Meet Our Team

With over 20 years of experience in the non-profit and for-profit sectors, Barbara has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that organizations face in their pursuit of social missions and sustainability. Her exceptional ability to develop and implement innovative strategies has resulted in growth and expanded outreach for the organizations she has served.

Barbara’s professional North Star is to bring social, economic, and human-centered compassion and support to those that need it most.

Contact: Barbara.Pohl@calgarymfrc.ca

Adriel joined us as the Community Engagement and Events Coordinator in 2023. Adriel is a born and raised Calgarian. She received her BBA from Mount Royal University (MRU) in 2016 and completed her Event Management Certificate through MRU in 2020. Her career has been spent working for community service organizations. Adriel is passionate about helping others and investing in her community. Her father, and late Grandfather, served in the CAF so she is excited to be a part of a team that supports and enriches the lives of CAF families. When not at work Adriel enjoys attending a variety of different events – she lives and breathes events! She also enjoys spending time with family and volunteering in her community.

Contact: adriel.allen@calgarymfrc.ca

Lorelei is a veteran, having served for 25 years with the Regular Force. As a Canadian Armed Forces member, she was posted to Ottawa, Kingston, Winnipeg, Shilo and here in Calgary. Lorelei deployed on several domestic operations, OP Calumet (Sinai, Egypt) and the winter Olympics in Vancouver. She also served on Calgary MFRC’s Board of Directors from 2011–2018 in several positions and served as the Vice Chair of the National Advisory Committee for MFRCs. Lorelei and her husband Ian, who is also a veteran, live in Cochrane.

Contact: lorelei.arnett@calgarymfrc.ca
 

Jessica Brenda has joined the Calgary MFRC team as a summer student supporting both Family Support Services and Community Engagement & Events. She is excited to meet new people and bring positive energy to the team.
 
She recently graduated from Mount Royal University with a degree in Criminal Justice and plans to further her education with a degree in Elementary Education. Jessica completed her practicum at the Seventh Step Society, where she worked with offenders and developed strong interpersonal skills while engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has also worked with the City of Calgary as a recreation leader and is happy to bring that experience to her role supporting summer camps.

Outside of work, Jessica enjoys paddleboarding, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends. She also enjoys exercising and is working on making the gym more about movement than screen time.
She is a driven, determined, and passionate individual and is excited to use her skills and experience to make a meaningful contribution in this role.

Contact: summer.student@calgarymfrc.ca

Tatiana Cheremnykh brings 7 years of experience in social services and 4 years in office administration, focusing on supporting newcomers, families, and homeless youth facing mental health challenges. She is proficient in MS Office applications and familiar with data management systems such as iCARE, SMIS, and Salesforce. Additionally, Tatiana is knowledgeable about OW, ODSP, Child Welfare, and Human Rights legislation. She is passionate about taking a holistic approach, combining her professional experience with her certification as an aromatherapist to promote well-being. In her free time, Tatiana enjoys hiking to stay grounded and connected to nature.

Contact: FLO@calgarymfrc.ca

Amy Edgar brings a wealth of experience to her role as Communications Coordinator at the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre, with a dedicated focus on supporting military families. Born and raised in Calgary, Amy has a deep understanding of the local community and its unique needs.

With five years of experience in non-profit marketing and communications, Amy has honed her skills in effectively communicating important messages and advocating for causes close to her heart. Her passion for supporting military families drives her commitment to her role, where she plays a vital role in ensuring that resources and support services are effectively communicated to those who need them most.

Amy is a graduate of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), where she developed a strong foundation in communications and marketing strategies.

Contact: Amy.Edgar@calgarymfrc.ca

Grace Geatros is eager to join the team! She graduated from Mount Royal University with a social work diploma in 2023 and has since worked at Alpha House Society, supporting individuals affected by homelessness and substance use dependencies. Her experience working with diverse populations in various settings has given her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals from different backgrounds. Grace is passionate about service, and she looks forward to continuing her career and making an impact in this new role. 

Contact: Grace.Geatros@calgarymfrc.ca

Brad brings a broad range of financial and bookkeeping experience, including work in retail, food service, tourism, and non-profit sectors. Working with various organizations and serving on several boards of directors has been valuable in his professional development.
 
He has spent most of his career living and working on the east coast of Canada before recently moving to Calgary, where he is excited to have joined the Calgary MFRC family.
 
Outside of work, Brad enjoys staying active and spending time with his family. He is passionate about hiking, snowboarding, hockey, and mountain biking—essentially any activity that keeps him outside and moving.

Contact: Bookkeeper@calgarymfrc.ca

Sindy Hassas is completing her Bachelor of Communications at Mount Royal University and entering her final year this fall. She joins the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre as a summer student, bringing fresh energy and a strong interest in community-focused communications.

Through her studies and previous volunteer experience, she has developed writing, social media, and content creation skills. She is excited to support the MFRC’s mission and gain hands-on experience in the non-profit sector while contributing to meaningful work that supports military families.

Outside of school and work, she enjoys reading, staying active and spending time with loved ones. Sindy looks forward to learning from the MFRC team throughout the summer.

Contact: comms.assistant@calgarymfrc.ca

Sia Jade is thrilled to join the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre as the new Administrative Coordinator. She is a dedicated and passionate professional with a deep commitment to fostering inclusivity, community engagement, and team success. Her career has focused on driving growth, enhancing operations, and prioritizing client needs. With expertise in leadership, administrative operations, and resource management, her work is rooted in compassionate care. Sia looks forward to getting to know everyone in the military and veteran family community.  

Contact: Admin@calgarymfrc.ca
 

Olena Kalapats is the new Lethbridge Community Outreach Coordinator, prioritizing a positive and empathic approach to support individuals. She believes in actively listening to understand unique needs and achieving desired outcomes. Originally from Odessa, Ukraine, she holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and specializes in counseling and psychotherapy for adults. Passionate about music, Olena plays the piano and enjoys meditation, reading, and keeping up with advances in psychology and neuroscience. She looks forward to collaborating with her new team as she embarks on this new chapter in Canada after leaving Ukraine due to the war. 

Contact: Lethbridge.cdr@calgarymfrc.ca

Lua Rout is excited to join the Calgary MFRC team! She brings experience from the non-profit sector, particularly as a Volunteer Coordinator with the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Events Team, where she managed large-scale volunteer recruitment and coordination for fundraising events. In addition to her event experience, Lua has worked in social media management, creating content and building engagement. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Culture, providing a strong foundation in strategic communication and understanding diverse audiences. Lua is eager to contribute her skills and passion for community building to the team. 

Contact: Volunteer.Partnerships@calgarymfrc.ca
 

Megan is our Family Outreach Coordinator at the Red Deer branch of the Calgary MFRC. A born and raised Calgarian, Megan has deep roots within military circles. She is the daughter of a Veteran reservist, Calgary's King's Own, and the spouse of a Veteran who served with Calgary's 742 Sig Squadron. She has also volunteered with the Calgary MFRC for eight years in various capacities.

Megan studied Administrative Information Management at SAIT from 2014 to 2016 before going into administrative positions that gradually took her up the ladder to where she is now. She also obtained her Safety Basics certificate from the MHSA in 2019 as she held a leading safety position in her last role.

Contact: megan.reviczky@calgarymfrc.ca