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
Caroline Knox
Caroline is able to combine her passions for emergency nursing along with addiction and mental health in her role as Nurse Clinician in psychiatric emergency services. She completed her Master of Nursing degree at the University of Calgary where she focused on leadership and health systems transformation, and currently teaches in the LPN to RN program at Athabasca University.
Caroline is passionate about the nursing profession and believes strongly that nurses have a unique and powerful ability to create meaningful change, drive innovation, and improve healthcare for all Albertans.
President Elect
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.
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
Vacant
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
Alyssa Alger
Alyssa is a Nurse Practitioner based in Calgary and completed a Master of Nursing in 2022. Her foundation as a Registered Nurse spans eight years, with deep roots in rural practice and broad experience across acute care, emergency, gynecological, and operative settings. These diverse experiences have deepened her commitment to advocating for the full spectrum of nursing roles and educating both the public and government on the realities of nursing practice. She is driven to advance collaborative, provincially focused solutions that reflect the needs of nurses across Alberta.
RN Board Director
Vacant
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 nearly a decade, including over five years in management. Throughout this time, he has also completed an undergraduate degree and began a master’s degree in health administration. In his leadership roles, he supports nurses across all designations. He believes that it is important for nurses to feel empowered to learn, grow, and connect through organizations like the AAN. He believes that the future of nursing in Alberta relies on meaningful collaboration, has an impactful voice in health decisions, and provides care in a province that truly values our contributions.
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.
