About Us

Lorraine Chan Lorraine’s career path led her to the financial services industry where she worked as a Vice President with JPMorgan, in their Asia region headquarters. Lorraine returned to Canada and joined Conroy Ross Partners in 2005. Now the partner responsible for the firm’s finance and administrative functions, Lorraine also contributes her broad business experience to the needs of the firm’s Search and Consulting clients. Lorraine believes that business success is all about people and providing them with leadership, opportunity and support. This philosophy, combined with her financial and business expertise, has allowed Lorraine to help both clients and the firm become more effective in shaping and executing business strategy. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen's University, Lorraine is a Chartered Accountant and an Institute Certified Director. Lorraine currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Calgary Science School, as well as the Finance and Audit Committee for the National Music Centre.

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.

Janet Hutchinson (Board Chair): Janet has been in love with libraries since she was old enough to 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 Calgary Women's Centre Board of Directors and also volunteers teaching knitting at the Centre. Janet is an avid reader and user of the Calgary Public Library and has recently finished her fourth marathon.

Robert Lowther: Robert Lowther is a professional accountant (CMA and CPA), and he also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration. Robert brings business, finance, and accounting experience from the construction, mining and government sectors. Robert is the Chief Financial Officer at Avalon Master Builder’s group of companies, an Alberta based land developer and homebuilder. Prior to this, he held multiple controller roles within the commercial and industrial construction industry. Robert’s volunteer positions have included 3 years as treasurer and board director of the Regina Open Door Society, board director with CMA Okanagan, and board secretary of Kelowna Junior Chamber International, as well as multiple coaching and mentoring roles. In 2012, Robert was a Power 30 Under 30 Honoree from the Apex Society. Robert believes in the significant contributions the public library system plays in Calgary and across Canada, and the importance that technology plays in its future success.

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.

Avnish Mehta

Colleen Pound: Colleen Pound is an Executive Strategy Advisor who brings people together for extraordinary results. Her focus is on strategy and leader development, change management for high priority organizational initiatives, and advocacy. She has been working with energy, oil and gas, utility and high tech companies for nearly twenty years. Colleen has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Strategy, from University of Calgary. She has studied internationally in Demark and Paris, and completed her International Human Rights Law Certificate at New College, Oxford University in England. Colleen has guest lectured at a number of universities and was one of 13 people who represented Canada on the Private Sector Mission to Washington, D.C in 2011. Colleen helped launch Calgary’s Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, was on the board of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter from 2008-2011, and was featured in Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2012.

E. 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 from law school, Jane articled at the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench and Alberta Court of Appeal. As a partner at Rose LLP, she provides legal advice for construction and development projects from initial conception to through to dispute resolution. Jane drafts all types of engineering and construction-related agreements for complex commercial and industrial projects, works with her clients to develop project delivery strategies (from both a risk management and safety perspective), deals with tendering and procurement issues and resolves all types of construction, builders' liens, surety, and civil litigation claims. Jane is a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, an association of lawyers dedicated to excellence in the practice of construction law.

Executive Leadership Team 

Ellen Humphrey (Interim Chief Executive Officer): Ellen completed her undergraduate, graduate, and library education at the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta, and has worked in both academic and public libraries. She was appointed to the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Public Library in September 2012. A long-term Library employee, she has also served as Manager of the Humanities Department in the Central Library, Manager of Human Resources, Assistant Director for Customer Services, and Deputy CEO. Ellen has been involved in the development of service strategies, human resource planning, and training throughout her library career and considers staff to be the Library’s principal asset.

Paul Lane (Director, Strategic Services): Paul earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University.  Prior to joining Calgary Public Library, he gained library and municipal experience at the Mississauga Library System and The City of Mississauga respectively.  He oversees policy development and strategic planning for the Human Resources, Information Technology, Facility Management and Marketing functions at the Library and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Elrose Klause (Controller): Elrose completed her undergraduate education at the University of Saskatchewan, and the requirements for the CMA designation shortly thereafter. Prior to being hired by the Calgary Public Library in August 2007, she gained valuable experience at several financial and governmental organizations.  

Cathy Freer-Leszczynski (Director Customer Services): Cathy has worked in a variety of capacities at the Calgary Public Library after completing her graduate studies at the University of British Columbia.  She started her career as a children’s Librarian, was Manager of the Crowfoot Branch, and Manager of Community Services.  She is currently responsible for the delivery of service in 19 unique locations including a virtual branch.  Cathy continues to find magic in books and stories and believes in the transformative power of librarians to connect people with ideas.  She is keenly interested in the special role libraries play in our communities.