Gordon & Diane Buchanan Family Foundation
Diane Kyle -Buchanan
Chair
Diane and Gordon shared thoughts with respect to building community. Diane was born in Edmonton and has been involved in the community from a very early age. She is a business woman with diverse business activities. All of her business interests must have a component of supporting the community. Her view is you cannot simply take out without putting back. Diane's involvements extend to public companies, hospital boards, the arts, international support projects and private corporations. "Reaching out has to extend beyond our own borders." A Rotarian for many years opened her view to the world at large.
We have been charged with the building and administration of this foundation. Together we hope to provide the vision and impact of giving in a supportive and sustainable manner for generations to come.
"I feel it is most important what you do for others; rather than what you say you will do" ... it defines your core values and can change the world ...
Sine Chadi
Vice Chair
Sine Chadi is a former MLA, Sine is currently President and CEO of Imperial Equities Inc., a publicly traded company on the TSX Venture Exchange with a head office in Edmonton, Alberta.
Yolanda Van Wachem
Secretary
Yolanda has a wide variety of experience and expertise in wills and estates, family law and administrative law. Her practice provides services in the areas of estate planning and estate litigation, dependent adult matters, divorce, matrimonial property, custody disputes, child welfare, private adoption, pre-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements and post-separation matrimonial property agreements.
Yolanda also has experience in the area of professional liability and advising health-focused professional associations. She is counsel for the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association, and has acted on behalf of the Children’s Guardian and the Director of Maintenance Enforcement.
Lisa Baroldi
Director
Lisa Baroldi is an award-winning business leader, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor who helps organizations turn ambitious ideas into action. Since founding Progress (un)Ltd. in 2007, she has advised governments, municipalities, Indigenous-led organizations, and international clients, shaping strategy, building partnerships, and securing millions of dollars for innovative initiatives.
Her leadership experience includes serving as President and CEO of BOMA Edmonton and North, Executive Director of the Big Lakes County Economic Development Authority, and Senior Advisor to the Canada–UAE Business Council. She has also co-founded initiatives in Indigenous workforce development and city building, including Canada’s first Indigenous research and workforce initiative in commercial real estate and Designing Downtown, a national urban-design movement between cities.
Raised in rural Alberta in Treaty 8 territory and Métis Region 6, Lisa is committed to bringing rural, northern, and Indigenous perspectives into decisions that shape communities, organizations, and Canada’s economic future. Her honours include the International Sustainability Trailblazer Award, Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40, and the Economic Partnership Award from Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training. She is an alumna of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and holds degrees and honours from Carleton University, L’Institut d’études politiques de Lyon, and the University of Alberta.