Governance Is A Team Sport — Are You Game Ready?
A full week (plus more) dedicated to essential governance training for new and experienced Board Members in Wood Buffalo.
October 2-8, 2026
Great teams don’t happen by accident… and neither do great boards.
Every championship team has players who know their role, show up prepared, and work together toward a common goal. A great board is no different.
Whether you're a seasoned board member or you're thinking about getting off the bench and joining one for the first time, Governance Is A Team Sport is the training week built to get you game-ready. A full week of practical, expert-led sessions designed to build real confidence in the boardroom.
Sessions are primarily virtual so you can fit them into your regular schedule. Drop in for the sessions most relevant to you, or go for the full week. Either way, you'll leave with something useful.
The Gameplan
01
Get Your Ticket
One ticket gets you access to all training sessions for the full week, plus a seat at the Opening Night Keynote Dinner.
02
Attend the Sessions
You don't have to attend everything — but the more you put in, the more you get back! Your ticket also includes access to Alberta Board Member Essentials training in October and a bonus Financial Literacy session in November
03
Learn From Pros
Every session is led by an expert in their field. These are people who have been in the game and are ready to get you game (or board room) ready.
The Schedule
*indicates virtual session
Friday, October 2
6:00-9:00 PM
Keynote and Team Building
Monday, October 5
Evaluating Your Executive Director*
12:00-1:00 PM
Executive Roles*
6:00-7:30 PM
Tuesday, October 6
Effective Board Meetings*
12:00-1:00 PM
The Tomorrow Project*
6:00-7:30 PM
Wednesday, October 7
Building A Healthy Board Culture*
12:00-1:30 PM
Board Recruitment and Engagement*
6:00-7:30 PM
Thursday, October 8
Risks of Outdated Bylaws and Policies*
12:00-1:00 PM
Strategic Planning*
6:00-7:30 PM
Bonus Certification!
October 22 and 27
Alberta Board Member Essentials (ABME) Certification
6:00-9:00 PM
Add-On At A Discount!
November 24 and 25
Financial Literacy Training
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Opening Night - October 2
Opening Night Details
Location: FuseSocial
Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Dinner, team building, keynote!
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
Kristina Groves
Four-Time Olympic Medalist, Speed Skating
Kristina Groves' Olympic dream started at age 11, entering a lottery for a chance to run with the torch at the 1988 Games. She didn't win the lottery, but she found her sport, and spent the next two decades proving people wrong along the way, including those who told her she didn't look like a speed skater.
Steady, hard-won progress turned into a world-class career: three overall 1500m World Cup titles, an unprecedented five-medal performance at the 2008 World Single Distance Championships, and four Olympic medals across the 2006 Torino and 2010 Vancouver Games. She retired in 2011 as one of Canada's most decorated speed skaters, with 34 individual World Cup medals to her name.
Kristina has built a second career around the same discipline that made her a champion. She holds a master's degree in Sustainable Energy Development, works in Alberta's renewable energy industry, sits on the boards of the Alberta Solar Co-op and Racing to Zero, and spent three Olympic Games as a speed skating analyst for CBC Sports. She's also an experienced public speaker known for presentations that are honest, challenging, and genuinely inspiring.
Off the ice, she's a full-time mom to her two daughters, Maisie and Astrid.
Already Registered for Governance Week?
Governance Week registrants get a coupon code for 50% off Financial Literacy training.
Meet The Roster
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Melanie Asher
MANAGER, LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
Melanie Asher champions the idea that governance is a team sport. She leads the design and delivery of leadership and governance programs that strengthen board effectiveness, build confidence, and support organizations in working together toward shared goals. With experience supporting diverse boards and community organizations, Melanie excels at turning complex governance concepts into clear, practical actions teams can apply right away. Known for her collaborative and steady approach, she works alongside board members and partners to foster strong communication, shared accountability, and collective decision-making—helping teams succeed together and build stronger governance practices.
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Shawna Huxter
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
Shawna brings a strong belief in the power of collaboration to effective governance. She oversees the development and delivery of impactful programs that support strong, effective, and resilient boards across the region. With a focus on creating engaging, practical learning experiences, Shawna ensures programs are designed to meet participants where they are and help teams grow together. Known for her steady leadership and program expertise, she keeps the bigger picture in view while aligning the details, helping boards strengthen collaboration, build capacity, and make confident, collective decisions.
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Shannon Rex
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Shannon is a seasoned leader in the non-profit sector, boasting over a decade of experience in program management and community development. As the Executive Director of FuseSocial, she leads efforts to strengthen social profit organizations across Wood Buffalo. Shannon's skills extend to nurturing volunteer relationships, cultivating strategic partnerships, conducting impactful research, and fostering community collaboration. Committed to fostering a supportive work environment, Shannon is passionate about team leadership with a focus on employee wellness and work-life harmony.
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Kassandra Felix
HUMAN RESOURCES, SHARED SERVICES
Kassandra Felix, CPHR, has proudly called Fort McMurray home for over 12 years and is passionate about supporting the nonprofit leaders who make our community thrive. She brings a practical, people-centred approach to leadership, helping build trust, navigate real-world HR challenges, and create workplaces where people feel supported and confident. Her sessions are grounded, collaborative, and focused on skills leaders can apply to their day-to-day work.
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Monica Ball
CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT
Monica is a CPA with over 15 years of experience in finance and accounting. Her career has focused on financial reporting, budgeting, financial analysis, governance, and helping organizations make informed financial decisions. She is passionate about making financial concepts practical and accessible to everyone, particularly social profit organizations and those who may not have a formal accounting or finance background.
