John Evans began working in Fort McMurray in 2007 as a commuter from Halifax.

In 2009, he and his family purchased a home and “made the move” to the community. He founded and became the President of Universal Builders Supply Canada, ULC. in 2012 and believes that volunteering is an important part of calling Fort McMurray home.

John previously served as a director on several boards including the United Way of Wood Buffalo, Keyano College Foundation, Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club, and the Fort McMurray Advisory Committee for “CAREERS: The Next Generation”.

Cliff and his wife Ronda have called Fort McMurray home for over 29 years and it is here they have raised their daughters Madeleine (19), Holly (17), and their niece Tia.

Originally coming to Syncrude Canada as a University of Alberta Mining Engineering graduate in 1991, Cliff has held a variety of leadership and management roles for the past 24 years. Currently, Cliff serves at the Manger for Community Relations.

Cliff is an active supporter and volunteer for the United Way since coming to Fort McMurray, including chairing the Syncrude United Way Employee Campaign in 2007. For the past six years, Cliff has served as President of the board at Waypoints and President of The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association’s board. Besides the people he has had the pleasure to meet and work with, he says one of the most rewarding parts of giving back time to the community is that it has become something that they do together as a family. He has teenage daughters who actively want to volunteer with their Dad, and he feels that is the coolest thing ever!

Deborah Kitching is the Wood Buffalo Manager for RCSD-Regional Collaborative Service Delivery with the Government of Alberta.

She had been a teacher and administrator in the Fort McMurray Catholic School District for the past 32 years. She most recently led the district in building the innovative Science and Technology Centre at Father Mercredi High School. Her roles in the district included administration, supporting teachers in the areas of career and technology studies, science, curriculum, assessment and instruction. Deborah is also an ATA Instructional leader for administrators across the province. In her current position, Deborah works collaboratively with ministry partners and maintains communication with agencies, and other community stakeholders to ensure a collaborative and integrated approach is used to provide services for children/youth.

James obtained his CA (now CPA) designation in 1993 in Lethbridge, Alberta. For most of his career, he has worked in industry for privately held businesses in a variety of accounting and financial reporting positions.

James moved to Fort McMurray from southern Alberta in December of 2003 after accepting the CFO position with H. Wilson Industries Ltd., then owned by John Wilson who continues to employ James through his commercial real estate venture Hedco Group Inc.

For the past 17 years, James and his wife Rita have called Fort McMurray home. It is here, they have raised their four children – all of whom are now married, with three of them also raising their own families in Fort McMurray.

Over the years, James and Rita have volunteered in many different capacities: with youth sports, school, church, and community events.  and are presently involved with local music and assisting a local community program in reaching out to indigenous families.

In the past, James has served as Treasurer for a local private school as well as with the local McMurray Dirt Riders Association which continues to operate the motocross track south of the city.

James looks forward to continuing to lend his skills and experience in a way he hopes will further enhance the community through his involvement with FuseSocial.

Born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, Nabil is proud to call the Wood Buffalo region his home since 2015.

He is passionate about community and social development in Alberta’s north. He is an active member of multiple organizations that work toward improving the quality of life for citizens of northern communities and across the province. Nabil has been acknowledged for his work on community development through several awards, is a published researcher, and has presented at international conferences. Nabil earned a bachelors (specialized honours) degree, a masters degree and a graduate diploma from York University. As a board member with FuseSocial, Nabil looks forward to continuing to make the region one of the best places to live in Canada through supporting the region’s social profit sector.

Tracy is the Director of HR Strategic Business Partners, Regional Operations for Suncor.

Prior to joining Suncor Tracy held a number of HR and leadership positions over 15 years with Vale in both Toronto and Sudbury Ontario.

Tracy, her husband Dan and 2 children Mikayla and Aaron relocated to Fort McMurray in July 2019.  Having grown up in small mining communities across Northern Ontario Tracy understands that volunteering and the impacts Social Profits can have on a community can be quite remarkable.  Upon arrival in Fort McMurray she immediately looked to get involved in the community.

Brittany Ganase is the Business Development Manager for Bumper to Bumper. Prior to joining Bumper to Bumper, Brittany held a Commercial Relationship Officer position with Servus Credit Union. Being embedded in the business & non-profit community for the past 11 years has given her first-hand knowledge of how communities are impacted by economic conditions.

Brittany currently serves both the Fuse Social Board as well as The Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Brittany moved to Fort McMurray more than seven years ago with her now husband and has grown her family to include two young daughters.  Growing up in rural northern Alberta, Brittany always knew she would call Fort McMurray home. Since moving to the region, she has volunteered for many organizations around the community and developed lasting relationships to build and grow the beautiful place we all call home.

Austin made his way to Fort McMurray with his parents in 1995, when he was just nine months old and he has called the community home ever since.

Austin graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Business and became a Sales Associate with Northstar Ford. He quickly climbed the ranks to lead a sales team and manage the used car department.

From a young age, Austin was shown the profound impact that helping others can have. His Grandpa worked full time as a Calgary Policeman while running a neighbourhood foodbank out of his garage at night for the less fortunate in his area. Having been given the opportunity to work alongside his Grandpa, he got to see firsthand the impact socially conscious individuals can have within their respective communities. He joined the FuseSocial Board as a way to give back to Fort McMurray and thank the community for everything it has given him.

What Austin loves most about Fort McMurray is the tight knit, resilient community.