Board of Directors
President & Administrator: Lise Christine Blanchette
Lise has dedicated her career to advocating for and supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. Her passion for economic empowerment, health, human rights, poverty alleviation, and social services is evident in her extensive volunteer work and advocacy efforts. Her journey in community service began early in life and evolved into leadership roles on numerous boards, including Child Find Alberta, The Airdrie Food Bank, YWCA of Canada, YWCA of Calgary, and the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. In these positions, she provided crucial support to women and children escaping violence while tirelessly promoting food insecurity, and physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being within communities.
Throughout her career, Lise has demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and a commitment to fostering inclusive environments. As Executive Director at the Airdrie & District Hospice Society, she effectively managed operations to ensure the delivery of essential services to those in need. Her dedication extends beyond professional roles, as seen in her advocacy for hospice care and the provision of grief programs for adults and children across eight communities. Recognized for her leadership, Lise has received honors such as the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. Her unwavering dedication to serving others and enhancing community well-being underscores her role as a compassionate leader and skilled communicator, making a lasting positive impact on the lives of those she serves.
Vice President: Lynda Hemsworth
ADHS Board member since March 2016. Lynda has experience with grief for most of her life, with the loss of her father she was nine years old. She began her career as a special education teacher, before working in an adolescent treatment facility in charge of education. Lynda completed her Masters in ED Psych in 1992 and became registered in Alberta in 1995. She has worked as a school psychologist since, as well in private practice. Presently Lynda works in early childhood services. Sadly, her husband passed in 2016 of colorectal cancer after spending his final 10 days in a hospice in Red Deer. Lynda remains optimistic after that experience and led her to work with ADHS so hospice care could be accessible to all. She is passionate about supporting the end of life care and the journey of grief in general.
Director: Dr. Derick de Waal
Dr. Derick de Waal is a family physician with a medical practice based in Airdrie. In his nearly three decades of work as a physician, he has been involved in all aspects of patient care from pregnancy through to end of life. Derick believes that comfortable and supportive end of life care should be available to patients and their loved ones in our community. He is also currently serving as a member of the Highland Primary Care Network Board; and a clinical lecturer with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. He and his wife have two grown daughters.
Board Member: Carmen Volk
Carmen joined our board in the Spring of 2023. She comes from a long background of counseling and working with children and families, often encompassing grief and loss. Carmen has worked with families from pregnancy and birth, spent time working with adolescents, and is happily working with seniors in the Airdrie community. Carmen has been with several people as they passed and believes that everyone should have support and love as they journey out of this world. Carmen also volunteers with the Airdrie 1st Club, Airdrie Air Cadets, and lives in Airdrie with her husband, their three children, and their dog.