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”
Development Team
Trish Carter
Senior Manager, Development
Trish Carter brings a unique blend of fundraising, public relations, communications, business and management expertise to the Science Alberta Foundation(SAF). Her primary responsibility as the Senior Manager of Development is to lead the fundraising activities of the Foundation. In addition, Trish is responsible for leading the organization’s communication strategy to enhance, promote and advance the Science Alberta Foundation as a leading-edge charity of choice. Trish is a native Calgarian and has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, working as an Executive Director and Director of Marketing & Development for two local charities before joining the team at SAF.
Maureen Church
Manager, Development
Maureen Church is a key member of 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 works diligently in the identification of potential donors, forming relationships and fostering long-term partnerships through exemplary stewardship.
Vacant
Communications Specialist
Program Team
Maureen MacDonald
Manager, Programs
Maureen brings 25 years experience in communications, marketing and production. She has produced film, television and animation as well as intranet and internet websites. Recently Maureen has worked extensively in the area of project management and new business development. Maureen was instrumental in the development and implementation of several professional development and training programs in the film, television and new media sector. She designed and delivered Canada’s first training program on International Marketing for the Cultural Industries financed by the Business Development Bank of Canada. Maureen MacDonald has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University. She has also received a Certificate in Production for Television from the BBC and has completed the Forum For International Trade Training course on International Marketing and certification as a Professional Project Manager from the International Institute of Project Mangers.
Jill Gron
Education Specialist
As Education Specialist, Jillian brings the teacher’s perspective to the Science Alberta Foundation. As our ‘teacher in residence’ she is primarily responsible for developing new school resources and activities. This involves researching suitable curriculum matches, and organizing a team of teacher and science experts to find engaging ways to design the activities with the help of industry professionals.
Jillian graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education. She has extensive experience in the education sector, with ten years of teaching Grade 7 and 8 Science and Math in both Alberta and Ontario.
Adopting the Science Alberta Foundation vision of “Inspiring minds and changing futures,” she is very excited to have the opportunity to bring her classroom experience and passion for teaching to the program development field and take her career to a whole new level.
Brent Bawel
Project Manager
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 has recently earned his Masters in Forsenic Science. Brent is a valuable member of the program team, currently project managing digital and crate development.
Pierre Smolarek
Digital Consultant
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.
Science-In-A-Crate Distribution
Monika Kuczaj
Customer Service & Distribution Coordinator
Monika is the Customer Service and Distribution Coordinator for Science Alberta Foundation. With a BFA in Art from the University of Calgary and a strong background in program coordinating Monika is responsible for providing superior customer service and program leadership for the Science-In-A-Crate and Traveling Exhibit programs.
Accounting and Finance
Vacant
Manager Finance & Accounting