ANTHONY (Tony) Mankowski, CHAIR
Tony is a long-time resident of Fort McMurray and is currently an entrepreneur in the community. Most recently he took on the role of Regional General Manager for Finning Canada. Tony has been an active volunteer and leader with the United Way and Keyano College Board of Governors. He was an original steering committee member for the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation and has a significant presence in the social profit sector of the community.
Maureen Cormier Jackson, founding/past Chair
Maureen was a long-time resident of Fort McMurray, moving there in 1980 and making it home for 22 years. Her two children were born and raised in Fort McMurray and she was involved in the community in many ways. Maureen was President of the Wood Buffalo Environment Association, President of the Noralta Skating Club and Co-chair of the United Way campaign at Suncor, to name a few. She has stayed connected to the community through her work, her children and her friends.
Maureen has more than 35 years of executive, financial and operational experience in the oil and gas industry. Her career at Suncor spanned numerous roles, ultimately Senior Vice President, Chief Process and Information Officer until she retired in 2013. Maureen currently serves on the Board of Directors for Obsidian Energy, Enerflex Ltd., and is on the Dean's Advisory Board for the Dean of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She currently resides in Calgary with her husband, Barry.
Anna Seinen, Board Member
Anna Seinen has been proud to call Fort McMurray home for seven years. She works at Suncor as an advisor in stakeholder relations and community partnerships - collaborating, convening and building sustainability in the social profit sector and creating energy for a better community together. Sitting on community committees is how Anna gives back to her community personally and on behalf of industry. She currently sits on the Homelessness Initiatives and Strategies Committee (HISC - part of the federal 10 year plan to end homelessness), the United Way and Red Cross Community Partnerships Table (assessing Horse River Wildfire recovery grants over $100k), and the Convergence YMM Advisory Committee (born from Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo, bringing the three sectors together to build capacity and relationships). WBCF is excited to add Anna's passion and skill in community-building to our Board of Directors.
cynthia shelley-Lewis, BOARD MEMBER
Like many Fort McMurrites, Cynthia Shelley has roots in Eastern Canada, but has called Fort McMurray home for over 22 years. She has served her community as a teacher, counselor, and administrator where she has worked with many community agencies in support of children, youth and families.
As a leader, her professional life has been dedicated to youth and lifelong learning. She loves to travel and learn about new perspectives, extraordinary places and invaluable life lessons. She is the Director of Inclusive Education at the Fort McMurray Public School Division and has been involved in the community in various ways through her work in Education.
Nayef Mahgoub,P. ENg.,MBA, BOARD MEMBER
An active volunteer, mentor, and leader in the community, Nayef is a leader with RMWB’s Emergency Social Services (ESS); board member with the RMWB’s Assessment Review Board, and Subdivision Development & Appeal Board; Fort McMurray Construction Association; Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce; and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Wood Buffalo Food Bank, Girls Inc.; and is the President of the local chapter of PEMAC Asset Management Association of Canada.
After 6 years with Suncor Energy (with his last role as Acting Director), Nayef founded his own engineering firm, Akron Engineering, of which he is Managing Director.
Nayef and his wife, Patek Mahgoub, have enjoyed living and working in Fort McMurray for over 10 years.
Emma Thorpe, BOARD MEMBER
Emma has worked with Suncor for over 20 years, living in Sarnia, GTA, Calgary, and now Fort McMurray since early 2019. She is the general manager at Suncor’s MacKay River site and is accountable for the safe and reliable operation of the facility. She previously worked in corporate roles focused on operational risk management, and in downstream operations including eight years at Suncor’s Sarnia refinery. She and her husband are extremely proud parents of two elementary-school aged children, and are happily growing roots in this active and exciting community.
Dr. Sandra Efu, Board Member
Dr. Sandra Efu is proud to call Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo home and is committed to initiatives that advance the region's sustainable economic development. Sandra has worked in Africa and the Americas, including managing projects with various international financial institutions, such as the Inter-American Development Bank, and leading global mobility initiatives. Sandra's experiences reinforce her commitment to advancing cultural exchanges and education as tools for global economic development.
An avid volunteer in the community, Sandra served on the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games board and was a mentor for the Wood Buffalo Venture Mentoring Program. She is currently an Assistant Coach with the Fort McMurray Youth Soccer Association.
Dr. Efu is currently the Vice President, Academic and Student Experience at Keyano College.
Shaun Moore, BOARD MEMBER
Shaun and his wife relocated to Fort McMurray after joining Syncrude in 2009. Having overshot their ‘3 year plan’ by 10 years, they are proud to have called Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo home.
He is a graduate of Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business, and his subsequent career in Syncrude’s Human Resources function where he has held various roles of increasing responsibility.
Shaun considers himself fortunate for all the opportunities within Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. He strongly believes in community service and volunteering to improve our region.
Shaun and his wife are the proud parents of two children and can usually be found at their second home - the hockey rink.
nicole bourque-bouchier, BOARD MEMBER
Nicole Bourque-Bouchier is an industry leader, philanthropist, and advocate for the communities she lives and works in. Nicole is proudly Mikisew Cree First Nation, born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where she resides with her husband and five children.
As co-owner and CEO of Bouchier, Nicole’s creative and strategic approach has transformed the business into one of the largest Indigenous-owned and operated integrated site service companies in the Athabasca Oil Sands region. Today, Bouchier employs over 1,000 people, 43% of whom self-identify as Indigenous. The company also operates a fleet of 400+ equipment. Nicole began her career in computer systems, before transitioning to the oil and gas sector where she worked with several top producers. She then began her own consulting company where her entrepreneurial spirit flourished.
Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Influential Women by the Women's Executive Network in 2015, Nicole uses her traditional teachings, experience, and voice to advocate for Indigenous women’s economic empowerment. Dedicated to her community and giving back, she has served on the boards of numerous non-profits across Alberta, including Keyano College's Board of Governors, the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association, Alberta Apple Schools Foundation, and Indspire's Board of Directors.
Nicole's career serves as an inspiration to those around her, particularly as the recipient of numerous accolades including the 2022 RBC WOI Excellence Award, Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, Indspire Award for Business and Commerce, CCAB Indigenous Women in Leadership Award, and was named one of six Canadian CEOs as 2020 Catalyst Honours Champion.
GAYLENE WEIDLICH, Executive Director
Gaylene and her family are proud to call Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo home. She is passionate about community development and has volunteered with a variety of organizations over the years.
She was awarded the Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence: 2022 Newcomer Engagement Award.
