Board of Directors

Jeff Bryson | Board Chair

Born and raised in Kamloops, B.C., Jeff completed a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Alberta. Following a career in the insurance industry, where he led initiatives in professional development and team training, Jeff began working at The Stollery Charitable Foundation (SCF), where he has been executive director since 2013. SCF is an endowed private family foundation that provides grants to charities, strengthens the charitable sector, and fosters partnerships to improve communities. At SCF, Jeff is responsible for all operations, governance, and administration of this, working with a board of 10 directors.

Jeff lives in Edmonton with his partner Lindsay, his two children and her four children. He lives an active life and enjoys volunteering and travelling with his family. Jeff has served on the board of trustees for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, as an oversight committee member for the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) and is a director on the board of The Stollery Charitable Foundation. He was a member of Edmonton’s Family and Community Supports and Services committee, co-chair of the Crestwood Parkland Redevelopment Committee, and has coached community soccer teams for over a decade. Jeff enjoys his involvement in the charitable sector and is impressed with the capacity of local agencies to effect real change.

Scott Thompson | Vice Board Chair

Scott was born and raised in Alberta, having spent most of his life in Edmonton. A graduate of the University of Alberta’s Mining Engineering program as well as the Executive MBA program at Queen’s University, he is a licensed Professional Engineer and a certified Project Management Professional who has worked in the oil and gas, construction, and utility industries.

His work experience has included providing operational support to startup companies, and working with their Directors on matters related to governance and strategic planning. He is now looking forward to bringing that experience to his role on the Kickstand board to further the organization’s mission of helping to improve access to mental health services for youth in Alberta.

As a husband and father of two children, he has developed a deep appreciation for the many facilities, programs, and events that create positive opportunities for families in our communities, as well as for the volunteers that make them happen.

Lorrie Makepeace | Board Director

Lorrie is a settler who works and plays on Treaty 6 land that is the Bonnyville area. She earned Bachelor of Art and Education Degrees at the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Portland. Lorrie has worked for different types of school authorities in the province including Public, Charter and First Nations. She is currently the Director of Learning for Early Childhood to Grade 6 with Northern Lights Public Schools. She has served on the EDID working group and the Family and Caregiver Advisory Council and is proud to have been involved with Kickstand since its inception.

Tibetha Kemble (Stonechild) | Board Director

Tibetha is a registered member of the Piapot First Nation (Treaty No. 4) who currently resides in Treaty 6 territory along with her husband, daughter, and two beloved dogs, Smokey and Bandit.

Tibetha is currently the Chief Executive Officer of With People Inc, a management-side Labour Relations and HR generalist firm. Prior to this, Tibetha held several senior leadership positions within the higher education sector and with the provincial and federal public service where she worked with and alongside Indigenous peoples and communities.

Tibetha’s sustained personal and professional commitment remains on addressing systemic barriers to inclusion for historically excluded populations and redressing the legacies of colonialism that are distinct to Indigenous Peoples.

Sirisha Valupadas | Board Member

Sirisha Valupadas is a dedicated lawyer currently serving as Legal Counsel at the Calgary Airport Authority. In this role, she provides strategic legal advice, manages organizational risk, and navigates complex regulatory frameworks impacting one of Canada’s busiest transportation hubs. Previously, Sirisha practiced at a full-service firm, gaining substantial experience in litigation and advocacy.

Beyond her legal career, Sirisha is deeply committed to youth mentorship, gender equity, and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within professional spaces. She has held leadership roles on various not-for-profit boards, including the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Western Chapter) and the Alberta Debate and Speech Association. Sirisha has also volunteered extensively with organizations such as Pro Bono Students Canada’s Consent Project, Stollery Children’s Hospital and Indo-Canadian Women’s Organization.

Sirisha is excited to support Kickstand’s mission to improve youth access to holistic health and wellness services. Based in Calgary, Alberta, she enjoys life with her husband, young daughter, and their spunky goldendoodle, Ollie.

Brenda Peters | Board Director

As a parent, active community member, Clinical Counsellor and Social Worker, I am passionate about youth and families. I have worked and volunteered in the area of Mental Health for over 30 years and most of my work and volunteer experience is working closely with persons who are marginalized in our communities. I have been a devoted volunteer and strong advocate for offering services and opportunities for others including breakfast programs for Junior / Senior High School, parenting programs (pre/post natal) and early years and integrated youth services.

I currently offer mental health services and supports in private practice.

Mark Murray | Board Director

Mark is a senior technology and cybersecurity executive and entrepreneur. He is focused on helping companies build, operate and protect technology solutions that match their specific needs, growing leaders of tomorrow, and building interesting business ventures of his own.

For multiple personal reasons, Mark is also driven to increase support for individuals and families impacted by mental health, substance abuse and emotion dysregulation.

Jenny Ying | Board Director

A first-generation immigrant, Jenny grew up in Calgary and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Calgary before completing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. Today, she is a registered Occupational Therapist and Case Manager with Recovery Alberta in Edmonton, where she walks alongside youth on their mental health journeys. She also shares her growing clinical expertise as an adjunct lecturer in the University of Toronto’s Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.

Deeply passionate about youth mental health, Jenny endeavours to destigmatize the use of mental health services, make care more accessible, and reduce the barriers that keep young people from talking about their mental health and asking for help. As a proud member of the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, Jenny is committed to building spaces where youth from equity-deserving communities feel seen, safe, and supported.

Jenny is honoured to support Kickstand’s mission of improving youth access to mental health and wellness services. Outside of work, her favourite leisure occupations include culinary chemistry (baking), domestic wildcat safari (hanging out with her cat), and fiercely honing her elite athleticism (playing recreational volleyball with friends).

Karen Lynch | Board Director

Karen Lynch is a respected community and civic leader, with over 50 years of diverse experience. That’s why she has developed a reputation for making things happen and getting things done.

She put herself through the University of Alberta Faculty of Arts by driving trucks as a Teamster on the Syncrude site in Fort McMurray. After graduating with a degree in Economics, she served as Executive Assistant to the Speaker in the Alberta Legislature. After senior positions in communications at Alberta College and the Workers’ Compensation Board, she brought her passion for community volunteerism to Volunteer Alberta. During her eight years as Executive Director, the organization developed into a dynamic and multifaceted resource for engaging Albertans in the non-profit and voluntary sector.

Karen’s forte is creating and nurturing networks of people involved in building community leadership. She has served on the boards of the Edmonton Public Library Board, Volunteer Canada and Alberta Ballet, and as the elected President of the Alberta Library Trustees Association and Canadian Parents for French, and chaired the Greater Edmonton Foundation, Alberta’s largest provider of homes for low-income seniors. She chaired Concerts in Care (Health Arts Society of Alberta) and Kids Included (formerly GRIT) serving families with children who live with disabilities. Karen received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for her nonprofit sector leadership. Over 42 years in the political arena, Karen has been involved in over 30 municipal, provincial, federal, leadership and referendum campaigns – with an enviable win/loss record!

In September 2019, Karen retired from her position at ATB Financial where she had developed and implemented a successful post-secondary initiative strategy to support student success, recruit the brightest and best, and leverage ATB’s presence and investments on Alberta campuses.

Karen is an avid reader, e-bike cyclist and traveler. She is the proud mother of twins – Whitney is an entertainment lawyer at Netflix in London, UK and Rowan is a professor at Stanford and added two adorable grandkids to her life since 2021.

Cheryl Zhang | Board Director

Cheryl is currently working as the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis at Stantec. In this role, she leads the financial planning process for Stantec, involving over 300 business leaders and 60 finance leadership for $4.5 billion in net revenue. She has over 15 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting in the private and public sector. She is also a member of the Chartered Professional Accountant of Alberta. Cheryl is passionate about mental health and would like to serve the communities in Alberta. In her spare time, she serves as Treasurer for Liberté Eau Claire and volunteers at Theatre Calgary.