top of page

Meet the Leadership Team

Get to know the passionate leaders working to create a safer future for our community.

DSC08541 copy.jpg

Leslie Allen

Chief Executive Officer

AB2 (1).jpg

Ashley Baxter

Chief Programs & Operations Officer

Tricia.jpg

Tricia Jorritsma

Director of Finance

IMG_9029.jpg

Lori Pratt

Director of Philanthropic Strategy

DespinaA.jpeg

Despina Avagainos

Executive Assistant

Meet Our Board

Our Board of Directors consists of ten dedicated individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to govern WIN House.​ We extend our sincere appreciation to the following members of our board:

Jeff.jpeg

President

Daniel Roberts

Daniel is a Chartered Professional Accountant with extensive experience advising non-profit organizations and registered charities across Canada.

 

His professional practice and previous board service equip him to support organizations navigating complex financial and governance challenges, adding meaningful value to the organizations he volunteers his time with.

Jameson.jpeg

Treasurer

Jameson Van Dijk

Jameson brings a strong commitment to community service and governance to WIN House. With a CPA designation and extensive leadership experience across multiple industries, he offers strategic and financial insight to support organizational stability and long-term growth.

 

A NAIT alum, Jameson also serves in advisory roles supporting accounting and data analytics education.

DSC00634-Enhanced-NR.jpeg

Director

Robyn Hanson

Robyn is honoured to serve on the WIN House Board, an organization that supported her family when she was a child and helped change the course of their lives.

 

A communications professional, Robyn brings a deep belief in the power of storytelling, advocacy, and connection, along with a strong commitment to compassion, inclusion, and community impact.

DSC00652.jpeg

Director

Claudia Johnson

Claudia brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the pharmacy industry to WIN House. Currently leading Dispensaries Ltd., she has held senior roles with national pharmacy organizations, overseeing operations, growth, and strategic planning.

 

A strategic and agile leader, Claudia holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Alberta and serves on the Board of the Association of Compounding Pharmacists of Canada.

Michelle.jpeg

Director

Michelle Plaizer

Michelle is a leader and advocate for positive social change with a strong commitment to the wellbeing of women and children.

 

With over 20 years of experience, she brings expertise in strategic leadership, government relations, policy development, and board governance. Michelle holds an MBA specializing in Community Economic Development and Strategic Leadership and has extensive not-for-profit board experience.

Jeff

Director

Jeff Walker

Jeff is the Director of Supportive Housing at Homeward Trust Edmonton, where he oversees the implementation of funded supportive and transitional housing programs.

 

With nearly a decade of leadership experience in the non-profit sector, Jeff brings a strong commitment to serving vulnerable populations. He holds a BA and a Bachelor of Social Work and is a Registered Social Worker.

Sunil.jpeg

Director

Sunil Thomas

Sunil Thomas is a dedicated professional with a degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alberta and extensive experience in the Oil and Gas industry.

 

Committed to community service, he actively participates in charitable initiatives and volunteer projects. Sunil brings leadership, strategic thinking, and a passion for making a positive impact to the

WIN House Board.

DSC01807-Enhanced-NR.jpeg

Director

Balraj Mann

Balraj Mann is a health system leader with Alberta Health Services, bringing over 25 years of experience across nursing, operations, analytics, and health system planning.

 

She holds advanced degrees in Nursing and Business, and is a Certified Health Services Executive. Balraj contributes her strategic leadership, commitment to equity, and community-focused perspective to the WIN House Board.

WINHouseBoard-(3 of 3).jpg

Director

Tania Shapka

Tania is a lawyer at a criminal law firm in Edmonton and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta.

 

She brings volunteer experience with community organizations, including Student Legal Services and the Youth Restorative Action Project, and is committed to supporting WIN House through her legal expertise and community involvement.

Barb Burton

Director

Barb Burton

Barb is a retired Human Resources leader with extensive experience in board governance and strategic planning.

 

She has served on multiple non-profit boards for over 40 years, primarily in the human services sector, bringing deep expertise in organizational leadership, volunteer engagement, and community impact to her role on the WIN House Board.

QR Logo_edited_edited.png

Director

Jasmine Virk 

Jasmine Virk is a Graduate Nurse in Mental Health and incoming Juris Doctor student at the University of Alberta. Her experience spans healthcare, research, governance, and community leadership, with a strong commitment to advancing equity, community wellbeing, and systems-level change.


Jasmine recently completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honors) at the University of Alberta, where her research focused on the reproductive decision-making experiences of internally displaced women in humanitarian settings. She has also held leadership roles with community and non-profit organizations focused on gender equity, violence prevention, newcomer support, and community development.

CPA - Kanwal.jpg

Director

Kanwal Lali

Kanwal is an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across multiple organizations including Deloitte, a Crown corporation, the Government of Alberta, and the City of Edmonton. She brings expertise in strategic planning, change management, and organizational growth.


Committed to community service, Kanwal actively supports Edmonton through board governance, volunteering, and mentorship. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of London, England, and earned her CPA designation in Alberta.

WINHouseBoard-(1 of 3).jpg

Director

Nick Lilley

Nick is a growth-minded City-builder with diverse leadership experience across sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, education, and social services. As the current CEO of HomeEd, Nick leads the strategy and operations of a non-profit corporation that provides affordable housing to thousands of Edmontonians.

WINHouseBoard-(2 of 3).jpg

Director

Chelsea Harper

Chelsea Harper is a Director of HR Consulting with diverse experience supporting organizations across Canada in workplace culture, leadership, and people strategy. She has volunteered with dozens of organizations across Edmonton and works closely with non-profits and boards through her consulting work.

 

Chelsea is committed to helping mission-driven organizations grow their impact and strengthen the communities they serve.

WIN House Logo

Office Phone

780-471-6709

​

General Email

info@winhouse.org

​

Mailing Address

PO Box 20088 RPO Beverly

Edmonton AB T5W 5E6

WIN House Newsletter

Join our mailing list!

Sign Up Now

  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Amazon

WIN House is an ongoing project of Edmonton Women's Shelter Ltd. Charitable Registration #107283301RR0001

We acknowledge that WIN House operates on Treaty 6 Territory, in Amiskwacîwâskahikan, a traditional gathering place for many Indigenous Peoples. This land has been home to the Plains Cree, Métis, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Dene, and Inuit, and remains a place of connection, culture, and community. We honour and respect the histories, languages, ceremonies, and enduring presence of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who continue to care for this land. We recognize that we are all Treaty people, with a shared responsibility to learn from the past, act with awareness in the present, and contribute to a more just and equitable future. As an organization that supports women and families, we hold space for the truths of colonial violence and its ongoing impacts. We honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people, and recognize the strength, leadership, and resilience of Indigenous women in our communities.Guided by these truths, we commit to ongoing learning, reflection, and action in support of reconciliation, and to fostering safety, respect, and dignity for all.

bottom of page