Executive Council

President: Beth Balcombe

After graduating in 2008, Elizabeth  Balcombe was quickly offered a position at the Alberta Research Council. As the Human Resources Services Coordinator she is front and center in the hub of the human resources sector. Among other duties, Beth is responsible for all on-site employee orientation and management of resume submissions. Though Beth finds her new job “a big learning curve”, she also finds that she is well prepared for the challenge thanks to the hands-on nature of her Concordia education.

Currently, Beth is working towards her Professional Human Resources certification (CHRP) and has set her sights on graduate work.  While her ultimate goal is doctoral work, Beth is exploring various M.B.A program options with Boston College on the top of her list.

This extraordinary alumna has also recently accepted the voluntary position of Concordia Alumni Association President. The Alumni Association is really starting to gain some strength. Many initiatives are in the works which will get alumni re-involved with the Concordia community for 2009 and Beth’s familiarity with the university coupled with her energy and passion for her alma mater is a very welcome addition to the Alumni Relations Team.

 

Executive Vice President: Darby Tchir

Darby Tchir earned his Bachelor of Arts in 2008 and his Bachelor of Management in 2010 at Concordia.  

During his time at Concordia, he served on the Concordia Students' Association Executive as the Vice President of Internal Affairs (2008-09) and Vice President of Finance (2009-10).  On the General Council, he sat on the Constitutional and By-Laws Review Committee, the Budget Committee and the Disciplinary Committee.  He was also the President of Concordia Highlands Toastmasters Club.

As a student at Concordia, Darby was also able to work and study abroad.  He spent the summer of 2008 in Washington D.C. with the Washington Center and their NAFTA America Leaders Program.  While there, he worked as an intern for the American Council of Young Political Leaders.  In the winter of 2007, he served as a Program Assistant and the Future World Leaders Summit Coordinator for Presidential Classroom in Washington D.C. 

Darby hopes to share his experiences at Concordia with other alumni and students as he serves on the Alumni Relations Team.  

 

 

VP Communications: Sara Norris

 

Sara Norris (2007 alumna) was quite active during her years at Concordia. She was a part of the Concordia Student Representatives and also on the Graduation Committee in 2007 when she graduated and gave a toast to the faculty. She was also part of the Concordia Cross Country team with fellow executive member David Keppler.

Since graduating Sara has been travelling throughout Europe and has many more travelling desires. She is currently active with several volunteer projects including HART (Humane Animal Rescue Team) where she works on a team rescuing dogs.  Her work has taken her through the marketing and promotions world of radio and other companies which have helped her build on her education and life experiences.

Sara is looking forward to bringing her past experiences with Concordia to build on the benefits and events for the Alumni Relations Team.

 

 

 

VP Operations and Finance: David Keppler

After graduating from Concordia in 2007 with an Arts degree, David rushed into the world of business. Leveraging his education and experience as the Editor-In-Chief of the Blue & White, he found work in the world of sales and business development immediately after graduation. Tentative of this career path, David decided to test his hand at teaching, a career path he had always planned on pursuing, prior to committing for the long-term.  With nothing but a backpack and a binder, David flew to Taiwan and found work teaching ESL to students of various grades and age groups. While in Asia, David realized that he truly enjoyed the fundamentals of teaching but missed the excitement and psychology of business development.  With these two passions in mind, David returned to Edmonton and started his own practice as a Financial Consultant with Investors Group. 

 From families seeking advice to large corporations looking for benefit packages, the marriage of education and business development has presented David with a thriving business he enjoys running.

David attributes much of his success to both the formal education he received and community environment provided at Concordia, and is proud to be sitting on the Executive Council to help foster the University and alumni relationship. He is eager to give back and work as an ambassador for the school that he feels truly gave him the tools and opportunities necessary to succeed.

 

VP Community Events and Relations: Josey Hitesman

In 2011, Josey graduated from Concordia with a Bachelor of Management and a Bachelor of Arts (Religious Studies). During her time at Concordia, she served as the CSA President and as the Student Representative on the Board of Governance. As a student, she was involved with the following organizations on campus: Toastmasters; CSA Election Committee; Grad Committee; Blue and White; Concordia Business Association; Concordia’s Conservative Association. In addition to Josey’s commitments on Concordia’s campus, she has been involved with the U of A’s Dance Club, Orchesis (modern dance), and Go Life.

In 2008, Josey began volunteering with the Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest and continues to share the joy of mathematics in her role as the Assistant Program Coordinator.  She is currently employed by Concordia and excited to have the opportunity to serve the Alumni through the executive council.

 

 

 

 

Past President (Ex- Officio) : Mike Wade

Michael Wade (Concordia Alumnus '95), currently a partner with Belay Advisory, had accepted the volunteer position of Alumni Association President from 2008- 2011. Mike's passion for Concordia has been made evident in many ways, including his involvement with the Thunder Athletic alumni chapter. In particular he has taken a lead position in the establishment of the Thunder Hockey Alumni Golf Tournament.

Mike's work with the Alumni Association has played a role in the increasing number of alumni active, growing executive and the development of the constitution.

Thank you again for all your hard work on the Executive.

 

 

 

 

 

Interested in joining the Alumni Association Executive?

Please contact your Alumni Relations Officer at 780.479-9232 or at alumni@concordia.ab.ca if you are interested in great opportunity to work together with Concordia to build Alumni relations the way YOU want them!