Meet the candidates of this year's Board of Directors Election.

Allison Radford

I am motivated to contribute to Connect First and Servus Credit Union’s (CFSCU) mission. I am a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, and I have over 20 years of board and executive leadership experience. My leadership journey includes driving business transformation within my enterprise, primarily located in rural Alberta. This experience has shaped my approach to governance, emphasizing strong ethical standards and values that align with CFSCU’s dedication to community, inclusion, and member service.

In addition to my professional qualifications, I am actively involved in my community as Chair of the Edmonton Humane Society. This role has further strengthened my leadership skills and reinforced my dedication to inclusion and meaningful service. I have expertise in financial literacy and governance, supported by a deep understanding of the strategic priorities vital to CFSCU’s success. I value teamwork and foster an inclusive board environment that embraces diverse perspectives, ensuring collaborative decision-making that reflects the needs of our membership.

I am committed to supporting CFSCU’s continued innovation and long-term sustainability. My experience, values, strong interpersonal skills, and dedication to collaboration make me well-prepared to help advance the organization’s vision and serve our members effectively.

Justin Jimmy

As a First Nation CPA and ICD.D, I bring extensive experience from various directorship roles that align with the values and mission of Connect First and Servus Credit Union (CFSCU). Currently, I serve as a director and Audit Committee chair on the Metis Settlements Development Corporation (MSDC) board, and Siksika Nation Group of Companies (SGC) board, where I contribute to fostering economic prosperity for future generations through sustainable investment strategies. As a licensed commercial pilot, I also sit on the Alberta Strategic Aviation Advisory Council, advising on policies that enhance Alberta’s aviation industry, ensuring its alignment with economic development goals.

As a trustee for the Wicekaskosiw Sahkahikan Askiwi-Pimiy Heritage Trust Fund I contribute to financial investment decisions that improve the quality of life for present and future generations of Onion Lake Cree Nation. Finally, I serve on the advisory committee for E3 Lithium where I contribute knowledge in sustainable resource development and support their growth and environmental stewardship initiatives.

As the principal of Urban Cree Consulting, I focus on promoting Indigenous economic development through consulting, advisory, and accounting services. These experiences position me to contribute meaningfully to the governance of CFSCU, particularly in areas of financial oversight, sustainability, and community.

Kelso Brennan

The Credit Union system has been instrumental in shaping both my personal and professional life. I’m passionate about giving back to the co-operative community that has given me so much. With nearly 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and leadership on Credit Union boards, I have a deep understanding of the values and cooperative principles that make credit unions unique.

As Valedictorian of my Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) program, alongside holding an MBA and PMP designation, I bring strong governance, strategic planning, and leadership skills to the table. I’ve strategically led businesses, driving growth and navigating challenges, including mergers and transformations.

My goal is to serve the membership by contributing to the continued success of Connect First and Servus Credit Union Ltd., ensuring we remain member-focused, innovative, and financially strong. I’m committed to upholding the cooperative principles while working towards a future that benefits all members, and the communities we serve.

Kurt Schlachter

I am a senior executive with significant experience in management and business strategy, in addition to the private practice of law in civil litigation, commercial and agricultural real estate, and business/corporate law.

I have significant board governance experience, including through my current founding roles as a member of the partnership board of Stringam Law and as a corporate director and board chair of the newly formed University of Lethbridge Business Corporation, as well as through my previous roles as President and Board Chair of Economic Development Lethbridge, and as Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Lethbridge. These multi-faceted roles have each involved extensive work in multilevel stakeholder engagement and government relations, succession planning, executive review and compensation negotiations, labour relations, budget oversight, navigating complex audit and enterprise risk management issues, fiduciary oversight of major construction projects, mergers and acquisitions, and numerous other strategic initiatives.

I am also a fourth generation Albertan who understands the diverse communities that make up this province, being both a community minded philanthropist and the owner of multiple businesses that operate in several of them and very deliberately contribute to their fabric.

Margot Ross-Graham

I am a seasoned executive leader with experience as a Board member and executive reporting to the Board. My expertise in business transformation and human resources, and my Certified Director designation assist me in being a thoughtful, governance-focused Board member.

Through my company, Sandbar Coaching and Consulting, I provide governance consulting support to numerous member-driven organizations and understand the governance oversight and strategic responsibilities of high performing boards. I am a critical thinker with exceptional teamwork, leadership and relationship building skills. I have a passion for advocacy, governance, and activating exceptional cultures that support organizations to achieve their mission.

In addition to my professional experience, I am a born and raised Albertan and have been a credit union member for over 25 years. I am firmly committed to credit union values including financial health, member ownership, community giving and local investment.

My executive experience, formal board training and membership on several boards including the University of Alberta Board of Governors (Chair HR Committee), University of Alberta Senate, River Valley Alliance, and Fort Edmonton Park Management Company make me an ideal candidate for CFSCU’s board of directors.

Michael Ng

As a credit union member and former team member, I’ve seen firsthand how Connect First and Servus Credit Union (CFSCU) positively impacts its members and communities. I’m running for the board because the voice of our membership is crucial, and decisions should reflect the needs and aspirations of the people we serve.

With nearly 20 years of leadership experience, I’ve helped organizations navigate complex challenges. I’ve led diverse teams of 400+, managed budgets over $500M, and have aligned groups toward a shared vision. But I’m also a small business owner and part of our community, supporting individuals, government, regulatory bodies, and businesses in making informed decisions for long-term success.

As a lifelong Albertan, I’ve seen the volatility our province has endured. That resilience stems from our commitment to community values. With CFSCU’s rapid growth, I aim to bring my skills to preserve this foundation, while simultaneously expanding the reach and quality of our services.

As your representative, I’ll bring a collaborative approach, strong business acumen, and a passion for strengthening our cooperative principles. Together, we can innovate, grow, and ensure our community creates sustainable benefits for all members.

Shawn Eltom

Having served on the Servus Credit Union board since March 2018 and on the Connect First and Servus Credit Union Board (CFSCU) since the merger, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to the mission and vision of CFSCU, with a focus on strategic oversight, governance, and financial stewardship. My extensive experience in corporate governance, particularly in the credit union sector, has equipped me with the critical skills to ensure CFSCU continues to grow and deliver value to its members.

During my tenure, I have contributed to shaping CFSCU's long-term strategy, ensuring the organization adheres to the highest standards of compliance, ethics and financial oversight. My current role as a Director at Alberta Central further broadens my understanding of the financial services landscape and strengthens my ability to represent the interests of CFSCU members effectively. Additionally, my experience as an owner/operator of a successful business allows me to bring a unique perspective on operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement.

I look forward to continuing to contribute my expertise and vision to CFSCU's future, ensuring we remain a trusted and resilient financial institute for our members.

Tim Crowe

My family has benefited greatly from the exceptional member service of the credit union over many decades.  I served on Spark and Connect First Credit Union Boards, serving on all committees and in leadership roles.  Serving on the Board has given me the opportunity to see firsthand the deep care that goes into the decisions that impact the membership; to do our best for the financial wellbeing for our members. This aligns with my values, and is what motivates me to serve.

I have been a business leader and professional engineer for over 35 years. I worked in rural and urban Alberta for Shell Canada and Swan Hills Synfuels - a small entrepreneurial company where we pioneered a novel clean energy technology. These experiences have equipped me with key skills that the Nominating Committee is searching for: ESG leadership, Regulatory and Government Relations, and Enterprise Risk Management.

I’m committed to governance excellence and have received the ICD.D designation. I believe my background, and my passion to serve our members, equips me to be an effective contributor to the success of our Board; to ensure that even as a much larger merged credit union, we continue to provide exceptional member service.