2011 Committee Members
Lynn Mandel (Honourary Chair) - Lynn has been involved with dance and the arts from an early age. Her career started in Toronto and continued when she moved to Edmonton in 1973 with her husband Stephen (Edmonton’s current Mayor).
Lynn is a committed community volunteer. She currently sits as a director for the Edmonton Opera, The Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and the Telus Community Foundation. She is a past director with The Support Network, Mile Zero Dance Co., and the Alberta Ballet Co. She has been involved as a committee member for many organizations in the community including; The Alberta Ballet’s House and Garden Tour, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Art Gallery of Alberta, Kids With Cancer, Culinary Team Alberta, Concordia University College, Nina Haggerty, Alberta Diabetes Foundation, McDougall House, Edmonton Public Library, Changing Together: A Centre For Immigrant Women, Bissell Centre, The Youth Restorative Action Project (YRAP), The Singing Christmas Tree, University of Alberta Festival of Ideas, iHuman Youth Society, Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Hip Hop For Hope, Hip Hop Corporate Challenge, The Women’s Canadian Club, Theatre Network, Citie Ballet, Compassion House Foundation, and Room to Read.
Lynn and Stephen have two grown children, Rachel and Adam.
Melanie Nakatsui (Chair) - Melanie was born and raised in Edmonton, and along with her family, has been very involved in the community. She currently sits on the boards of The Works International Visual Arts Society, Chrysalis: An Alberta Society for Citizens with Disabilities, and the Royal Alex Hospital Foundation. She is also very involved with the newly opened Lois Hole Hospital for Women. Until recently, she was a community member on the Next Gen Committee, and is a past president of the Junior League of Edmonton. Melanie is excited to be the event chair for Syncrude presents Fashion with Compassion alongside Honourary Chair Lynn Mandel, the organizing committee, and the staff of Compassion House Foundation. Having had family affected by breast cancer, it is comforting to know that Sorrentino's Compassion House exists to provide all the same comforts, amenities, and support, as home.
Andrea Ferguson - Bio coming soon.
Laura Fitzgerald - Laura is a consultant on business development, healthcare and pharmaceutical policy to national and international pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Laura was born in Edmonton, loves the city and its people. She is active in the community on the Boards of: the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities (SACSC) and the Edmonton Opera. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling with her husband, Hal Danchilla, and spending time with family and friends.
Dawn Harrison - I love the opportunity to create...I love to push and to be pushed and I love to give back.
Janice Kosak - Janice is an active realtor and volunteer in the community. In addition to Compassion House Foundation, she is currently involved with iHuman and YRap. She has worked on many committees including Alberta Ballet House and Garden, Minerva Foundation and Snowflake Gala. Janice has lived, worked and volunteered in Edmonton for the past 25 years. She is married with two sons.
Rachel Mandel - Bio coming soon.
Karen Pentland - Karen is a fashion buyer and has volunteered with Fashion with Compassion for two years. Her other volunteer experience includes Latitude 53 Gallery, The Works, Mustard Seed, and several speaking engagements in design departments at the University of Alberta and MacEwan College. Karen first realized what an extraordinary facility Sorrentino's Compassion House is when her close friend stayed there as a guest for 6 weeks in 2008. Volunteering to help it grow and endure is an honor.
Ryan Stark - Having had family members touched by breast cancer, Ryan feels fortunate to help with Fashion with Compassion. Ryan also volunteers with Edmonton's Next Gen Committee, co-chairing their flagship event, Pecha Kucha Nights. He won Avenue Magazine Edmonton's Best Dressed Contest, had his closet featured in the Edmonton Journal, and has been a hair model for Schwarzkopf Professional. You'll find him on Twitter @ryasta
Shelly Trotter - Shelly Trotter is a partner at Fairley Erker Advisory Group, an independent consulting firm, and is responsible for new business growth. Shelly has empathy for those dealing with serious illness and has been an enthusiastic volunteer with Compassion House Foundation for several years. Shelly is also involved with Valour Place, a home for injured soldiers and vetrans, and their families who are undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitation in Edmonton.
Laura Young - Laura Young, originally from Forestburg, Alberta, is currently employed by the University of Alberta in government relations. A graduate of Mount Allison University with a master's degree in political science from the University of Calgary, Laura came to Edmonton to pursue a diploma in Arts and Cultural Management at Grant MacEwan College. While in Edmonton, Laura has interned at the Edmonton Arts Council, worked at Edmonton Opera, and volunteered in various ways throughout the community including as a member of the City of Edmonton's Next Gen Committee and as a voice teacher with E4C.
Event Management:
Tracy Dalzell-Heise - TL2 Project & Event Management
Lorrine Hamdon - TL2 Project & Event Management
Staff:
Mellissa Kraft - Executive Director, Compassion House Foundation
Brenda Smith - Events Coordinator, Compassion House Foundation
Lynn Mandel (Honourary Chair) - Lynn has been involved with dance and the arts from an early age. Her career started in Toronto and continued when she moved to Edmonton in 1973 with her husband Stephen (Edmonton’s current Mayor).
Lynn is a committed community volunteer. She currently sits as a director for the Edmonton Opera, The Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and the Telus Community Foundation. She is a past director with The Support Network, Mile Zero Dance Co., and the Alberta Ballet Co. She has been involved as a committee member for many organizations in the community including; The Alberta Ballet’s House and Garden Tour, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Art Gallery of Alberta, Kids With Cancer, Culinary Team Alberta, Concordia University College, Nina Haggerty, Alberta Diabetes Foundation, McDougall House, Edmonton Public Library, Changing Together: A Centre For Immigrant Women, Bissell Centre, The Youth Restorative Action Project (YRAP), The Singing Christmas Tree, University of Alberta Festival of Ideas, iHuman Youth Society, Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Hip Hop For Hope, Hip Hop Corporate Challenge, The Women’s Canadian Club, Theatre Network, Citie Ballet, Compassion House Foundation, and Room to Read.
Lynn and Stephen have two grown children, Rachel and Adam.
Melanie Nakatsui (Chair) - Melanie was born and raised in Edmonton, and along with her family, has been very involved in the community. She currently sits on the boards of The Works International Visual Arts Society, Chrysalis: An Alberta Society for Citizens with Disabilities, and the Royal Alex Hospital Foundation. She is also very involved with the newly opened Lois Hole Hospital for Women. Until recently, she was a community member on the Next Gen Committee, and is a past president of the Junior League of Edmonton. Melanie is excited to be the event chair for Syncrude presents Fashion with Compassion alongside Honourary Chair Lynn Mandel, the organizing committee, and the staff of Compassion House Foundation. Having had family affected by breast cancer, it is comforting to know that Sorrentino's Compassion House exists to provide all the same comforts, amenities, and support, as home.
Andrea Ferguson - Bio coming soon.
Laura Fitzgerald - Laura is a consultant on business development, healthcare and pharmaceutical policy to national and international pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Laura was born in Edmonton, loves the city and its people. She is active in the community on the Boards of: the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities (SACSC) and the Edmonton Opera. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling with her husband, Hal Danchilla, and spending time with family and friends.
Dawn Harrison - I love the opportunity to create...I love to push and to be pushed and I love to give back.
Janice Kosak - Janice is an active realtor and volunteer in the community. In addition to Compassion House Foundation, she is currently involved with iHuman and YRap. She has worked on many committees including Alberta Ballet House and Garden, Minerva Foundation and Snowflake Gala. Janice has lived, worked and volunteered in Edmonton for the past 25 years. She is married with two sons.
Rachel Mandel - Bio coming soon.
Karen Pentland - Karen is a fashion buyer and has volunteered with Fashion with Compassion for two years. Her other volunteer experience includes Latitude 53 Gallery, The Works, Mustard Seed, and several speaking engagements in design departments at the University of Alberta and MacEwan College. Karen first realized what an extraordinary facility Sorrentino's Compassion House is when her close friend stayed there as a guest for 6 weeks in 2008. Volunteering to help it grow and endure is an honor.
Ryan Stark - Having had family members touched by breast cancer, Ryan feels fortunate to help with Fashion with Compassion. Ryan also volunteers with Edmonton's Next Gen Committee, co-chairing their flagship event, Pecha Kucha Nights. He won Avenue Magazine Edmonton's Best Dressed Contest, had his closet featured in the Edmonton Journal, and has been a hair model for Schwarzkopf Professional. You'll find him on Twitter @ryasta
Shelly Trotter - Shelly Trotter is a partner at Fairley Erker Advisory Group, an independent consulting firm, and is responsible for new business growth. Shelly has empathy for those dealing with serious illness and has been an enthusiastic volunteer with Compassion House Foundation for several years. Shelly is also involved with Valour Place, a home for injured soldiers and vetrans, and their families who are undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitation in Edmonton.
Laura Young - Laura Young, originally from Forestburg, Alberta, is currently employed by the University of Alberta in government relations. A graduate of Mount Allison University with a master's degree in political science from the University of Calgary, Laura came to Edmonton to pursue a diploma in Arts and Cultural Management at Grant MacEwan College. While in Edmonton, Laura has interned at the Edmonton Arts Council, worked at Edmonton Opera, and volunteered in various ways throughout the community including as a member of the City of Edmonton's Next Gen Committee and as a voice teacher with E4C.
Event Management:
Tracy Dalzell-Heise - TL2 Project & Event Management
Lorrine Hamdon - TL2 Project & Event Management
Staff:
Mellissa Kraft - Executive Director, Compassion House Foundation
Brenda Smith - Events Coordinator, Compassion House Foundation
