Our Team
Esther Elder
CEO
CEO of Calgary Meals on Wheels with more than 20 years’ experience in the social-profit sector. Esther has held several leadership positions and has a deep understanding of community challenges and opportunities. An energetic, hands-on strategic leader with a passion for building community and effecting social change.
Kelly Gauthier
Facility and Logistics Manager
Kelly began volunteering with Calgary Meals on Wheels in 2019 and became a staff driver in March of 2020. A little over a year later, this Regina-born gentleman began working with us full-time as Operations Manager. When not at Meals on Wheels, Kelly spends time with his wife of 28 years, his two kids and his newly born grandson.
Karen McKeogh
Resource Development Manager
With a background in animal care and wildlife conservation, Karen began fundraising in 2014 to help keep species at risk conservation programs running in BC. Now she has moved into resource development full time and has been responsible for Calgary Meals on Wheels’ fundraising and marketing efforts since 2022. She leads a team of 5 as they raise funds, provide all external messaging, and recruit and engage over 400 volunteers.
Sandra Nicholas
Controller
Sandy joined Calgary Meals on Wheels in May 2024 and brings over 20 years of experience in financial accounting, project management, auditing, and leadership. As an accomplished and dedicated Senior Accountant, she obtained her CPA in 2016. Having lived in Banff and Canmore for 15 years, Sandy has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and takes every opportunity to return to the mountains.
Karen Forster
Production Manager
As a SAIT graduate in Dietary Service Technology, Karen brings decades of experience in food and nutrition. Prior to joining Calgary Meals on Wheels in 2006, she worked with AHS in positions that utilized her expertise in clinical nutrition, production and retail management. She oversees our production department and has developed and mentored a strong and dedicated team of 18 who are passionate about combating food insecurity. Karen maintains our high-quality menu standards by developing standardized recipes, analyzing detailed nutritional data, and procurement of quality products at competitive pricing. Karen also established all our workflow processes for cook chill/cook freeze meal production, maintaining efficiencies and food-safety protocol in all areas of food service production.
Christine Hentschel
Community Builder and Development Manager
Christine oversees our involvement in community partnerships that support social connection for our clients, and contributes to our collaborative committees and projects in the sector. Christine is also our data guru and has more than a decade of non-profit experience.
Ashley Bosworth
Manager of People and Culture
Ashley Bosworth is a proud Calgarian with a lifelong connection to her community and a deep-rooted passion for making a difference. She graduated from SAIT with a Diploma in Business Management, specializing in Human Resource Management, and has been an integral part of Calgary Meals on Wheels since 2017.
With a strong belief in the power of people to drive positive change, Ashley leads our People and Culture efforts with warmth, professionalism, and a values-first approach. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace is inspired by the mission of Calgary Meals on Wheels - one that continues to motivate and shape her career.
Outside of the office, Ashley embraces Alberta’s natural beauty through snowboarding and camping adventures. She also enjoys baking and spending time with her husband and their two daughters, creating lasting memories together.
Board of Directors
Mohamed Teja – Board Chair
Mohamed is a purpose-driven professional with extensive experience in community engagement, governance, and strategic collaboration. Passionate about building resilient and inclusive communities, he focuses on systems that empower underprivileged individuals with hope, dignity, and strength. Mohamed has a strong track record of fostering meaningful partnerships and networks, driving sustainable development and social equity through innovative, people-centered initiatives. He is a dedicated supporter of Calgary Meals on Wheels.
John Pieri – Vice Chair
John brings a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and extensive corporate experience to the Board. Professionally, he leads the Culture, Communications & Marketing team at ATB Financial, where he is accountable for brand strategy, integrated marketing, and advancing the firm’s Inclusion and Reconciliation teams. His two decades of experience in strategic planning, leadership, and operations—gained through key roles at ATB, Ceridian Canada, and MTS Communications—ensures a focus on sustainable growth and fiscal stewardship. Beyond his corporate dedication, John is actively engaged in the community, including his previous role as Board Chair of Pacekids, and currently serves as the outgoing Board Chair for the Calgary Marketing Association. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) and an MBA from the University of Manitoba.
Lesley Bolster - Treasurer
Lesley brings over 25 years of senior financial leadership experience to Calgary Meals on Wheels, with a strong background in financial stewardship, internal controls, risk management and developing supportive dynamic teams. As Treasurer and Audit Committee Chair, she oversees financial reporting, external audit coordination, management of internal controls, treasury and risk, ensuring transparency and fiscal health. Lesley’s expertise spans both public and private entities, and she has served on numerous boards as an experienced, external auditor. She has also volunteered for various nonprofit organizations in the treasury role ensuring the board fulfils its financial duties and the organization remains financially healthy and transparent. A Chartered Accountant, she is committed to guiding the organization with sound financial governance.
Ilir Kuqi – Governance Committee Chair
Ilir is the Fleet Management Director at Enterprise Fleet Management, overseeing operations across Central Canada. With over 25 years experience in strategic leadership and client experience, he brings valuable insight to the Board. Ilir is an active supporter of Calgary Meals on Wheels and as the new chair of the Governance Committee, he is passionate about supporting CMOW’s mission to serve the community with integrity and excellence. He previously served as President of the Albanian Canadian Association of Calgary and actively participates in the Great Cycle Challenge Canada to raise funds for childhood cancer research. His dedication to service and strategic mindset make him a strong advocate for the organization’s mission and long-term success.
Claudia Felzien - Secretary
Claudia serves as the Secretary of Calgary Meals on Wheels. Dedicated to community wellness, Claudia brings a lifelong passion for giving back through volunteering in a variety of non-profit organizations over the past 20 years. With over 18 years of professional experience in operations, project management, business development, process improvement, marketing and communication, Claudia is committed to making an impact by sharing her experience and passion to Calgary Meals on Wheels.
Duane Blahun - Director
With over thirty years experience in financial services, Duane is a seasoned executive with expertise in strategy development, business transformation, organizational effectiveness, culture change, and stakeholder engagement. As president and owner of an independent strategy consulting firm, he assists organizations in assessing and enhancing their operations and strategies to ensure optimal alignment between strategy, structure, culture, and processes. Alongside his commitment to professional excellence, Duane is passionate about community service; in addition to being a board director for Calgary Meals on Wheels, he also delivers meals weekly, and actively participates in numerous Rotary Club projects and community initiatives with his spouse. Duane has held numerous prior board positions within the Canadian credit union system and Alberta cooperative sector, encompassing banking, payments, technology, and utilities industries.
Heather Truber - Director
Heather is an authentic compassionate health care professional with many years of experience in food, environmental and linen services management. She is currently Senior Advisor in Nutrition, Food, Linen and Environmental Services with Alberta Health Services having retired in 2022 from a role as Executive Director, Provincial Operational Support. Heather provided leadership to a varied team who supported site operations at all Alberta Health Services facilities in the areas of menu management; staff education; workplace health and safety; procurement; process improvement; waste management and policy and resource development. She has previously held positions in linen and environmental services; provincial food safety and supply services as well as patient food services with operational responsibilities for facilities across Alberta and in British Columbia. Heather has been a proud board member of Calgary Meals on Wheels for over ten years and is currently on the Governance Committee. She brings her extensive food service experience and belief in the work of Calgary Meals on Wheels to support the organization as they strive to meet the needs of Calgarians. She is committed to the health care food service profession through her involvement with the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management. She is a member of the Accreditation portfolio as well as the Continuing Education Committee.
Christie Phelan - Director
Christie is a strategic leader currently serving as Vice President, People, Culture, Brand & Communications at ATB Financial. With a career spanning executive leadership in banking and energy, Christie specializes in organizational design, talent strategy, and performance enablement. She holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology from SFU and a BA from the University of Calgary. As a Director on the Board of Calgary Meals on Wheels, Christie is dedicated to applying her expertise in collaborative leadership, people and culture, as well as strategic planning to support the organization’s vital community work.
Darcie Nastiuk - Director
An established marketing and fundraising professional who combines strategic planning, analysis and team work to achieve the optimum result for an organization's vision. Darcie’s passion lies in developing strong relationships and strategic vision with board members and stakeholders to help create the connection to community and enabling them to see the impact that they can make. As a proud board member of CMOW supporting the vision of our world without hunger and the mission of improving food security and well-being is something that she is passionate about.
Interested in joining the team? Check out available opportunities here.