Council members
Dominic Shaw, chair
Dominic Shaw of Calgary effects social change by improving accessibility through transportation services, inclusive recreational sports, future arena design and providing services to the adaptive community. He is an entrepreneur who started Third Wheel Mobility, a consultant who provides advice on mobility barriers and the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association president. He also served as the Calgary Stampede mascot for seven years. Dominic has many connections within the disability community as well as having a disability himself. Contact Dominic
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Dominic was directly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Shino Nakane, vice-chair
As a mother of a son with a developmental disability, Shino Nakane of Calgary has a passion for helping non-profit groups that strive to meet the unique needs of families like hers. Shino is currently the provincial director with Autism Society Alberta, helping launch province-wide initiatives like Autism Alberta’s Alliance. She is also the vice-chair for the Autism Alliance of Canada where she helps coordinate national conversations about autism. She has volunteered on a variety of boards and committees over the past decade, most recently on the Alberta Children’s Hospital Ethics Committee. She continually strives to spearhead efforts so that all people are able to live in accessible and inclusive communities. Contact Shino
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Shino was publicly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Charlene Tolentino
Charlene Tolentino is a public guardian representative for the Office the Public Guardian & Trustee. She has vast experience in the disability sector as a former service coordinator with Disability Services for the Government of Alberta. As a licensed attorney (New York), she has over 10 years’ experience providing advocacy support to children in foster care, as well as adults with disabilities in both the United States and Canada. Charlene is also the mother of a child with a disability. Contact Charlene
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Charlene was directly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Cindy Pilz
Cindy Pilz is a deaf services manager at a non-profit organization in Alberta. As a deaf person, Cindy is passionate about her work assisting deaf and hard of hearing individuals and families with a variety of supports. Cindy loves being part of the deaf community and has participated as a board member for deaf organizations over the years. She currently sits on the Advisory Committee for Accessibility for the City of Calgary. Cindy has received a variety of recognition awards for her work with deaf Albertans. Contact Cindy
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Cindy was publicly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Earl Thiessen
Earl Thiessen is a dedicated leader with 13 years’ experience in the addictions and mental health sector, with a special interest in the development of supportive housing and the well-being of marginalized populations. He provides an Indigenous perspective and has family members with cognitive and behavioural issues due to substance use disorders. Earl sits on the Calgary Mental Health and Addiction Leadership Group, Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee and the province’s CSS Coordinated Community Response to Homelessness Task Force. Contact Earl
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Earl was directly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Frank Hoebarth
Francis (Frank) Hoebarth is a social worker who is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities. He has volunteered on various boards, including the Calgary Handibus Association. He has strong connections within the disability community, as well as having a disability himself. Contact Frank
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Frank was directly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Garth Rowswell
Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright, is a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Garth was a financial advisor for over 16 years and has an extensive background in agriculture business. Garth is actively involved in his community. He has served as board member and president of various clubs and organizations including the Rotary Club of Lloydminster and the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers. Garth holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Alberta. Contact Garth
Heath Birkholz
Heath Birkholz is a public speaker, research collaborator and a freelance writer/co-facilitator for Self Advocacy Federation Edmonton, as well as an inclusive artist. Heath contributes to community building and development by creating accessible tools for individuals with disabilities. Heath is also co-founder of Rights to Love, a community that provides sexual health education and support for people with disabilities. As an inclusive artist, Heath focuses as a dancer/co-choreographer and is the Chair on the Board for CRIPSiE, which is an organization run by artists with disabilities. Contact Heath
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Heath was directly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Karl Schwonik
Karl Schwonik has an extensive career in the arts, education and entrepreneurial sectors. He founded the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society, a non-profit bringing education to nearly 20,000 rural students. He has served on numerous boards, including the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Lt. Governor of Alberta's Arts Awards and Foundation, Travel Alberta and the Canada Council for the Arts. Karl has received numerous awards and honours including the Lt. Governor of Alberta Award, Queen’s Jubilee Award and named one of Calgary's Top 40 Under 40. He has completed studies in music, business and arts leadership at Cambridge University, the University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of Calgary. Contact Karl
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Karl was publicly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Katie Suvanto
Katie Suvanto is a mother to a son with autism, an advocate for her Indigenous community and the disability sector. Katie has identified gaps in the disability sector during her time in community development and Indigenous relations and continues to work to assist families with navigating the system. Katie has been a community builder through various sectors of her employment and looks forward to serving Albertans. Contact Katie
Competencies required for members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities include critical and strategic thinking skills, disability community stakeholder knowledge, and leadership/teamwork skills. Katie was publicly recruited and appointed on the basis of acceptably meeting the competencies, skills and attributes as described above.
Contact
Connect with the Premier’s Council Secretariat:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-1095
Toll free: dial 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
TTY: 711 for the message relay service
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 780-415-0097
Address:
Suite 1110, 10055 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2Y2
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