Pamela spent the first 27 years of her life in Ontario, growing up in London, and completing her undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature, and her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at Western University. After two years working in Toronto, she ran for the hills in the West and has never looked back.

Pamela has been an Information Management Business Leader in the Calgary oil and gas industry since 1993, working for national and international companies: Alberta Energy Company, EnCana, Statoil, TransCanada, Spectra Energy and Enbridge. She has also operated her own consulting business, Creative Information Solutions Inc., specializing in Information Governance and Intellectual Property.

She moved to Okotoks in 2004 when she married the love of her life, Ken Colosimo, and immersed herself in the local community. She has served as Chairperson of the Foothills Country Hospice Board, Chair of the Artifacts Committee for the Friends of the Bar U Board, Member on the Okotoks Arts Council, President of the Foothills Humane Society, Fund Development at the Okotoks Public Library and President of the St. James CWL.

In 2019, Pamela accepted the role of Executive Director of the Okotoks Food Bank. It is a job that continues to provide daily challenges and constant fulfillment. Suffice to say it has transformed her life. When not working or volunteering in the community, Pamela relishes her time spent with family, friends, and the menagerie of three dogs, one horse and too many bees to count.

“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” – Maya Angelou

Donna’s career and volunteer paths have centered around serving others in need. She has a degree in Home Economics with an extensive background in food and nutrition education in the public health and the agriculture sectors. It’s important to her that everyone has access to safe and nutritious food. She has taught cooking classes, facilitated community kitchens and managed Fresh Food Box programs for many years. In addition to teaching, Donna has experience in food writing and developing nutrition resources.

Donna enjoys all things about food…growing, cooking, eating and good nutrition. Since she was very young she has been influenced by her mother and grandmothers’ instinctive and creative cooking skills and gardening knowledge. She’s always experimenting with recipes or developing new ones. She feels it’s important to pass these skills onto others.

Donna has volunteered with many organizations in our community. Her strengths are in leadership and program development.

Donna has been married to Chris for 36 years and has 2 adult married sons and daughter-in-law’s and 3 young grandchildren. She has lived in Okotoks since 1984. She loves the friendly small-town atmosphere, community spirit and the many opportunities to serve in our community.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Bente Yanota moved to Canada from Denmark as a child and has lived in Okotoks most of her life. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she joined a local food manufacturing company and then continued to work in a variety of industries in the Okotoks area.

Bente began volunteering at the Okotoks Food Bank where her role eventually grew into Client Support Coordinator and Community Garden Coordinator.

A passionate community advocate and volunteer, Bente has lent her time and talents to the Okotoks Toy Library, It Takes a Village, and to her children’s schools. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, cycling and walking the family dog, Peaches. She is a member of the St. James catholic church.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Church Affiliation: St. Peter’s Anglican Church

Soli Deo gloria.

St. Peter’s Anglican Church

Phillippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Okotoks Evangelical Free Church

Philippians 4:13…I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

St. Peter’s Anglican

I don’t really have a favorite quote or mantra but I really believe that we should treat others in a way we would like to be treated ourselves. We all come from different walks of life, which affords different opportunities. Kindness, compassion, a little understanding and a smile cost nothing. Pass it on!

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Grace Lutheran Church

Benjamin Franklin: Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Okotoks Alliance Church

Accept what is, let go of what was, have Faith in what will be.

Okotoks United Church

John Sangster: Remember to be kind, and a little bit blind, and always look for the good in people.

Dave joined the Board in September 2018. His career in Downstream oil and gas spans 42 years, living in 10 different locations. Dave has volunteered for many organizations including United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, MRU Calgary Marketing Advisory Board, St. James Parish Council and is currently the Grand Knight of Okotoks Knights of Columbus. He and his spouse Odile have lived in Okotoks since 2000 and have four grown children and 8 grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, financial management, investing in real estate, travelling and working with volunteer organizations where he feels he can make a difference.

St James Catholic Parish

We cannot become what we want by remaining who we are.