Susan Ditchburn (Vice-Chair): Susan has an MA and PhD from the University of Calgary. She has held senior positions with the Calgary Board of Education as Superintendent of Curriculum and Superintendent of Research and System Development. In these positions, Susan oversaw Library and Media Services to Calgary Public Schools. She was Associate Dean and Director of the Early Childhood Education Program, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary, and most recently was Principal of Havergal College in Toronto. She served as Program Chair of the second Kaleidoscope Children’s Literature Conference. Currently, Susan sits on the Havergal Foundation Board and on the Royal Conservatory of Music Board. She is an avid reader and enjoys the services and programs provided by the Calgary Public Library. She believes that public libraries provide a critical service in a rapidly changing and complex world.

Alderman Druh Farrell: Druh, now in her fourth term as Alderman for Ward 7, brings a dynamic and constructive approach to her role on City Council. Her impressive track record of accomplishments shows a deep caring for the communities she represents and a vision for a high quality of life for all Calgarians. From curbside recycling, to LRT upgrades, to the downtown beat police, she advocates for long-term investment in our city. Recognized as a leader on land use planning, the environment, and social issues, Druh’s trademark is her passion for urban beauty, safe walkable neighbourhoods, and sustainable solutions to growth. She encourages constructive discussion with residents and is a vocal champion for increased citizen participation in the processes and debates that are shaping the future of Calgary. Druh was appointed to the Calgary Public Library Board in 2010.

Deirdre Harris: Deirdre is the Chief Operating Officer of Hesperian Capital Management Ltd., a Calgary-based portfolio management and investment counseling firm, and has over 18 years of management experience in the financial and investment industry. She has supported many local and international development projects, including Inn from the Cold, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and the Francisco Coll Educational Centre in Guatemala City. Deirdre was appointed to the Calgary Public Library Board in 2008.

Janet Hutchinson: Janet has been in love with libraries since she was old enough receive her first library card. She currently works in two libraries – the Doucette Library of Teaching Resources at the University of Calgary and the school library at Clear Water Academy, where her favorite part of both jobs is finding the perfect book for a reader. Janet has many years experience in the not-for-profit sector, including 3 years with the Alberta Science Literacy Association as Executive Director and 17 years with Calgary Family Services. Janet’s volunteer positions have included 8 years as board member, President, and Past President of the YWCA of Calgary, and 6 years as Board member and President of the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre Board of Directors. In addition to her position on the Calgary Public Library Board, she is a member of the Developmental Disabilities Resource Foundation board of directors, a member of the Social Issues committee of DDRC, and a volunteer with the Women’s Centre of Calgary, where she teaches knitting. Janet is an avid reader and user of the Calgary Public Library, and has recently finished her second marathon.

Marcia E. Lane: An MBA underpinned Marcia’s early academic appointments as Assistant Professor at the business schools at McGill University and University of Calgary. At Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business, she taught in the Nonprofit Studies Program and acted as a faculty mentor in the Entrepreneurship Program; for the MRU Conservatory she produced Shakespeare in the Park. As Associate Producer/General Manager responsible for overall management of the company, Marcia guided Theatre Calgary’s transition into the Performing Arts Centre. At the Centre, Marcia managed Programming, Marketing, and Community Services. Her freelance work has included consulting to organizations as varied as the Nova Scotia Arts Stabilization Fund, the Calgary Farmers Market, and strategic planning for a puppetry centre for Calgary. Currently, Marcia is one of two Public Members on the Board of The College of Pedorthics of Canada, where she chairs the Appeals Committee.

Alderman Gael MacLeod: Gael MacLeod was elected to serve as Alderman for Ward 4 in October 2010. She brings more than 30 years of executive, business, and financial experience from the non-profit, banking, and government sectors to Calgary City Council. Gael has demonstrated a strong commitment to affordable housing while working in the non-profit sector. She has chaired or been a member of a number of boards that include Attainable Homes Calgary Corporation, the Beddington Community Association, YWCA, and the Calgary Community Lottery Board. Gael earned her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Alberta and her MBA at Royal Roads University. She has been actively engaged in community activities and is a strong supporter of life-long learning. Gael was appointed to the Calgary Public Library Board in 2010.

Jamie Niessen (Board Chair): Jamie is President and CEO of Volunteer Calgary. He was formerly the Manager of Community Investment for TransCanada Corporation, one of North America's leading energy infrastructure companies. Jamie has also worked producing TV and interactive media at The Banff Centre, as PR manager for a computer hardware manufacturer in Montreal, with the federal government in Ottawa, and with a major art gallery and the municipal government in Halifax. Jamie was selected among the "Top 40 Under 40" in Calgary by Calgary Inc. magazine in 2003. He was appointed to the Board in 2006.

Jane Sidnell: After obtaining her degree in Architectural Science, Jane worked in the building, construction, and development industries for both municipalities and developers, and ran her own design business. After graduating law school, Jane articled at the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench and Alberta Court of Appeal. As a partner at FMCLaw, she provides legal advice regarding engineering and construction-related agreements, tendering and procurement issues, and all types of construction, builders' liens, surety, and civil litigation cases. Jane is the co-Chair of the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) Contracts Committee and a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, an association of lawyers dedicated to excellence in the practice of Construction Law.

Guido Van Rosendaal: Guido is a physician and professor emeritus of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. He has an extensive background in health and academic administration, including memberships in and chairmanships of several committees, boards, and councils. He is dedicated to building healthy communities and was a member of the Imagine Calgary Roundtable.

Chief Executive Officer

Gerry Meek: Gerry joined the Calgary Public Library in 1991 as Library Director. Under Gerry's leadership, the Calgary Public Library has become the busiest and most economically run large public library in Canada. In Gerry's words: "Public libraries have become the search and knowledge engines of our time. They are local, familiar, and inviting presences that provide a gateway to the world. They give us local access to global storage.”