An organization is only as good as its people — and our people are as good as they get.
Science Alberta Foundation has composed a leadership team with impressive qualifications including degrees at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels, and extensive workplace experience.
What really sets the team apart is their deep commitment to our mission: To be a leader in the development of science literacy enabling all to excel in a global society.
Leadership Team
Dr. Arlene Ponting
CEO, Science Alberta Foundation
As Chief Executive Officer of Science Alberta Foundation, Arlene Ponting has led the creation of a high-performance organization that has exponentially increased the number of people reached with creative, innovative and widely distributed programs in science and technology.
She serves on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) where she is also on the Executive Committee and the Committee on Professional Scientific Integrity. She chaired the selection of the Brockhouse awards and the Gerhard Herzberg award which is the gold medal prize in Canada in research in science and engineering research. Dr. Ponting also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund. And she is a member of the Advocacy Committee of the Science and Technology Awareness Network of Canada.
Dr. Ponting has a B.Sc. (Hon) in Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Alberta.
In 2005 she received the Alberta Centennial Medal in recognition of outstanding service to the people and the province of Alberta. She was selected by Alberta Venture as one of the top 50 influential people in Alberta in 2008. And in 2009, she was chosen by the Women’s Executive Network as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. This honour recognizes her dedication and achievement in advancing science literacy.
Susan Mainella
Director of Operations
Susan’s responsibilities at Science Alberta Foundation include office operations, delivery and enhancement of internal processes, and support with facilitation of SAF programs and initiatives.
Susan has extensive experience in not-for-profit, working as an event planner, project manager, and most recently as the Revenue Development Manager for a large national charity. Prior to her not-for-profit career, Susan worked and trained with the executive hotel chains Starwood Properties, Westin Hotel, and Canadian Pacific Resorts.
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Susan has lived in Calgary since 2004 and is extremely pleased to be working for an Alberta based organization with a vision as exciting as the Science Alberta Foundation – “Inspiring minds and changing futures”
Digital Initiatives
Pierre Smolarek
Manager, Digital Initiatives
Pierre Smolarek is an Internet Entrepreneur having successfully created and managed two businesses. With clients ranging from Diego, Shell, Goodyear and the US Army as well as a successful record in producing Internet Websites and Services, Pierre has been at the forefront of the online marketplace for well over a decade. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Pierre has been located in Canada for 5 years living in Toronto, Winnipeg and Calgary. Having joined Science Alberta Foundation as the Manager of Digital Initiatives, Pierre’s aims are to strengthen and grow an already successful foundation in generating a new standard in online science “edutaintment”.
Learning Team
Christine Leach
Manager, Learning Initiatives
Christine received a BEd majoring in Math and Science from the University of Calgary. She joined Science Alberta Foundation after teaching with the Calgary Board of Education for 7 years. Over her SAF career as Manager of Learning Initiatives she has developed an exhibition, and many, many crates. She has also developed science programs for the Gifted Centre of Education at the University of Calgary. What Christine enjoys most about her job is having the opportunity to collaborate with some incredibly talented Albertans using math/science/technology in their careers AND incredibly talented teachers who are as passionate about math/science/technology as she is.
Brent Bawel
Manager, Learning Initiatives
Brent graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 2004 and from Mount Royal College with a Certificate in Forensic Studies. Brent is currently coordinating aspects of new crate development as well as working towards making the distribution of the crate program more efficient.
Marketing & Public Engagement
Diane Panton Kashuba
Manager, Marketing & Public Engagement
Diane graduated from the University of Guelph with a Masters of Science, Consumer Studies. Prior to moving to Alberta in 2009, she worked with World Vision Canada.
At Science Alberta Foundation, Diane is encouraging Albertans to consider “what is the science” - not just in the lab but in everyday life too. In promoting Science Alberta Foundation’s Science-In-A-Crate resource, Diane learned the science behind popsicles. And by taking the Science Happens Here program to the community of Taber, Diane discovered the science in making the perfect french fry.
Diane works closely with all the Science Alberta Foundation team members, bringing the organization’s expertise, programs and resources to families, educators and like minded groups.
Philanthropy & Sponsorships
Maureen Church
Manager, Philanthropy & Sponsorships
Maureen Church leads the Fund Development team at Science Alberta Foundation. She brings to the team her experience in capital campaign fundraising, naming rights sponsorship, and event sponsorship, planning and execution. Maureen is responsible for the cultivation, education, solicitation and recognition of gifts and sponsorships, and interacts with prospects and donors on a daily basis. She is a talented mentor and works closely with her team to provide leadership in the identification of potential donors, forming relationships and fostering long-term partnerships through exemplary stewardship.
Sue Livesey
Executive Assistant
Sue Livesey is the Executive Assistant providing administrative support to both the CEO and Manager, Philanthropy and Sponsorships. She graduated from the Open University in Milton Keynes in 2000 with a BSc (hons) in Social Policy. Having recently moved to Canada from England, she previously worked for European Electronique in Oxford as Executive Assistant to the CEO and additionally provided HR support.
Science-In-A-Crate Distribution
Marisol Narvaez
Customer Service & Distribution Coordinator
As the Customer Service and Distribution Coordinator for Science Alberta Foundation, Marisol is responsible for providing superior customer service and program leadership for the Science-In-A-Crate and Traveling Exhibit programs. Prior to joining SAF, Marisol worked as a Project Manager for the Municipal and Provincial Government of Alberta. She has a strong background in project coordination and management, and a BA (Hon) in Sociology from the University of Calgary.
Accounting and Finance
Dawn Unrau
Finance and Accounting Coordinator
Dawn Unrau is the accountant for the SAF team and provides leadership in the identification and resolution of finance and accounting issues. Dawn received her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from the University of Calgary, and articled with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. She is currently finishing her studies to obtain her CA designation.