Board of Directors

Nigel Wilding, Chair of the Board
Edmonton

Nigel enjoys golfing, reading, hiking, and skiing. Nigel has held various positions in his career including Controller for Canada Safeway Limited’s Alberta Division, Executive Vice-President of Northwest Drug Company, CFO of McCoy Bros. Inc. and from 2000 until his retirement in 2008, Chief Operating Officer of Medicentres, the operator of 24 Primary Care medical clinics in Calgary and Edmonton. Nigel’s current role as President of Mediplex Western Ltd. takes little of his time and, as a result, he is more involved in the non-profit sector.

Dugald Clark, 1st Vice-Chair
Nojack

Born in New Jersey, USA, Dugald Clack immigrated to Canada where he completed high school in 1958. After working for the City of Edmonton Fire Department for 13 years, Dugald purchased a ranch in the Nojack area and became involved in the beef industry for 27 years. He and his wife Joyce – who have been married for 47 years – raised five children who are all married and have families of their own. Duglad worked as zone rep for the Alberta Cattle Commission for two, three year terms, and served as a trustee for the Yellowhead School Division for six years. Dugald has been with the W.E.E. Community Food Bank for several years, and has served as its president from 2006 to February 2010.

Arianna Johnson, 2nd Vice-Chair
Fort McMurray

Throughout her life, Arianna has moved around. She was born in Whitecourt, raised in Calgary, and moved to Fort McMurray in 2006. Arianna graduated from UBC Okanagan with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. Arianna has worked in the social and non-profit sector since 1999. Arianna has extensive experience and served on multiple non-profit Boards. Arianna has recently completed her Non-profit Management Certificate through Keyano College in Partnership with Mount Royal University. She is also a certified life coach. Arianna joined the Wood Buffalo Food Bank (formerly Fort McMurray Food Bank) in April of 2011.

Marjorie Bencz, CM, Secretary
Edmonton

Marjorie Bencz has been the Executive Director of the Edmonton Gleaners Association – also known as Edmonton’s Food Bank – since 1989. Currently, Marjorie is a Member Council Representative on the Board of Food Banks Canada, and has actively volunteered for nearly forty years. Marjorie Bencz’ awards include: an honorary diploma in Health and Community Studies from Grant MacEwan College (1977), a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Alberta Association of Colleagues and Technical Institutions (2006 & 2008), and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Community Service (2012). She was also Global TV’s Woman of Vision in 2000, and was appointed to the Order of Canada in the Social Science category on February 3, 2006.

Karen Campbell, Treasurer
Edmonton

Karen Campbell Esau is a registered dietitian residing in the Edmonton area. She was born and raised in Calgary. She currently works as a territory manager for Nestle Infant Nutrition and covers the northern half of Alberta. Her previous employment roles as a dietitian include mental health, public health, outpatient and inpatient nutrition and senior’s health. She has always had a passion for food and nutrition and feels food security is the base level that all individuals require. During her internship to become a dietitian she was involved in creating and updating a document for the former Calgary Health Region regarding services that Calgarians could access to achieve food security.

Brian Besney, Director
Edmonton

For the past 20 years, Brian has volunteered with many non-profit organizations including serving as recording secretary for Edmonton’s Food Bank. He has completed NAIT‘s marketing program and for the past 30 years, Brian has worked as a property manager.

Kim Dumont, Director
High Prairie

Kim was born and raised in High Prairie, Alberta and continues to reside in her home town. Since October 2006, Kim has served as Coordinator for the High Prairie & District Food Bank Society, and has been involved with the High Prairie Food Bank since the early 1990’s. She also sat on the High Prairie Food Bank Board as Director. For a number of years, Kim left the food bank to raise her two children. But it was such a special part of her life that she came back to the High Prairie Food Bank in 2006.

Shelby MacLeod, Director
Lethbridge

Shelby MacLeod is retired and the mother of 2 adult children. Formerly in Taber, Shelby has lived in Lethbridge for 25 years. She has been a lifelong worker, learner and community volunteer and believes that ongoing education with solid primary education and healthy learned parenting skills are the basis for all great achievements in life. Currently the secretary to the Lethbridge Food Bank, Shelby is a member of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Lethbridge, Alberta Division Board and a variety of other community based Boards. Shelby is a long time believer that we all have a role to play in helping people learn and through food banks, we can help families become achievers - independent and resourceful.

James McAra, Director
Calgary

James McAra is Alberta born and raised. He has taken time to experience as much as he can of the world around him. He has been fortunate that many wise and enlightened people shared their time with him. A graduate of Old Scona Academic High School, his academic focused education linked with his love for sport taking him to complete a Bachelor of Physical Education (University of Alberta) in 1990 as well as being honoured as the Valedictorian for his graduating class. In 1997 he completed a Masters degree (University of Alberta) in community development and cultural change.

A strong commitment to community involvement has always accompanied James in his travels. As a family, the McAra’s are committed volunteers, making efforts to enhance community life. James’ focus on not-for-profit involvement has lead him to hold many positions within the sector. From being a volunteer Co-chair for a Christmas Bureau fundraising breakfast in Edmonton, to being the Executive Director of the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre, being the President of the Marquis de Lorne Community Association in deep-deep south east Calgary for five years, to his current position as Chief Executive Officer with the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. With many adventures, James shares many strengths and insights in each opportunity, always learning as he goes.

Elaine Hook, Director
Ferintosh

Elaine lives on an acreage near Ferintosh, Alberta. She grew up on a farm in rural Ontario and graduated from the Royal Victoria Regional School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She then attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she received a degree in Nursing Science. Married to an officer in the Canadian Arms Forces, Elaine has moved 24 times in 40 years, both inside and outside Canada. Professionally, Elaine taught nursing and worked in community and school health. Elaine is active in community, church and service clubs. She also held a variety of executive positions, including the Board Chair of the Camrose Neighbour Aid Centre and Food Bank. Elaine and her husband recently returned to their rural roots in Ferintosh, Alberta where Elaine designed and supervised the building of their new home.

Jan Roth, Director
Lethbridge

Jan has been a resident of Lethbridge for almost 30 years. She is a Chartered Accountant and has worked in public practice, private industry, non-profit organizations, and government funded entities such as the University of Lethbridge and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division. After retiring from her position as financial analyst for the Southwest Alberta Children and Family Services Authority, Jan has committed her expertise to the Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge. She is an integral part of her local Food Bank’s team acting as Chair of Fundraising as well as providing assistance to the Finance Committee.