Board of Directors
The Board of Directors governs the strategic direction and sustainability of the Alberta Association of Nurses (AAN) and is accountable to AAN members.
The board’s membership represents each nursing designation through elected positions. Board members are elected from AAN’s membership at the annual general meeting (AGM) each year.
The board members consists of two LPNs, two RNs, two RPNs, two NPs, a President, and a President-Elect. A board member is elected to a two-year term and can be re-elected for a second term for a total of four years.
The president and president-elect positions rotate through the four nursing disciplines. (For example, an RPN will serve as president for two years followed by an NP, then an LPN, and finally an RN.) The first two years, the elected member serves as a director and president-elect, and the subsequent two years they serve as a director and the president.
To contact a member of the Board of Directors, please email [email protected]
President
Barb Kathol
Barb has had years of experience in leadership roles from the unit to the system level. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Carewest and serves on the board of directors for the Mosaic Primary Care Network, supporting teams and organizations with diverse concerns.
Key nursing priorities for her include the growing nursing shortage, the psychological well-being of nurses, and how AAN can continue to be a unified platform for nurses to learn, be inspired, and advocate for nursing in our health system.
President Elect
Caroline Knox
Caroline started her career in emergency nursing but quickly realized her passion was working with vulnerable populations in addiction and mental health. She currently works in Psychiatric Emergency Services at South Health Campus Hospital in Calgary, where she is the harm reduction champion. Caroline is a nationally certified psychiatric and mental health nurse and will complete her Master of Nursing degree through the University of Calgary in August 2024.
Caroline wants nurses to feel valued, empowered, and supported to lead the change to improve healthcare access and quality for all Albertans.
RPN Board Director
Ryan Sorensen
RPN
Ryan has worked six years in forensic psychiatry in both a hospital and community setting, as well as six years in addiction and mental health-supported housing.
Ryan encourages all nurses to use their voice wherever they work and wants to see Alberta as a province where nurses feel supported, valued, and happy throughout their careers.
“We need to collectively row towards a better future for all nurses! The support of many makes this possible.”
RPN Board Director
Wendy Hamilton
RPN
Wendy graduated from the psychiatric nursing school in Ponoka in 2003, and has worked on acute psychiatric units, emergency departments, and corrections. She currently works in Brooks as a mental health therapist.
NP Board Director
Stephanie Barker
Stephanie has been working as an NP since 2017 in both rural and urban Albertan practice settings. Her work experience highlighted several needs she sees for Alberta nurses.
Key nursing priorities include scope of practice, advocacy and the government to make appropriate us of nurses that will maximize patient care and reduce burnout, as well as public education of nursing roles.
NP Board Director
Kathy Cincurak
Kathy has extensive acute and community care experience in both rural and urban settings. She completed her Master of Nursing in early 2025 and is working as a primary care NP in Grande Prairie. Valuing education and participating in patient safety and nurse advocacy committees are foundational to her evidence-based, patient-focused, and collaborative care. Optimizing full scopes of nursing practice, increasing public, interprofessional, and decision-maker appreciation of nurses’ positive contributions, offering resources to empower nurses, and ensuring safe and supportive work environments are her priority areas.
RN Board Director
Tara Bowes
Tara began her career in Critical Care nursing then transitioned to Emergency nursing and med-surg nursing where she developed a strong foundation in clinical excellence, critical thinking, and compassionate patient care. Over the years, she has taken on progressive leadership roles, including managing teams across the Emergency Department, Respiratory Therapy, and IV Therapy Clinic. Her experience spans workforce development, policy implementation, quality improvement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
RN Board Director
Doran Walker
Doran began his career in older adult rehabilitation and mental health nursing before moving into healthcare leadership. With over a decade of experience, he has led nationally recognized initiatives in patient experience, staff engagement, and quality improvement. His work has been endorsed by Canada’s Surgeon General, and he has contributed to policy development and leadership training at both provincial and national levels.
He is passionate about building inclusive, collaborative nursing environments where every designation is valued. Through mentorship, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, Doran aims to empower nurses to lead meaningful change across Alberta’s healthcare system.
LPN Board Director
Jasen Drutz
Jasen has worked in primary care for seven years with patients of all ages and holds a management role. He also serves as a nursing representative on several committees. A Key priority for Jasen, with the LPN's voice in mind, is prioritizing education concerning the recent change in liability coverage.
LPN Board Director
Sara Ross
Sara has worked in the frontline since 2011, from the ER and Diagnostic imaging, to public health. She has first-hand experience with the stressors facing the healthcare system.
Nursing morale is low and staffing shortages, from nursing to family doctors, impact both frontline nurses and patient care. Giving nurses from all designations a voice and a sense of community is key for retention, solidarity, and validation.
