Investment Committee

Brenda has been actively involved as a volunteer and employee in service organizations both inside and outside of the Jewish community. Fund raising, organizing events as well as advocacy for children with special needs are among the many activities which she has and continues to be involved in. Over the years she has owned and operated several businesses servicing the retail cosmetic industries in Alberta. With her parents, she co-owned multiple locations of Ruby’s Fashions in Calgary. Together with her husband Garry, they have two wonderful sons who are developing their own paths into the future.

Dan is currently Director of Corporate Development at TC Energy based in Calgary, Alberta.  In this role, he is responsible for leading Corporate Development activities for TC Energy which include acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and other investment opportunities.  Prior to taking this role, Dan served as Director, Energy Transition Strategy & Planning also at TC Energy.  Prior to joining TC Energy, Dan spent 15 years as an Investment Banker focused on transaction execution and client coverage in the Natural Resources sector based in Calgary.  He obtained the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 2009 and also earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance with Distinction from the University of Calgary in 2005.

Eytan graduated from Mount Royal University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He started his career in public accounting practice, working on a number of clients in various industries including the non-profit sector. He brings his knowledge of tax, and his not-for-profit experience as valuable assets to the foundation.

Milt graduated from McGill University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree. He recently retired after working for 35 years in the petrochemical and oil and gas industries. During his long tenure with Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil, Milt held various senior roles including Senior Research Advisor working on development of technologies in heavy oil production; Project Manager of the multi-billion dollar Taglu Gas Field Development Project; and Business Manager of Imperial Oil’s Syncrude Development Team. After retiring from Imperial Oil, Milt incorporated as Silver Cliff Consulting Ltd and consulted to the Oil and Gas industry for several years.

Milt served on the board of Akiva Academy as Secretary and also was the lead on the Akiva Building Committee where he negotiated the deal with the city to buy the Haddon Road School which Akiva eventually purchased.

After his retirement from engineering, Milt shifted his focus to his passion – hand fabricating precious metal jewellery.  He is a professional member of the Alberta Craft Council, sells his work through several galleries and currently teaches filigree jewellery workshops, both in person and via zoom through several USA based jewellery schools.

Darlene is married, mother to 2 children and revels in her 2 grandchildren. She is a born and raised Calgarian, now residing in the foothills of the Rockies west of Calgary.  She is a life-long  supporter of  Calgary, it’s  Jewish community and cultural affairs; and also Israel where she has family and many ties.

Together with her husband, she is an avid traveler, foodie and wine enthusiast, and life-long learner. Following a successful career in the field of hospitality, real estate  and financial  management, Darlene is slowly working towards retirement.  As a volunteer she provides philanthropic guidance and support to local, national and international organizations including Weizmann Canada, University of Alberta, True Patriot Love, Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park, Beth Tzedec Synagogue, JCFC, among others.

Jackie is a Partner at the firm McLeod Law LLP, and practices law as a civil litigator in the areas of personal injury and insurance litigation. She has been a longstanding volunteer in the community, having been Past Chair of the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association, Past President of the Calgary Jewish Academy, Chair of the Personal Injury section of the Canadian Bar Association, and has sat on the Boards of Jewish Family Service and the Beth Tzedec Synagogue. She presently also sits on the Premier’s Council on Multiculturalism where she contributes to initiatives aimed at promoting cultural diversity and inclusion in Alberta. She has been on the Board of Jewish Community Foundation since 2015 and is a strong believer in tikkun olum.

Nelson Halpern is a Chartered Professional Accountant who received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at the University of Calgary in 1980 and CPA designation in 1985.  He has over forty years of experience in public accounting, with nine years at Price Waterhouse in Calgary where he worked in the audit group and later the tax group. He completed the CICA in-depth tax course and is a member of CPA Alberta, the Entrepreneurial CAs of Calgary and the Canadian Tax Foundation. He received his “TEP” designation from the Society of Tax and Estate Practitioners in 2002. He received a Distinguished Service Award from CPA Alberta in 2005 for his contribution to his community and the profession, he was the honoree at the Akiva Academy day school annual dinner in 2010 and he received an FCPA designation in 2013 from CPA Alberta as a “fellow” to the CPA profession.  Nelson has been a volunteer with various not-for-profit organizations and is a past president of the House of Jacob synagogue, a past president of the Akiva Academy day school and served as a director of the Calgary Jewish Federation board from 1985-2016 where he has chaired and served on numerous committees and is a past president. He has served on the Jewish Community Foundation of Calgary Board of directors since 2007.

As a chartered professional in human resources, Barbara provided leadership in HR management primarily in the public and post secondary sectors in her 35 year career. She served in volunteer and board capacities in several professional associations both locally and provincially. Her academic credentials include a B.A. in Sociology, an MBA with a specialty in HR Management and a Graduate Diploma in Knowledge Management.  Throughout her career, Barbara maintained an active involvement within the Calgary Jewish Community serving on various boards and executives with long term commitments to Holocaust Education, Beth Tzedec Synagogue and Maccabi Canada.  As a member of the JCFC Board, Barb values the opportunity to serve in a stewardship role in enhancing the financial stability of all our community organizations through the philanthropy of our donors.

Stuart was born and raised in Calgary and received an Economics degree while going to school in Ontario.  His career is diverse and includes business development, property management and financial planning leadership.  Over the years, he has dedicated countless hours to the community at large and the Jewish community in Calgary.  His most recent volunteer commitments are UJC, the annual Sports Dinner for JCC, PAC, and a Director with the Jewish Community Foundation of Calgary.

Stuart Myron is well known in the community having served the Beth Tzedec Congregation consecutively for more than a dozen years in the position of Director and a member of the Executive in the roles of Treasurer, Vice President Finance, President and currently holding the position of Past President. Stuart holds a Masters of Business Administration degree and served for six years as a Trustee of Co-operators Pension Plan holding assets in excess of one half billion dollars.

Franklin has worked as an associate in Acquisitions & Divestitures for Peters & Co. Limited since 2011. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Petroleum Land Management) with distinction from the University of Calgary (2007) and an MBA from Queens University (2011). He was previously a volunteer football coach with the University of Calgary as well as several Calgary high school and community based teams.

Adam Hoffman was called to the Alberta Bar in 2007 and joined Shea Nerland Calnan LLP after articling with the same firm. Adam’s professional focus is tax optimization with particular emphasis on business reorganizations and asset protection. Adam also has experience in charity law and estate administration. Adam has three years of experience as a professional trustee for managing private wealth. Adam volunteers for several charitable organizations and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Alberta, the International Fiscal Association, the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Canadian Petroleum Tax Society.

Micah graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Winnipeg in 2004.  He began his career in the financial services industry at a leading investment management firm in Toronto.  In 2006 he led the expansion of the national sales division at a Toronto high net worth investment manager.  After gaining significant experience in capital markets, corporate finance and private equity, he joined a leading global investment management firm in 2009, with whom he relocated to Calgary in 2011 as District Vice President.  Micah holds both the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designations under the Canadian Securities Institute of Canada. He enjoys volunteering his time with various organizations in his community.

As the Director of Institutional Research for one of Canada’s pre-imminent energy-focused, full-service investment banking firms, Martin maintains in-depth coverage of key leading oil and gas producers, including integrated companies and international explorers based in Canada. He was named Canada’s top oil and gas analyst in the 2010 Brendan Woods survey. Martin is an active member of the community, and has served on the boards of the Calgary Arts Development Authority, Theatre Junction, and Weizmann Canada. Martin, his wife and three sons are enthusiastic philanthropists, committed as a family to practicing the values of tzedakah and tikkun olam.

Mark graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1980. He articled with the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co., obtaining his CA designation in 1982. Mark joined the firm of Canadian Wealth Management in 1984 where he remained as a partner until the firm was sold to Societe General in 2008. He consulted to the firm until September 2010. He now provides independent financial advice on a fee basis. Throughout his career Mark has served as a Director of many junior oil and gas companies, and as a Founder of a number of Junior Capital Pool companies.

Bettina is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Calgary in the Department of History, with a PhD in Canadian history, specializing in the history of consumer society.  Bettina has served in a range of community leadership positions, and was recently named a director emeritus of the Calgary Pro Musica Society in recognition of her contributions. Bettina became a member of the board of the JCFC in October of 2010, and was elected as Chair in October of 2011.  Bettina and her husband, Leib Zeisler, are members of Congregation Beth Tzedec and proud parents of three children.

Kim Chulsky’s career started in marketing within the oil and gas industry. Kim was the Director of Admission at the Calgary Jewish Academy and it was important for her to continue her involvement in this vibrant, welcoming and active community.  Kim finds joy in photography, fresh air and quality time with loved ones. Kim volunteers weekly at FearlsNotLove (formerly the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter) dedicating her time to giving back.

Warren is retired from the financial industry where he culminated his career as the CFO of one of Canada’s largest credit unions. His career experience of over forty years also included working in public practice as a Chartered Accountant, working as financial institution regulator, and treasury and investment management.  Warren has been heavily involved in charitable and community endeavours, having sat on several boards of directors, typically as the treasurer.  Currently he remains involved with the Finance Committee of a prominent local not for profit organization.

He has found that retirement has been busier than working.  As well as working with the JCFC as an accounting consultant, Warren devotes significant time to giving back to the community, to family activities with his wife, three grown daughters and several grandsons. He is also trying to improve his golf game, but feels that it is probably a lost cause.

Richard graduated from the University of Calgary in 1996 with a Bachelors of Commerce degree and his experience in the Canadian investment industry spans two decades. He began his career in the investment industry in 1994 with Nesbitt Burns, and following a lengthy time at TD Waterhouse, recently moved with his team to RBC Dominion Securities. His background with major Canadian investment dealers has provided him with a well-rounded, conservative perspective on investment management and a proven track record for managing clients’ wealth. He enjoys seeing his clients succeed, and has a passion for investment results. Richard lives in Calgary with his wife Kimberly, and their two boys, Liam and Seth.

“Until the end of 2020 Andrew practiced commercial law for almost 40 years with an international law firm.

He holds a B.Com from the University of Witwatersrand, an LLB from the U of C and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2008. Andrew currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of public and private corporations.

He has served as a board member and Chair of the Calgary JCC; a director of the Calgary Jewish Community Council; a Trustee and Chair of The Friends of the Calgary Jewish Academy Trust; a member of the Carewest Foundation and as a Senator of the U of C.”

Joseph Tappenden is dedicated to making a difference in the Jewish community. For over 18 years he has worked to support and sustain organizations that are vital to the community’s well-being. He beleives every day is an opportunity to create a meaningful impact. Joseph has worked with community organizations in both Edmonton & Calgary, including: Camp BB Riback, BBYO, The Jewish Federation and The Calgary Jewish Academy.

Outside of work, Joseph is enjoys cooking, connecting with nature, and cherishes every moment spent with his family.