Regional Advisory Council 11 - Health

Peter Brown was sworn in as Airdrie’s sixth mayor for his fourth consecutive term on Oct. 18, 2021. He is an active community leader and is passionate about the city, its seniors and youth, and works tirelessly on behalf of all residents and businesses. He was a founding member of the Airdrie and Area Health Benefits Co-operative and the Airdrie and Area District Foundation. 

Peter enjoys visiting with school groups and watching tomorrow’s leaders take shape. He collaborates with the business community to advocate for an entrepreneurial environment supportive of new and creative ways to work with the provincial government and the region.

With over 25 years’ experience in health care, Jodi Sperber is a seasoned clinician whose career has spanned public health, private practice and education. Over the past 10 years, Jodi’s career has been focused on Indigenous health. Active within her profession, she served three years on the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists Council and was chair during her final year. 

Throughout her career, she has held key roles liaising with provincial and federal governments to support policy development, advocate for equitable health funding and strengthen access in underserved communities. Jodi's ability to navigate complex health systems while centring community voices has made her a trusted collaborator in cross-sector initiatives.

Michelle Bates is a registered pharmacy technician at a Calgary hospital. She is the co-founder and vice-chair of the Airdrie Health Foundation, which is a passion for her. Since 2011, Michelle has advocated for enhanced health care for her community. 

The foundation raises funds to purchase equipment and support programs and education for front-line staff. Having grown up in Airdrie, Michelle has seen her community grow from a small town to Alberta’s fifth-largest city. She is passionate about enhancing health care for the community where she is also raising her family.

Dwayne is a master’s-prepared registered nurse and serves as a provincial senior practice lead for Interprofessional Practice and Regulation with Alberta Health Services. He has more than two decades’ experience in Alberta’s health system, including front-line roles in rural and urban emergency departments and surgical services. 

Through his provincial work and academic involvement with the University of Alberta, Dwayne has been driven by a commitment to evolve health care and advance multisectoral system improvements, including Indigenous health. His prior service on the board of the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta and Alberta’s Parent Advisory Council reflects a longstanding commitment to inclusive, accountable and community-informed public systems.

Kelly Nelson is the deputy reeve of Vulcan County, where she farms with her family. She is chair of the municipal planning commission, chair of the Marquis Foundation, secretary of the Vulcan and Regional Family and Community Support Services and Food Bank, a current board member and past treasurer of the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta, and chair of Vulcan Area Public and Petroleum Association. 

She is also on the village of Milo recreation board and fire committee and is vice-chair of the Milo development co-op. In addition, she served on Vulcan hospital’s community futures and attraction and retention committees. Kelly completed the elected officials education program and holds a legal assistant diploma and agricultural finance certificate. 

Michael Nychyk is a dedicated community leader with extensive experience in municipal governance and volunteer service. Elected to town council in a 2016 byelection, he has served multiple terms, including as deputy mayor. Before joining council, Michael chaired the mayor’s task force on economic development and co-chaired the planning and renewal advisory committee. 

He also held leadership roles, including president, with the High River Kinsmen service club. His collaborative leadership style and commitment to sustainable growth and community well-being continue to contribute meaningfully to the vibrancy of the region. 

Simron Sidhu is a passionate advocate for inclusive, people-centred health care shaped by personal experiences as a caregiver supporting chronic health issues. He has expertise in community engagement and collaborative problem solving, which help ensure local perspectives guide health programs and decision-making. 

Simron has served on the Imagine Citizens Network, championing culturally responsive mental health supports, advocating for immigrant health equity and incorporating youth perspectives into policy solutions. By centring lived experiences and equity-driven approaches, he strives to enhance access, empower patients and improve outcomes for diverse Albertans – ensuring every voice is heard in shaping the province’s health care system.

Elaine Vincent is the chief administrative officer for the town of Okotoks. She has exhibited executive-level leadership across various levels of government. Her municipal leadership is distinguished by an emphasis on relationship building, problem solving and innovative service delivery. Elaine expertly guides organizations through change, leveraging her advanced skills in municipal governance, community development, strategic development and political acumen. 

She consistently provides clarity for staff, inspires results and achieves the deliverables required by council and the community. Elaine's ability to lead with integrity, motivate and cultivate trust are among her most significant strengths. 

Judy Walbridge has resided in High River since 2004 and retired from Alberta Health Services’ Addiction and Mental Health department in 2018. Her recent interests have included graduate-level health studies, volunteering at the local animal shelter and serving on the health advisory and primary care network councils. 

Over the years, her community work has encompassed volunteer, appointed and elected leadership roles in public education and public health at the local and provincial levels in Alberta. While family and community have always been top priorities, she recognizes that supporting health system innovation and ensuring high-quality sustainable health care for all Albertans is more critical now than ever.

Rod Wiley is a fellow chartered professional accountant and has been a resident of Strathmore for six years. He has held executive management and finance positions in the oil industry and other fields, including consulting in health care for 10 years. Rod also has recognized expertise in board governance and change management. 

He is a long-time volunteer, principally in recreation and in supporting his profession. As a volunteer, he was integrally involved in the merger of the Canadian accounting profession (CA, CMA, CGA) and served as the human resource committee chair on the inaugural Canadian Professional Accountants Board.