Our Team

Perry has been supporter of the credit union system in Alberta for many years and truly believes in the importance of collaboration. To help ensure credit unions have greater relevance and impact in years to come, Perry joined the board for Alberta Central, elected in April 2018. He brings an inquisitive and strategic focus and is committed to holding the board accountable to its mandate.

A small business leader and active community member, Perry has extensive experience in board governance, audit and finance, and compensation. He previously sat on the boards for Calgary Opera Association, Learning Disabilities of Alberta, Alberta Central and Servus Credit Union. He holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge and the Institute of Corporate Directors Designation. Pragmatic, open and direct, Perry brings strategic focus and an understanding of the trade-off between risks and returns.

“Credit unions are different. We care deeply about our members and the communities in which we do business. We have a huge opportunity to tell our story, leverage our difference and grow the credit union market share in Alberta.”

Brett Oland was elected to Alberta Central’s board of directors in April 2014 and was chair of Alberta Central’s board from 2016-2019. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his days in a senior management role at Canadian Western Bank and working with other financial institutions in Edmonton and in the Cayman Islands. Brett has been a credit union member all of his life. He is currently the Interim CEO of Bow Valley Credit Union.

Brett is a Chartered Professional Accountant and gained extensive experience working with many industries while articling with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Calgary. Brett also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary.

Although Brett was born and raised in Medicine Hat, he feels very fortunate to now call Canmore home with his wife and two children.

Randy joined the Alberta Central board in order to support the continued success of the Alberta credit union system. He feels that the strength of credit unions comes from their member-owner structure: while banks benefit shareholders, credit unions benefit members.

With his 25 years of experience in banking and finance, Randy brings a diverse background to the board that has included member-facing roles, management at large accounting firms, enterprise risk management leadership, and internal and external audit expertise. A collaborative leader, he is the Senior Vice President of Risk and Audit at Servus Credit Union. Randy has worked in Canada and the United Kingdom in both customer-facing and leadership roles in banking, and as a Chartered Accountant.

“Changes are coming to the banking industry and credit unions need to focus on what they do best – serving members - to prosper in the new environment.”

Michelle has been a part of the credit union system in Alberta for many years and is well-versed in the challenges – and opportunities – it presents. The current Chief Marketing & Digital Officer with Servus Credit Union, Michelle has been instrumental in developing the credit union’s marketing and digital communications functions and she is also focused on payments modernization and working directly to integrate payments into digital banking channels. She has held multiple marketing and digitally-focused roles of increasing seniority with Servus and over the years has watched the financial services industry evolve. As such, she understands the impetus for all credit unions to rapidly digitally transform to meet the evolving needs of members.

Prior to joining Servus, she held executive roles in a number of different industries including telecommunications, transportation and retirement housing. She has served on the Alberta Motor Association Board of Directors for six years and was elected to the Alberta Central board in April 2021. Michelle feels in her role on the board she can encourage different ways of thinking among her peers.

 

“I am committed to doing what is best for the credit union system and will work to keep the board focused on serving all credit unions and their current and future members.”

 

Robert Bhatia joined the board of Alberta Central in 2019 because he believes in the importance of community-based financial institutions like credit unions. He has extensive financial leadership experience and is known for asking thoughtful questions and working collaboratively to solve problems.

Inquisitive and analytical, Robert is a professional Executive Coach and Consultant with Clover Point Consulting Inc. A Deputy Minister for more than ten years with the government of Alberta, he led four major portfolios: Finance and Enterprise, Revenue, Seniors and Community Supports and Government Services. He has a strong interest in supporting the Alberta financial sector and has experience as a member of the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation board, the Alberta General Insurance Council and the City of Edmonton Audit Committee. He is also a member of the Local Authorities Pension Plan Corporation board.

 “I believe I bring a broad perspective and the ability to see the big picture to the board, but I’m not afraid to dive into the details when required.”

Iris joined Alberta Central’s board to listen, learn and help address the challenges faced by the credit union system by offering practical and realistic solutions. Committed to establishing best practices to guide the board, Iris believes in the power of working together to benefit members and build communities.

Appointed in 2016, Iris is the president of an executive solutions company and has board experience with Servus Credit Union and the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. She was an elected official for more than 33 years, working as a school board trustee, chair and association president, municipal councilor and reeve, and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). As an MLA, Iris held six provincial government portfolios including Health, Employment, Industry and Immigration, Finance and Enterprise, Municipal Affairs, and International and Intergovernmental Relations and honed her skills in governance. Her time in office reinforced for her the importance of teamwork.

“When every member of the system contributes to each other’s successes and learns from each other’s mistakes, we all benefit.”

Sandi has been a part of the credit union system for more than 10 years. Passionate about the industry, she joined the board to act as a support and guide for Alberta Central. She believes that working together to better the entire system is an important goal to ensure long-term success. The Chief Financial Officer of Connect First Credit Union, Sandi has more than 25 years’ experience in finance. With an in-depth appreciation of how to communicate complex ideas in easy to understand terms and expertise in board governance and reporting, she is a hard worker who is dedicated to the credit union cause. Sandi believes in the importance of listening and understanding both sides of any conversation and brings hands-on familiarity of Alberta Central’s operations and management group to her role with the board.

“I understand the importance of knowing when the board must step in and offer advice, and when the board should step aside to not get in the way of innovation and change.”

Ron Pilger was elected to Alberta Central’s board of directors in 2015. Ron is no stranger to the credit union system, both as a life-long member in Camrose and by serving on the board of Vision Credit Union since 1993. In the capacity of Audit and Finance chair, Ron was on the committee that oversaw the 2014 merger between Caisse Horizon and Vision Credit Union.

Ron is a graduate of the Mouser School of Advertising in Crewe, Virginia. Throughout his 38-year career in publishing, Ron has earned an impressive variety of honors and awards in advertising, marketing, and photography. Currently, Ron is Sales Manager and Associate Publisher for Camrose Booster Ltd.

As part of his on-going commitment of giving back to his community, Ron served on the board of St. Mary’s Hospital for 11 years. As board chair, he was a driving force in locally raising $1 million, to purchase a CT scanner for the hospital. Ron resides in Camrose with his wife and three children. He is passionate about songbird conservation and is an avid restorer and collector of vintage cars.

Matthew Protti is co-founder and CEO of BlackSquare Inc.; a global, award-winning e-commerce technology company founded and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. He has an MBA with specialization in finance from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto as well as a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Alberta.

Matthew brings to the Alberta Central board extensive experience in investment banking, private equity, technology and strategic planning. His strong business sense, in-depth understanding of governance best practices, passion for entrepreneurship and commitment to mentorship will provide the board with valuable insights.

“Albertans should have a local, community-owned choice in financial institutions. Alberta credit unions are uniquely positioned to help ensure that capital remains in Alberta.”

Cindy is a business leader who is adept at offering insights into brand, customer service and strategy in her role as CEO and Founder of Strategy House Inc. She is passionate about providing organizations the data analysis and customer-centric view they need to transform and achieve measurable increases in revenue and customer satisfaction. Previously with Brookfield Residential as the Vice President, Marketing and Sales, she also has experience working directly with credit unions as Vice President, Marketing and Strategy with Celero Solutions. Having worked in financial services, consumer products, telecommunications, technology and real estate development, she is well-versed in how to excel within rapidly changing and competitive environments.

On the board for Connect First Credit Union since 2018, Cindy brings a balanced view of the cooperative and private sectors to her role with Alberta Central’s board, which she was elected to in April 2021. She is an active volunteer in her community with a breadth of volunteer and governance expertise with organizations such as Child Haven International, Peer Support Services, Boy Scouts, Calgary Ski Club and more.

 

“I have a decade of cooperative sector work experience, starting with Celero Solutions and now as a board member of Connect First Credit Union. I believe in the importance of credit unions and want to help them grow and adapt to succeed.”

 

Mark joined Alberta Central’s board because he believes in supporting a vibrant credit union system. For Mark, it’s the cooperative, member-ownership model and commitment to giving back to the community that positively differentiates credit unions from other financial services organizations.

With more than 35 years’ business experience, Mark was Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of EPCOR Utilities Inc. from 2001 to 2013. He brings to the board expertise in finance, governance and the financial services industry as well as risk and people management skills. His board and committee work includes time leading multiple executive committees while at EPCOR and serving on various provincial and municipal level boards.

“I believe collaboration and being a team player, combined with a strong work ethic, will get things done.”

John joined the board of Alberta Central in 2017 to be a voice for small and medium-sized credit unions, working to promote the best interests of all credit unions across the system. As the CEO of Christian Credit Union since 2008, John’s experience makes him aware of the past, present and future challenges facing credit unions, particularly those in Northern Alberta. Striving to be a servant leader, John uses his analytical skills to understand all sides of an issue before taking a position and always ensures that any decision he makes has a positive impact on the people involved.

“I love that the cooperative model keeps the member at the centre of all that we do. I believe we can create even more value for our members when we all work together.”