CLN Board of Directors

CLN Board of Directors

On September 24th, 2024 at Community Learning Network's Annual General Meeting online, elections were held for our Board of Directors. The Board is made up of 6 to 9 volunteer representatives from our membership, from over 80 Community Adult Learning Programs across Alberta. The CLN Board of Directors for 2024-2025 is as follows:

Monica Sczyrba-Davis, Chair

I grew up in southern Ontario and moved to Alberta the day after graduation to come and see the mountains.

I spent several years working in Adventure Tourism through Alberta and BC, going to school at Lakeland College. The best part of guiding clients was coaching people through their fears on a river trip, mountain bike or hiking adventure.

In 2010, I began my career with Pincher Creek CALP. Every day is different, there is always a challenge to work through and the learning coaching has continued. Being part of the journey of a student or team member’s growth keeps me coming back each day, looking for innovative and compassionate ways to support learning.

I am grateful to raise my two daughters in Pincher Creek with my husband. It is a gift to be immersed in all the natural beauty, culture, and history of the region.

Over the last 13 years with CALP, I have enjoyed the friendships, community partnerships and opportunity to connect with other CALP’s in the province on shared challenges and successes. 

The opportunity to contribute to the CLN Board is a way for me to continue my professional learning and to share in the task of advocating for CALP’s as a whole, and for the Learners not yet empowered.

Natasha Bozek, Vice Chair and Governance Committee Chair

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I am originally from Moncton, New Brunswick and moved to Castor, Alberta in the summer of 2015. I am a proud Sports Mom who spends most of my spring, summer and fall weekends on the ball diamonds and I love every minute of it!

Following my first undergraduate degree I moved to Fredericton, NB to complete degrees in Criminology, Education and Counselling. While pursuing my education I did research and taught in the Education Faculty at the University of New Brunswick and taught in the Psychology Faculties at Crandall University and Kingston University.

After having my son, I spent 5 years as the Executive Director of the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick. The Coalition did much work with and supported the CALP system in New Brunswick, while also doing research, celebrating learner success, and promoting family literacy. Upon arrival in Alberta, I completed my Counselling practicum with Clearview School Division and worked at the Stettler Outreach Centre. I then moved into recreation as the Recreation Director for the Town of Castor from 2016 to 2021. It was time for a change and the Neutral Hills Community Adult Learning Society needed a new Executive Director, and they asked me to join their team in January 2022.

I am grateful to be back in the literacy field and to be working with an amazing group of individuals and supporting adults eager to learn. In addition to joining the CLN Board, I am also a member of PDAC. I have joined both of these groups so that I can get to better understand our work and contribute to the overall affect our work is having on our province.

Tanya Mercredi, Treasurer

I am nearing my five-year anniversary of being part of CALP! As a Coordinator with Ponoka & Rimbey Adult Learning, I have served both communities and am grateful to be part of a grassroots organization that serves people in such an impactful way. 

A country girl at heart, I can most often be found caring for animals on the farm I work with my husband.

In my CALP role, I have served as a member of the Professional Development Advisory Committee and took part in a focus group working with Advanced Education on developing the CALP Logic Model and Outcomes Measurement Framework. I pride myself on building strong relationships with Learners, Volunteers, Co-workers and the community at large and look forward to contributing to the Community Learning Network Board.

Tanya Klappe, Secretary

Hello fellow CALPers! My name is Tanya Klappe and I work for South Central Adult Learning Society. We are based out of Airdrie, but also support people from Cochrane, Chestermere and the rest of Rocky View County. Over my 15 or so years working in the CALP system I have enjoyed several roles including volunteer tutor, EAL instructor, volunteer coordinator, program coordinator, PDAC board member and currently executive director.

With all these past endeavors, I knew I couldn’t resist the opportunity to experience the role of CLN board member as well! My background is in anthropology so I tend to be a curious person and aim to unpack knowledge and understanding by looking at things from different angles. My goal is to put these traits to use as a member of the CLN Board. I am truly passionate about the work we do within foundational learning and I am looking forward to continuing my own learning in this new role.

Dave Albrecht, Director

I was born in southern Saskatchewan, and our family moved to Alberta before I could walk. I grew up on a mixed farm by Two Hills, Alberta.
I have a formal education in Engineering Design and Drafting Technology and have worked for many years in this field. I also have a vast range of experience in the non-profit sector, both paid and volunteer. This includes working for Burlington Hamilton Wentworth United Way, Edmonton’s Food Bank and The Alberta Board Development Program.

My partner and I semi-retired in 2017 and moved back to my hometown of Two Hills. My volunteer work with the local Two Hills FCSS got me connected with the world of adult learning and I joined the Two Hills Adult Learning Council in 2022. Besides working with individuals in helping them realize their learning goals and potential, I also have a great passion for gardening, carpentry and love of artisan bread making.

Stephanie Brown, Director

When I was a child, I despised school.  I was always getting into trouble and sitting in the hallway for  ‘acting out’.  I longed to be outside or partaking in any activity that didn’t require me being quiet and sitting still for any length of time.  School just didn’t work for me, and I ended up ‘dropping out’ at the age of 16.  With the help of my brother, I was able to obtain my GED at the age of 19.

Fast forward roughly 15 years… I was working in the Service industry, and wasn’t loving it anymore.  I knew it was time for growth.  I had a friend recommend that I take Office Administration though Lakeland College.  I remember having to work myself up to the task of applying.  Being out of school for so long, I didn’t feel I had the skills required to enter back into a school system.  I entered the program as a mature student and worked an extra 6 months to finish the program.  This led me to a new realization… I love to learn! 

Many new learning experiences have taken place for me since.  In 2009, I ‘went back to school’ to obtain my upgrading with NorQuest College.  I couldn’t believe how much my mind expanded with all the learning… I actually learned to LOVE Math! 

This led me to where I am today.  I started with Hinton Adult Learning as a tutor for Math, which has evolved into an Essential Skills Coach/GED Coordinator position over the 9 years that I have been with CALP.  Having access to continuous Professional Development with CLN has developed my skills as an Adult Learner, which helps me to provide better for my community with Adult Learning.  I am a firm advocate for lifelong learning… with learning, comes growth in all aspects of our lives.  I choose to see obstacles as a chance for growth to occur.

Leslie Carbone, Director

I was born and raised in Edmonton and moved to Tangent, a small town in Northern Alberta, in 2004 to farm with my husband. We have two daughters, Sophia and Emma, and enjoy spending our summers at Wabamun Lake.

My professional experience includes roles as an Educational Assistant, ECS teacher, and Speech Language Assistant. Since October 2019, I have served as the Executive Director of Smoky River Adult Learning, where working with adults is both fulfilling and rewarding. I am deeply passionate about learning and teaching.
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Claudinei Saunders-Cruz, Director

Originally from Brazil, I made the life-changing move to Canada in 2007, eventually calling Wainwright home. In Brazil, I pursued my passion for education as a Portuguese teacher. Since settling in Wainwright, I've dedicated the last decade to Wainwright Adult Learning, progressing from Program Coordinator to Program Manager. Every moment in this organization fills me with joy because of my genuine love for adult education. Outside of work, music holds a special place in my heart despite my admission that I'm musically challenged. My piano skills are limited to playing "Silent Night"!