Creativity is my currency of life. As a writer, artist and story-teller, I believe it is through deepening our creative expressions that we build a better world where we celebrate our shared human condition, no matter our differences. After serving in leadership roles for almost 20 years in the homeless serving sector two years ago I took up my paint brush and pen as a ‘creativity activist’. My mission is to create sacred spaces for self-expression that expand our understanding of what it means to be ‘women of this amazing age’. Before working in the not-for-profit sector I worked as a freelance writer and communications professional. I have produced and written documentaries for local and national television as well as been published in newspapers and magazines. In 2011, my book The Dandelion Spirit, was turned into a documentary for the Oprah Network. It has touched people's lives across North America bringing hope and healing to those affected by abuse and loss. I am excited to be able to play a role in furthering THIRD ACTion’s vision and mission.

Virginia Trawick

Board Member & Treasurer

Bio Forthcoming

Daniel Winnick

Board Member & Secretary

I am a CPA Candidate who works as a Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Advisor. Day to day, I work to secure funding for the people, research, and experimentation driving innovation throughout Canada. I also have a passion for sustainability, hold an Honors Specialization in Environmental Science, and was fortunate to co-author research that was published in the Journal of Environmental Management.

I love connecting with the people and organizations focused on building a better future through community. After hearing about the THIRD ACTion Film Festival’s desire to guide an age positive cultural shift through the beauty of film and story-telling, I immediately resonated with the festival’s mission. I am honored to have the opportunity to help grow this unique festival and can’t wait to see how it inspires conversation and change throughout Canada.

Rose Bene

Board Member

My love of film began as a young child and has endured over time as I transition into my third act. The opportunity to share stories/information that help others maneuver the challenges of aging is a passion for me. Over the course of my career, I have been involved in many different aspects of teaching, media design and production as well as, working in the non-profit environmental sector. I hope to bring this expertise to my role as a board member for THIRD ACTion Film Festival.

Norman Leach

Board Member

I am president of Creative Concepts MKT, Inc., which specializes in Integrated Business Communications (public, government, media relations and event management) and international trade development and management. With representatives in Calgary, Alberta; Kansas City, USA, Mexico City, Mexico and London, England, I have done projects in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. I also speak Japanese, French and Spanish.

As a historian I have written 12 history books - three that were best sellers. I was the history specialist on Paul Gross' "Passchendaele", six documentaries and three Historica Canada History Minutes.

Mark Kolke

Board Member

I’ve been a movie-fan since age seven. I’ve been working for more than fifty years, have been a volunteer at many things for decades, and have considerable board experience. I continue to feel mid-career in my work in the real estate industry, my own third-act, so I was thrilled to be invited to join this board at such an important time in the growth of the THIRD ACTion Film Festival. Celebrating good films and their makers together with celebrating those north of 60 is important to our culture and community building.

David Pickersgill

Board Member

An engineer by training, corporate executive by accident, and former business owner by good fortune, I left the work-for pay world of manufacturing/construction many years ago, to join the work-for-joy world of volunteering with, mostly, child-serving organizations. I worked ‘hands-on’ with five such organizations, acted as an interim CEO for three, and chaired or served on the Boards of fourteen, both in Calgary and nationally. Currently, I am a Director of The Alex and of Social Venture Partners.

Gord Grant

Board Member

I was fortunate to have spent my entire sales career working for many of the companies that changed the way we use information technology. Most of my work life was dedicated to helping customers and business partners find new opportunities in a world of rapid change. Guiding people through the challenges that change often creates, lead me to become a certified professional coach. In addition to coaching sales professionals across western Canada, I have helped amateur athletes, including me, achieve their goals in marathon, cycling and triathlon. My midlife decision to shift to an active lifestyle continues to provide lessons in what is possible. Being involved with THIRD ACTion allows me to celebrate people in their Third Act who look for opportunity in challenge.

Pele Williams

Board Member

I love to read, listen to and tell personal stories because of the power they have to inspire hope, courage and change. I look forward to supporting the mission of the THIRD ACTion Film Festival because I want to learn about shifting culture and driving change through film with this team of talented and creative people. In return, I hope to share the unique ideas, perspectives and abilities that I have acquired from my experiences as a mum, engineer, speaker, teacher, professional leader and caregiver for loved ones in the Third Act of life. I currently lead a team of IT Solution Architects within the Oil and Gas industry. My college sweetheart and I have been married for 18 years. We have two amazing teenage sons. When I am not dreaming up a speech or hanging out with the boys, I enjoy curling up with a good book and a cup of tea.

Shafiq Bhura

Board Member

I have spent most of my life in this incredible city. After graduating from U of C, I wandered off to Toronto for 5 years and then a couple more wandering the globe with a backpack. Setting roots back in Calgary, I have had the joy of raising two boys with the love of my life, and being a Managing Partner at Centex Petroleum. I’m a cinephile at heart and look forward to spreading the joy of cinema and celebrating age with THIRD ACTion Film Festival.

Aly Bandali

Board Member

I am the President and CEO of Give Sight Global, an international development organization that works to prevent blindness and restore sight around the world. I seek to amplify the mission, innovate the NGO model and make a lasting impact in developing communities. I have served on various community and NFP boards in addition to my 25 years of experience in executive leadership in health non-profit, technology, oil & gas, and private enterprise. My areas of speciality include leadership development, organizational culture and business strategy.

Lyn Cadence

Board Member

As someone who cares about the power of story to change hearts and minds, I've worked in the book publishing industry for years, reading widely and watching a wealth of films. For work, I have a PR company and for fun I host a monthly literary event in virtual reality and a monthly book club designed for women 50+. I'm jazzed to be joining this board to create and celebrate a healthier narrative about aging using film as the primary driver.

Allan Nielsen

Board Member

I began my education by studying physics at the University of Alberta, then studying history, then law. Thereafter, I became a lawyer with a large firm and stuck with that for 43 years. I learned a lot in that job and now try to apply some of that knowledge to assist volunteer organizations in and around Alberta. THIRD ACTion Film Festival is a great organization to be a member of and I anticipate learning a lot from the other board members AND the films!

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OFFICE

Mitzi Murray

Executive Director

I have never been more passionate about one of my ideas as I am about this one. It took me 50 years to come to the realization that I love working with and for older adults. This project marries my multi-faceted business background with my love for the arts and I am having a brilliant time learning about the intricacies of film festivals and not for profits. I hope one and all find a film or talk that they enjoy immensely and walk away having had a fantastic time.

Jessica Tenn

Project & Volunteer Coordinator

I am a born and raised Calgarian with a love of travelling! I have spent a month backpacking through Europe and 6 months living in New Zealand. I can’t wait for the next adventure to begin! Working as the administrator at THIRD ACTion Film Festival has given me the opportunity to learn aging as well as about the film and arts industry in general. It’s never too late to learn something new!

Toby Taylor

Lead Programmer

A cinephile at heart who is transitioning into my own third act, I am so excited to be a part of the THIRD ACTion Film Festival team. A career background in multi-faceted project and business management marries my life-long love of film to the planning and selection of the annual festival program, as well as coordinating monthly screening events. I love the challenge and fulfillment that comes with bringing together a variety of powerful, creative, and informative films from around the globe that celebrates aging!

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