Founded in 1998, the Cochrane & Area Humane Society (CAHS) operates with the philosophy of giving all adoptable animals a second chance at life.
Along with 50 employees (18.95 full-time equivalents) and over 450 volunteers, the CAHS Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers who serve the organization in two-year terms, to a maximum of six years.
The responsibility of the CAHS Board is to ensure that the shelter is managed in the best interests of the animals in the shelter’s care. Our goal is to maintain strong governance principles that enable CAHS management to provide high-quality care for animals in need and to increase public awareness and confidence in the Cochrane & Area Humane Society. More information is available in our Business Overview and our Philosophy Statement.
If you have any questions, please contact the CAHS Board by email at board@cochranehumane.ca.
Meet our Board of Directors
Lorraine Wesley, Chair
Lorraine Wesley joined the Board in February 2019 and is the current Chair of the Board of Directors. Since joining the Board, she has sat on the Governance and Human Resources Committee, the Nominations Committee and the Risk Management Committee. Lorraine has a BA in Justice Studies and has volunteered for other not for profit Boards.
She lives in Airdrie with her daughter. She also has a son, daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. She is a mom to 20-year-old rescue cat Smokey, 14-year-old rescue dog Diesel (from CAHS!), and Molly, a 12-year-old dog that came to her from a friend.
Norm Peterson, Vice Chair
Norm joined the Board in 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary and is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant. Prior to Norm’s retirement, he served in various capacities for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, including that of Deputy Minister, CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Before his appointment as Chairman and CEO, he was the Chief Financial Officer of the Commission. He has senior executive and Board experience, having served on several Boards throughout his career. His current volunteer experience includes being president of the Villas of Gleneagles Condo Association, as well as volunteering at the CAHS.
Norm was born and raised in Alberta and has lived in Cochrane for 10 years. He currently lives in the Villas of Gleneagles with his wife, Maryann.
Mike Styczen, Secretary
Mike joined the CAHS board in June 2020. Mike is a corporate and commercial lawyer with 20+ years of experience in the energy and clean energy sectors and has worked on numerous pro bono matters in the area of animal welfare. Mike is also a Professional Engineer. Mike lives in Calgary with his family, including Bernese Mountain Dog Juno and rescue lab Quentin.
Ryan Tomlinson, CFO & Treasurer
Ryan joined the CAHS Board of Directors in January 2021 as CFO and Treasurer. He is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary. Ryan has more than 25 years of financial accounting experience, both domestic and international, and is currently working for a private oil and gas company based in Calgary.
Ryan lives in northwest Calgary with his wife, two teenage daughters and their 11-year-old Siberian Husky, Shadow. Winter is their favourite time of the year, and they can often be found seeking out fresh powder while skiing or trying to keep up with Shadow on a fat tire bike.
Tanya Clarke
Tanya joined the Board in June 2020. She is a lawyer, with a B.Soc.Sci from the University of Ottawa and an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was a Crown Prosecutor in Calgary until her first child was born, after which she stayed at home focused on her family, while continuing her passion for advocacy.
Tanya was involved in the community from the time her children were young. She advocated in schools and for schools, volunteered in the classroom, and Chaired Parent Council. In 2010 she joined the Board of CCASA, Calgary’s primary sexual abuse and sexual assault crisis and education service provider. She sat on that Board until her term expired in 2018, serving as Director, Secretary, Vice President, and President. It’s now time for her next adventure.
Tanya resides in Bearspaw with her husband, two kids and their dog, Stella.
Dave Knight
Bio coming soon!
Tina Mihoc
Tina Mihoc joined the Board in March 2022. She has been an animal lover all her life and has engaged in various forms of animal advocacy and welfare, including fundraising, educating, fostering, and re-homing homeless animals and adopting homeless animals herself. She also serves as the President of a British Columbia-based animal charity. Tina has a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of British Columbia.
In February 2022, Tina hung up her litigator robes to focus her time on her family. Tina lives in Bearspaw with her husband, their young twins, her mother and two beloved dogs. In her spare time, Tina is most likely to be found in the yard enjoying time on the Kubota tractor or in the kitchen trying to make a fondant cake.
Keith Rae
Keith joined the Board in February 2023. After a 32 year career in the Information Technology industry he retired in 2013. Most of his work experience was with the Calgary Board of Education with the last 7 years as the Manager of Application Services. Keith was born and raised in Calgary and moved to Cochrane in 2014. His volunteer experience includes 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Condominium Association where he resides. He has owned various dogs and and cats throughout his life and is a true animal lover. He enjoys playing shinny in the winter and golfing in the warmer weather.
Reports & documents
