Meet Our Board of Directors

Calgary MFRC is fortunate to have an active, involved and energetic Board of Directors whose role is to set the overall policy and establish the long-term goals of the organization.

Executive Committee

Fiona G. McLean

Board Chair

Fiona is a decorated officer who retired from the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves in 2020 with over 32 years of service. While serving, she undertook an overseas peacekeeping deployment with NATO & the European Union in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the areas of civil-military cooperation as well as the adjutant of the National Support Element. In Canada, she served as a volunteer aide-de-camp to three Lieutenant-Governors.

Currently, she also volunteers as a director of Valour Canada and is a past volunteer director of the Order of St. Lazarus (Calgary). In civilian life, Fiona is a skilled, senior lawyer operating her own firm in the downtown core. She has been practicing in Calgary for over 25 years and represents clients at various court levels including the Provincial Court of Alberta and the Court of Queen’s Bench. Fiona was honoured to have been appointed as a Queen's Counsel in March 2020.

Jonathan Perkins

Vice-Chair

Jonathan currently works with the learning and capability team in human resources at Suncor Energy. Prior to his current role, Jonathan served as chief operating officer with the LeadWell Foundation and before that he was vice president of accreditation with the Certified Management Accountants of Alberta, a consultant with the Calgary Centre for Non-Profit Management, a programs officer with the Parliamentary Centre in Ottawa, and served as an advisor to the Canadian delegation to the North Atlantic Assembly (subsequently the NATO Parliamentary Assembly).

Since 2010, Jonathan has been a co-founder and co-curator with TEDxCalgary. He also served as campaign finance chair for the initial election of Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Jonathan holds a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science and History from Carleton University, and a Master’s in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. He is married and has two young daughters aged 10 and 14.

Alex Kishkovich

Treasurer

Alex is a chartered professional accountant (CPA) and certified general accountant (CGA) with over 15 years of accounting and finance experience in the construction, oil and gas service, banking, and not-for profit fields. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geophysics and geology. He is currently a part of the finance team within the City of Calgary supporting Recreation business unit.

Secretary

This position is vacant at the moment.

Directors

Chinyere Adegboyega

Chinyere currently works with the Canada Revenue Agency and is a reservist with HMCS Tecumseh. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos and is a Payroll Compliance Practitioner. She is currently pursuing a Professional Masters in Public Administration from Queens University. Chinyere is married to Charles, who is also a reservist, and they have three children.

Gary Agnew

Gary is a business enhancement advisor offering assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses who are looking to improve their competitive edge. His own professional life is made up of six distinct career changes including flying jet airliners and building businesses from start-up; all underscored by a passion for giving back or paying forward when given an opportunity. He retired in 2015 as a senior human resources practitioner and partner with Cenera.

Currently, Gary sits on several boards of small flourishing businesses, serves as the national director of communications and social media for the Canadian Forces Liaison Council, and a senator of the Calgary Zoological Society in addition to his director position here at the Calgary MFRC. His personal time is dedicated to the tiger species recovery and preservation as well as sponsoring the educational development of over 600 underprivileged children in a remote area of Cambodia.

Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) John J. Martin, CD

Lieutenant-Colonel Martin embarked on his military journey in 1972 serving with the Governor General's Foot Guards in Ottawa. Progressing through various ranks and courses, he transitioned to officer training in 1974 while attending Carleton University and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1977.

Over the years, he undertook progressively challenging logistics roles across different military units and headquarters, showcasing his expertise in both command and staff positions.

Lieutenant-Colonel Martin’s assignments involved commanding Transport, Administration, and Supply units, as well as serving as a quartermaster and logistics operations officer.

Noteworthy deployments include serving as the 1 PPCLI Quartermaster in Cyprus in 1984 and as the first Canadian G4 in the former Yugoslavia. Lieutenant-Colonel Martin also pursued professional development through courses such as Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff, Advanced Logistics Officers, and Joint Reserve and Staff.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 2001, he held significant roles such as Commanding Officer of 14 (Calgary) Service Battalion, Deputy Commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, and Canadian Forces Liaison Officer for South Alberta until his retirement in 2012.

Beyond his military career, he ventured into education and the private sector, working with the Calgary Board of Education, General Dynamics Canada, and the Corps of Commissionaires. His final employment was as a Business Strategist with The City of Calgary.

Kate Thrasher

Formally recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 100 Outstanding Citizens, Kate is a business builder and community leader. She is the owner of three Alberta-based companies, has launched 350 small businesses; helped 3,500 management and professionals find jobs; led a team that has advised 10,000 Alberta businesses; and, worked as a consultant and project manager on seven Olympic Games.

Kate has served as a director on 18 non-profits and three for-profit boards. She has helped raise $150 million for iconic facilities in Calgary and Edmonton, secured $5 million in sponsorship, and $3 million ‘in-kind’ donations for community initiatives. Kate is a Fellow Certified Management Consultant and an entrepreneur with western values.

Military Rep: LCol Nick Sealy-Thompson