Members

Terms of Office: August 15, 2025 – August 14, 2028 (First Term)
Board Chair

Scott is the first MacEwan alumnus to hold the position of Board Chair. He brings leadership experience and deep ties to MacEwan to his role on the board. He has held numerous leadership positions in corporate governance, including Chair of the Alberta Motor Association, Bridgewater Bank, AMA Insurance Corporation and the Alberta Management Employees Pension Plan.

As part of the MacEwan community for over 40 years, Scott studied in the Arts and Science program in the early 1980s and was in the initial cohort of students transferring to the University of Alberta, where he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration.

Scott previously served as an alumni member of the MacEwan Board of Governors and has been a tremendous supporter of the Teaching Greatness vision throughout his tenure. As Board Chair, he brings a depth of knowledge, stability, and experience to the board’s work in advancing MacEwan’s goals.

Terms of Office: Started August 1, 2020 (Second Term)
President and Vice-Chancellor

Dr. Trimbee comes to MacEwan University after serving six years as the President of the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg). During her time at the UWinnipeg, Dr. Trimbee demonstrated a strong commitment to the institution’s academic mission and to engaging with the entire university community.

Dr. Trimbee holds a PhD (ecology) from McMaster University, a MSc (botany) from the University of Manitoba and was a postdoctoral fellow (zoology) at the University of Alberta (UAlberta). Dr. Trimbee has long-standing ties to Edmonton. In addition to her time as a postdoctoral student at UAlberta, she spent nearly 30 years in the city building a distinguished career with the Government of Alberta. During this period, she held a number of senior leadership positions, including appointments as deputy minister with Advanced Education and Technology, the Treasury Board and Finance, and Service Alberta.

Terms of Office: Started July 1, 2025 (First Term)
Chancellor

Gary Mar is an accomplished and respected leader with deep experience in government and business. Prior to joining the Canada West Foundation in 2020, Gary served as President and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC), the national trade association representing the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry.

He has broad experience in government and served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Province of Alberta from 1993-2007. During his time as an elected official, Gary held several cabinet portfolios – Community Development; Health and Wellness; Education; Environment; and International and Intergovernmental Relations. Gary has also served as the Official Representative (Minister-Counsellor) of the Province of Alberta at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. from 2007 to 2011 and as the Province of Alberta’s Senior Representative to Asia from 2011 to 2015.

Following his government service, Gary was an independent consultant working for both Chinese and Canadian companies seeking assistance with trans-Pacific trade and investment. In 2016, he co-founded Canadian Advantage Petroleum Corporation, which successfully purchased heavy oil in Alberta and sold it directly to refineries in China.

Gary has a law degree from the University of Alberta and was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the U of A’s School of Marketing, Business Economics and Law, and is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. In 2022, Gary was appointed a member and chair of the Council of the Alberta Order of Excellence and was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for public service.

Terms of Office: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2029 (Second Term)
Academic Staff Member

Rafat Alam was born in Khulna, Bangladesh, and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Economics from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He completed his MA at the University of British Columbia and PhD at the University of Ottawa. His PhD thesis was on trade and its impact on the conservation of biodiversity. Rafat started as a policy analyst in Environment Canada and moved to MacEwan University in 2006. Rafat is currently an assistant professor and discipline coordinator at the Economics Program. He is engaged in undergraduate instruction in the areas of microeconomics, development economics, environmental economics, contemporary Canadian economic issues and cost-benefit analysis. He runs and supervises the Economics work placement program. He is involved in university committees and faculty governance. He served the Faculty Association Negotiating Committee for three terms, was a member of Academic Governance Council for 6 years, AGC Vice Chair for one year, served the university committees on the creation of ‘new faculty governance structure’ and ‘rank and title’ at MacEwan.

Terms of Office: June 6, 2024 - June 5, 2027 (First Term)
Public Member

Brittany is the Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Alberta Blue Cross, where she leads strategic government relations and cross-sector partnerships within Alberta's health ecosystem. In previous roles Brittany directed integrated strategies across operations, communications, stakeholder engagement, and government relations across government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector.

Brittany Baltimore holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French Language & Literature as well as a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Alberta. She also has completed a Certificate in Public Participation from the International Association of Public Participation and holds a Certified Association Executive designation through the Canadian Society of Association Executives.

Earlier in her career Brittany spent a decade in occupational health and safety where she managed province-wide industry projects, taught courses in the National Construction Safety Officer program and led the development of the Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) 2020, which has since been completed by over 200,000 Canadians.

Terms of Office: August 6, 2024 - May 31, 2027 (First Term)
Non-Academic Staff Member

Tim is the MacEwan Staff Union (MSU) representative member of the MacEwan Board of Governors. Tim graduated from MacEwan in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. As a student he was involved with the campus community and also served as president of the English Students’ Club. Tim has been working in the Office of the University Registrar since 2017, starting in Information and Registration, Scheduling, and finally, Financial Aid, working primarily with scholarships, awards, and bursaries. As the MSU representative, Tim is committed to presenting the diverse concerns and perspectives of the MSU and its membership to the board. His time as a student and staff member has helped him develop a deep appreciation and understanding for MacEwan and its staff.

Terms of Office: July 30, 2026 – July 29, 2029 (First Term)
Public Member

Carmen serves as Vice President, Passenger Experience & Terminal Operations at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and is a member of Edmonton Airports’ Executive Leadership Team. In this role, she provides strategic leadership across a broad portfolio including passenger experience, terminal operations, commercial development, parking and ground transportation, hospitality, accessibility services, security, and airline operations. She oversees business areas responsible for more than $70 million in annual revenue.

Since joining Edmonton Airports in 1995, Carmen has held progressively senior leadership roles and has been focused on advancing revenue growth, strengthening airline and eco-system partnerships, and enhancing the passenger experience at YEG.

Known for her collaborative and relationship-focused leadership approach, Carmen brings extensive experience working with industry, community, government, and organizational partners. She is also active in industry leadership through her involvement with Airports Council International – North America.

Terms of Office: July 30, 2026 – July 29, 2026 (First Term)
Public Member

Mariesa Fett is a Partner with MNP LLP and has more than 25 years of experience advising boards, audit committees, executive teams, and public sector organizations on governance, enterprise risk management, internal audit, and organizational effectiveness. Her work has included assessing board governance practices, developing governance frameworks and policies, and supporting boards in strengthening oversight, accountability, and strategic decision-making.

As a Partner with MNP LLP, Mariesa has extensive experience working with post-secondary institutions across Alberta and has held board and advisory roles with educational, professional, and community organizations.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, a Certification in Risk Management Assurance from the Institute of Internal Auditors, and the ICD.D designation from the Rotman Directors Education Program.

Terms of Office: August 15, 2022 – November 25, 2028 (Second Term)
Public Member

Sandra Haskins received her Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting and Finance, and holds designations as a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant. As the Senior Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Capital Power Corporation, Sandra leads all of Capital Power’s finance functions including Treasury, Financial Reporting, Financial Planning and Analysis, Tax, and Investor Relations. She is also responsible for Enterprise Risk Management processes and the Corporate Insurance program. Sandra is also accountable for the Capital Power Finance Development and Accreditation Program, which recruits accounting graduates and provides work experience and study support for a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. Sandra also has a connection to the larger community serving seven years as a Board member and as Finance and Audit Committee Chair for the Citadel Theatre.

Terms of Office: July 15, 2026 – July 14, 2029 (First Term)
Alumni Member

Karen Jeu is a Senior Associate at The Discovery Group, bringing extensive experience in major fundraising campaigns, strategic planning, program reviews, board development, and governance. Previously, as President of Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center Foundation, she led an integrated development operation supporting long-range fundraising goals in a fast-paced, evolving health care environment. With 30 years of experience working with colleges and universities—including the University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, Grant MacEwan University, and Nova Scotia Community College—Karen has guided the strategic and operational delivery of high-profile cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship programs, along with the teams and systems that support them. She has raised funds for campaigns ranging from $5 million to $500 million and led teams across every aspect of development. A longstanding mentor and motivator, she has supported professionals at some of the country’s leading academic institutions. She sees the social profit sector as a powerful force for strengthening communities and supporting individuals. As the mother of four sons, Karen has developed boundless energy, patience, and a deep appreciation and gratitude for the small moments in life.

Terms of Office: April 21, 2021 – June 5, 2027 (Second Term)
Public Member

Reg Joseph was appointed as the CEO of Health Cities in 2018. He has over 20 years’ experience spanning the health, technology and investment sectors. At Health Cities, Reg is focused on developing new models of healthcare delivery to drive better access and health outcomes for Albertans.

Reg has served in a wide variety of roles including as an analyst with Boston-based Leerink Swann & Co. and led a global business unit at US-based Invitrogen Corporation (now Thermo Fisher).

In addition to serving on multiple boards of health technology companies, Reg currently serves as Past Chair of the Board of BioTalent Canada and as a public member on the MacEwan University Board of Governors. Reg has a B.Sc. in Physiology and an MBA in Finance.

Terms of Office: June 6, 2024 - June 5, 2027 (First Term)
Public Member

Martin leads the Communications & Public Engagement teams for EPCOR, an Edmonton-headquartered utility that delivers clean water and safe, reliable energy to customers in seven states and provinces. A veteran of agency, corporate and public-sector environments, Martin is an accomplished leader across the full range of communication disciplines and an innovator in the fields of public consultation, reputation management and public policy. He has served for two decades in the senior management of EPCOR and Capital Power, and as a senior official in the Government of Alberta, where he led the Public Affairs Bureau.

Martin holds an MBA with Distinction, is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and has taught the capstone course in the University of Alberta’s MBA program. He has served as Board Chair for the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, Edmonton Heritage Council and Edmonton Historical Board. His other community involvement has included service on the Alberta Premier’s Council on Culture, Alberta Results Based Budgeting Challenge Panels, Sled Island Music Festival board and a University of Alberta Board of Governors Committee.

Terms of Office: July 29, 2025 – July 28, 2028 (First Term)
Academic Staff Member

Murli is a professor of International Business, Marketing, & Strategy at MacEwan University's Triffo School of Business. Before joining MacEwan, he was faculty at St. Ambrose University, Iowa, USA. He got his Phd in business administration from the University of Manitoba, Canada. He has an undergraduate degree in engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and post graduate qualifications from the Indian Institute of Management. Prior to his joining the PhD program he was for over two decades in various divisions of the Tata Group from India, in the areas of International Business, Marketing, & Business Excellence. He has also served as Regional Manager for Tata International in Latin America. His teaching and research interests stem from the experiences he has had in the corporate world. His research interests are in the areas of organizational crisis management, international entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and emerging market multinationals. His teaching interests are in the areas of international business, marketing , and corporate strategy. He has published his research in many journals and has presented at leading conferences such as that of the Academy of Management, Academy of International Business, Babsons College of Entrepreneurship Research, and Administrative Sciences Association of Canada.

Terms of Office: July 30, 2026 – July 29, 2029 (First Term)
Public Member

Krista Nelson-Marciano, MBA, is a senior executive, governance leader, and arts advocate with more than 20 years of experience leading organizational strategy, transformation, operational excellence, and performance improvement across publicly traded companies, financial services, technology organizations, and regulatory environments.

As Director of Business Performance at the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), Krista serves on the executive leadership team and provides leadership in strategic planning, governance, enterprise risk management, technology and business strategy integration, organizational performance, privacy, and enterprise transformation. Throughout her career, she has built high-performing teams, led complex transformation initiatives, and helped organizations leverage technology, innovation, and strong governance practices to deliver sustainable results.

A passionate advocate for Alberta's arts, culture, and community sectors, Krista recently completed her term as Chair of Fringe Theatre Adventures, the organization behind the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. She also served as Chair of Art on the Block, the Art Gallery of Alberta's signature fundraising event, and has contributed to numerous governance, human resources, and strategic planning initiatives within the not-for-profit sector.

Krista holds an Executive MBA and is committed to advancing education, innovation, community engagement, and strong governance across the organizations she serves.

Terms of Office: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2027 (Second Term)

Nathan N. Poon is a fourth-year Computer Science student in the Bachelor of Science program at MacEwan University. Deeply engaged in enriching student life, Nathan has held several leadership roles on campus, including two terms as President of the award-winning MacEwan University United Nations Club, President of the MacEwan University Law Club, and three terms as a Students’ Councillor with the Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU).

Now serving as President of SAMU and as a student member of the MacEwan Board of Governors, Nathan is committed to amplifying the student voice in key institutional decisions. His priorities include addressing affordability, improving access to mental health resources, and fostering a stronger sense of community across campus.

Nathan is honoured to represent MacEwan students at the Board of Governors and is dedicated to advocating for their needs, ensuring that student perspectives remain central to the university’s growth and planning.

Terms of Office: May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027 (First Term)
Student Member

Nathan R. Poon is a third-year Accounting major in the Bachelor of Commerce program at MacEwan University who is currently serving as the Vice President Governance and Finance for SAMU. Deeply committed to student engagement, Nathan is passionate about representing student voices and enhancing the overall academic experience. On the Board of Governors, Nathan brings a student-focused perspective to key decisions regarding the cost of education, cost of living and campus experience for MacEwan students

Alongside his academic pursuits, Nathan runs his own business, where he has developed strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. Through managing clients and overseeing day-to-day operations, he has built a strong sense of accountability, confidence, and the ability to effectively support and lead a team.

Outside of his professional and academic work, Nathan enjoys playing volleyball, where he continues to strengthen his teamwork and collaboration skills. He is dedicated to uplifting the student voice to highlight student needs and bringing positive energy to help build a more connected and inclusive MacEwan community.

Terms of Office: November 26, 2025 – November 25, 2028 (First Term)
Public Member

Carly is the chief operating officer of Chomicki Baril Mah LLP, a role she has held since January 2023. In this capacity, she leads all corporate and administrative services for the firm and is directly accountable for the operational aspects of its finance and administration functions.

Prior to joining Chomicki Baril Mah LLP, Carly was a senior manager with KPMG LLP Edmonton, where she worked from October 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and earned her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2015.

Carly is actively involved in her community and currently serves on the Alder Academy Board of Directors, an organization that provides after-school care programming for children including her two.