Meet the Team
The Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation (o/a Treasure Life) consists of a dedicated group committed to ensuring the Foundation achieves its goals and objectives:
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PresidentCharlene has 30 years experience in Recreation Facility Management. Also community-minded, Charlene has volunteered on many boards for sport and community purposes including volunteering with the Children’s Heart Society.
Charlene already had first-hand experience with a child born with a congenital heart defect before she became mom to Kari and Shauna and “Mama” to Evan and 9 other grandchildren. Charlene and Rick’s first child, Kristi Erin, was born on November 17, 1977, with a single ventricle condition very similar to Evan’s. Surgery was not an option in Canada at that time and Kristi survived only two days.
After losing both a child and a grandchild, Charlene is dedicated to improving and extending the lives of children with complex cardiac conditions.
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AdvisorThe importance of pediatric care, particularly for children born with congenital heart defects, became forefront in Shauna’s life on May 30th, 1999, when she became Evan’s mommy. Since then, ensuring the care of all cardiac children has been an important part of her life. Shauna has served as a Director for the Children’s Heart Society and was also a volunteer with the Victims’ Assistance Program.
Shauna is committed to preserving the memory of Evan by promoting the importance of valuing life through Treasure Life and leaving a lasting legacy for Evan’s brother, Marcus , sister Chloe and little brother Cruz. She is very interested in working with the Stollery Children’s Hospital to raise awareness and develop research programs to pursue the objectives of the Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation.
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SecretaryPam and her husband Derrick have three grown children and both are pleased to volunteer with The Treasure Life. Pam has worked in the municipal environment in the finance and guest services areas for over 20 years. She holds a business degree from Grant MacEwan University as well as many accounting and computer specialty courses. Derrick is a dedicated volunteer who never misses a Treasure Life event.
Pam’s interest’s include volunteering in her community and many physical activities including running. She completed her first half marathon in 2009.
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DirectorJay has over 20 years of experience in public administration, including community development, organization development, project management, and program development. Let’s just say strategy creation is his forte.
Jay served on the Children’s Heart Society board for more than 10 years and was in charge of out-of-hospital events. Jay and his wife Tammy have two adult daughters, Kaylee and Kiana. Kaylee has a congenital heart defect (she is the same age as Evan) and is a Treasure Life bead specialist. Jay and his family enjoy camping, hockey, and winter destination vacations.
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TreasurerDonna brings over 20 years of accounting experience to our board. Donna works in Edmonton’s financial community and she owns a small public practice firm. As a CPA/CMA, Donna has extensive experience providing services to small business, government and not for profit agencies. Donna is detail oriented and she drives the board’s commitment to exceptional financial management and reporting.
Donna resides in Beaumont with her husband and their two adult children. She enjoys working out and cycling in the MS Bike Tour.
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DirectorRick has been in the banking, financial planning, and real estate business for over 35 years. Community conscious, he has volunteered on a number of civic boards. He is affectionately known as “Papa Rick” to his 10 grandchildren and to much of the community, too.
As Evan’s grandfather, Rick became involved in the Children’s Heart Society, where he served as a director. Rick has prepared submissions to the Provincial and Federal Government for non-profit and society status for the Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation.
Rick is dedicated to fostering the importance of “Treasure Life”. He is committed to the purpose of the Foundation: to treasure cardiac children and support their health journey.
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DirectorOur newest board member, Virginia, brings over 20 years of large-scale payroll, human resources, and group benefit management expertise to our leadership group. She has a special place in her heart for sick children and a love of animals. Virginia proudly boasts that one of her adult children is in the medial field supporting the tiniest and sickest of cardiac patients.
Having volunteered previously at Treasure Life events, Virginia feels the time is right to roll up her sleeves and get even more involved. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and her creativity is limitless. Virginia is committed to achieving results with Treasure Life and making a difference in the lives of cardiac kids.
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Vice PresidentIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.