WINS Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors foster the development and growth of WINS across Calgary and surrounding communities.
Josh Traptow
Being active in my community has always been very important to me. When the opportunity to join the board of WINS came up I jumped at the chance to join such an amazing organization. WINS is such an important organization in our community, the services we offer are needed more now than ever.
Josh became a member of the WINS Board in April 2020, becoming Board Chair in April 2024.
Professionally, Josh holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Heritage Calgary, a charitable civic partner of the City of Calgary. Before this role, he worked as a political staffer at both the Alberta Legislature and Calgary City Hall. Josh's educational background encompasses a diploma in Administrative Information Management from SAIT, a certificate in public relations from Mount Royal University, and the completion of the Institute of Corporate Directors Non-Profit Essentials certificate.
Beyond his professional commitments, Josh is a dedicated volunteer with over 14 years of service to the Calgary Stampede. Within this organization, he serves as the 1st Vice-Chair of the Western Agriculture Heritage Committee and has previously chaired the Ag & Western Events Media Committee.
Additionally, Josh plays a role on the board of the History & Heroes AB Foundation and with the Alberta Motor Association. In his leisure time, Josh finds enjoyment in moments spent at the park with his dog and exploring the mountains and small-town rodeos with friends. Josh's decision to volunteer on the WINS Board aligns with his steadfast commitment to community involvement. His enthusiastic participation in this exceptional organization stems from his belief in the critical importance of the services it offers, particularly in the current climate within their community.
Board Chair
Kelly MacVicar
I am so grateful I joined WINS as it has been an amazing experience to work with a passionate, creative, results-driven team that makes an impact in Calgary every day.
Kelly joined the WINS board in 2020 as a member of the Board of Directors and committee member for the Human Resources Committee (HRC). In 2022, Kelly began chairing the HRC. As a dynamic Human Resources Professional, Kelly has been working in various disciplines of HR with increasing responsibility for nearly fifteen years, primarily in the construction and oil and gas sector.
Kelly's career has taken her throughout North America, and she is currently based in Calgary, Alberta. She completed her Bachelor of Arts, Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and most recently her Master of Laws. Kelly enjoys running, skiing, travelling and spending time with her family. She joined the WINS board because she was looking for an opportunity to give back.
Vice Chair
Lindsay Bec
I am really proud to be a part of an organization that has such a strong community reach and is able to provide so many necessary services to women and their families in Calgary. Through its social programs and diversion of clothing and goods through its thrift stores, WINS is making a substantial and appreciable difference for our community that I am grateful to support and be a part of through my role on the WINS Board.
Lindsay Bec became a member of the WINS Board in 2023, holding the position of Secretary. In her professional life, Lindsay serves as a litigation and disputes lawyer at an international law firm located in Calgary. Her practice primarily focuses on Aboriginal law and regulatory law, with extensive exposure to various commercial litigation matters.
Lindsay's educational background includes a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School and a BA (Hons.) in English from the University of Calgary. She has a long-standing commitment to volunteerism within her community and actively participates in inclusion and diversity initiatives. Additionally, Lindsay provides pro bono legal services through Pro Bono Law Alberta.
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Lindsay is a devoted mother of two young boys who keep her constantly engaged. She finds joy in exploring various forms of artistic expression and has an insatiable appetite for reading novels.
Board Secretary
Shannon Ryhorchuk
WINS is an amazing organization and a very important part of our community, helping Calgarians in need. I am honored to be involved with an organization that is so impactful and caring about the community, our people, our teams and our environment.
Shannon joined the WINS Board in April 2022 and serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. She is an Alumni Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers where she specialized in providing audit and assurance services for U.S. and Canadian public companies, primarily in the energy sector. Shannon holds the distinction of being the former leader of PwC Canada's National Independence Office and member of PwC's Global Network Independence Leadership team. She is also the former Managing Partner of the Calgary Assurance Practice. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Chartered Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant. Her contributions to her community and profession were recognized by Shannon being awarded her Fellowship CPA as well as a Distinguished Service Award.
Shannon's commitment to professional growth is exemplified by her completion of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program, earning the ICD.D designation in September 2022. In addition to her involvement with WINS, Shannon is involved as a Director with other organizations, including positions on the Boards of Governors of Mount Royal University and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
Treasurer
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Jim Shore
I am passionate about community-building and strive to make my contributions impactful on the societal level.
James (Jim) Shore is a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience in risk management and administration. He currently serves as the Chief of Staff at ConnectFirst and Servus Credit Union Ltd, where he oversees all board governance practices and supports the CEO with matters pertaining to his office. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Risk and Administration Officer for ConnectFirst Credit Union Ltd, where he was responsible for enhancing the risk management practice in support of the strategic plan.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jim has also been actively involved in his community. He has served as a Director with the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, where he held various positions, including Chair.
Jim holds an MBA from Cornell and Queen's Universities and has taught at Bow Valley College's School of Business.
Jocelyne Daw
My volunteer work with WINS is driven by a strong belief in its mission and social enterprise model. The teamwork and achievements at WINS are inspiring, and I'm excited to contribute to its progressive and impactful goals.
Jocelyn joined the WINS board in Fall 2023, bringing her valuable experiences after serving as a Community Committee member. She is the founder of JS Daw & Associates, a consultancy that specializes in leveraging innovation and collaboration to drive positive change and advance significant ideas. Jocelyn is an internationally published author and speaker on collaboration and innovation. Additionally, she holds the titles of Accredited Partnership Broker and Trainer with the Partnership Brokers Association, as well as a certified Optimize Coach.
With an extensive background in community service, Jocelyn has recently contributed her expertise to the boards of the Calgary Counselling Centre and Trico Charitable Foundation. Beyond her professional commitments, she is deeply passionate about the outdoors, finding joy in activities such as hiking, walking, and kayaking.
Kevin McNichol
I come from a family with a deep sense of giving back to their community through volunteering. This has translated to me pursuing a career in the not for profit sector. A career that allows me to support and make a difference in the lives of people in need. Through WINS, I get to carry on my family legacy of volunteerism and hopefully assist a great organization make a great impact in the lives of woman and their families.
Kevin McNichol, a driven and visionary leader, is dedicated to breaking barriers, enabling individuals to realize their passions and unlock their potential to achieve their goals. With nearly three decades of experience in Alberta's not-for-profit sector, Kevin is renowned for his people-centric leadership style, which simplifies complex issues into manageable, attainable objectives. His approach fosters an environment where teams feel supported to explore possibilities and deliver their best work.
Kevin's educational background includes a BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, an MSc in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary, and an MBA from Royal Roads University Victoria. He holds a coveted Black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a martial art he shares with his wife and two grown children. Tae Kwon Do's core tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit underpin Kevin's interactions in all facets of life, emphasizing the importance of discipline and commitment in achieving any goal.
Leanne Cherry
I volunteer with WINS as their vision resonates so strongly with mine. I am constantly amazed at how this organization empowers women and their families to thrive in the Calgary community.
Leanne joined WINS as a Community Member of the Human Resources Committee in April, 2023 and joined the Board in April, 2024. A former lawyer and HR executive, Leanne now operates her own executive coaching and consulting firm. She has a BA and a JD from the University of Calgary and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation.
Leanne has previously contributed her expertise to various board positions within professional and not-for-profit organizations, including the Canadian Bar Association and the Association of Women Lawyers. Outside of her coaching endeavors, Leanne enjoys spending time with her partner, Malcolm, her adult sons, and her adored trio of dogs.
Paul Speerin
The values at WINS are closely aligned with my own personal values, which makes it enjoyable to work alongside the Management, Associates and Volunteers, and I see a direct impact on making peoples’ lives better serving on the WINS Board of Directors.
Paul joined the WINS Board in April of 2022 and has found the experience of gaining a deeper understanding of the organization and collaborating with fellow board members to be immensely fulfilling. As a certified HR professional with CPHR and SHRM-SCP designations and a Master of Business Administration, Paul's career, spanning over 25 years, has straddled Operations Management and Human Resources. This wealth of experience proves invaluable as he contributes to both the HR Committee and the WINS Board of Directors.
For the past 18 years, Paul has been a part of TJX Canada, holding various roles and most recently serving as Vice President overseeing Western Canada. His commitment to the community extends to his involvement on the Advisory Board for the Human Resources Extended Certificate Program at Mount Royal University and the Advisory Board at the Canadian Mentor Network. Outside of his professional pursuits, Paul finds solace in the great outdoors, cherishing moments spent with family and friends while indulging in activities like road and mountain biking and hiking in the mountains.
As an organization, WINS exemplifies the importance of actively living out their mission, which is to connect women and their families with a diverse range of resources, ultimately facilitating individual and familial thriving.
Pamela Hollinger
WINS plays such an important role for women and their families in Calgary. I believe that empowering women leads to healthier families, economic growth and development.
Pamela, a dedicated member of the WINS Board since April 2023, serves as a member-at-large, bringing her valuable perspective to the team. With a rich background in communications and sustainability, she has navigated both the public and private sectors, currently applying her expertise at Vermilion Energy. Pamela holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Calgary and has further enriched her knowledge with an MBA from Queens. Beyond her commitments to WINS, she generously contributes her time to various causes. Pamela is an active member of the Board of Directors for the Inglewood Child Development Centre and passionately participates in Calgary Stampede's Corporate Relations committee. She also plays a pivotal role on the Family Selection committee for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.
In her rare moments of leisure, Pamela enjoys a range of outdoor activities, including golfing, biking, skiing, and snowboarding, all while balancing the responsibilities of a parent to three energetic children under the age of five.
Sally Dawoud
I volunteer at WINS because I am with Nelson Mandela when he said “if you want to change the world, help the women."
Sally Dawoud joined the WINS Board of Directors and the Finance and Audit Committee in April 2022. An engineer and business leader, Sally's career has focused on major capital projects from aerospace to oil & gas to entrepreneurial clean technology enabling Canada's energy transition to net-zero emissions for climate action. She has worked across industries in public, private, and non-profit sectors around the world. Sally holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in Geomatics Engineering from the University of Calgary, and a Master of Business Administration double majored in Strategy and Finance from the University of British Colombia.
Beside WINS, Sally volunteers her time with various organizations including the Calgary Youth Science Fair, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and Calgary Reads. She is a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a champion of all women. She is also an avid globe trotter, reader of all genres, lover of eclectic music, and an arts enthusiast.
Tracie Noble
I am honored to serve WINS, a local organization dedicated to providing innovative social services to women and their families. The innovation, creativity, teamwork and caring environment that WINS has created inspires me every day.
Born and raised in a Saskatchewan farming community, Tracie was instilled with a strong sense of giving back from an early age. Today, Tracie proudly serves WINS, an organization dedicated to delivering innovative social services to women and their families, in line with their mission to empower and connect individuals with the resources they need to thrive. Joining the WINS Board in April 2018, Tracie has held various roles, Finance & Audit Chair and Treasurer, Secretary, and past Board Chair.
Tracie currently holds the position of Senior Advisor at Stawowski McGill, where she provides invaluable business advisory services. With over three decades of experience in senior financial leadership across various industries, including manufacturing, utilities, energy, recreation, land development, and private equity, Tracie has consistently delivered results in complex business environments. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, complemented by certifications as a Chartered Public Accountant and Chartered Accountant.
Outside of work, Tracie loves to spend time with her family, travelling, gardening, golfing, curling and is a voracious reader.
Past Chair
Karen Ramchuk
Our accomplishments at WINS were made possible by your consistent commitment and dedication to support our advocacy. We would not be able to do what we do without you and the help of the Calgary community.
Karen is a dedicated executive with a proven track record of achieving results and leading teams to success. Her effectiveness as a persuasive communicator and her unsurpassed interpersonal skills make her an expert in change leadership. Karen is a catalyst for strategy creation and implementation, and her passion and energy shine through her leadership. Above all, she is known for her kind and compassionate nature.
Currently serving as the President and CEO of WINS, Karen also holds the esteemed role of Official Delegate for WAGE Canada at the United Nations 66th Commission on the Status of Women. In addition to her work at WINS, she lends her expertise as an Advisor to the Dean at the Chiu School of Business, Bow Valley College. Karen's career is defined by her commitment to making a positive impact and driving meaningful change.
President & CEO
