|
The Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) is a member-owned organization governed by a policy-based Board of Directors and led by an Executive Director. Our members elect volunteer Directors who set strategic direction, establish policy, and ensure the organization remains accountable to its mission and values. Day-to-day operations are carried out by the Executive Director within the authority granted by the Board. This governance structure promotes transparency, fairness, and sound decision-making in the best interests of our members. At CMS, our members come first—always.
|
Annual General Meeting
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held each year so Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) members come together to:
Our next AGM is February 28, 2026.
More information
- Hear Updates – Learn about CMS’s activities, finances, and plans for the future.
- Vote on Important Decisions – Members have a say in key matters, including electing the Board of Directors.
- Ask Questions & Share Feedback – It’s an opportunity to engage with CMS leadership and help shape the direction of the organization.
Our next AGM is February 28, 2026.
More information
Board of Directors
What Does the Board Do?
How Are Board Members Chosen?
CMS members elect the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Board members are volunteers who contribute their time, skills, and experience to govern the organization on behalf of the membership. Interested in joining our Board? Contact the Chair of our Board Development Committee.
- Sets Strategic Direction – Establishes CMS’s long-term vision, purpose, and priorities through policy, ensuring we continue to provide affordable and transparent end-of-life planning options.
- Provides Governance & Oversight – Oversees organizational performance, financial condition, and risk through monitoring and accountability, without managing day-to-day operations.
- Represents Members’ Interests – Makes policy decisions that reflect the needs, values, and best interests of CMS members.
- Ensures Accountability & Sustainability – Holds the Executive Director accountable for operational performance while safeguarding CMS’s long-term sustainability and community impact.
How Are Board Members Chosen?
CMS members elect the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Board members are volunteers who contribute their time, skills, and experience to govern the organization on behalf of the membership. Interested in joining our Board? Contact the Chair of our Board Development Committee.
Meet our Board of Directors and Staff
Tim Duthie, Board Chair
Tim grew up in a rural family with deep roots in the cooperative movement. His first job was with a co-op in rural Alberta, and he went on to build over 20 years of experience working for and with cooperatives, including UFA. He is currently working with different organizations as a fractional sales leader. Tim is also an active community volunteer, having coached numerous youth sports teams in hockey, basketball, soccer, and baseball. He also volunteers as a mentor with Higher Landing in "The Grizzly Den." Contact Tim. |
Dianne Fehr, Vice-Chair
Dianne is a values-driven executive with 23 years in the non-profit sector. As the founding Executive Director of Windmill Microlending, she built Canada’s largest microloan program, lending $20 million to 3,000 internationally trained immigrants. A finalist for the 2016 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, Dianne is skilled in governance, stakeholder engagement, and strategic leadership. Contact Dianne. |
Ross McNichol, Secretary
Ross joined the CMS board in 2023 after serving on the End of Life Advisory Committee from 2022 to 2023. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Ross ran his own practice until his retirement, when he sold it to a leading accounting firm in Calgary. Ross is currently serving as the Chair of the Financial Oversight Committee and is the Board Secretary. Contact Ross.
Ross joined the CMS board in 2023 after serving on the End of Life Advisory Committee from 2022 to 2023. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Ross ran his own practice until his retirement, when he sold it to a leading accounting firm in Calgary. Ross is currently serving as the Chair of the Financial Oversight Committee and is the Board Secretary. Contact Ross.
Miriam Carey, Director (Resigned effective February 28, 2026)
Miriam is a retired Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies from Mount Royal University, specializing in governance and leadership. She has over 20 years of board experience in Calgary, including roles with the Law Society of Alberta, Calgary Humane Society, and Mount Royal University Board of Governors. Miriam also authored 100 Years of Connecting Lives: Calgary Humane Society 1922-2022. Contact Miriam. |
Susan Costello, Director (Final term completed February 28, 2026)
Susan served on the CARP Board of Directors - Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians. She retired from CARP in 2015 and joined the CMS board where she continues her advocacy efforts. Susan will move into the volunteer presentations role on February 1, 2026. Contact Susan. |
Don Gnatiuk, Director
Don holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Royal Roads University, as well as an associate degree in Fire Sciences and a number of designations and certificates, including Board Oversight for Strategy Change Management, Crown Director Effectiveness and Not-for-profit Governance Essentials. He holds an ICID.D designation from the Institute of Corporate directors. He recently retired as President and CEO of Grand Prairie Regional College. Contact Don. |
Elaine Bereziuk-Smith, Director
Elaine joined the board in November 2024 following the exit of Terry Geib, when she moved into the Executive Director position. Elaine brings extensive cooperative board experience at both retail and wholesale levels, with over 30 years in the food, petroleum, and liquor industries, specializing in human resources, operations and strategic planning. Contact Elaine. |
Gael MacLeod, Director
Gael joined the board in 2025 with over 30 years of senior leadership and board experience across cooperatives, charities, and regulatory boards, she excels at fostering collaboration and navigating complex interests. Contact Gael. |
Rob Seipert, Director
Rob joined the board in 2025 with over 20 years of experience in Information Technology, including 15 years in senior leadership and cybersecurity. He brings expertise in project management, contract administration, and team leadership, with a strong focus on problem-solving, customer service, and effective communication. Contact Rob. |
Staff
Terry Geib, Executive Director
Terry became the first Executive Director of the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) in 2024, after serving on its board since 2009. With a background in cooperative governance and strategic planning—and more than 25 years serving on cooperative boards at the national, provincial, and local level—she leads CMS’s operations, membership services, and outreach initiatives. Drawing on her experience as a business strategist with The City of Calgary, Terry focuses on strengthening CMS’s impact through policy development, communications, and community engagement. Contact Terry. 
Deb Patterson, Treasurer joined the CMS Board in 2023 after serving on the End-of-Life Advisory Committee (2022-2023) and became Treasurer in January 2024. With over 30 years of experience in tax and financial planning, she specializes in helping clients navigate estate and end-of-life financial matters, including tax implications for estates and final returns. As the founder of The GRIEF Plan Inc., Debbie has dedicated her career to educating individuals and families about wills, powers of attorney, and estate planning. Debbie move into the contracted financial administrator/treasurer role on February 1, 2026. Contact Deb.
Karen Ryan is a retired leadership coach and mentor who volunteers with the Cooperative Memorial Society by managing CMS mail and bank deposits on a seasonal basis.
As the former Principal Owner of Karen Ryan Consulting, Karen supported organizations and leaders through strategic planning, leadership and executive development, team development, and managing complex change. Her work reflects a systems approach to organizational problem-solving, with a strong focus on relationship-building—bringing people together to resolve conflict, strengthen trust, and support healthy team and organizational culture. Karen’s experience, reliability, and people-centred approach make her a valued part of the CMS volunteer team. |
Barb Montgomery,
Membership Services Coordinator Barb joined CMS in January 2017, following a 30-year career in hotels and hospitality. In her role, Barb manages membership inquiries, assists with telephone applications, maintains member records, and ensures smooth communication between members and service providers. Her warm, caring nature and attention to detail are highly valued by the Board. Contact Barb. 
Jodi Murphy is CMS’s Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator and an organizational change management consultant with over six years of experience supporting complex projects in both public and private sectors. With certifications in Prosci (ADKAR) and APMG, she has led change management for major IT and process transformation initiatives—developing practical communication, engagement, and training approaches that strengthen adoption and support people through transition. Jodi also brings a coaching lens to her work as a part-time leadership coach with BetterUp, helping leaders navigate change with clarity, confidence, and purpose. She is passionate about building strong, connected volunteer teams and turning good ideas into successful, people-centred outcomes. Jodi serves primarily in the Edmonton region. Contact Jodi.
|
Honouring our Past Directors
The Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) has thrived for decades thanks to the dedication and leadership of its volunteer Board of Directors. These individuals have generously given their time, expertise, and passion to guide CMS in its mission to provide affordable, transparent, and community-centred funeral planning.
Our past directors have played a vital role in shaping CMS, ensuring strong governance, financial stability, and advocacy for our members. Their contributions have helped thousands of Albertans access dignified and affordable end-of-life services. We extend our deepest gratitude to the individuals who have served on our board over the years. Their commitment, vision, and service have been instrumental in making CMS what it is today.
Our past directors have played a vital role in shaping CMS, ensuring strong governance, financial stability, and advocacy for our members. Their contributions have helped thousands of Albertans access dignified and affordable end-of-life services. We extend our deepest gratitude to the individuals who have served on our board over the years. Their commitment, vision, and service have been instrumental in making CMS what it is today.
|
Adina Lyon
Aileen Palmer Al Beattie Al Grant Alan Davis Alan Gibson Alan Jessop Aldona Condon Alex Calhoun Andrew Jessen Angus McKinnon Art Norrington Art Turner Barb Gratton Barbara McElroy Bea Empey Betty Woodford Beverly Hanl Bill Murray Bob McPherson Bob Spinney Bobbi Reimer Charlotte Groarke Cheryl Wheat Dave Graham Debbie Patterson Diane Corbett Diane Walker Dianne Fehr Don Gnatiuk Doug Engh Doug Thornton Dyre Scheer-Peter |
Ed Wolf
Elizabeth Baldwin Elvyra Kraus Ester Weerstra Ford Marshall Frank Sheasby G.C. Jamieson Gail Loadman George Melnyk Gerrald Haggett Gerry Merritt Gladys Dynes Hazel Hart Helen Green Irene Stobbe Jack Fears Jeff Schofield Jerry Jonasson Jim Patten John Backhouse John Gorman Joyce Tomboulian Judy Cass Ken Ferguson Knut Vesterdal Larry Truitt Laurie Mills Les McNicol Linda Harsh Lindsay Sangster Lisa Baldwin Liz Blackstock Loretta Biasutti |
Louis Grenier
Lyle Dowdell Lyndie Kehler Margaret deVries Margaret Hall Margery Gibson Mark Farris Mary Etta Tutty Michael Cacace Mike Meredith Mike Mulligan Miriam Carey Mona Thornton Monique Rigole Myrna Malanik Neil Vanderstoop Nellie Pintus Pat Parker Patricia Sather Paul Greig Jr. Pater Jamieson Peter Stacey-Salmon Phil Davidson Ralph White Randy Kott Reverand James Taylor Rhama Friesen Richard Godwin Rick Green Rick Smith Robert Hingston Robert McPherson Robert Smiley |
Ross McNichol
Roy Goodall Ruth Wall Sarah Cantrill Sheila Johnson Shirley Davis Stuart Cantrill Susan Costello Sylvia Kasper Ted Boyko Terry Geib Tim Duthie Tom Kirkbride Tom Stalinkski Tony Villamar Verna Pollack Walter Vysholid Ward Neale Wilf Phillips |
