Staff

>> Wood Buffalo Food Bank

Our Team of Food Security Specialists

Dan Edwards Executive Director

Dan Edwards

Executive Director

"My mind is like someone emptied the kitchen junk drawer on to a trampoline" -Unknown ADHD advocate.

Dan has served as the Executive Director since August 2018,  and with the organization for ten years as of October 2021. Dan believes his work has allowed him to grow in his career while also developing an understanding of those facing challenges in our community and our country as a whole. He feels his new understanding has enabled him to share his knowledge in his personal networks and impact how others see food banks and their role in their communities. Dan makes special note of the generosity of the youth in this community who ask for food bank donations at their birthday parties instead of gifts – an act he calls “magical”. With a new building and new team at the foodbank, Dan is looking forward to the amazing new possibilities that are in our future.  Dan was recognized as a Top 50 under 50 recipient of 2018 by Your McMurray Magazine and was a successful graduate of the 2016 Leadership Wood Buffalo program. In his free time, you can find Dan in his backyard tending to his Raspberry Bush or working on a solid base burn for his half-ginger soul, or enjoying some BBQ, on special occasions he might be doing home improvements.

Michelle Hand - communications and Development Manager

Michelle Hand 

Communications and Development Manager

”Try to live everyday like Elle Woods after Warner told her that she wasn’t smart enough for law School”

Michelle jumped into the role as the Communications and Development Coordinator in November 2022.  As a self-acclaimed workaholic, Michelle has often joked about how she would just switch to volunteer or non-profit work if she won the lottery. Well… Michelle hasn’t won the lottery but some days while working at the WBFB she feels like she might have. She loves getting out in the community and speaking with our future community leaders. (Especially those under 5ft.) She truly believes that learning volunteerism at a young age will make a brighter future for all. Michelle has always had a deep appreciation for how non-profits improve the quality of life for our region, she has the believe that everyone has an obligation to ensure all people have access to the most basic human rights.

In her spare time, you might find Michelle watching true crime documentaries, “adopting” homeless house plants or spending time with her Fiancé, her son, and her fur babies.

Kristin Hayward

Operations Manager

“That’s what she said”  – Michael Scott

Meet Kristin who joined the Wood Buffalo Food Bank gang in February of 2022. Kristin loves clocking in each day to work alongside a pretty incredible team – a team that is committed to bettering the lives of our community and equally committed to supporting each other and sharing many laughs along the way. Like many that came before her, Kristin was surprised to learn of the number of individuals and families we serve and the significance of what we do as she experienced it first-hand from the client services side. She’s grateful for this experience and the ability to interact and help people in need on a daily basis.

Outside of office hours, Kristin enjoys hanging with her family, and taking in the outdoor treasures that Wood Buffalo has to offer such as fishing and camping.

Coming Soon

Warehouse Team Lead

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

Sandi Hart

Executive Assistant

"What goes best with a cup of coffee? Another cup"- Henry Rollins

When Sandi joined the WBFB in February of 2022, she was transitioning out of her last full-time role of five years: professional snack maker, mess cleaner, chauffeur and monster chaser – aka stay-at-home mom. A naturally empathic person, Sandi has always demonstrated a genuine concern for people’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. She understands the importance and the impact that food security can have on an individual’s and a family’s well-being and is grateful for the opportunity to support our clients in this way. 

Sandi is a mom to two school-aged boys and one infant and feels it’s her responsibility to raise her boys with the same compassion, social conscious and community connection that resides within herself. 

Outside of work hours, you’ll find Sandi trying to keep up with her boys – whether it’s trying to learn to skateboard, exploring the outdoors, or soaking up the sun at Gregoire Lake.

Carlie- Rae Bourinot 

Communications and Development Assistant

Don't stop believin'- Journey 

Meet Carlie-Rae who joined the Wood Buffalo Food Bank in 2023 with boundless enthusiasm, Carlie-Rae is Michelle’s right hand woman. She is all set to infuse her creativity and imagination into the WBFB. Beyond the food bank, you’ll find her embarking on globetrotting adventures alongside her husband, Jacob. When she’s not out travelling the world, she’s at home emersed in her many painting projects with her precious kitty cat not far from her side or enjoying time with family and friends.

Coming soon

Warehouse Assistant

Coming soon 

Coming soon

Tammy Mueller

Mobile Pantry Coordinator

“Reading to the mind is what exercise is to the body” – Joseph Addison. 

Meet Tammy Muller, Tammy joined the WBFB team in April of 2023, Working with the WBFB has had a profound effect on Tammy and her work. She has learned that everyone has a story and most just want to be able to share it with someone who wants to listen. The WBFB affords her the time to chat and listen to everyone she comes in contact with. If just one conversation helps make a difference in someone’s life, When Tammy is not busy working with the WBFB, she loves to stay active by hitting the gym. She swears that the gym calls to her in her sleep! If she’s not at the gym, then she’ll be out and about enjoying her jeep with the tunes cranked, looking for a fabulous place to paddleboard with her husband.

Sara Jones

Client Intake Worker

“Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others” – Martin Luther King Jr

Sara Jones has been involved with the Wood Buffalo Food Bank since late May of 2023. Working with the WBFB has instilled in Sara a deep appreciation for the city she calls home and the compassionate individuals who reside here. What Sara enjoys most about working with the WBFB is the chance to connect with a diverse range of people from within Fort McMurray. Interacting with individuals from all walks of life has opened her eyes to the richness of her local community.

Beyond her work with the WBFB, Sara has a long-standing commitment to volunteerism and community engagement. Even in her home country of Australia, she dedicated significant time to helping others. From volunteering at soup kitchens to participating in youth aid events and animal shelter initiatives, she has consistently demonstrated her passion for making a positive difference in the lives of those around her.

Laradawn Sacrey

Warehouse Receiver

“If people are talking behind your back, just fart.”    – a mug on Amazon

Laradawn joined the Wood Buffalo Food Bank in October of 2021 and was instantly enamoured by the energy and the hustle and bustle of the behind the scenes work that it takes to feed our community. In fact, it wasn’t until she started working at WBFB that she realized the importance of the work and the number of individuals and families that rely on our organization for food, programs and many other necessities. Laradawn enjoys the connection she gets from meeting different people from all walks of life – clients, volunteers and her fellow co-workers – and the joy she gets from helping out our community. Laradawn’s first few months of her employment were focused on the winter food drive – a time that she says was CRAZY, but extremely fun and she looks forward to many more.

Sarah Staff

Ana-Marie Calamba

Client Intake Worker

"Giving is caring"- Ana-Marie

Meet Ana, a dedicated member of the Wood Buffalo Food Bank team. Ana’s journey with WBFB began in mid-May of 2023 when she started her Practicum/Volunteer work. Since then, she has witnessed firsthand the incredible support and compassion within the community as people come together to help those in need .Outside of her work at WBFB, Ana is actively involved in volunteer and community work. She has a deep desire to help her community and pursued an education in Addiction and Support Community Service Worker. This knowledge and experience further strengthen her ability to make a difference in the lives of those she serves. In her spare time, Ana cherishes moments with her family, especially her 5-year-old daughter. Spending quality time together is a top priority for Ana, creating cherished memories.

Bill Bentley

Warehouse Assistant

"Bill, Bill Bill"- Bill Nye the Science Guy

Meet Bill, the Warehouse Assistant with a twist! Since July 2023, he’s been rocking it at WBFB with his positive vibes and incredible work ethic. Bill loves his job and being part of an amazing team. He takes pride in his work, going above and beyond to keep things running smoothly at the food bank. Outside of work, Bill has a knack for adventure. He’s an avid fisherman, finding peace on the water. He’s also skilled in woodworking and carving, letting his creativity flow. These hobbies bring him joy and fulfillment during his downtime.

Bill: the Warehouse Assistant by day, the explorer by night. He’s the guy who brings fun to work and embraces life outside the warehouse.

Candice Archer

Program Facilitation and Development Coordinator

“Two words for anyone who thinks cute shoes aren’t important…Cinderella and Dorothy.”   – Jane Lee Logan

With a recent relocation to Fort McMurray and as a new graduate from the Interdisciplinary Social Science with Honours program from York University, with a discipline in Food and Land Studies.  Candice has an awareness and understanding of food accessibility, insecurities, and challenges in the food system and how the role of food and land intersects with our bodies and identities. Freshly hired in January 2022, for the role of Program Facilitation & Development Coordinator, Candice is excited to relaunch programming. Working at the WBFB has affected me to become selflessly committed to helping make a difference and help empower the lives of the citizens within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo community. #No Poverty#ZeroHunger#Good Health & Well-Being. Working at the WBFB, I enjoy the casual work atmosphere, the work/life balance, and the greater purpose of creating a lasting impact every day. In her spare time, Candice enjoys watching Netflix, curating her closet with vintage and fashion sale finds and is obsessed with things in all different shades of pink.