Staff & Board Members

THE FACES OF INTERFAITH

Staff Members

Executive Director

Danielle McIntyre

Since 2006, I’ve been the Executive Director at Interfaith Food Bank. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work for a cause I believe in; it’s the community nature of Interfaith Food Bank that keeps me excited about coming to work every day – working with great people on initiatives & projects that make a true difference in the lives of those we serve.

Phone:403 320 8779

Fax:403 328 0521

Operations Manager

Neil Heaton

When I finished university, I came to Interfaith working as the driver, picking up food from donors. Over time, my position has evolved, and I am now Operations Manager, which includes shipping/receiving, site management, and purchasing. When I first started, it was merely a job but over time it became a passion and very enjoyable career.

Phone:403 320 8779

Fax:403 328 0521

Client Intake Supervisor

Gladys Karanja

Shortly after I completed my degree at the University of Lethbridge, the opportunity arose for me to become the Client Intake Supervisor. It is a privilege to be able to help the clients who come to the food bank, and to know that we are able to help meet their needs, both by providing food, and referring them to other community agencies.

Phone:403 320 8022

Warehouse Supervisor

Troy Tollestrup

I came to work at Interfaith Food Bank in 2004 as the warehouse-man. I am heavily involved in the daily activities of the warehouse; sorting through food, keeping the warehouse clean and organized, and providing support for volunteers. I am grateful that every day I come to work, I am helping those less fortunate in our community.

Phone:403 320 8779

Fax:403 328 0521

Driver and Operations Support

Aaron Fedunec

I started working at Interfaith in 2022 as the driver and operations support. My role is to transport food and supplies from our donors to our warehouses. It brings me great joy to come to work for my community every day! I am grateful to work for this organization and for the work we do to help those around us.

Donor Relations

Amy Granger

Growing up in Lethbridge, I have developed a great love for this city, the surrounding communities, and the people that call it home. I am continually blown away by the generosity of our community. There are so many that are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work to help those that need it most. I am proud of the work that we do at Interfaith Food Bank and the part I get to play in making our city a better place to live and raise our families in. I am proud to call Southern Alberta my home.

Phone:403-320-8779

Email:donations@interfaithfoodbank.ca

Admin & Finance Assistant

Myla Krippl

I first started working at IFB in 2021 as the Summer Program Coordinator and Garden student. I loved it here so much that since then, I have come back multiple times to fill various support roles. I am now at Interfaith as the Admin and Finance Assistant. I am glad I get to work in this amazing place and help keep the food bank running and organized.

Phone:403 320 8779

Food Share Coordinator

Michelle Parry

I came to the Interfaith Food Bank as a Christmas temporary worker in 2021 and ended up happily joining the team in Client intake in 2022.

My background is primarily in the restaurant/service industry but had decided to switch my focus to finding a career in the non-profit/ helping sector. I have recently accepted the position of Food Share Coordinator and look forward to helping smaller agencies and food banks around Southern Alberta have better access to food. It has been extremely rewarding to work in the community at Interfaith Food Bank and I hope to continue to do so for years to come.

Fun Facts about me – I have a Berne doodle named Jarome and I bowl a 140 at 5 pin.

Client Advocacy and Resource Program Coordinator

Mariam Ghali

Hi my name is Mariam, I`m the new Client Advocacy and Resource Room Coordinator . I have worked with non-profits for many years, I love helping people. that is why I’m so excited about my part here since it allows me as a human being and as a new immigrant myself to help people navigate and access different kinds of community resources that can help make their lives better

Looking forward to being able to connect with our valued clients, donors, volunteers, and other agencies as my time here progresses.

Fun fact about me: I really love learning new languages so stop by and teach me a new word

From any language you know, and I will teach you an Arabic word as well.

SALAM (peace)

Email :resource@interfaithfoodbank

Phone :(403)-320-1879 (ext.. 225)

Marketing & Communications

Taylor Doyle

Hey, my name is Taylor and I do the Marketing and Communications here at Interfaith. I started in the Summer Events Coordinator role in May 2023 and am overjoyed to now be a part of the permanent team! To fill the rest of my time I am also a full time student at U of L studying for my Bachelor’s in Marketing.

Since moving here four years ago, I have fallen in love with the Lethbridge community. I am so lucky to work for an organization focused on food security and that truly makes a difference in peoples lives. I look forward to continuing to engage with the IFB community!

Kitchen Facilitator

Jessica Gelata

I am a mom of 2 girls and have just recently moved to Lethbridge with my husband. During my maternity leave I first started volunteering to give back to the community and quickly discovered the community impact and need for the Interfaith Food Bank. The mission that drives the organization, volunteers and staff created an atmosphere I desired to be a part of. Providing education to clients to further their food, nutrition and kitchen knowledge is a privilege. I also work with our wonderful volunteers in the Coop Community Kitchen in the Food Recovery Program making recipes to maximize our resources.

I hope to engage in the community further through the development of Helpful Hobbies groups that promotes sewing and knitting and other hobbies for personal use or donations for IFB.

Food Access Coordinator

RJ Westra

Hi! I’m Romile but I go by RJ. I was first introduced to the Interfaith Food Bank last year while myself and a client I worked with volunteered in the warehouse. I quickly recognized the welcoming environment and positive energy of the IFB. I really felt that the staff and volunteers were great people, contributing valuable service to the community and impacting people’s lives in such a positive way.

I’m excited to be on the team fulfilling the new role as the Food Access Coordinator. My position involves ensuring food is being allocated to all the different areas of the food bank and the programs that we support. This involves me working extensively with our fantastic volunteer staff whom I’d like to acknowledge as being such an integral part of this organization. In school, I studied psychology and I have a history working in human services, primarily as a support worker.

I enjoy engaging with the wide range of volunteers and clients that come through the food bank and I am proud to be a part of such a worthy and impactful cause. It is my objective to make a lasting contribution to the IFB’s mission. I want to provide meaningful interactions for our volunteers and clients and be of service for people in need. The IFB is a great place and I hope to see you around!

Admin Support

Lisa Schalk

Hello, I have lived in Lethbridge for most of my life and have grown to love this city that I and so many other people call home.

When I started volunteering at IFB I quickly realized that this is an amazing place full of amazing people who give of themselves regularly to help fulfill the charity’s mission and vision. IFB does so much for the community by providing food and resources to those who need it and it is an amazing feeling to be part of that! I also absolutely love the feeling of purpose and community that this has provided for me and so many others who volunteer.

So, when I was recently awarded the position of Admin Assistant, I was thrilled to be a part of the team in a different way. I have really loved this new position and look forward to all of the ways that I can learn and grow with this amazing organization.

Summer Program Coordinator

Holden Fafard

Hello, my name is Holden. I’m the Summer Program Coordinator for the 2024 summer season. I’ve only recently joined Interfaith at the beginning of May, but I look forward to spending more time at the organization along with working outside in our learning garden with volunteers and community members.

I’m excited to be a part of all the fun events and activities that are being planned for the summer and beyond. I’m thrilled to interact more with the amazing community here in Lethbridge, a community which I have gotten to know more and more thanks to my time as a student at U of L.

Summer Events Coordinator

Heidi Sommerfeld

Hi! I’m Heidi and I am the Summer Events Coordinator here at Interfaith Food Bank.

I started as a volunteer here at IFB during the Christmas season in 2022. Amidst the hectic holiday season, I quickly fell in love with the IFB way and the amazing environment that has been cultivated for its clients, volunteers, and staff. Although everything is better at Christmas, IFB proved this was a year-round magic that they were creating and sharing. Since then, IFB has become a staple in my weekly routine as a time to meet new people, build new skills, and most importantly give back to my community. I have had great opportunities to help with some of the events such as the Charity Dinner and was able to bring it full circle and be here full-time throughout the Christmas season this last year. I am so excited to now be a bigger part of this wonderful team and community, it’s going to be such a fun and busy summer. Make sure to keep an eye out for all our events and I hope to see you there!

Board of Directors

President

Angela Wilde

I am pleased to work with the Interfaith Foodbank as a board member and volunteer.  As a retired educator, I have seen the difference that the Interfaith Food Bank makes in people’s lives and look forward to working and serving together to make Lethbridge and area a good place to live.

Past President

Susan Burrows-Johnson

I believe that people should not go hungry in our city. After working in nonprofits and public service before retiring , I am pleased to help at this food bank where I can.

Vice President

Sandra McGrath

Having worked with the individuals with barriers and disabilities my entire career, I see the positive outcomes when they have the support they need in order to succeed.  Interfaith Food Bank is is one of those supports in the community and it is pleasure to sit as a member of the board.

Treasurer

Keith Greeno

Secretary

Laurie Gibson

I am employed as a social worker with Disability Services and have a keen interest in social justice issues.  I began my term with the IFB Board in April 2022, and am pleased to be a part of the governance board for this important organization.  I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning from other board members and staff.

Director

Kim Waterfield

Finance Committee

HR Committee

Director

Echo Nowak

Since being employed with Interfaith as the Volunteer Coordinator, my awareness for food security has grown and so has my love for Interfaith.

Having changed roles in my career I wanted to continue giving back to my community and what better way than to become a board member!

Interfaith embraces the people around them and believe in giving “people a hand up, not a hand out”

I look forward to being a part of the Interfaith ever-growing team

Phone:403 320 8779

Director

Brittia Tonin

I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Interfaith Food Bank Board of Directors team. The IFB’s work in serving the community by offering a hand up, and not a hand out, is outstanding and I’m looking forward to supporting their work at the board level.

Director

Blair Roth

After a career in AG food production, processing and marketing it’s only fitting to give back by trying to help increase food security in our community. Have been a volunteer at the IFB for a number of years.

Director

Frank Onuh

Frank Onuh is a doctoral student at the University of Lethbridge and is very passionate about contributing to the growth and comfort of community members in whatever capacity he can. While in Nigeria, he supported different NGOs whose primary goals range from mitigating hunger, providing free and affordable education to protecting the girl child. Since arriving in Lethbridge, Frank’s commitment has only strengthened. We are happy to harness his skills and experience to advance our strategic goals.

Director

Rich Thiessen

I have been involved in business ownership and management for the last 30 years.  I have also been involved with multiple community organizations as a volunteer and as a board member.  The reputation and work of the Interfaith Food Bank is outstanding in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.  I look forward to sitting on the Board of such a fine organization and desire to help advise from the Board level.  I also am looking forward to finding valuable ways to contribute as an active volunteer.