property assessment disputes as a member of the Edmonton Assessment Review Board, and spends her professional time consulting for municipal clients in financial administration and policy. Judy has also volunteered in the local arts community as board member for Workshop West Playwright’s Theatre.
Miles Weatherall is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Miles Weatherall is a senior management consultant who works with business leaders and their teams in their pursuit of continuous improvement. He is also a professional project manager, a certified change management consultant, and an executive coach. Miles has extensive experience in quasi-judicial roles and is currently a member of the Land and Property Rights Tribunal. Miles holds a Bachelor of Administration degree (with Distinction) with a concentration in public administration.
One of the Commissioners on each panel is the Hearing Chair, who leads the hearing. All Hearing Chairs are Commissioners, but not all Commissioners serve as Hearing Chairs.
- Commissioners are recruited through public competition, selected on the basis of merit, and appointed by the Government of Alberta. Some Commissioners work full-time and some work part-time.
- Review what our commissioners are paid.
Dale Wispinski
Dale Wispinski is the CEO and Chief Appeals Commissioner.
Appointed 1 November 2018: CEO and Chief Appeals Commissioner
Appointed 1 November 2018: Appeals Commissioner
Dale Wispinski is a lawyer who joined the Appeals Commission in 2012, after several years practicing labour and employment law with a national law firm. From 2014-2018, she was the Commission's General Counsel, with responsibility for legal, privacy, knowledge management, training, communications and quality assurance matters, in addition to serving as a member of the Commission's executive team. Dale holds an LL.B. from the University of Alberta (where she continues to serve as a guest lecturer) and a B.A. (Hons) from the University of Calgary. Dale also holds the Certified In-House Counsel (CIC.C) designation from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.
Lynn Parish
Lynn Parish is the Edmonton Vice-Chair and shares responsibility with her counterpart as a deputy chair of the Appeals Commission.
Appointed 3 July 2019: Vice-Chair, Edmonton
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Lynn Parish is a lawyer who has practiced in the United Kingdom and Canada. She holds an LL.B. from the London School of Economics and an LL.M. from the University of Alberta. As a solicitor in England, Lynn acted primarily for trade union clients pursuing compensation through the courts for workplace accidents. In Canada, she was admitted to the Alberta Bar and pursued a career combining mediation, research, and teaching that involved working with the Government of Alberta and the University of Alberta. Lynn also holds an ICD.D designation from the Rotman Directors Program and has been a member of the University of Alberta Board of Governors. Her work with administrative tribunals has included being a member and Chair of the City of Edmonton Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and a member of the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board. Currently she is an active volunteer and board member with the Edmonton Community Legal Centre and the Rossdale Community League.
Gary Godziuk
Gary Godziuk is the Edmonton Vice-Chair and shares responsibility with his counterpart as a deputy chair of the Appeals Commission.
Appointed 1 May 2021: Vice-Chair, Edmonton
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Gary Godziuk was a commissioned senior officer, branch executive and a member of the Edmonton Police Service for over 28 years. During this time he served in diverse capacities, including operational, command, administration, and management roles within the organization, and externally with the City of Edmonton and Province of Alberta. Additionally, he served as a public and presiding member on multiple quasi-judicial boards for the City of St. Albert, and instructed at the Canadian Police College.
HEARING CHAIRS
Sherryl Basarab
Sherryl Basarab is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Sherryl Basarab has a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Law Society of British Columbia. Her legal career has focused on labour, employment, and administrative law. Sherryl has represented clients in matters before several tribunals including the workers' compensation system, human rights, labour relations and employment standards tribunals. She was previously legal counsel at the B.C. Labour Relations Board and the B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal. She has also appeared in superior court on applications for judicial review of tribunal decisions at both the trial level and appeal level.
Grace Brittain
Grace Brittain is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2005: Appeals Commissioner
Grace Brittain has been a Registered Nurse for over 45 years. She also has training in Health Administration and Forensic Studies, and her professional background includes progressive roles in health care management, education, and administrative justice. She has worked more than 28 years in health care leadership, holding the positions of Chief Executive Officer, Director of Care, and Community Team Manager, and she has been an adult educator for mental health, and the Health Care Aide program. Grace has served on the Alberta Mental Health Review panel, and the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) hearing tribunal, and she was a public member for Alberta Health under the Health Professions Act, and member and Chair for the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) appeal panel. Currently, Grace is a public adjudicator with the Law Society of Alberta (LSA) and a member of the CRNA Council. Her interests include dogs, books, writing, and she remains an optimistic golfer.
Chris Davison
Chris Davison is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Chris Davison obtained his juris doctor from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. He worked as a Crown Prosecutor in Regina from 2013 to 2017, specializing in fatality drinking and driving prosecutions, and he was appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in Toronto in 2017 as a member of the refugee protection division. In addition, he was counsel for the Registrar at the Real Estate Council of Alberta from 2018 until 2023, prosecuting real estate and mortgage broker licensee misconduct. He has also served as Calgary Chair for the Consumer Services Appeal Board since 2019.
Asheena Edmunds
Asheena Edmunds is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2024: Appeals Commissioner
Asheena Edmunds studied business and marketing at NAIT. She worked as an employment consultant and then spent 24 years in a variety of roles in the Alberta workers' compensation system. She began working as an Appeals Advisor in 2012, and then became certified as both an Advocate and a Tribunal Member by the Foundation of Administrative Justice. More recently, Asheena worked as an adjudicator for the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors, making decisions on non-criminal impaired driving citations. She is an active school and sports volunteer, and has been a Team Manager for the Edmonton Minor Soccer Club Program.
Lynn Faulder
Lynn Faulder is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2020: Appeals Commissioner
For the past 25 years, Lynn has worked on a number of provincial and federal administrative tribunals. She also has served on the boards of Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission, NorQuest College, Northlands, and the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. Lynn has a background in nursing and is a certified Board Director.
Susan Gordon
Susan Gordon is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2003: Appeals Commissioner
Susan Gordon has been serving on quasi-judicial boards/tribunals since 1999. She also has a background in sales. Her education includes a B.A. (with Distinction) from the University of Toronto, an M.A. from York University, and an LL.B. from the University of Calgary. She has served in the past at the provincial and national levels of the Canadian Bar Association in respect to Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Robin Heslop
Robin Heslop is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2024: Appeals Commissioner
Robin Heslop holds a B.Comm (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta and a J.D. from the University of Victoria. After initially working as an accountant, she became a lawyer in private practice with a focus on research and civil litigation support. She also has public service experience, including roles at the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, and the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services' Appeals Secretariat, where she provided guidance to administrative tribunals.
Jodi Keil
Jodi Keil is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 Sept 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Jodi Keil is a lawyer with years of experience in administrative law at all levels of government. She has provided professional support to the Land Compensation Board, Municipal Government Board, Alberta New Home Buyer Protection Board and City of Edmonton’s Assessment Review Board. She also spent time as legal counsel for the Alberta Court of Appeal. Her career has been the result of her passion for legal education and access to justice. Since 2016, Jodi has taught various business law courses at the University of Alberta School of Business. She is on the board of directors of the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals and was previously on the board of directors of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton.
Gregory Kelly
Gregory Kelly is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Gregory Kelly was previously employed as the Chair of the Review Committee for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Prior to this, he held the positions of Case Manager and Entitlement Officer/Adjudicator in WSCC's Iqaluit office in Nunavut. Since January 2008, he has been employed as a relief Correctional Youth Officer with the North Slave Young Offenders Facility. He also served several two-year appointments as a Member of the Northwest Territories Social Assistance Appeals Board and as Vice-Chair of the Student Financial Assistance Appeals Board. Gregory has a Masters in Criminology, a Bachelor of Arts in Law, and most recently, received certificates in Tribunal Administrative Justice and Professional Leadership Development.
Robert Moore
Robert Moore is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 Sept 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Robert Moore was a commissioned officer with 25 years of service in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He held a variety of operational and management roles in municipal, provincial and federal policing throughout Alberta and at national headquarters in Ottawa. Robert was also an adjudicator in the RCMP's quasi-judicial grievance and appeal regime. Before joining the RCMP, he earned a BComm degree from the University of Calgary and worked in the banking industry.
Robert Reimer
Robert Reimer is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Rob Reimer operated a ranch, along with his spouse Marlene, for 40 years. He served as Trustee with Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools from 1995 until 2010, with 11 years as Chair. He was Vice-Chair of the County of Wetaskiwin Subdivision and Development Appeal Board from 1996 until 2009. Rob was also a Co-Chair with Region 9, and later, Region 4, Child and Family Services Authorities from 1998 until 2006. He served as Chair of the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities Appeal Panel from 2006 until 2009, and Chair of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Appeal Panel from 2006 until 2010. He has also been a member of the Municipal Government Board.
Colin Robblee
Colin Robblee is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2024: Appeals Commissioner
Colin Robblee has a Bachelor of Education degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history, and a Jazz Composition Diploma. He was a Health and Safety Officer, and he then worked in disability management with several different consulting firms. He went on to spend several years in the Alberta workers' compensation system in various roles, including case management, and worker and employer representation.
Colleen R. Ryan
Colleen Ryan is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 5 Dec 2012: Appeals Commissioner
Prior to joining the Appeals Commission, Colleen served on the Parole Board of Canada, the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board, and the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, and practiced criminal law and civil litigation during her legal career. She taught law and business administration courses for over 15 years, earning a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Alberta during that time. She holds an LL.B. and a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a B.A. (with Distinction) from McGill University.
Colleen enjoys facilitating learning and has been a mentor/coach in the fields of law, education and athletics. Some of her accomplishments in these fields include receiving a City of Edmonton Citizenship Volunteer Award and earning a Gold Medal in Women's Hockey at the World Masters Games.
Jody Saunders
Jody Saunders is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 Sept 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Jody Saunders joined the Appeals Commission in September 2020. Her past positions have included Tribunal Counsel with the Law Society of Alberta, where she managed the quasi-judicial hearing and appeal process, and Associate General Counsel and Professional Leader, Legal with what is now the Canada Energy Regulator, where she practiced administrative law for 16 years. She began her legal career at a small corporate and commercial civil litigation firm in Calgary. Jody obtained her law degree from the University of Alberta and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary.
Patty Whiting
Patty Whiting is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 May 2009: Appeals Commissioner
After several years in the oil and gas sector working for a servicing company, Patty Whiting was appointed to the Board of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, and also as Chair of the Occupational Health and Safety Council. Patty served as Chair or panel member of many appeals in these roles, as well as advising on matters of policy. She currently serves on two charitable boards and sits as a Chair for the Board of Referees for Employment Insurance Appeals.
Gia K. Wong
Gia K. Wong is a Hearing Chair.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Gia Wong is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta and she worked with the Society as a Formal Complaints Reviewer, Legal Counsel. She has a varied litigation background with a major insurer as in-house counsel, and over 20 years of active litigation and dispute resolution experience, as well as four years of senior management experience. Gia has a diverse work history, which includes the Legislative Assembly Office, the Ethics Commissioner's Office, and private legal practice.
COMMISSIONERS
Aituaje Azenobie
Aituaje Azenobie is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Aituaje Aizenobie is an Associate Lawyer at a Calgary-based law firm. She had previously worked in both public and private post-secondary educational institutions in Canada. Aituaje earned her Bachelor of Laws degree in 1999 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001. Aituaje holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Laws, and she is a certified instructor at the post-secondary educational level. In addition to a robust legal career, she also held a unique role as a Refugee Status Determination Officer on a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) project. Transitioning to Canada, Aituaje was called to the Ontario Bar in August 2021 and she transferred her membership to the Law Society of Alberta in January 2022.
Giuseppa Bentivegna
Giuseppa Bentivegna is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Giuseppa Bentivegna is a lawyer who worked for the Alberta Utilities Commission and its predecessor for 19 years. Giuseppa has enjoyed an extensive career in administrative law, including stints in Yellowknife, Toronto, and Halifax before moving to Calgary. She has participated in many hearings during her career as counsel to tribunals. Giuseppa has also served as Chair of the Ontario Review Board and as a Justice of the Peace. She has held management positions within government and worked as a consultant. She started her career in private practice in Montreal.
Gordon Bogstie
Gordon Bogstie is a Commissioner.
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Gordon Bogstie worked for Canada Post for over 30 years. He has also been elected to a variety of positions within his union and has served as a full-time officer in the capacity of Local President and Health and Safety Officer. He has served on the executive of the Calgary and District Labour Council and recently finished a nine-year term on the Board of Referees Tribunal for Employment Insurance.
Denis Boissonneault
Denis Boissonneault is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2005: Appeals Commissioner
After a short time in retail sales, Denis Boissonneault began his career in workers' compensation. During that time, Denis also obtained several years of post-secondary education in the field of Business Management Studies. For the past 41 years, Denis has worked in various capacities in the workers' compensation system, specifically with vocational rehabilitation, claims review and analysis, and as an appeals adjudicator and quality assurance advisor. For the past 28 years, Denis has worked directly with the Appeals Commission in the areas of appeal preparation and management, as a senior policy advisor and a Hearing Chair for 12 years.
Lori Bonnett
Lori Bonnett is a Commissioner.
Appointed 8 May 2018: Appeals Commissioner
Lori Bonnett received a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Alberta in 1998 and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall in 2003. Lori has been an active member of the Law Society of Alberta since 1998, and her career has included in-house counsel roles for various sectors of the oil and gas industry over the past 13 years. In these roles, Lori has advised on numerous, complex infrastructure projects, joint ventures, and operational matters. Lori's board experience also includes being a member of the Alberta Transportation Safety Board and the Municipal Government Board.
Lori has been an active member of the volunteer sector in each place that she has resided. She served as a member, and then as Chair of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut from 2005 to 2014, and has also been a volunteer at the Calgary Drop-In Centre since 2010. She currently serves on the Research Ethics Board at SAIT in Calgary.
In her leisure time, Lori spends time with her two young grandsons and enjoys travelling.
Sania Chaudhry
Sania Chaudhry is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Sania is an employment, labour and human rights lawyer practicing in Alberta and BC. She is also a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, teaching Critical Race Theory and Law, and is currently working on her Masters of Law part-time there as well. Sania is active on many boards and committees for multiple lawyer and community organizations. She was recognized in 2022 as a Top 30 Under 30 by the Alberta Council of Global Cooperation, and she was the recipient of the Women Who Inspire Award by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, and the Community Crusader Award by the South Asian Inspiration Awards. In 2023, she was awarded the Rising Star Award by the South Asian Bar Association of Calgary and was shortlisted as an Excellence Awardee in the Female Trailblazer (Private Practice) category for the Canadian Law Awards. She was recently named one of 2023's Top 25 Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.
Gideon Christian
Gideon Christian is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Gideon Christian is a law professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law, where he has been teaching since 2019. Gideon obtained his LL.M and PhD from the University of Ottawa. During his doctoral studies, he was a SSHRC - Joseph Armand Bombardier Canada Doctoral Scholar and an International Development Research Center IDRC Doctoral Fellow. Between 2012 and 2019, he worked part-time as an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. Between 2014 and 2019, he held a full-time position as Legal Counsel in the National Litigation Sector of the federal Department of Justice where he participated in high-profile litigation involving the Government of Canada.
Christina Clark is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Christina Clark is a professional engineer who has spent over 25 years in executive and leadership roles in the electric utility industry. She trained as a mediator at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta, and holds an advanced certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. She currently serves on the City of Edmonton Assessment Review Board, and the Board of Appeal of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta.
Joshua Fernando is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Charlie Fisher is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Charlie Fisher is a seasoned professional with many years of adjudicative experience, and training from the Alberta Foundation of Administrative Justice. He has a 30-year history of involvement in labour relations, occupational health and safety, workers' compensation, and long-term disability appeal hearings throughout western Canada.
He is currently a board member with the Government of Alberta Long Term Disability Income (LTDI) Second Level Appeal Board for Bargaining Unit Employees, as well as a board member and a hearing chair with the Government of Alberta LTDI Second Level Appeal Board for Management, opted out and excluded employees. He is also a former panel member and a hearing chair for the Government of Alberta Children's Services Appeal Board.
Charlie has served as a panel member on the Millard Centre Symposium on Chronic Pain, the Alberta Workers' Compensation Policy and Service Review Committee, and has twice represented the Alberta Industry Task Force on the Alberta Appeals Commissioner Selection Committee.
His volunteer experience includes serving as a hearing chair on the St. Albert Community Justice Committee, a director with the St. Albert Minor Hockey Association, a team manager with the St. Albert Raiders Bantam AAA Hockey Team, and a coach with the Calgary, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, and St. Albert Minor Hockey and Baseball Associations.
Donna Gilman
Donna Gilman is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 July 2017: Appeals Commissioner
Donna Gilman has had a diverse career in both the public and private sectors, including in managerial, policy and human resource positions, and roles at the Workers' Compensation Boards of Alberta and Saskatchewan. She worked extensively with workers, employers, and business owners while serving as Director of Maintenance Enforcement for Saskatchewan Justice, and as Manager of Collections for the Consumer Taxation Branch of British Columbia. She has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and is also a trained mediator. Donna began serving on tribunals in 2014, working with panels for Alberta Community and Social Services and the Alberta Transportation Safety Board before joining the Appeals Commission in 2017.
Gibson Glavin is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Gibson Glavin was a commissioned Officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, serving for over 31 years. During his policing career, he held the senior positions of executive assistant to the Senior Deputy Commissioner at the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa, Aid-de-Camp for the Lieutenant Government of Alberta, and Officer in Charge of strategic communications and provincial support services for the Alberta RCMP, and he commanded the Special Tactical Operations unit and the Behavioural Sciences Group. He has previous experience as a Chair, adjudicator, and board member with the Alberta Transportation Safety Board, Fatality Review Board, and RCMP Discipline Tribunal. He holds a Communications degree and an Advanced Certificate in Police Leadership, and is a qualified arbitrator.
Lisa Heighington
Lisa Heighington is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Lisa Heighington is a registered nurse who has worked in health care for over 30 years, with experience in clinical practice, disability management and, as a transplant coordinator and a nurse educator. She also worked as a medical adjudicator with the Victims of Crime Program. She is currently a member of the Assessment Review Board with the City of Edmonton and her past board work includes serving as a public member on the Criminal Injuries Review Board with the Alberta Government, and on a disciplinary committee with the College and Association of Registered Nurses.
Michael Humphreys is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Michael Humphreys worked as a lawyer in the United Kingdom, almost exclusively on behalf of trade union members. He specialised in claims for damages for accidents at work, industrial disease, breaches of employment rights, and human rights violations. In 2000, he was appointed to sit as a part-time Chair of Employment Tribunals, adjudicating claims for unlawful termination, breach of contract and discrimination cases arising in the workplace. In 2007, he came to Canada and obtained a position as an Appeals Advisor on workers' compensation claims. He later worked for the Health Sciences Association of Alberta as a labour relations officer, providing advice and advocacy services to members of the union, and negotiating collective agreements.
Vesna Kavaz is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Vesna Kavaz has been involved in quasi-judicial appeal adjudication since May 2016, when she was appointed to five Community and Social Services Appeal Panels. She has heard appeals for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, Income and Employment Supports, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and Family Support for Children with Disabilities benefits. She is experienced in administrative proceedings, interpretation and application of legislation, decision-making, and decision writing. Previously, Vesna worked at NorQuest College, Athabasca University, and several agencies and schools. She has taught English as a Second Language classes to adults from four continents and 25 countries, and she was involved in adult literacy program development and delivery. Vesna holds credentials from Simon Fraser University and the University of Zagreb.
Kevin Kelly is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Kevin Kelly is a lawyer and chartered arbitrator in Calgary with extensive dispute resolution training in negotiation, conflict management, mediation and arbitration. He has practiced primarily in insurance, real property, business law, and estate planning and administration, and has appeared in the Federal Court of Canada and all levels of court in Alberta. Kevin specializes in dispute resolution and regularly acts as a mediator, arbitrator, and facilitator for board meetings and multi-stakeholder group disputes. He has designed and facilitated law and negotiation courses for SAIT, and is a facilitator, assessor and practice manager with the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education's Alberta Bar Admission Program. Currently, in addition to serving as both chair and adjudicative panel member on several quasi-judicial tribunals, Kevin is on the Board of Directors for the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre for Canada.
Todd Laycock
Todd Laycock is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Todd Laycock is an industrial security professional employed with the oil sands industry in northern Alberta. Prior to this, he was a member of the Edmonton Police Service, working in a variety of capacities over the course of his 25-year career.
Todd has previous experience with adjudicative boards, having served on the Assessment Review Board for the City of St. Albert, and the Mental Health Review Panel Roster in Alberta. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree, as well as several professional designations in the security field. Todd has also instructed at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.
Marilyn McAvoy
Marilyn McAvoy is a Commissioner.
Appointed 1 Mar 2004: Appeals Commissioner
Marilyn McAvoy has had an extensive career in administrative law. For the last five years she has been a member of the Alberta Land Compensation Board, and counsel to the Surface Rights Board. Marilyn began her career with the Federal Department of Justice, and then acted as counsel for the City of Edmonton for 16 years. She has appeared frequently before Alberta Courts and various regulatory boards. An accomplished athlete, Marilyn enjoys a variety of sports and recently was inducted into the Oshawa Ontario Sports Hall of Fame for the sport of baseball.
Jerry McKenna
Jerry McKenna is a Commissioner.
Appointed 25 Mar 2010: Appeals Commissioner
Jerry McKenna worked for a number of years as a lawyer with the Alberta Justice Department in the Civil Law Branch, in solicitor, advocacy and management positions. His practice included the giving of advice to, and appearing before, a number of administrative tribunals, in the areas of expropriation, education and policing law. He was also involved in the planning and development of large infrastructure projects. Jerry has also been an active volunteer, serving in various positions at a number of organizations in Edmonton.
Paul Paquette
Paul Paquette is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Paul Paquette has served on various boards and committees as chair and board member. His board member experience includes sitting on the Assessment Review Board in Strathcona County, the Child Care Licensing Review Board, and the Bargaining Unit Long Term Disability Income Continuance Second Level Appeal Board. Paul's past experience also includes consulting and representing injured individuals appealing disability claims.
Gary Peckham
Gary Peckham is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Gary Peckham retired from the Alberta Public Service after 34 years of service. His experience includes being chair of the Alberta Debtors’ Assistance Board, a statute administrator for various pieces of legislation, and a director of the Service Alberta Contact Centre. Since retiring he has served as a public member for six years on the Alberta Transportation Safety Board, and been a member of the Strathcona Subdivision and Development Appeal Board for eleven years.
Gary enjoys travelling and is an avid photographer.
Carol Read
Carol Read is a Commissioner.
Appointed 5 Dec 2012: Appeals Commissioner
Carol Read has a Bachelor of General Studies degree, and a Labour Studies Certificate from the Labour College of Canada. She worked at Canada Post for 35 years where she held various elected positions with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, including 14 years as local Grievance Officer and two years as local President. Carol has been a member on the Employment Insurance Board of Referees.
Jamie Tiessen
Jamie Tiessen is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Jamie’s career in media and broadcast networks spans 25 years. He has operated radio stations and broadcast networks in the Calgary area and held positions as an executive, director, chairperson, and consultant. He is a committed community volunteer, and has been a municipal councillor for the Town of Okotoks and the Kananaskis Improvement District. He has also served on tribunals for several Government of Alberta ministries, and is the current Chair of the Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association.
Judy Tran
Judy Tran is a Commissioner.
Appointed 01 May 2023: Appeals Commissioner
Judy graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with experience primarily in financial reporting and budgeting. She currently adjudicates property assessment disputes as a member of the Edmonton Assessment Review Board, and spends her professional time consulting for municipal clients in financial administration and policy. Judy has also volunteered in the local arts community as board member for Workshop West Playwright’s Theatre.
Rohit Verma
Rohit Verma is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Rohit Verma is a lawyer with diverse work experience in both Alberta and internationally. He received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta, Master of Laws from the University of London, and has qualified as a mediator at the London School of Mediation.
Rohit has been employed as a Workers' Compensation Board appeals advisor and legal counsel at the City of Calgary, The Real Estate Council of Alberta, and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. He has also worked at the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, and he has taught law courses in the School of Business at SAIT.
In his spare time, Rohit enjoys travelling and nature photography.
Miles Weatherall is a Commissioner.
Appointed 14 October 2020: Appeals Commissioner
Miles Weatherall is a senior management consultant who works with business leaders and their teams in their pursuit of continuous improvement. He is also a professional project manager, a certified change management consultant, and an executive coach. Miles has extensive experience in quasi-judicial roles and is currently a member of the Land and Property Rights Tribunal. Miles holds a Bachelor of Administration degree (with Distinction) with a concentration in public administration.
