Board Chair - Mike Derbyshire, ICD.D, CRM

"Giving back to the community that has been my home for over 30 years is important to me and my family. I look forward to supporting our Vision of being leaders in shaping innovative affordable housing through strong governance and strategy development."

Mike’s distinguished policing career spanned nearly 26 years with the Edmonton Police Service.  Since his “retirement” in 2006, he has had roles as the Director of Safety and Security for the Edmonton Transit System, the Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management for Servus Credit Union, the Vice President of Operations for Edmonton Northlands, and completed his full-time career as the General Manager of the Calgary Parking Authority. 

Mike graduated with Distinction from Athabasca University with a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Criminal Justice.  He served as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Police and Security Program at Grant MacEwan University. He was also a part time faculty member at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta. Mike was awarded the ICD.D designation by the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Mike’s community involvement includes Board positions on not for profits (Highlands Golf Club, two Condo Boards, Pilgrims Hospice Society and others), TSX traded companies, chairing the Board of two Credit Unions and serving on the Board of municipal and provincial government controlled corporations.

Mike is currently the Chief Listening Officer at Derbycon Enterprises Inc., a boutique consultancy focusing on investigations, mentoring, leadership and corporate governance.

Vice Chair - Katie Berghofer 

“I learned from a very early age that giving back to your community only makes you a stronger person. I asked to be a part of this Board because I knew that Heartland Housing Foundation was an important organization for the people we serve. My experience in seniors care and non-profit organizations drives my passion for supporting vibrant, affordable, and connected communities.”

Katie Berghofer was elected for her first term as Strathcona County’s Ward 8 representative in October 2017 and again in October 2021.

Councillor Berghofer attended the University of Alberta and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a major in Adapted Physical. She worked for several years as a Recreation Therapist and Manager at long-term care and assisted living facilities in Edmonton, where she worked directly with residents on programming to improve their quality of life.

Councillor Berghofer carried on her career in management, employed as a District Manager for many years overseeing retail operations across Alberta and Saskatchewan. She moved to Strathcona County in 2002 and has been an active community volunteer.

She is a founding member of the Gilmore Park Community League, and her work with that organization and involvement in the community, inspired her to run for Council.

Jibs Abitoye

“It is an honour for me to serve on the HHF board. I’m a strong believer in being a voice for those who are vulnerable and promoting diversity and inclusion. Housing is a human right, and I’m proud to be part of a strong team working towards affordable housing.”

Award-winning City Councillor, Economist, Power Engineer, Project Management Professional, fashion designer and avid volunteer: Jibs Abitoye was recently re-elected for her 2nd term in the city of Fort Saskatchewan. Named one of Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants by RBC, she was born in Lagos, Nigeria to a Journalist father and an Information Technology mum. She moved to Fort Saskatchewan in 2012 after getting married to her husband, Joshua. They have three children.

Jibs' previous work experience include Financial Services Representative at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Project Cost Controller at Dow Chemicals and Credit Risk Analyst at the Guaranty Trust Bank.

Jibs is the first black woman since the 70s that had been elected to any elective position in the province of Alberta, Canada. As a result of this, she provides mentorship for young black girls interested in running for political positions in the future.

She is a strong believer in being a voice for those who are vulnerable and promoting diversity and inclusion. She believes that as the city makes decisions concerning programs, plans, policies, and investments that no one should be excluded on the basis of their age, gender, race, disability, income, or any other identity factor.

When she isn’t working on council matters or on her most recent project “Project 1 Million”, a global project on giving back; she can be found volunteering in her local church, or hanging out with family and friends.

Lorne Harvey, CPA

“I have always had the belief that you should give back to your community when you are able to.  Being a part of the Heartland Housing Foundation’s board means I can help serve our community while addressing the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Lorne was elected in Strathcona County in October 2021 to represent Ward 3 on Council.  He has lived in Sherwood Park since 1996 and just recently celebrated his 30^th Anniversary with his wife Ginine.  Although they do not have any children, both are avid animal lovers, and they have two cats and a dog. 

Lorne worked for the Government of Alberta (GoA) for just over 30 years and left at the end of 2019.  His tenure with the GoA included various ministries such as Alberta Energy, Government Services, Economic Development, International and Intergovernmental Relations, and Indigenous Relations.  During this time, Lorne earned his accounting designation and then in 2008 he was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister Corporate Services.  In 2020, Lorne started his own bookkeeping and tax business, The Trusted Accountant, and continues to do this on the side.

Lorne has volunteered on various Boards and Committees, including the Institute of Public Administration – Edmonton Region, Strathcona County’s Financial Advisory Committee, and Strathcona County’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. 

Lorne is very people orientated and loves to socialize and participate in various recreational activities in Strathcona County. 

Brian Kelly, CA 

"As someone who has an aging mother – and is aging myself – I understand the importance of providing seniors with quality affordable housing. I believe that safe, affordable housing is crucial to supporting the most vulnerable residents of our community, and I am proud to support Heartland Housing Foundation in their valuable work."

Councillor Brian Kelly was elected as Councillor for the City of Fort Saskatchewan in October 2017 and again in October 2021.

Councillor Brian Kelly has proudly called Fort Saskatchewan home since March 1972 when he began work with Sherritt Gordon, now Sherritt International. Brian attended the University of Alberta, graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and articled with a firm in Edmonton to achieve his Chartered Accountant designation.

Brian operated a Chartered Accountant office in Fort Saskatchewan until 2017, at which time he decided to give back to the community by running for City Council. Since gaining a seat on Council, Brian has participated in a number of Boards, including the Alberta Capital Region Waste Water Commission, Capital Region Northeast Water Services Commission, the Emergency Advisory Committee, and the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board. When not attending to his Council and Board responsibilities, Brian and his wife enjoy golfing and spending time with the children and grandchildren.

Mike Heck, MBA, ICD.D

“Heartland Housing Foundation serves areas I have called home and serving on this board is a way I can give back to Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan as well. Having safe, quality affordable housing for all ages is fundamental to having a healthy and connected community, and I look forward to supporting Heartland Housing Foundation in that work.”

Mike Heck is proud to be part of the Heartland Housing Board. He is passionate about helping organizations succeed and has been part of extensive capital builds in the Seniors Housing as part of his over 40 years in the construction industry. 

Mike has worked all over the world in the oil and gas industry, and in commercial construction as well as in local government. He believes there is huge opportunities for the construction industry to evolve and develop unique and cost effective housing, and it is Mikes intent to bring this perspective to help Heartland in its capital growth. As an executive in local government Mike understood the challenges municipalities face and housing boards face in maintaining programs and capital infrastructure.  Good corporate governance, planning and creativity in solutions are what Mike intends to bring to the board. 

Mike has an MBA in strategic management as well as formal training through the institute of corporate directorship as an ICD.D designation 

Mike and his family made Sherwood Park their home for 30 years and recently have moved to Fort Saskatchewan and is proud to be part of both communities through the years and how progressive and dynamic both communities are. 

Currently Mike is the CEO of a large indigenous owned Construction company in Alberta, and he sits on other corporate boards. 

Sheldon Hudson, P.Eng., MBA

“My work in the design and construction of neighborhoods in the region has given me insight into the pressures people face when it comes to housing. Working with Heartland Housing Foundation gives me an opportunity to give back to the community I call home and help support housing options for community members who are facing affordability challenges.”

Sheldon joined the Heartland Housing Foundation board in 2022. He is the President & CEO of Al-Terra Engineering in Edmonton, Alberta, having joined the firm in 1996 following his graduation from the civil engineering cooperative program at the University of Alberta.

Sheldon’s career primarily focused on planning, design, and construction of transportation and land development projects. Sheldon actively volunteers his time with engineering industry and community organizations, including roles with Consulting Engineers of Alberta, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Canada, Edmonton Global (economic development) and now Heartland Housing Foundation.

Sheldon and his family moved to Fort Saskatchewan in 2004 after living in Sherwood Park for the previous 7 years. Sheldon enjoys spending time outside, including gardening and camping. He also still manages to fit in an occasional trip back to the family farm in east-central Alberta, where he was raised.