Jay Pritchard – President
Jay brings many years of successful professional experience as Teacher, Principal, and Superintendent. He has held a membership in WE Seniors for eleven years and has served on the Board of Directors as Vice President (2 years), President (6 years), and Past President (1 year).
Jay champions the need for our organization to continue to serve its members to the highest level possible. And he believes WE Seniors must extend its reach in order to serve ever-increasing numbers of seniors.
He recognizes and values the fantastic contributions made by Directors, volunteers and staff in making WE Seniors an outstanding place to hang out. He is most proud of the tone that exists within the organization, characterized by positivity, inclusiveness, happiness, enthusiasm, trust and care for one another…you might say WE Seniors is the “heart of the community”.
Lesley Conley – Vice President
Lesley has been an active member of WE Seniors for the past four years and has served on the Bylaw and Policy Committee for the last three years.
Prior to joining us, Lesley worked as a Project Coordinator with the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA). In that role, she collaborated with legal professionals and educators to develop accessible resources that helped Albertans better understand their legal rights and responsibilities. She also worked to develop educational websites and workshops that supported nonprofit organizations and charities in navigating legal and governance matters.
Following her retirement, Lesley discovered a passion for pickleball. Turns out, she’s loving the game and, even more so, the amazing people she’s met here! Drawing on her extensive nonprofit experience, governance knowledge, and dedication to community engagement, Lesley is pleased to serve as Vice President and contribute to the continued success of WE Seniors.
David Baxandall – Treasurer
David (Dave) has been a member of the Westend Seniors Activity Centre for seven years. Dave found out about the WSAC for the first time when dropping in during an open house. He has played pickleball ever since!
Retired for eight years, Dave worked at TELUS for 39 years in a variety of roles, the last 32 years as a senior SAP software developer – developed processes and software for asset management, HR management, pension extracts, plant maintenance, project systems,
warehouse management, logistics management, financial controlling, and financial reporting. Dave also worked as an after-hours instructor for two years at NAIT.
Dave’s hobbies include traveling, playing pickleball, camping, and fishing; most importantly, Dave loves being with his two granddaughters.
Volunteering has always been important to Dave. He coached competitive fastball for about ten years, store-to-door with Meals on Wheels, and assisted in organizing the last two pickleball wind-up BBQs at WE Seniors.
Dave is looking forward to his next adventure as a WE Seniors volunteer member of the Board of Directors.
Barbara Gibson – Director
Barbara has been a member of WE Seniors for 12 years. She has previously served on the WE Seniors Board as a: Board Director – 1year, Vice-President – 4 years, President – 3 years, and Past President – 1 year. Barbara has served on various Board committees at one time or another and brings this experience to the current Board.
Prior to retirement, Barbara enjoyed a rewarding forty-four-year career in the field of Nursing, focusing forty-one years in Nursing Education. She spent a number of years in leadership positions including 4 years as the Undergraduate Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. When asked about her motivation for becoming a Board member Barbara said, “she wants to utilize her professional knowledge, experience & energies by volunteering to enhance the well being of seniors.”
Barbara is proud of the outstanding programming that WE Seniors offers its members and the community. She looks forward to dialoguing with members, staff, and her fellow Board Members as they provide the governance needed for WE Seniors to continue to thrive and flourish in the future.
Dolores Brent – Director
I joined WE Seniors 16 years ago, shortly after retiring from a nursing career I loved. What began as a means to maintain social contact by playing cribbage Friday afternoons soon developed into an active, involved lifestyle including pickleball, exercise and yoga classes,art classes, lecture series and many of the fun social gatherings available to all members. I joined the Board 5 years ago as a director,hoping in some small way to give back to this group that has given so much to me. I have learned much about Board functioning and the complexities that go into planning… things I had never given a thought to. The first forty-odd years of my life spent farming and raising four children proved a good base for organizational skills, and having a very limited budget all those years attuned my thinking to economy and practicality.
I continue to enjoy time with my family and friends; now I’m watching great grandchildren grow! I spend a lot of time reading, writing, gardening, and small project sewing, and continue trying new crafts and activities, I have done a lot of travelling but now find travel within Canada most comfortable and don’t anticipate running out of places to explore in this great country.
Life is a journey…. Make it an adventure!
Rose Bilou – Director
The Seniors’ Centre has been an important part of my life since moving to Edmonton in 2018 to help my sister care for my mother. During those years, I often brought my mom to the Centre for lunch and activities, and it became a place of connection for our family.
My husband, Tim, and I also became active members of the community — learning to play pickleball, enjoying meals, and building friendships. The Centre has continued to be a meaningful gathering place for our family, from hosting my mother’s Celebration of Life in 2023 to celebrating my 75th birthday with a High Tea in 2025.
Because I value the sense of community and support the Centre provides, I am proud to have completed my first term on the Board and look forward to continuing to serve so others can benefit from all it offers.
Lorne Brackenbury – Director
Lorne has been a member of WE Seniors for 9 years. He first came to the centre with a friend and neighbour to play pickleball. Later on, Lorne took on the responsibility of volunteer instructing at pickleball when the centre decided to have training for beginners of pickleball. Shortly after, Lorne was joined by Ryan Park, a long-time friend who was instrumental in the beginner’s pickleball instruction. Lorne is currently on the Pickleball committee with three other members as well as being on the Policy and Bylaws and Nominations Committees.
Currently retired for the last 11 years, Lorne was previously a Technical Sales Representative for Instrumentation, Electrical and Valves for various industries. He has been serving on the Board of the local chapter of the International Society of Automation for the past 37 years. Lorne has also been serving as Secretary/Treasurer for his Condominium Board since
2005. Lorne says he has met so many great people during his time at the centre and looks forward to contributing to WE Seniors.
Dianne Walker – Director
I retired April 1, 2019 at the age of 73 after running a medical clinic with 20+ doctors for over 25 years.
The morning of April 1, 2019 I was sitting at the kitchen table and wondered what I was going to do with all my free time. I was so used to being with people. My husband of 47 years had passed away in 2016. They say loneliness kills and social interaction leads to longevity so I decided to drive over to the West End Seniors center and pick up their summer catalogue of courses. Everyone was so friendly. I don’t think I got home until 2pm that day. I was invited to join a social group and then stayed for lunch. I always enjoyed playing bridge which I learned AT UBC. However I was so busy with work, school and kids that I hadn’t played in 30 years.
I now play bridge at the centre 2 days a week and thoroughly enjoy my time with other players. I have also taken several exercise classes over the last 7 years. I also belong to a group called FAMI- Families that support an adult with a mental illness. I have a 54 year old son with Schizophrenia who is doing very well living independently.
Statistics have shown that 50% of all caregivers manifest with a mental illness. I am fortunate in knowing about the Centre where I am able to exercise, obtain good food and nurture social relationships with others. The centre has helped me avoid any depression or anxiety and is my happy place.
I am so impressed with the centre with all of its friendly staff and members and offerings to the public. There is something for everyone to keep their mind and body active. I was honored to be asked to be a director for such a vibrant, robust , essential organization.
I am hoping my accounting skills earned through my C.A.,C.P.A. designation help on the Finance Committee. I am also hoping that there is a possibility of the Centre playing an expanded role in the mental health area in the future to help others.
Dr. Kyle Whitfield – Director
Dr. Kyle Whitfield has expertise in city and rural planning with a specific focus on aging. She has been a Professor at the University of Alberta for 20 years. She is a scholar in such areas as: community development, age friendliness and community engagement. She is active in her own community of St. Albert and works for causes addressing inequities and disunity. She promotes unity and diversity and inclusion.