Board of Directors
NAMEChair
Lisa is a CPA, CA and joined the AIWC Board of Directors in the fall of 2022. Lisa is a Business Unit Controller for a large Mid-steam company in Calgary’s Oil and Gas industry. Having been a lifelong supporter of animal welfare, Lisa is committed to doing what she can to help ensure Alberta’s wildlife has a fighting chance and is thrilled to be a part of AIWC. Lisa is also the President of one of Canada’s largest animal rescue organizations and brings several years of board governance experience in animal welfare to AIWC.
Lisa Makinson Vice-Chair
Lisa is a CPA, CA and joined the AIWC Board of Directors in the fall of 2022. Lisa is a Business Unit Controller for a large Mid-steam company in Calgary’s Oil and Gas industry. Having been a lifelong supporter of animal welfare, Lisa is committed to doing what she can to help ensure Alberta’s wildlife has a fighting chance and is thrilled to be a part of AIWC. Lisa is also the President of one of Canada’s largest animal rescue organizations and brings several years of board governance experience in animal welfare to AIWC.
Colin PattersonTreasurer
Colin is in his first term on AIWC’s Board of Directors. Originally from Saskatchewan, he grew up on his family's ranch where they raised bison and a variety of other livestock. In addition to his family’s background as ranchers and farmers, three of Colin's immediate family members have enjoyed careers as veterinarians or as a registered veterinary technologist. Professionally, Colin is dual qualified as both a lawyer and an accountant. He works for Deloitte in their Disputes Advisory practice, specializing in the areas of quantifying economic losses, business valuations, and forensic accounting after living and working internationally for the previous three years. Colin’s enthusiasm for wildlife and habitat conservation has him excited to support AIWC’s mission in the years ahead.
Nicole ChenSecretary
Nicole joined AIWC’s board in 2025 and she continues to serve in the capacity of clinic volunteer on-site. Her love of wildlife is diverse, and she is dedicated to learning how we can best care for, respect, and interact with all wildlife to ensure they stay free and wild. A particular rehabilitation love is reserved for aquatic species-any day with duck care is a great day! Working with AIWC’s board will allow Nicole to continue to meaningfully give back to an organization she supports and values for their mission of preserving and protecting Alberta’s wildlife, as well as their commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Outside of AIWC Nicole is an RN practicing in the specialty area of public health and she enjoys spending time with family, cycling everywhere she can, reading interesting books, and enjoying nature.
Monica KovacsDirector
Monica is a new addtion to the AIWC board of directors this year. Previously, Monica was a center volunteer from 1995 to 2010 at which time she was accepted into Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary requiring her to step back for a time. She is current a small animal and exotics veterinarian working in the Airdrie area. She has always had a love and passion for wildlife exploring nature. Outside of volunteering for AIWC and working, you will find Monica traveling, gardening and hiking with her 2 dogs Duke and Bindi.
Tricia SternerDirector
Tricia holds a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc. in Software Engineering. As a Professional Engineer, Tricia specialized in designing and building technology solutions in the pipeline sector. Animals and volunteering have always been significant aspects of Tricia’s life. After retiring in 2017, she started volunteering at AIWC in wildlife rehabilitation and rescue driving. Tricia is passionate about wildlife conservation and firmly believes that every life is valuable and deserving of protection. She is committed to AIWC’s Mission and Strategic Plan and is looking forward to contributing as a board member.
Natashya Sherbot-StronachDirector
Natashya holds a PhD. in Clinical Psychology and is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. Her work primarily focuses on assessment and treatment of trauma. She has volunteered for over 20 years in animal rescue, welfare, and rehabilitation. She started volunteering with AIWC in 2023 as a rescue driver and recently joined the AIWC Board of Directors in June 2025. Natashya has a keen interest in supporting wildlife rehabilitation as well as staff and volunteers from a work health perspective. She looks forward to supporting AIWC’s strategic plan. Outside of volunteering, she spends time with her rescue horse, indoor rescue kitties, and family.
Lynwyn Foran-AebliDirector
My family and I have been involved with AIWC in various capacities for many years. My connection with wildlife dates back to childhood when I moved to our family property at Priddis and was fortunate to explore unspoiled spaces where meaningful encounters with wild creatures transformed curiosity into a lifelong passion. This property is now under a conservation easement to ensure future generations can enjoy the pristine forests, fields and waterways that provide homes to many wild species. I recently retired from a 35 year teaching career with the Calgary Board of Education, and one of my greatest joys was instilling in my students an understanding and appreciation of local animal species. I oversee two charitable family foundations focused on animal welfare, animal rights and the environment. I am new to the Board this year, and I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other members to support AIWC’s ongoing efforts in aid of Alberta’s wildlife.
Millicent DYOS-SZOLKowskaDirector
Millie is a sustainability and climate policy professional with experience at the intersection of environmental strategy, regulatory analysis, and community engagement. She has led projects internationally in both public and private sectors, focusing on climate risk, environmental and social impact measurement, and policy alignment.
Holding a Master’s in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics, Millie bridges scientific analysis with social impact, emphasizing inclusive, evidence-based approaches to sustainability. Now based in Alberta, she is passionate about wildlife protection and rehabilitation and proud to support AIWC’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured wildlife.
Heidi ChristensenDirector
Heidi is a corporate and financial communications professional with nearly 30 years of experience across multiple industries, with a strong focus on advancing the responsible development of Canadian energy. She currently leads communications for major projects in ATCO’s energy systems division. Heidi holds a B.Sc. in Physical Geography and an MBA from the University of Calgary, and her work and studies emphasize sustainability, traditional ecological knowledge, and the value of responsible business practices.<br> At home in the Canadian Rockies, Heidi draws inspiration from nature and is a passionate downhill skier with a goal to ski year-round. She is also a proud mother of two sons and enjoys watching them grow into adulthood.
BOARD INTERNS
Heidi Christensen
Heidi is a corporate and financial communications professional with nearly 30 years of experience across multiple industries, with a strong focus on advancing the responsible development of Canadian energy. She currently leads communications for major projects in ATCO’s energy systems division. Heidi holds a B.Sc. in Physical Geography and an MBA from the University of Calgary, and her work and studies emphasize sustainability, traditional ecological knowledge, and the value of responsible business practices.
At home in the Canadian Rockies, Heidi draws inspiration from nature and is a passionate downhill skier with a goal to ski year-round. She is also a proud mother of two sons and enjoys watching them grow into adulthood.
Millicent dyos-szolkowska
Millie is a sustainability and climate policy professional with experience at the intersection of environmental strategy, regulatory analysis, and community engagement. She has led projects internationally in both public and private sectors, focusing on climate risk, environmental and social impact measurement, and policy alignment.
Holding a Master’s in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics, Millie bridges scientific analysis with social impact, emphasizing inclusive, evidence-based approaches to sustainability. Now based in Alberta, she is passionate about wildlife protection and rehabilitation and proud to support AIWC’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured wildlife.