Erick Ambtman
Executive Director - eambtman@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2011
Which talent would you most like to have?
I'd love to be a great speaker or writer because words are so powerful and can bring about change.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being hired as the ED of EMCN.
What book do you recommend most to people?
Something by Hemmingway. Either For Whom the Bell Tolls or Old Man and the Sea
Who are your heroes in real life?
My grandparents and more specifically my grandmother. She sacraficed so much for everyone around her and she did it with a grace I can only dream of.
What is your motto?
Get out of the way of others and don’t get in my own way. I generally think the people around me know better than I do, so don’t interfere with them, in fact I think my job is to remove barriers impeding them. I think people tend to be their own worst enemies and I don’t want to be one of mine.
Jacqueline Scott
Manager, Language Services - jscott@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2008
Which talent would you most like to have?
I really wish I had some artistic ability. I can only draw stick men and sing off key.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Raising four remarkable sons.
Who are your favorite writers?
I’m an avid reader, so I have dozens of favorites. Miriam Toews consistently writes books that I love, but my favorite book is “The Shipping News” by E. Annie Proulx.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My sisters. They are the most amazing women I know.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Trust that things will work out so that I can stress about things less.
Laurie Hauer
Site Manager, Nova Plaza / Manager of Employment, Bridging & Training Programs - lhauer@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 1988
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could sing! Actually, I wish I could sing well! I do, however, sing like an Expert on Rock Band.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I would have to say, adopting my children. 21 years ago, this December, I became a single mom of two and my life changed, for the better, ever since.
Who are your favorite writers?
I am very eclectic in my tastes. Some of my favorites include: Umberto Eco, Dan Brown, Kathy Lette, and Percy Shelley.
What book do you recommend most to people?
Focault’s Pendulum, by Umberto Eco
Where would you most like to live?
New Orleans, Louisiana. Since visiting there three years ago, I fell in love with the city, its culture and its people!
Rispah Tremblay
Manager, Settlement and Social Work - rtremblay@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2007
Which talent would you most like to have?
There are so many, but if I was choose one I would say I wish I could paint. I love art, but I will settle on enjoying other artists work.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I could change one thing, it would be to make a habit out of waking up early.
Where would you most like to live?
Somewhere warm, maybe tropical with sunshine all year round. Some sandy beaches and palm trees would be a bonus.
Who are your favorite writers?
Too many to name, if I can name only three, they would be, Chinua Achebe, Agatha Christie and Napoleon Hill.
What is your motto?
Time is precious, use it wisely.
Ricki Justice
Deputy Executive Director - rjustice@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2015
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I am Beyonce, always.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
When I was five, I imagined that there was such a thing as unicorn. And this is before I had even heard of one or seen one.. I just drew a picture of a horse that could fly over rainbows and had a huge spike in its head. And I was five, five years old. Couldn't even talk yet!
Who are your favorite writers?
Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I love babies. I think they are beautiful in all sorts of different ways. I try to pick up and hold a baby every day, if possible, because it nourishes me. It feeds my soul. Babies are drawn to me. And I think it’s because they see me as one of them. But … cooler and with my life put together a little bit more. If a baby were president, there would be no taxes. There would be no war.
What is your motto?
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
Toyin Fatona
Manager, Human Resources - tfatona@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 1996
Which living person do you most admire?
Rev. Billy Graham
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Immigrating to Canada 21 years ago.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Music
Where would you most like to live?
Victoria, BC. Canada
What do you most value in your friends?
Trustworthiness
Ada Okeke
Chief of Staff - aokeke@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2013
Which living person do you most admire?
I admire the individuals who work quietly behind the scenes to support and help others and to make things work. These people are mostly not visible and therefore not lauded, and are found in the quiet corners of all walks of life. I doff my hat to them!
Who are your favourite writers?
I like Chinua Achebe. I like the simple language he uses and can relate with his stories. The imagery in his books is usually vivid. Whenever I pick any of his books to ready, I am immediately transported in that time and place of the story. Have you ever felt like NOT finishing a book because you love it so much? That is the melancholy I feel whenever, I get to the last few chapters because I can no longer escape into the story! Another that I enjoy like that is the Tom Clancy series – international espionage. These are some of the ones I like.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My mom -she has warmth such as is out of this world, just gives and gives. My dad – he is like a rock, very solid and dependable, so organised.
What is your motto?
Live and let live.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Oh wow!
Katharine Laurie
Manager, Family & WellbeingEmployee Since: 2018
Which talent would you most like to have?
Is falling asleep easily, anywhere, and staying asleep all night a talent? If so, that’s what I need!
Where would you most like to live?
In a solar powered mountain cabin overlooking the ocean.
What do you most value in your friends?
Authenticity, and lack of judgement about my messy house.
Who are your favourite writers?
Daniel Quinn, Jose Saramago, Chinua Achebe
Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents
Eun-Jin Kim
WCI Site Manager - ejkim@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2008
Which living person do you most admire?
Don Baergen (EMCN Co-founder) - He is the kindest human being I've ever met. When my daughter heard that I became a manager, she said to me, "Mom, be like Don."
Where would you most like to live?
Plum Village in France
What book do you recommend most to people?
Letters to Sam by Daniel Gottlieb, My Grandfather's Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen and Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh (I can't choose one book)
Who are your heroes in real life?
My clients who taught me about resilience
What is your motto?
No road is long with good company (Turkish Proverb)
Marla Welk
Stakeholder Engagement & Communications Director - mwelk@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2016
Which living person do you most admire?
My mom.
Who are your favorite writers?
Khaled Hosseini
What book do you recommend most to people?
The Celestine Prophecy
Who are your heroes in real life?
My kids, Amanda Lindhout and Malala Yousafzai
What is your motto?
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get.
Derrick Schmuhl
Manager, Bridging and Training Programs - dschmuhl@emcn.ab.caEmployee Since: 2003 (consulting since 2001)
Which living person do you most admire?
Stephen Hawking
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I can change what I want to change and I don't waste energy worrying about things I can't.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My healthy, happy kids, Heinreich and Chieza.
Where would you most like to live?
Depends on what time in my life you ask. Right now, I'm right where I want to be.
What is your motto?
Start from Zero and do the work.