The team behind Friends of Medicare work hard to deliver the best. A combination of a core staff, dedicated Board, as well as crucial volunteers, donors, and community keep this work moving.
Want to get involved? Show your support by taking action now or get in touch with us today.
Staff
Our staff is small but mighty. Meet the faces behind the work we do.
Chris Gallaway (he/him) is an experienced community organizer and advocate for public health care. Born and raised on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, he has since spent most of his adult life living on Treaty 6 territory, first in Saskatoon, and for the last decade living here in Edmonton. His past experience includes working for the Alberta Federation of Labour, in three provincial legislative assemblies, and for a variety of non-profit and community organizations. Outside of work Chris is an active volunteer and community member engaged in social justice and the arts.
Alyssa Pretty (she/they) has been the Communications and Administrative Officer at Friends of Medicare since 2018. They hold a BA in Women's and Gender Studies, and her past experience has concentrated on feminist and community activism. Alyssa was born and raised in Edmonton, and is passionate about community building and fighting for a just and equitable future for all.
Mitchell Pawluk (he/him) is a writer, organizer, and settler based in Treaty Six territory. He received his Bachelor of Arts (Honors) and Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta. During graduate school, he studied the relationship between populism, democracy, and political action. While on campus, Mitchell also worked as a student journalist. A lifelong Edmontonian, he is passionate about civic engagement, community-building, and making democracy an everyday experience. Outside of work, Mitchell enjoys reading, writing, and exploring different parts of Alberta.
Board
Friends of Medicare is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of both elected and appointed members. Up to fifteen members may be elected by the membership, of which a maximum seven can be organizations. Each chapter is also able to appoint one representative to the Board of Directors.
Karen Kuprys
Chair
Alberta Federation of Labour
Chair
Alberta Federation of Labour
Leanne Alfaro
Vice Chair
Health Sciences Association of Alberta
Vice Chair
Health Sciences Association of Alberta
Judy Lederer
Treasurer
Director-at-Large
Treasurer
Director-at-Large
Wing Li
Secretary
Director-at-Large
Secretary
Director-at-Large
Sandra Azocar
Director
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
Director
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
Andrea Berg
Director
Alberta Teachers' Association
Director
Alberta Teachers' Association
Harold Pliszka
Director
Social Workers' Association of Alberta
Director
Social Workers' Association of Alberta
Heather Smith
Director
United Nurses of Alberta
Director
United Nurses of Alberta
Raj Uppal
Director
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Director
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Margaret Brown
Director-at-Large
Director-at-Large
Greg Mady
Director-at-Large
Director-at-Large
Deanna Ogle
Director-at-Large
Director-at-Large
Farris Sobhani
Director-at-Large
Director-at-Large
Janice Willier
Director-at-Large
Director-at-Large
Eyasu Yakob
Director-at-Large
Director-at-Large
Cam Heenan
Chapter Chair
Leduc-Beaumont Chapter
Chapter Chair
Leduc-Beaumont Chapter
Laurel Jackson
Chapter Chair
Calgary Chapter
Chapter Chair
Calgary Chapter
Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Chapter Chair
Lethbridge Chapter
Chapter Chair
Lethbridge Chapter
Diane MacNaughton
Chapter Chair
Palliser Chapter
Chapter Chair
Palliser Chapter